Methodology for Choosing the Books I’ve Included on This List of the Best Crochet Hat Pattern Books of 2026:
I’ve been checking out the latest 2026 trend reports and high-end designer collections to see which hat styles are stylish and popular for the new year. And, with the latest hat trends firmly in mind, I’ve revised this long-running list of the best crochet hat pattern books to be current for 2026.
Over at Chanel, I’m seeing classic berets and tweed bucket hats in the fall-winter 2025-2026 ready-to-wear collections.
Over at Dior, I saw berets on the runways for the upcoming season; the current ready-to-wear offerings I found include beanies, bucket hats, berets, cloches and brim hats. In general, I’ve been seeing a lot of Shapkas and trapper hats around, and Dior’s currently offering one of these styles, too.
At other fashion sites around the internet, I also saw bunches of balaclavas, faux fur hats, pill box hats and sailor hats in the press coverage for various Fashion Week events and designer collections.
I confess to being puzzled by some of the hats presented with the Spring 2026 fashion collections.
One example: Tricorne hats.
I’m not sure which hats the trendy Manhattanites and Manhattan Beach dwellers on either coast will be wearing in 2026 — but I can safely say that I don’t know of any crochet or knitting books that include patterns for these. Who knows, maybe there will be crochet pattern designers who design new crocheted tricorne hats in 2026? But even if they do, I’m fairly certain that the vast majority of crocheters and knitters will be skipping out on that trend and sticking with mainstream hat silhouettes, many of which are suitable for crochet and knitting.
So, before we get into my list of suggestions for the best crochet hat pattern books this year, here’s a quick rundown on 2026’s trendy hat silhouettes that work best for crocheting:
- Beanies
- Berets
- Balaclavas
- Bucket hats
- Cloches
- Triangle kerchiefs and head wraps, although not exactly hats, are also trendy right now as we head into 2026.
So when I selected the books on this list, I chose titles that include patterns for crocheting these specific hat styles.
I also stuck to recommending books I have personally reviewed. Some of these are books that I checked out of the library multiple times; and some of them are books that I personally own.
In all cases, I have actually read the books.
In most but not all cases, I have crocheted projects using the instructions in the books.
I’m a real person (not a robot; not AI) with a degree in textile design. I’ve been crocheting for 40+ years, and I worked in the textile industry for about a decade — so I’m knowledgeable about fashion and textiles in general, and also specifically about crochet.
I mention all of the above so you can make an educated evaluation about the trustworthiness of my recommendations.
My Top Picks for the Best Crochet Hat Pattern Books in 2026:
1. Mad Hatter
The hats in this book aren’t going to be everybody’s jam, but I still think this book deserves a place on this list.
As I mentioned above, a couple of the trendiest hat styles right now are bucket hats and balaclavas. In this book, you get patterns for crocheting very basic versions of both types.
Then you also get patterns for extra little appliques and doodads you can use for embellishing the hats.
If you look at the picture on the front cover of the book, you’ll get the idea for one direction you can take this in. You’ll notice that this look is really colorful and eye-catching.
Maybe colorful and eye-catching isn’t quite what you want.
Even if it isn’t, this book might still be of interest, because you don’t have to do that much embellishing to your hats.
So, I invite you to check out my book review if these ideas seem interesting to you. In my review, I share a photo of one of the projects I made from the book (it’s not a hat, but it’s a cute little rose you could use for embellishing a hat, if that’s what you want to do.)
Learn More About This Book:
2. Crocheted Beanies and Slouchy Hats by Julie King
If you want to crochet a stylish beret in 2026, this book is my top recommendation for you. Crocheted Beanies and Slouchy Hats is my go-to resource for spectacular beret patterns — some of which are simple, some of which are colorful and some of which are lacy and feminine. I think you’re going to LOVE the variety of different looks included in this pattern book!
This book also has you covered if you want to crochet beanies, slouchy beanies or an earflap beanie.
All together, there are 31 hat patterns included in the book.
Learn More About Crocheted Beanies and Slouchy Hats by Julie King:
- Click here to check out my detailed book review of this title.
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
3. Learn to Crochet Top-Down Beanies
If you’re in need of beanie patterns for anyone of any age, you’ll definitely want to take a look at Learn to Crochet Top-Down Beanies by Rohn Strong. This book is unique because it frees you from the hassle of checking your gauge and matching the original pattern designer’s gauge. This is really a genius idea for a book, and I highly recommend it to to other crocheters.
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4. Noggins and Necks: 10 Crochet Designs by Bonnie Barker
Noggins and Necks is a book that’s focused exclusively on giving you aran-style crochet patterns for ladies’ hat and scarf sets. There are five matching sets included in the book, all of which are suitable for pairing with jackets, coats and other outerwear during the colder months of the year.
Find Out More About This Book:
5. Infant Boots and Hats: 6 Charming Sets
If you’re in need of new hat patterns plus baby bootie patterns for tiny babies, Infant Boots and Hats: 6 Charming Sets is a crochet pattern book you’re likely to enjoy. The book will give you a variety of super cute baby hat patterns to crochet. Kristi Simpson is the book’s author, and she is also the crochet pattern designer who created these hat designs.
Learn More About This Title
- Click here to check out our detailed book review of Infant Boots and Hats.
- Click here to see more of our picks for the best crochet baby pattern books.
That’s our short but sweet roundup of the best crochet hat pattern books. If you want to crochet a hat, all of these books are worth adding to your pattern stash.
Over to You:
Have you made any of the hats from any of these crochet hat pattern books? If so, how did your hat(s) turn out?
Do you have a favorite crochet hat pattern book? We’d love to know about your recommendations for wonderful crochet hat patterns. The floor is open for comments — so let’s discuss your experiences in the comments section below.
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Posted By: Amy Solovay
This page was last updated on 12-16-2025.