This soft and festive granny square features a bright red Santa hat with a fluffy puff stitch brim and a flower shaped pompom, set on an all cream lace background. The open granny windows around the edge give it a light, vintage feel, making it perfect for Christmas blankets, pillows, ornaments, and gift toppers.
The square is made in two parts. First you crochet the cream granny square with its open lace pattern, then you make the hat, brim, and pompom and sew them on top for a raised, dimensional look.
Materials
Worsted weight cotton or acrylic yarn in cream, about 40 g
Worsted weight yarn in red, about 12 g
Crochet hook 4.0 mm
Tapestry needle, scissors, and stitch markers
Finished Size
About 16 by 16 cm (6.5 by 6.5 inches)
Stitches Used (US Terms)
ch chain
sl st slip stitch
sc single crochet
hdc half double crochet
dc double crochet
sc2tog single crochet two together
puff pull up 3 loops in the same stitch and close them together
cluster 3 double crochet worked into the same space
Part 1: The Cream Granny Square
Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.
Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as a double crochet), work 2 double crochet in the ring, and chain 2. Work 3 double crochet and chain 2 three more times. Join. You have 4 corners.
Round 2: Slip stitch into the corner space. Chain 3 and work 2 double crochet, chain 2, and 3 double crochet in the same space. Chain 1. In each remaining corner, work 3 double crochet, chain 2, and 3 double crochet, with chain 1 between corners. Join.
Rounds 3 to 5: Work 3 double crochet in each chain 1 space along the sides, with chain 1 between groups. In each corner, work 3 double crochet, chain 2, and 3 double crochet. Join at the end of each round.
Open Window Round
Round 6: Slip stitch into the corner space. Chain 3 and work the corner as before. Along the sides, work 3 double crochet in the first space, then chain 3, skip the next cluster, and work 3 double crochet in the next space. Repeat to the next corner. This creates the larger open windows you see around the edge.
Round 7: Work 3 double crochet in every chain 1 space and every chain 3 window space along the sides, with chain 1 between groups. In each corner, work 3 double crochet, chain 2, and 3 double crochet. Join.
Round 8: Chain 1 and work single crochet in each stitch and space around, with 3 single crochet in each corner space. Join and fasten off.
Your square should measure about 16 cm across.
Part 2: The Red Hat
With red, chain 19.
Row 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. You have 18 stitches.
Rows 2 to 4: Chain 1 and single crochet in each stitch across. Turn.
Rows 5 to 12: Chain 1, single crochet 2 together, then single crochet across to the last 2 stitches, and single crochet 2 together. Turn. Continue until 4 stitches remain.
Rows 13 to 16: Chain 1 and single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. These extra rows make the tip that folds over to the side.
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
To shape the hat, fold the tip down toward the right side so it curves like the one in the photo.
Part 3: The Puff Stitch Brim (cream)
Chain 24.
Row 1: Half double crochet in the 3rd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. You have 22 stitches.
Row 2: Chain 1, then work a puff stitch in the first stitch and chain 1. Skip 1 stitch, then work a puff stitch and chain 1 in the next stitch. Repeat across. Turn.
Row 3: Chain 1, then work a puff stitch in each chain 1 space with chain 1 between. Turn.
Row 4: Chain 1 and single crochet in each puff and each space across. Fasten off and leave a long tail.
The brim should be slightly wider than the bottom of the hat.
Part 4: The Flower Pompom (cream)
Chain 4 and join into a ring.
Round 1: Chain 1 and work 10 single crochet in the ring. Join.
Round 2: Chain 2, then in the next stitch work a puff stitch, chain 2, and slip stitch in the following stitch. Repeat around to make 5 puff petals. Join and fasten off.
This makes the flower shaped pompom shown in the photo.
Assembly
Place the red hat on the cream square, with the wide edge a little below the center and the folded tip pointing toward the right corner.
Sew the hat in place using the red tail and small whip stitches around the edge.
Sew the brim along the bottom of the hat so it covers the lower edge and extends slightly past it on both sides.
Sew the pompom to the tip of the hat.
Weave in all ends on the back.
Blocking
Lightly dampen the square and pin it flat with straight sides and sharp corners. Do not press the brim or pompom so they stay puffy and raised.
Ways to Use Your Santa Hat Square
Join several squares with plain red and cream squares for a holiday blanket.
Sew two squares together over a cushion insert for a Christmas pillow.
Add a ribbon loop and hang it as a large tree ornament.
Use one square as a festive coaster or a gift topper.
Join a row of squares for a holiday table runner or wall banner.
Color Ideas
Green hat on a cream background for an elf style square
Red hat on a soft gray background for a modern look
Pink hat on a white background for a pastel Christmas
Blue hat with a silver sparkle brim for a frosty winter theme
Tips for Success
Count your stitches after each decrease row so the hat stays even.
If the open window round makes the square ripple, go down one hook size for that round.
Use stitch markers at the corners to keep the square straight.
Pin the hat, brim, and pompom in place before sewing to check the position.
Final Thoughts
This cream lace Santa hat square is a quick, cozy project that brings holiday cheer to anything you make. It pairs beautifully with other Christmas squares, such as snowmen, gifts, and trees, for a festive sampler blanket. Share your finished squares in the comments below. We would love to see your holiday makes!