How to properly size crochet hats.

Chart for correct sizing,

including Magic Circle Sizes.

By Anne Granger
18 January, 2013
No Comments

Crocheting hats is something I know well. In my experience, getting the hat to fit properly
without a model is not always easy. Most Beanies start of with a flat circle. The size of the circle
depends upon the circumference of the head. Looking on the Internet I have found several Blogs
that offered a chart
to help in getting the proper size. The measurements for the circumference of the head and the
corresponding sizing for the flat circle and hat height varied somewhat. Purchasing patterns can
add to the frustration. I have had great differences for the same size between different designers.
To take the mystery out of fitting my hats, I started to keep a chart for the sizes I made the most.
This was very helpful. I also did a lot of research into how to correctly size your flat circle and
height of the hat. I found a formula that helps in getting the correct size. To figure out the
diameter of your flat circle all you need to know is the circumference of the head. An
adult womans head averages about 22 inches. The formula is to divide your circumference by
3.14.
Head circumference 22 : 3.14 = 7.00 inches. Now you know your circle needs to be 7 inches.
To get the correct height (from top of crown to bottom of the ear) you divide your circumference
by 10 and multiply this number times 4.

Head circumference 22 : 10 = 2.2 x 4 = 8.8. So the hat height should be 8.8 inches. Hats are
generally made about an inch smaller in circumference than the circumference of the head. This

keeps the hat fitting snug and to keeps it from falling off. Most patterns generally have about an
inch stretch to them.
I am going to post the chart I made for myself. This is the chart I use to size the hats I make. It is
a good reference and I hope it helps.

Size
Preemie 1 2
pounds
Preemie 2 3
pounds
Preemie 4 5
pounds
Preemie 5
6 pounds
Newborn
2 weeks 3
months
3 6 months
6 9 months
9 -12 months
12-18 months
18-24 months
2-5 years
Child

Teen

Hat Height -Top

of Crown to
Bottom of Ear
9 10 inches/23 25 7.5 8 inches/18 1.75 2 inches/4 3 3.5 inches/ 8
cm
20 cm
5 cm
9 1/2 cm
10 11 inches/25 8 1/2 10 inches/22 2.0 2.25
3.5 inches/9 9
28 cm
25 cm
inches/5 cm
cm
11 12 inches/28 9 10 inches/23 25 2.5 3 inches/ 6 3.5 4 inches/9
30 cm
cm
8 cm
10 cm
12 13 inches/30 10 11 inches/25 3.0 3.5 inches/7 4 4.5 inches/10
33 cm
28 cm
9 cm
11 cm
4.5 5.5
12 12.5 inches/30.5 3.5 4.0 inches/9
13 inches/33 cm
inches/11 14
32 cm
10 cm
cm
13 13.5 inches/33 4.45 4.75
5.5 6 inches/14
14 inches/35.5 cm
34.5 cm
inches/11-12.5 cm 15 cm
6 6.25
14 14.5 inches/35.5
15 inches/36 cm
5 inches/ 13 cm inches/15 16
37 cm
cm
6.25 6.5
16 inches/40.5 cm
15 inches/36 cm
5.25 inches/14 cm inches/16 16
cm
5.25 5.5
6.5 inches/16
16.5 inches/42 cm
15.5 inches/ 39.5 cm
inches/14 15 cm cm
5.5 5.75
6.75 inches/ 17
17 inches/43.5 cm
16 inches/ 40.5 cm
inches/15 cm
cm
5.75 6 inches/15 7.25 inches/19
18 inches/46 cm
17 inches/ 43.5 cm
16 cm
cm
18 19 inches/46 17 18 inches/43.5
7.25 7.5 inches/
6 6.25/16 cm
48.5 cm
46 cm
19 cm
6.25 6.5
19 20 inches/48.5 18 19 inches/46
7.75 8.0
inches/16 cm 17
51 cm
48.5 cm
inches/20 cm
cm
8.0 8.5
20 21 inches/51 19 20 inches/48.5 6.5 6.75
inches/20 22
53.5 cm
51 cm
inches/17
cm
Head
Circumference

Adult Woman 22 inches/56 cm

Hat Circumference

Crown Circle
Diameter

21 inches/53.5 cm

7 7.5 inches/18 8.75 9

 19 cm
Adult Man

23 inches/ 59 cm

22 inches/56 cm

inches/23 cm

7.5 8 inches/19 9.25 9.50/23

20 cm
cm