Easy Pac-Man Ghost Crochet Hat Pattern for Beginners

There is nothing quite like the nostalgia of an arcade cabinet to spark a creative project. As the weather turns crisp and we look for ways to stay cozy while channeling our inner gamer, this Pac-Man Ghost Crochet Hat offers the perfect blend of retro charm and handmade warmth. Whether you are gearing up for a Halloween costume, a gaming convention, or just want to add a splash of pixelated fun to your winter wardrobe, this pattern brings the classic ghosts—Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde—straight to your head. It is a wearable piece of gaming history that is surprisingly accessible for crocheters of various skill levels.

Seasonal Styling Ideas

This hat is a versatile accessory that shines during the cooler months. The ribbed brim provides extra warmth around the ears, making it ideal for autumn walks or winter evenings. Pair it with a denim jacket and jeans for a casual, retro-inspired look, or wear it over a hoodie for a comfortable, cozy vibe. The bright colors of the ghosts pop beautifully against neutral coats, making it a standout statement piece for holiday markets or festive gatherings. It also makes a fantastic handmade gift for the gamer in your life, adding a personal touch to their seasonal gear.

Project Overview

This top-down hat features a unique construction where the four iconic ghosts are centered across the front of the hat, rather than repeated all the way around. The design incorporates blue rounds above and below the ghosts to mimic the classic Pac-Man maze walls. The main body of the hat is worked in double crochet, while the colorwork section uses the waistcoat stitch to create a smooth, knit-like texture perfect for pixel art. The hat finishes with a ribbed border for a snug fit.

Materials

• Red Heart Super Saver worsted weight yarn (or substitute your favorite worsted weight colors):
• Black – Background
• Royal Blue – Pac-Man maze stripes and pupils
• Hot Red – Blinky
• Petal Pink – Pinky
• Minty – Inky
• Saffron – Clyde
• White – Eyes
• Size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

Note: You can substitute your favorite worsted weight colors for the four ghosts to customize the look.

Abbreviations

• CH = Chain
• DC = Double Crochet
• HDC = Half Double Crochet
• SC = Single Crochet
• WC SC = Waistcoat Single Crochet
• ST(S) = Stitch(es)
• Rep = Repeat

Pattern Notes

Waistcoat (Knit-Look) Stitch

This hat is worked from the top down. The main portion of the hat is crocheted in double crochet (DC or HDC) as specified in the pattern. The waistcoat stitch is used only for the 6 rounds of pixel colorwork. If you can make a single crochet, you can make the waistcoat stitch! Instead of crocheting into the tops of the stitches, insert your hook into the center post of the stitch — right in the middle of the “V” you see on the front. Complete the stitch just like a regular single crochet. This creates the smooth, knit-look texture that works so well for pixel-style colorwork.

Tip: Keep your tension a little loose. If your stitches are too tight, it can be difficult to insert your hook into the center of the V.

Hat Sizes

The hat uses a 7-stitch sizing progression. The Pac-Man ghost panel itself is always 28 stitches wide — 7 stitches for each of the four ghosts. Instead of adding more ghosts for the larger sizes, you will add background stitches before and after the 28-stitch panel so Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde stay grouped together across the front of the hat.

• Baby: 42 stitches
• Toddler/Preschool: 49 stitches
• Child: 56 stitches
• Teen: 63 stitches
• Adult: 70 stitches

Centering the Ghost Panel

Important: Your beginning-of-round join should be positioned at the center back of the hat. This allows the background stitches at the beginning and end of each round to center the four ghosts across the front.

Size	Total Stitches	Black Before Panel	Ghost Panel	Black After Panel
Baby	42	7	28	7
Toddler/Preschool	49	10	28	11
Child	56	14	28	14
Teen	63	17	28	18
Adult	70	21	28	21

Example for the 49-stitch sample: Work 10 background stitches, the 28-stitch ghost panel, then 11 background stitches.

Carrying Your Yarn

I recommend using a separate strand or small ball of yarn for each ghost rather than carrying all four colors around the hat. I also chose not to carry the darker yarn through the lighter stitches. Instead, float the unused yarn loosely along the back of the work and pick it back up when needed. Be careful not to pull your floats too tightly or the hat may pucker and lose some of its stretch.

Pattern Instructions

Important: Your beginning-of-round join should be positioned at the center back of the hat.

Baby — 42 stitches

• Round 1: Magic Ring, chain 1 and make 14 DC in ring, join, chain 2. (14 DC)
• Round 2: 2 DC in each stitch around, join, chain 2. (28 DC)
• Round 3: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 3 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (35 DC)
• Round 4: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 4 stitches; rep around, (42 DC) join in blue yarn, chain 1
• Round 5: HDC in each stitch around, join in black yarn, chain 1. (42 HDC)
• Rounds 6–11: Using waistcoat stitch, WC SC in next 7 stitches with Black, work the corresponding row of the 28-stitch Ghost Graph, WC SC in next 7 stitches with Black, join. Continue working the graph from Row 6 down through Row 1. Join in blue yarn, chain 1
• Round 12: HDC in each stitch around, join (42 HDC)
• Finish: Work ribbing with black yarn.

Toddler/Preschool — 49 stitches

• Round 1: Magic Ring, chain 1 and make 14 DC in ring, join, chain 2. (14 DC)
• Round 2: 2 DC in each stitch around, join, chain 2. (28 DC)
• Round 3: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 3 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (35 DC)
• Round 4: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 4 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (42 DC)
• Round 5: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 5 stitches; rep around, (49 DC) join in blue yarn, chain 1
• Round 6: HDC in each stitch around, join in black yarn, chain 1. (49 HDC)
• Rounds 7–12: Using waistcoat stitch, WC SC in next 10 stitches with Black, work the corresponding row of the 28-stitch Ghost Graph, WC SC in next 11 stitches with Black, join. Continue working the graph from Row 6 down through Row 1. Join in blue yarn, chain 1
• Round 13: HDC in each stitch around, join in black yarn, chain 2 (49 HDC)
• Round 14: DC in each stitch around (49 DC)
• Finish: Work ribbing with black yarn.

Child — 56 stitches

• Round 1: Magic Ring, chain 1 and make 14 DC in ring, join, chain 2. (14 DC)
• Round 2: 2 DC in each stitch around, join, chain 2. (28 DC)
• Round 3: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 3 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (35 DC)
• Round 4: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 4 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (42 DC)
• Round 5: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 5 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (49 DC)
• Round 6: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 6 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (56 DC)
• Round 7: DC in each stitch around, join, chain 1. (56 DC) Join in blue yarn.
• Round 8: HDC in each stitch around, join in black yarn, chain 1. (56 HDC)
• Rounds 9–14: Using waistcoat stitch, WC SC in next 14 stitches with Black, work the corresponding row of the 28-stitch Ghost Graph, WC SC in next 14 stitches with Black, join. Continue working the graph from Row 6 down through Row 1. Join in blue yarn, chain 1.
• Round 15: HDC in each stitch around, join in black yarn, chain 2. (56 HDC)
• Round 16: DC in each stitch around, join. (56 DC)
• Finish: Work ribbing with black yarn.

Teen — 63 stitches

• Round 1: Magic Ring, chain 1 and make 14 DC in ring, join, chain 2. (14 DC)
• Round 2: 2 DC in each stitch around, join, chain 2. (28 DC)
• Round 3: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 3 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (35 DC)
• Round 4: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 4 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (42 DC)
• Round 5: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 5 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (49 DC)
• Round 6: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 6 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (56 DC)
• Round 7: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 7 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (63 DC)
• Round 8: DC in each stitch around, join, chain 1. (63 DC) Join in blue yarn.
• Round 9: HDC in each stitch around, join in black yarn, chain 1. (63 HDC)
• Rounds 10–15: Using waistcoat stitch, WC SC in next 17 stitches with Black, work the corresponding row of the 28-stitch Ghost Graph, WC SC in next 18 stitches with Black, join. Continue working the graph from Row 6 down through Row 1. Join in blue yarn, chain 1.
• Round 16: HDC in each stitch around, join in black yarn, chain 2. (63 HDC)
• Round 17: DC in each stitch around, join. (63 DC)
• Finish: Work ribbing with black yarn.

Adult — 70 stitches

• Round 1: Magic Ring, chain 1 and make 14 DC in ring, join, chain 2. (14 DC)
• Round 2: 2 DC in each stitch around, join, chain 2. (28 DC)
• Round 3: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 3 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (35 DC)
• Round 4: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 4 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (42 DC)
• Round 5: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 5 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (49 DC)
• Round 6: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 6 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (56 DC)
• Round 7: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 7 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (63 DC)
• Round 8: 2 DC in first stitch, DC in next 8 stitches; rep around, join, chain 2. (70 DC)
• Rounds 9–10: DC in each stitch around, join, chain 2. (70 DC) Join in blue yarn, chain 1.
• Round 11: HDC in each stitch around, join in black yarn, chain 1. (70 HDC)
• Rounds 12–17: Using waistcoat stitch, WC SC in next 21 stitches with Black, work the corresponding row of the 28-stitch Ghost Graph, WC SC in next 21 stitches with Black, join. Continue working the graph from Row 6 down through Row 1. Join in blue yarn, chain 1.
• Round 18: HDC in each stitch around, join in black yarn, chain 2. (70 HDC)
• Round 19: DC in each stitch around, join. (70 DC)
• Finish: Work ribbing with black yarn.

Assembly

Finish the Hat with a Ribbed Border

Please be sure and watch the tutorial from Daisy Farm Crafts on how to make a single crochet ribbed border. I love this technique because you don’t need to sew the ribbing on separately; it is crocheted right onto the edge of the hat! It’s basically a chain 7 (or however long/short you want your ribbed border), SC in each chain until you get back to the hat edge, slip stitch in two stitches along the hat edge, and then SC in the back loops of the ribbing and repeat. She has a very easy tutorial to follow and you can use this border on many different projects.

When you’ve finished the ribbed border along the edge of the hat, you can slip stitch the seam together.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Tips

• Tension: Keep your tension a little loose when working the waistcoat stitch to ensure you can easily insert your hook into the center of the V.
• Yarn Management: Use separate strands for each ghost color to avoid tangles. Float unused yarn loosely on the back of the work, but do not pull it tight, as this can cause puckering.
• Pupils: The white eye stitches are crocheted directly into the graph. After finishing the hat, use a tiny bit of blue yarn to stitch over the white stitches to create the pupils.

FAQs

Can I use a different yarn brand?

Yes, you can substitute your favorite worsted weight yarn for the Red Heart Super Saver. Just ensure you maintain the correct gauge and stitch tension, especially for the waistcoat stitch.

How do I center the ghosts correctly?

The key is to place your beginning-of-round join at the center back of the hat. This ensures that the background stitches before and after the 28-stitch ghost panel are equal, keeping Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde centered on the front.

What is the waistcoat stitch?

The waistcoat stitch (or knit-look stitch) involves inserting your hook into the center post of the stitch (the “V” on the front) rather than the top loops. This creates a smooth, vertical texture that is ideal for pixel art.

Can I make this hat without the ribbed border?

While the pattern includes instructions for a ribbed border for a snug fit, you can choose to finish the hat after the final HDC or DC round. However, the ribbed border helps the hat stay on the head and adds a professional finish.

How do I handle the color changes for the ghosts?

It is recommended to use a separate ball of yarn for each ghost color rather than carrying all four colors around. Float the unused yarn loosely along the back of the work and pick it up when needed to prevent tight spots.