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17 Free DIY Hats for Cats You Can Create at Home (With Pictures)

Written by: Elizabeth Gray

Last Updated on February 7, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Cat wearing sunglasses and sun hat relaxing on the beach

17 Free DIY Hats for Cats You Can Create at Home (With Pictures)

Wrestling a cat into a costume or a Christmas jumper can be challenging, and you might find yourself on the wrong end of a sharp swipe if you try. However, hats are always fun and don’t usually require much effort to get them on your cat.

Some DIY hats might require a few skills, like knitting or crocheting, but there are also plenty of ideas that you can tackle if you’re new to the world of crafting. Below we have hats that both you and your cat can enjoy together:

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The 17 DIY Hats for Cats

Fabric & Felt Hats

1. Birthday Party Hat by Crafty Lumberjacks

Birthday Party Hat by Crafty Lumberjacks
Image Credit: Crafty Lumberjacks
Materials: Felt, pompom, elastic, paper cone template (optional)
Skill level: Beginner
Other tools needed: Scissors, glue gun, fabric glue

Getting everything glued, especially when you’re working with a small shape, can be a little difficult. But this party hat isn’t that tricky to construct, and your cat will look party-ready when it’s done!


2. Wizard Felt Hat by Hadrix

Materials: Felt, glue, sequins
Skill level: Beginner
Other tools needed: Scissors, ruler

Your cat will look simply enchanting in this wizard’s hat, and if you have a cloak in your wardrobe, you could even dress up too and go as a magical pair this Halloween. We have no doubt you’ll have a shot at winning the dress-up competition!


3. Royal Cat Crown by Professor Pincushion

Materials: Fabric, thread, sequins, stuffing or batting
Skill level: Intermediate
Other tools needed: Fabric glue, needle, scissors, sewing machine (optional)

This crown is perfect for a cat that sits on its throne (cat tree) and surveys the kingdom (the house where it lives rent-free). Your cat will enjoy the royal treatment, and your friends and family will adore the costume.


4. Egyptian Cat Headdress by Professor Pincushion

Materials: Felt, thread, sequins
Skill level: Intermediate
Other tools needed: Fabric glue, needle, scissors, sewing machine (optional)

If you’re feeling confident and want to try your hand at something that’s a little different, this project is the one for you. The Egyptians used to worship cats, and we can see why! It’s one of the more difficult projects, but it’s definitely worth it.


5. No-Sew Cat Hat by Cut Out & Keep

DIY No-Sew Cat Hat
Image Credit: cutoutandkeep
Materials: Fleece, yarn
Skill level: Beginner
Other tools needed: Scissors

This easy cat hat requires only two materials and a pair of scissors to make. Even if you’ve never made a craft before, you should be able to create this simple hat for your kitty. Choose any color yarn or fleece you want. The hat can be made for any size cat, but the simple directions don’t provide any guidance on how to measure your kitty. You’ll likely need to estimate how big you need to make this hat. With a simple pom-pom design, this hat is perfect for any occasion or photo opportunity.


6. Ewok Cat Hat by Instructables

DIY Ewok Cat Hat
Image Credit: instructables
Materials: Leather, twine, leather cord
Skill level: Beginner
Other tools needed: Scissors, leather punch

Star Wars fans will swoon over the chance to dress their kitty in this adorable Ewok cat hat. If you aren’t a fan of the Force yourself, this hat also makes the perfect gift for any Star Wars lovers in your life. This no-sew hat is easy to make, even for inexperienced crafters. The directions are basic, relying mainly on photographs to show you what to do. However, you do have to make your own pattern to cut out the leather. This hat will look especially cute on fluffy cats like Persians or Himalayans, who already resemble the fictional forest creatures that inspired this look.

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Knitted Hats

7. Santa Hat by Spindles & Spices

Santa Hat by Spindles and Spices
Image Credit: Spindles and Spices
Materials: Yarn
Skill level: Intermediate
Other tools needed: Knitting needles, scissors

No festive period is complete until all the family has dressed up, and now your cat can too with its very own Santa hat! We’re sure they will be ecstatic that they can now look as festive as the family for this year’s holiday card.


8. Bobble Hat for Cats by Craft Foxes

DIY Bobble Hat for Cats
Image Credit: craftfoxes
Materials: Yarn (20 yards of one color, 5 yards of another)
Skill level:  Beginner-intermediate
Other tools needed: Knitting needles, yarn needle, pom pom maker (optional)birthd

This knitted hat helps your kitty stay warm and look adorable in cold weather. Featuring ear holes for comfort and a drawstring to keep it in place, this hat can be made using your choice of yarn colors to complement your cat’s coat. If you know how to knit, this project should be easy. The directions are clear and detailed. Inexperienced knitters may find this hat a bit more complicated, but it’s still a good choice for beginner crafters. Even if your cat doesn’t tolerate wearing this hat, you should be able to get some cute photos.

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Crochet Cat Hats

9. Small Top Hat by Mad Hooker

Small Top Hat by Mad Hooker
Image Credit: Mad Hooker
Materials: Yarn
Skill level: Intermediate
Other tools needed: Crochet hook, scissors

Your male cat could look like a distinguished gentleman, or maybe he’s dressing up as a snowman. Whatever the occasion, this small top hat is a very cute look!


10. Mini Sombrero by Hooked on Patterns

Mini Sombrero by Hooked on Patterns
Image Credit: Hooked on Patterns
Materials: Yarn
Skill level: Intermediate
Other tools needed: Crochet hook, scissors

It’s fun, colorful, and perfect for the summer to keep the sun out of your cat’s eyes as it goes on an adventure in the backyard in this sombrero.


11. Giddyup Kitty! by Spindles & Spices

Giddyup Kitty! by Spindles and Spices
Image Credit: Spindles and Spices
Materials: Yarn
Skill level: Beginner
Other tools needed: Crochet hook, scissors

It only takes up an hour or two of your time and suddenly your cat can fulfill its dream of a life in the Wild West with this cute, mini cowboy hat.


12. Crochet Elf Hat by Okie Girl Bling ‘n’ Things

Crochet Elf Hat by Okie Girl Bling 'n' Things
Image Credit: Okie Girl Bling ‘n’ Things
Materials: Yarn
Skill level: Beginner
Other tools needed: Crochet hook, scissors

This candy cane-colored elf hat is another perfect addition to your cat’s Christmas. So, whether your cat wants to be Santa himself, or one of his little elves, we’ve got you covered!


13. Reindeer Cat Hat by Catventurous Crochet

Materials: Yarn (3 colors)
Skill level: Intermediate-hard
Other tools needed: Crochet hooks, darning needle, curved needle, tape measure

Get your cat in the holiday spirit with this adorable reindeer antler cat hat. If you already have some experience crocheting, you should be able to accomplish this project. The video tutorial is detailed and well-narrated, with the stitches and techniques listed on-screen. The tutorial assumes that you’re already familiar with basic crochet techniques. If you’re new to crocheting, this probably isn’t the best project to start with. You can make this hat in realistic reindeer colors or get creative.


14. Crochet Witch Hat by Nicki’s Homemade Crafts

DIY Crochet Witch Hat
Image Credit: nickishomemadecrafts
Materials: Yarn (black and purple)
Skill level: Intermediate
Other tools needed: Scissors, 4 mm crochet hook, tapestry needle

Celebrate the spooky season by dressing your cat in this adorable witch hat. If you know basic crochet techniques and stitches, this written pattern should be easy to follow. The directions include a glossary of the stitch abbreviations and links to tutorials for each one if you need a refresher or are new to crochet crafts. The directions are specific, especially when explaining technical sections like creating the ear holes. Halloween is just the time to bribe your cat into a costume for pictures, and this witch hat is perfect for the occasion.

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Paper & Pipe Cleaner

15. Paper Marching Band Hat by Modern Cat

Paper Marching Band Hat by Modern Cat
Image Credit: Modern Cat
Materials: Yarn
Skill level: Beginner
Other tools needed: Glue, scissors, ruler

This paper marching band hat comes from Adam Ellis’s book about putting hats on cats. It’s one of the simplest designs and shouldn’t take long to construct. It’s fun and adorable, and your cat will look amazing.


16. Cardboard Birthday Cat Hat by Floppycats

Materials: Thin cardboard, curling ribbon, thin hair rubber band, paper (colored or white), printed pattern (optional), birthday hat template
Skill level: Beginner
Other tools needed: Printer, glue stick, scissors, stapler, pen or Sharpie, safety pin

This cute birthday party hat is made using simple materials and basic office supplies. It requires an online birthday hat template. The link in the video description is expired but a quick search brings up multiple printable options. This birthday hat is quick and easy to make for even inexperienced crafters. It’s also completely customizable and you can personalize it with your kitty’s name to make their birthday even more special. Held in place with an elastic chin strap, this party hat is perfect for that celebratory birthday kitty social media post.


17. Pipe Cleaner Crown by Butters the Bean

Materials: Pipe cleaners
Skill level: Beginner
Other tools needed: None

Fewer people have pipe cleaners lying around the home these days, but they’re inexpensive and easy to find online. This simple yet glamorous pipe cleaner crown adds a little bit of sparkle to your cat’s wardrobe!


Featured Image Credit: vvvita, Shutterstock

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