Free Crochet Pattern, Free DK weight yarn pattern, Free Hat Pattern, Free Pattern
Koko Leopard Print Hat – Free Tapestry Crochet Pattern
Oct
Bold. Playful. Effortlessly chic. The Koko Hat celebrates the wild side of tapestry crochet with a modern leopard-print design that’s surprisingly easy to make. Using two contrasting colors and simple stitch repeats, you’ll watch each spot emerge like a brushstroke — rhythmic, meditative, and endlessly satisfying.
Worked from the brim up in tapestry crochet, this cozy hat blends classic shape with eye-catching detail. It’s a perfect project for learning color changes, reading tapestry charts, and mastering consistent tension while carrying yarns.
I love how this design feels both fearless and wearable — it adds instant personality to any outfit while keeping you warm all season long.
What you will need:
- 120 (140, 160)yds or 109.7 (128, 146.3)m #3 dk weight yarn in color A
50 (60, 70) yds or 45.7 (54.9, 64)m #3 dk weight yarn in color B
50 (60, 70) yds or 45.7 (54.9, 64)m #3 dk weight yarn in color C - E/4 (3.5mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Faux fur pom pom (optional)
Finished Sizes:
14.5 (19, 24) in or 36.8 (48.3, 61)cm circumference.
6 (8, 10) in or 15.2 (20.3, 25.4)cm tall.
Shown in size 19 in (48.3cm) circumference.
Gauge:
20 sts / rounds = 4 in (10cm) in tapestry crochet single crochet in the round.
Stitch Guide:
See glossary for chain (ch), single crochet (sc), single crochet through back loop only (sc-blo), foundation half double crochet (FHDC), half double crochet through back loop only (hdc-blo), single crochet 2 together through back loop only (sc2tog-blo), single crochet 3 together through back loop only (sc3tog-blo), and slip stitch (slst).
Watch the video tutorial here:
Instructions:
Notes:
1. Refer to chart for
placement of each color.
2. When changing colors,
finish last step of previous
stitch with color to be used on next stitch.
3. Work around color(s) not in use to hide your floats and have a reversible fabric.
Instructions:
Band:
Row 1: With color A, FHDC 12 sts.
Row 2: Ch2 (counts as hdc), 1hdc-blo in ea st across. — 12 sts
Rows 3 – 36 (48, 60): Rep row 2.
Holding first and last row together, slst through both thicknesses to turn strip into head band. Do not fasten off.
Hat:
Set up round: Working along end of rows of band, ch1, evenly space 72 (96, 120) sc around band, do not join.
Round 1: *4sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color B, 3sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color B, 2sc-blo in color C, 5sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color A.
Rep from * around. Do not join. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Round 2: *5sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C, 4sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color B, 2sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color A. Rep from * around. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Round 3: *6sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color B, 4sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 4sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color A. Rep from * around. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Round 4: *1sc-blo in color C, 4sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 3sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 3sc-blo in color A, 3sc-blo in color C, 4sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color A. Rep from * around. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Round 5: *2sc-blo in color C, 3sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color B, 2sc-blo in color C, 3sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color B, 4sc-blo in color C, 4sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C. Rep from * around. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Round 6: *3sc-blo in color C, 4sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 3sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 4sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color B. Rep from * around. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Round 7: *2sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 10sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 3sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color B. Rep from * around. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Round 8: *1sc-blo in color B, 2sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 6sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color B ,1sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C. Rep from * around. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Round 9: *2sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color B, 2sc-blo in color C, 4sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 3sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color B. Rep from * around. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Round 10: *1sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, (1sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C)x2, 4sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 4sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C. Rep from * around. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Round 11: *3sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 6sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 7sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C. Rep from * around. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Round 12: *3sc-blo in color A, 4sc-blo in color C, 17 sc-blo in color A. Rep from * around. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Round 13: *3sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C, 4sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 3sc-blo in color A, 3sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color A, 3sc-blo in color C, 3sc-blo in color A. Rep from * around. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Round 14: *7sc-blo in color A, 4sc-blo in color C, 3sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color A. Rep from * around. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Round 15: *1sc-blo in color C, 3sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C, 1sc-blo in color A, 1sc-blo in color C, 3sc-blo in color B, (2sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color A)x2, 2sc-blo in color C, (1sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C)x2. Rep from * around. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Round 16: *2sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color A, 2sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C, 2sc-blo in color B, 8sc-blo in color A, 4sc-blo in color B, 1sc-blo in color C. Rep from * around. — 72 (96, 120) sts
Rep rounds 1- 16 until desired length of hat: 6 (8, 10) in or 15.2 (20.3, 25.4)cm tall.
Crown:
Round 1: Sc3tog-blo around. — 24 (32, 40)sts
Round 2: Sc2tog-blo around. — 12 (16, 20) sts
Fasten off, leaving long tail. Weave tail through all remaining stitches and cinch to tighten. Sew on pompom to center of crown (optional).
Finishing:
Weave in loose ends. Hand wash, block to finished measurements and allow to dry.
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About Kristin Omdahl
Kristin Omdahl is a bestselling author, designer, and creative entrepreneur known for her “sensory storytelling” — weaving food, craft, and nature into unforgettable fiction and non-fiction. Her debut novel, The Sea Glass Journal, is a love letter to Florida’s Gulf Coast, exploring themes of healing, connection, and creative legacy.
When she’s not writing, Kristin shares crochet and knitting designs, recipes, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her creative process with her global community on Patreon.
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