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Fawn Bonnet · Free Crochet Pattern


Tis the season of bonnets!

Gosh, I have just been obsessed with making head accessories for my baby girl.  To name a few, there's the: Rose Bonnet, Bear Beanie, Summer Flower Headband, Classic Bonnet, Lacy Flower Crown, Lace Headband, Classic Lace Bonnet, Hooded Bunny Capelet, Baby's Buttoned Turban, Velvet Baby Turban, and Ribbed Baby Turban.  I think I have good reason to be making yet another, now that we're heading into winter. Keeping my little one's head cozy (while looking cute) is important!

I'm super excited about my most recent design for her, which is inspired by the rustic aesthetic of woodland tales!  Here's the Fawn Bonnet, which features a no-sew textured bonnet with two tying straps and a pair of antlers and pointed ears with a rather realistic shape.



Special Ears Design

I'm especially happy with how the ears turned out, as I designed them to be two-toned: using an inner-ear color of white (or off-white) and an outer-ear color of light brown.  Being two-toned, they're also double-layered, and they feel very plush and soft while maintaining a lovely deer-like shape.  Doesn't it just look so sweet?  


Sizing

The antlers and ears are available in one size for babies all the way to adults.  I feel that the same size is versatile enough to make for different age groups.  The bonnet section of this pattern, however, come in four different sizes (baby, toddler, child, and adult).  The PDF pattern includes all four sizes with some custom sizing tips.  The free pattern, which I will be sharing with you below, is for the Toddler size only. 


Yarn

The yarn that I used for this project is the beautiful, Lion Brand Heartland in the color "Great Sand Dunes" (for the light brown of the bonnet and ears) and "Mammoth Cave" (for the dark brown antlers).  I think I may have used the off-white color of Lion Brand's Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling in "Ecru" for the inner ears.  These yarns are all medium-weight (#4).  The Heartland skeins have a heathered and tweedy look, which I think is perfect for the autumn and winter seasons.

Look at the gorgeous stitch definition, too!


Gift Occasions

I also have to add -- this bonnet makes a beautiful last-gift for so many occasions!  Baby showers, birthdays, Christmas, holidays...  It’s also great a product to sell at craft fairs, or as photo props for newborn or baby photographers. 


If you like this design of mine, you can check out my other Free Crochet Patterns


You can also PIN it for later on your Crochet board!



PDF Pattern Download

If you would like to download the beautifully-formatted, ad-free, and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references, you can get a copy from my Ravelry or Etsy shop.  It includes ALL SIZES (baby, toddler, child, and adult), as well as photo references.





FAWN BONNET

Free Crochet Pattern


Copyright Notice -- © 2021 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com). No wholesale. You may not translate, copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in video tutorials or teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.

Introduction:

The Fawn Bonnet is a sweet-looking reindeer hat with antlers and ears. The ears are two-toned and double layered, making them luxurious and plush while maintaining a realistic deer shape. This rustic, woodland animal inspired design is perfect for the fall and winter seasons, or as a Christmas holiday gift! They also make great photography props and accessories for newborn shoots, as well as cosplay outfits and Halloween costumes. Sizes include: baby, toddler, child, and adult. The PDF pattern includes full written instructions as well as helpful photo references to guide you through the entire hat-making process.


Size:

Baby, Toddler, Child, and Adult 
(Toddler bonnet size is provided in the free pattern below)

Check out the Hat Sizing Chart (free printable) for measurement references if you'd like to make a custom-sized bonnet.


Level of Difficulty:

★★☆☆☆ Familiar Beginner. Requires familiarity with stitches used (below), attaching yarn, and sewing pieces together.


Stitches/Terms Used:

  • FO = fasten off
  • st(s) = stitch(es)
  • ch = chain
  • sl st = slip stitch
  • sc = single crochet
  • hdc = half double crochet
  • dc = double crochet
  • tr = triple (treble) crochet
  • dc-inc = dc increase (2 dc in one st)
  • BLO = back loops only

Materials:

  • Medium weight (4) yarn in the colors light brown, dark brown, and white (examples: Lion Brand Heartland, Caron Simply Soft)
  • 6mm hook (for the bonnet and ears)
  • 3.25mm hook (for antlers only)
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors



Pattern Notes (Read Before Beginning):

  • This free bonnet pattern is for the TODDLER size! (If you'd like the baby, child, and adult sizes, they are available in the PDF pattern.)
  • Use the 6mm hook for all parts of the pattern, except for the antlers. Use the 3.25mm hook for the antler sections. 
  • The bonnet section is made in one piece from: [1] back of the bonnet (height of the hat) to [2] the sides of the bonnet (length of the hat) and [3] the straps. 
  • Starting chains do not count as a stitch. 
  • For custom hat sizing/measurements chart, download the free printable reference guide.

Part 1 of 2: Crocheting the Bonnet


Back of Bonnet

Note: Work in continuous rounds for this section. Use light brown yarn. 

R1: In a MR, ch 2 and insert 12 dc. Pull ring tight. *Join with a sl st to the first dc. (12 dc) 
R2: Ch 2, dc-inc around. *Join. (24 dc) 
R3: Ch 2, (dc, dc-inc) around. *Join. (36 dc) 
R4: Ch 2, (dc 2, dc-inc) around. *Join. (48 dc) 
R5: Ch 2, (dc 3, dc-inc) around. *Join. (60 dc) Stop here for the toddler size.

Without FO, continue with the ‘Side of Bonnet’ instructions.


SIDE OF BONNET 

Note: Work in turned rows for this section. 

R1: Ch 2, dc across but leave the last 6 sts unworked. 
R2: Ch 2, turn. Dc across in FLO. 
R3: Ch 2, turn. Dc across in BLO. 
R4: Ch 2, turn. Dc across in FLO. 
R5: Ch 2, turn. Dc across in BLO. 

Without FO, continue with the ‘Edging’ section.


EDGING 

Note: You will now turn your work to crochet along the bottom edge of the bonnet (photo references available in the PDF pattern).  

Sc along the bottom edge of the bonnet. 

Without FO, continue with the ‘Straps’ section. 


STRAPS & FRONT EDGING 

Attach a different color yarn (white) for the straps, if desired. 

Strap #1: Ch 30. 
Sl st in 2nd ch from hook. 
Sl st along the ch until you return to the bonnet. 

Front Edging: Sc in BLO across the front edge of the bonnet. 

Strap #2: Ch 30. 
Sl st in 2nd ch from hook. 
Sl st along the ch until you return to the bonnet. 

FO with a tail and weave in the end.


Part 2 of 2: Crocheting the Reindeer Pieces


EARS (x2)

Note: A video tutorial for the ears is available. 

Inner Ear Piece 

Make two using white yarn. 
  1. Ch 11. 
  2. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st in each of the remaining 9 ch. 
  3. Now, work along the other side of the ch. Work one stitch into each of the 10 sts as follows: hdc, dc, tr 2, dc 2, hdc 2, sc, sl st. 
  4. Now, work along the other side of the ch. Work one stitch into each of the 10 sts as follows: sl st, sc, hdc 2, dc 2, tr 2, dc, hdc. 
  5. FO with a tail, which will be weaved in later. 

Outer Ear Piece & Joining 

Make two using light brown yarn. 
  1. Repeat steps #1-4 for the ‘Inner Ear Piece.’ 
  2. Do not FO. 

Joining the Ear Pieces 

  1. We will now work on joining the inner and outer ear pieces together. 
  2. Place the wrong side of the inner and outer pieces together. 
  3. With yarn still attached to the outer ear piece, insert a sc in each of the sts around the two pieces, going through both layers at once. 
  4. FO with a long tail for sewing later. 

ANTLERS (x2)

Note: Use the 3.25mm hook for the antlers. 

Antler Top (AT) 

Use dark brown yarn. 
R1: Insert 6 sc in MR. Pull ring tight. (6 sc) 
R2: (Sc, inc) x 3. (9 sc) 
R3: (Sc 2, inc) x 3. (12 sc) 
R4-R8: Sc around. (12) 
Make two Antler Tops (AT); FO for AT#1, but do not FO for AT#2. 

Joining the Antler Tops

  1. With yarn attached to AT#2, insert hook into a st in R8 of AT#1.  Make a sc, then continue inserting a sc in each of next 11 sts on AT#1.  
  2. Return to AT#2 by making a sc (on Ball#2) next to the st where you had crossed over at the beginning of this section.  Continue inserting a sc in each of the next 11 sts on AT#2.  This brings the end stitch count to a total of 24 sts. 
  3. Continue with the Antler Stem instructions without FO. 


Antler Stem 

R1: (Sc 2, dec) x 6. (18) 
R2-R4: Sc around. (18)




  1. Sew the two antlers to the bonnet first.  
  2. For the ears, pinch the bottom together to create a crease before sewing it down. 

Tips for positioning: 

  • Fold the bonnet in half to find the midpoint. Determine placement for the antlers first, then the ears. 
  • Use sewing pins to hold the pieces in place before sewing them down.

Congratulations on finishing the Fawn Bonnet! 






If you enjoyed this free project, you can make a donation to support my work.  Any amount is greatly appreciated and will go directly towards the yarn and supplies I use to keep creating new designs!


PDF Pattern Download 

If you would like to download the beautifully-formatted, ad-free, and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references, you can get a copy from my Ravelry or Etsy shop.  It includes ALL SIZES (baby, toddler, child, and adult), as well as photo references.




If you enjoyed this project, you might like my other designs!  Simply click on the image below for the pattern, check out my Clothing & Accessories pattern page, or browse my entire free pattern collection.

    




If you made this project and would like to share photos, I'd absolutely love to see!  Here are links for sharing your finished creation: 

As always, you are more than welcome to SHARE this post with any fellow crocheters who'd like to try this pattern!  Thank you for reading, and I wish you all a wonderful day!

Best wishes,