How to DIY a Super Cute and Easy Fleece Winter Hat

7 Materials
$5
30 Minutes
Easy

In this post, I'm making a fleece winter hat from material taken from a thrifted sweater.


This warm hat and scarf set is extremely quick and easy to make. It's perfect for a beginner too and a great way to learn how to make a hat from fleece if you've never done it before.

Tools and materials:

  • Fleece sweater
  • Tailor's chalk
  • Scissors
  • Pins
  • Measuring tape or ruler
  • Sewing machine
  • Serger (optional)
Cutting bunny ears

1. Cut bunny ears

Each bunny ear piece is 28.3 inches (72 cm) wide and 4.75 (12 cm) long and you will need 4 pieces. 


Remove the collar and sleeves from your sweater and cut open the side seams.


Fold the front in half lengthways twice, so you have 4 layers of fabric.

Cutting bunny ears

Draw the pattern shape directly on to the fabric with tailor's chalk and cut it out. 

Making bunny ears

2. Make ears

Pin 2 pieces together with right sides facing and sew them, leaving the short straight end open.


Turn the ears right side out through the open end.

Measurements

3. Cut out hat

Measure around the circumference of your head just above your eyebrows. 

Cutting fabric

Fold the back of your sweater in half lengthways. 


Cut a rectangle on the fold of the fabric, 22.5 inches (57 cm) long for an adult or 21 inches (53 cm) in length for a child, and your head measurement less 3/4 inch (2 cm) wide.


If your fabric is very stretchy, deduct 2 inches (5 cm) from the width.

Shaping hat

4. Shape hat

Keep the fabric folded and fold it in half lengthways twice more.

Shaping hat

Mark 3.5 inches (9 cm) in from one short edge and connect it with a diagonal line to the nearest opposite corner.


Mark the point midway along the line and half an inch (1 cm) above it and connect the three points with a curved line.


Cut along the curved line and repeat on the other side.

Attaching ears

5. Attach ears

Open up one fold of the fabric so you have 2 layers with right sides together. Place 2 pins centrally on the straight raw edge, 1.6 inches (4 cm) apart. 


Tuck the bunny ears inside the lower and upper curved sections on one side, and pin the straight edge of the ear to the outer curve of each.

Attaching ears

Pin the lower edge together, leaving the 1.6 inch (4 cm) gap between the first two pins open.


Pin the two upper curves together from the fold to the point of the curve. Sew the pinned sections.

Completing hat

6. Complete hat

Match the upper and lower side seams and pin and sew the raw edges together on each side. 

Completing hat

Turn the hat and ears right side out through the opening in the lower edge.


Close the gap with a straight stitch on the machine or by hand with an invisible stitch.


Turn back the lower edge of the hat.

DIY fleece winter hat


DIY fleece winter hat

DIY fleece winter hat

This fleece beanie hat can be made in all sizes, from baby to adult. It was really fun to make too and is a super cute way to keep warm and cozy this winter. And you'll never lose your scarf again!


If you enjoyed this thrift flip, please let me know in the comments below.

Suggested materials:
  • Fleece sweater
  • Tailor's chalk
  • Scissors
See all materials

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