Clifford the Red Dog Children’s Book Character Hat Crochet Pattern

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Clifford the Red Dog Children's Book Character Hat Crochet Pattern_ a chick crafting through Rheumatoid Arthritis cRAfterChick.com

Clifford the Red Dog Children’s Book Character Hat Crochet Pattern

  free crochet pattern from cRAfterChick.com

Clifford the Red Dog Children’s Book Character Hat Free Crochet Pattern

Clifford the Red dog is one of my favorite book characters from my young childhood.  When I started thinking up book characters to turn into character hats for my mother to wear in her class during reading time, he was on top of my list.  I have been having so much fun making hats and items for her classroom. They have been a big hit with both the children and the teachers.  I had to take a break to work on some special projects and the kids all started asking if I was okay because they were missing out on new hats. 😉

This is an advanced beginner friendly pattern.  If you can crochet in the round you will find this easier than you think.  I hope you enjoy bringing your Clifford hat together like I have.  I tend to fall in love with all of my hats during the creation process. Happy crafting!

Clifford the Red Dog Children's Book Character Hat Crochet Pattern

Clifford the Red Dog Children’s Book Character Hat Crochet Pattern Notes

  Clifford the Red Dog Children’s Book Character Hat Crochet Pattern (4)

Project requires:
Bright Red Yarn for Beanie Hat main color and ears- (I use a lot of Red Heart Saver yarn but any medium to normal weight yarn will do)
Black Yarn for features
White yarn for eye whites
“J” hook (6.0 mm)
Scissors or Yarn Cutter
Blunt large eye yarn / tapestry needle to weave in ends
Small amount of fiberfill stuffing

Abbreviations used in this pattern (US crochet stitches):
ch – chain
st – stitch
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet (US)
dc – double crochet (US)
hdc – half double crochet (US)

Clifford the Red Dog Children’s Book Character Hat Crochet Pattern (10)

Pattern Instructions:

*Note: This project is worked in the round on the base of a magic ring. If you do not know how to do this, please see tutorial here from: yarntomato on CrochetMe

The hat in this picture is made with my free Easy Peas Pre-Teen / Teen / Women Double Crochet Beanie Pattern, which you can find  here as a foundation for the projectWant it in another size? No worries. Head over to Easy Peasy All Family Sizes Free Double Crochet Beanie Patterns to select the size of the free pattern you want for your project.

Hat Base: in main color yarn
Use Easy Peasy Crochet Beanie Size of your choice Once you have completed your beanie for the base you are ready to start on making your Clifford the Red Dog children’s book character hat! :)

*Snout / Nose Back*: using red yarn – optional
This step is an optional step in creating this character hat but one I highly recommend.  When you wear crochet hats, the stitches spread open to accommodate heads. This is how they stay on.  So when you have large stuffed features, it helps to have a backing to that area to prevent stuffing from escaping on to the wearer’s head, which can be rather itchy. 😉 It also helps keep the life of the hat longer.
Round 1: In a magic circle, ch 2 before placing 10 dc in to the circle.  Pull circle closed and sl st in top of the 1st st in round. (10 dc)
Round 2: Ch 2 before placing 2 dc in 1st st and in each of the following 9 st around. Sl st in top of 1st st in round. (20 dc)
Round 3: Ch 2 before placing *2 dc in 1st st and 1 dc in following st*  repeating * pattern around through round. Sl st to top of 1st st in round.  (30 dc)
Fasten off.

*The feature above works well on toddler, youth, teen and adult sizes.  For 6 to 12 month sizes, do the above in hdc stitches instead of dc to scale down the features to a more appropriate size.  For newborn to 6 month sizes, do the above in hdc and eliminate round 3 increase for this feature.

Snout / Nose: using red yarn
Round 1: In a magic circle, ch 2 before placing 10 dc in to the circle.  Pull circle closed and sl st in top of the 1st st in round. (10 dc)
Round 2: Ch 2 before placing 2 dc in 1st st and in each of the following 9 st around. Sl st in top of 1st st in round. (20 dc)
Round 3: Ch 2 before placing *2 dc in 1st st and 1 dc in following st*  repeating * pattern around through round. Sl st to top of 1st st in round.  (30 dc)
Round 4-6:  Ch 1 before placing 1 dc in 1st st and each of the following 29 st around. Sl st in top of 1st round. (30 dc)
Leave a long enough of a yarn tail to be able to sew your snout/nose to the snout/nose back *optional* and on to your beanie hat during assembly before cutting they yarn.  Pull yarn through last stitch and place to side until needed in finishing steps.

*The feature above works well on toddler, youth, teen and adult sizes.  For 6 to 12 month sizes, do the above in hdc stitches instead of dc to scale down the features to a more appropriate size and do not do round 6.  For newborn to 6 month sizes, do the above in hdc and eliminate round 3 increase plus round 6 for this feature.

Black Nose: using black yarn

Row 1: Ch 3.  Place 3 dc in 3rd ch from hook.  Ch 2 and turn. (3 dc)
Row 2:   In 1st st place 2 dc, 1 dc in next st and 2 dc in last st.  Ch 1 and turn. (5 dc)
Row 3:  Place 1 st in each st around perimeter of nose, placing 2 sc in each of the three corners of the triangular shaped nose to give it a more round appearance until you make it back to 1st st in row.  Sl st in top of the 1st st.
Make sure you leave a long enough tail before cutting yarn so that you can use it to sew your black nose on to the front of the nose/snout during assembly plus freehand stitch on Clifford’s smile.

*The feature above works well on toddler, youth, teen and adult sizes.  For newborn to 12 month sizes, do the following instead:
Row 1: Ch 3.  Place 2 hdc in 3rd ch from hook.  Ch 2 and turn. (2 hdc)
Row 2:   In both st place 2 hdc. Ch 1 and turn. (4 hdc)
Row 3:  Place 1 st in each st around perimeter of nose, placing 2 sc in each of the three corners of the triangular shaped nose to give it a more round appearance until you make it back to 1st st in row.  Sl st in top of the 1st st.

Eye Pupils (Make 2): using black yarn
Round 1:  In magic circle, ch 1 before placing the following stitches in this order:  3 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 4 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc.  Pull ovalish circle tightly closed. Sl st in to the top of 1st st in round. (14 st total)
Leave a long enough yarn tail to be able to sew your eye pupil in place on eye white during finishing steps before cutting yarn. Sit to side until needed.
Repeat process for second eye pupil.

*The feature above works well for toddler, youth, teen and adult sizes.  For newborn to 12 month sized hats, you will work the st in this order: 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 2 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 sc. Sl st closed. (9 st total)

Eye Whites (Make 2): using white yarn
Round 1:  In magic circle, ch 1 before placing the following stitches in this order:  3 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 4 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc.  Pull ovalish circle tightly closed. Sl st in to the top of 1st st in round. (14 st total)
Round 2:  Ch 1 before making 1 sc in 1st 3 st, 2 dc in next 3 st, 1 sc in next 4 st, 2 dc in next 3 st, 1 sc in last st. Sl s in top of the 1st st in round. (20 st total)
Leave a long enough yarn tail to be able to sew your eye whites directly on to the beanie during hat assembly.
Repeat process for second eye.

*The feature above works well for toddler, youth, teen and adult sizes.  For newborn to 12 month sized hats, you will work the st in this order: 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 2 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 sc. Sl st closed. (9 st total)  and for 2nd round switch all dc stitches to hdc.

Ear Front (Make 2): using main color red yarn
Row 1: Ch 9. Place 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and 1 dc in each ofthe following 6 ch. Ch 2 and turn. (7 dc)
Row 2: Make 2 dc in 1st st in row, 1 dc in each of the next 5 st and 2 dc in last st. Ch 2 and turn.  (9 dc)
Row 3-6: Place 1 dc in 1st st in row and in each st across. Ch 2 and turn. (9 dc)
Row 7: Place 1 dc in 2nd st in row leaving 1st st unworked and 1 dc in each of following 7 st. Ch 2 and turn. (8 dc)
Row 8: Place 1 dc in 2nd st in row leaving 1st st unworked and 1 dc in each of following 6 st. Ch 2 and turn.(7 dc)
Row 9:  Place 1 dc in 2nd st in row leaving 1st st unworked and 1 dc in each of following 5 st. Ch 2 and turn.(6 dc)
Row 10:  Place 1 dc in 2nd st in row leaving 1st st unworked and 1 dc in each of following 4 st. Ch 2 and turn.(5  dc)
Row 11-14: Work 1 dc in each st in row across. (5 dc)
Fasten off.
Repeat process for second ear.

*The feature above works well for toddler, youth, teen and adult sizes.  For newborn to 12 month sizes, switch to hdc for the whole ear pattern instead of dc. This will scale it down to a proper size for these hats.

Ear Back and Assembly (Make 2): using main color red yarn
Repeat instructions for Rows 1-14 of the Ear Fronts but do not fasten off at the end of Row 14.  Ch 1 and turn.
Row 10: Place a finished Ear Front in front of the Ear Back you are working on, lining up the st.  ( I like to use safety pins to mark the ends of mine so I don’t have to stop and keep checking to see if they line up as I can be a bit OCD about that kind of thing. 😉 but it is not a necessary step.)  Now work a round of 1 sc in each st around perimeter of Clifford’s ear. When you reach the bottom of ear you can make 2 sc in each of the 5 center bottom st to give it a nice rounded appearance like I have in my picture.
Make sure you leave a tail that is long enough to secure the ear in place on the beanie hat during assembly before cutting yarn, pulling through last stitch and placing to side.
Repeat process for second ear.

*The feature above works well for toddler, youth, teen and adult sizes.  For newborn to 12 month sizes,  switch to hdc for the whole ear pattern instead of dc. This will scale it down to a proper size for these hats.

Hair on top of head: using black yarn
(first hair) Ch 10.  Place 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and 1 sc in each of the next 6 sc. Sl st in next ch from hook.
(second hair) Leaving last ch unworked for now, ch 7. Make 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and following 5 ch. Sl st in last ch from hook previously unworked.
(third hair) Ch 6.  Place 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of the next 4 ch. Sl st back in to the starting st for this hair.
Make sure you leave a long enough yarn tail on your hair piece to attach to the top of Clifford’s head during assembly before cutting yarn, pulling through last stitch and putting to side until needed.

*The feature above works well for toddler, youth, teen and adult sizes. For newborn to 12 month sizes,  switch to following instructions instead of above:
(first hair) Ch 8.  Place 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and 1 sc in each of the next 4 sc. Sl st in next ch from hook.
(second hair) Leaving last ch unworked for now, ch 5. Make 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and following 3 ch. Sl st in last ch from hook previously unworked.
(third hair) Ch 4.  Place 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of the next 2 ch. Sl st back in to the starting st for this hair.

Clifford the Red Dog Children’s Book Character Hat Crochet Pattern (19)

Finishing off:
Starting off we will be assembling the nose/ snout part of Clifford.  Take the tail left on the black nose for him and your yarn needle to sew it in desired location near the top of the front of the nose/snout piece.  Don’t make it too high or it won’t show when wearing it from the front and too low you won’t be able to stitch the mouth on.  You can reference my pictures to see how I placed mine.  Once you have it secured in place, use the leftover yarn tail to freehand stitch on his mouth lines.  Once completed, pull your yarn to inside of nose/snout and fasten off.
Now take the red yarn tail from your nose/snout piece and use the yarn needle to attach it to the nose/snout back piece (if you did this step) or on to the beanie hat if skipped nose/snout backing.  Stop about 3/4 of the way around to lightly stuff the nose/snout piece with the fiberfill stuffing. You just want to do enough so that you get the full rounded appearance you desire but don’t over stuff it.  If you overfill this feature it will bubble up in the back making the area around the hat where it is attached bunch up or sag when wearing it.   Once you have completely assembled the snout and attached it to the beanie, pull yarn to inside of beanie hat and fasten off.
Taking the tail from one eye pupil and your yarn needle, sew it on place on top of your eye white. I placed mine near the bottom of the eye to be more like the illustrations I found of Clifford. You can reference my pictures to see how I placed mine but feel free to play around with your placement as you desire.  Once securely in place, pull yarn to the back of the eye white before fastening off. Repeat for second eye.
Now you want to use the tail from one assembled eye and your yarn needle to sew one eye in to the proper place on beanie. You can reference my pictures as to where I placed them on my Clifford hat.   Once sewn on, pull yarn to inside of hat and finish off.  Now go ahead and repeat this process for second eye.
Next using the tail left behind on one of the Clifford’s assembled ears, use your yarn needle to secure the ear to the side top area of the beanie in desired location with the contrast on hat. (You can see my pictures for where I placed my own.)  If you want longer hanging ears place lower on side of beanie. For shorter ones, place higher up on beanie hat.  Once you have it in place, pull your yarn in to the inside of the beanie before finishing off any extra length.  Repeat this process for the second ear.
All that is left now is his three little hairs piece on top of his head.  Taking the black yarn tail from his hairs and your yarn needle, sew them in place on top of the beanie hat.  For my character hat I placed it in the center of beginning circle of round 1 for the beanie base but feel free to move it around to see where you like it best before attaching it.  Once fully attached, pull yarn to inside of beanie and fasten off.
Now take the time to check over your crochet project for any tails or ends that you may have missed throughout assembly process to weave in and finish off. Do so now if you find any.

Here are some pictures to show how the completed Clifford the Red Dog book character hat looks like worn from different angles once you are all done:

Clifford the Red Dog Children’s Book Character Hat Crochet Pattern (11)

Clifford the Red Dog Children’s Book Character Hat Crochet Pattern (8)

Clifford the Red Dog Children’s Book Character Hat Crochet Pattern (14)

Clifford the Red Dog Children’s Book Character Hat Crochet Pattern (6)

Clifford the Red Dog Children’s Book Character Hat Crochet Pattern (12)

Clifford the Red Dog Children’s Book Character Hat Crochet Pattern (9)

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