Project introduction
This is a pattern overview, not a full tutorial, of the double loop crochet Santa beard: a festive, costume-ready beard worked in a fluffy textured stitch and sewn into a Santa hat. The designer first published the design in two child sizes, then added larger sizes after many requests, so everyone from toddlers to adults can join the holiday fun.
The idea started with playful bearded beanies for the holidays. The designer first tried Fun Fur yarn with a basic beard pattern, but the fuzz tickled the child’s nose and mouth, which made it unwearable for little ones. The double loop stitch solved the problem: it creates the same full, furry look without stray fibers near the face, and the matching beanie was converted to the stitch as well.
It works as both a cozy cold-weather accessory and a costume piece for holiday photos, school plays, and festive parties. Because the loops are made from the working yarn itself, there is nothing to shed or tickle, which makes it a practical choice for kids who will wear it all evening.
The beard comes in four sizes: extra small, small, medium, and large, with starting chains of 22, 24, 26, and 28 stitches respectively. Note that the five Santa hat sizes were moved to a separate post, so this overview covers the beard only. Plan to pair your finished beard with a Santa hat, sewn together as described in the original pattern.
With the range running from extra small to large, you can outfit both children and adults, which makes this a handy pattern for family photos and group costumes. Crocheters who want the matching headwear can look for the designer’s separate Santa hat post with its five sizes.
Gather these supplies before you start. The list is short, and every item comes straight from the source, so you can shop your stash first and buy only what is missing:
- White bulky yarn; the sample shown used Baby’s first in “cotton ball”
- Crochet hook size N (9.00mm)
- Yarn needle for seaming the finished beard to the hat
- A crocheted Santa hat, since the beard is sewn inside it
Find the complete free pattern on the designer’s site at Original designer’s pattern and instructions. The web version is free to read, and printable ad-free PDF versions are sold separately, including a discounted bundle covering all five beard and beanie PDFs; the source does not list prices. For exact stitch-by-stitch instructions, always follow the original designer’s page.
How to get Double Loops every row
Working the double loop stitch in the round is straightforward, because you work from the back of the piece and every loop naturally lands on the front. Working flat in rows is trickier, since turning the work would push alternate rows of loops to the wrong side. The designer’s answer is to work a right-handed loop row followed by a left-handed loop row, so each row still shows its loops on the public side. Take it slowly while you learn the motion.
Forming the stitch is simple once the motion clicks: wrap the yarn twice around your finger, draw those loops through the stitch along with the working yarn, then yarn over and pull through everything on the hook. Each completed stitch leaves a pair of soft loops standing on the front of the fabric, which is what gives the beard its full, fluffy texture.
If the left-handed loop row feels awkward, the source suggests two workarounds: place a plain single crochet row between loop rows, or cut the yarn at the end of each row and rejoin it so you always work in the same direction.
The pattern uses slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), and the double loop stitch, with a left-handed variation for alternate rows. The beard begins with a foundation chain sized to the wearer, and the first row blends single crochet and half double crochet stitches to shape the upper edge. Double loop rows then build the full, textured body of the beard.
Later rows narrow the beard with skipped stitches, and a chain forms the opening for the mouth. A final edging of short double loops finishes that opening neatly before you fasten off. Sew the finished beard inside the Santa hat with white yarn and a needle, following the placement shown in the original pattern. The result is a soft, full beard with no stray fuzz near the face.
