Handmade crochet hats are special. They’re soft, cosy, and full of love. Whether you’ve bought one for yourself or received it as a gift, you’ll want to keep your handmade crochet hat looking beautiful for as long as possible.

Unlike machine-made hats, handmade crochet hats need a little extra care. They are made with soft yarn, carefully stitched together by hand, and often include delicate details like pom-poms and unique ear shapes. But don’t worry, caring for your crochet hat is simple when you know how!

Here are my five best tips for keeping your crochet hat in perfect condition so you can wear it year after year.

1. Hand Wash with Love 🧼

Crochet hats don’t like washing machines! The spinning and rough movements can pull the stitches, stretch the yarn, or even cause damage. Instead, it’s best to wash by hand.

Here’s the best way to wash crochet hats:

What You’ll Need:

✔ A bowl of lukewarm water (not too hot or cold)

✔ A small amount of gentle detergent (like baby shampoo or wool wash)

✔ A clean, dry towel

How to Wash Your Hat:

1. Fill the bowl with lukewarm water and add a tiny bit of detergent.

2. Gently place your hat in the water and swish it around with your hands. Try not to stretch or rub it too much.

3. Let it soak for 5–10 minutes so the water and soap can clean the fibres.

4. Rinse with clean water until no soap is left.

5. Press (don’t wring!) the water out gently by squeezing the hat softly.

 

2. Never Put It in the Tumble Dryer 🚫

After washing, you might be tempted to pop your hat in the tumble dryer to dry quickly, but please don’t! Tumble dryers use high heat, which can make the yarn shrink, melt, or lose its shape. Instead, air drying is the best way to keep your hat soft and perfectly shaped.

How to Dry Your Hat Properly:

✔ Lay it flat on a dry towel.

✔ Reshape it with your hands so it looks just like it did before washing.

✔ Leave it to dry naturally in a warm (but not too hot) place.

💡 Top Tip: Don’t hang your hat on a washing line, as it might stretch out of shape!

3. Store It Properly 🧺

When winter is over, you might want to put your crochet hat away until next year. But how you store it is just as important as how you wear and wash it.

Here’s the best way to store your hat:

✔ Keep it in a cool, dry place (avoid damp areas, as they can cause mould).

✔ Place it in a breathable bag (like a cotton drawstring bag or pillowcase) to protect it from dust.

✔ Never squash it into a tight drawer—it might lose its shape.

💡 Top Tip: If you’re storing your hat for months, pop a lavender sachet in with it. It smells lovely and helps keep moths away!

 

4. Keep Pom-Poms Fluffy 🎀

Many crochet hats have faux fur pom-poms, which may get flat, tangled, or caught in the rain. If your pom-pom is looking a little sad, here’s how to fluff it back up:

Quick Fix for Pom-Poms:

✔ Give it a gentle shake to loosen the fur.

✔ Use a hairdryer on a cool setting to make the fibres fluffy again.

✔ If it’s very tangled, brush it lightly with a clean small brush.

💡 Top Tip: Try not to use heat on a faux fur pom-pom; it can melt the fibres and make it look clumpy!

 

5. Handle Snags with Care 🪡

Because crochet hats are made from yarn, sometimes a stitch can catch on something and cause a loose thread. This can happen if your hat brushes against a zip, a rough surface, or even your own nails!

If you see a snag, don’t panic - there’s an easy fix:

How to Fix a Loose Thread:

✔ Don’t pull it! This can make it worse.

✔ Use a crochet hook, needle, or bobby pin to carefully tuck the loose thread back into the stitches.

✔ If the thread is very long, you can tie a small knot inside the hat and trim the excess.

💡 Top Tip: If you wear your crochet hat often, check it regularly for snags so you can fix them quickly.

 

Bonus Tip: Rotate Your Hats! 🔄

If you have more than one crochet hat (which I hope you do!), try to rotate them instead of wearing the same one every day. This gives each hat time to rest and keep its shape.

Plus, it’s a great excuse to have multiple super cute crochet hats in different colours! 🎨

 

Final Thoughts

A handmade crochet hat is more than just a hat—it’s a little piece of cosy, handmade magic. With just a little care, you can keep your hat looking as good as new for years to come.

By following these five tips, your crochet bonnet or beanie will stay:

✅ Soft and comfy

✅ Beautifully shaped

✅ Ready to wear season after season

Do you have a favourite way to take care of your crochet hats? Let me know in the comments! 💛