After 91 comments on my blog post telling me why the crochet hat should be free, I’m totally convinced in my heart that I’m doing the right thing. I can’t tell you how amazing all of you are! I would imagine if I did the statistics on the comments, 95% of you want the pattern so you can make it to give to someone in need or a loved one. I knew we (crocheters) were generous but it sure is nice to see it comment after comment!
I would like to ask for your help. I love designing these patterns and feel honored to share them with you, especially for free. If you are on Ravelry, will you add it to your favorites and place it in your queue? It helps get the pattern out there to everyone which gives it more exposure (potential for more free patterns). If you are on any social media, sharing it would be much obliged too!
Some of the information below may seem familiar to you as I used it in Country Appeal beanie. It is still valuable information and applies to this crochet hat pattern also.
#1 Key Ingredient – When I created my band, I crocheted 72 rows which made 20” for me. After joining my band on round 1, I made 72 sc around the band. If you need more or less rows to achieve your desired width, that’s okay. Just remember in order for the stitching to come out right, your initial sc round must end on an even number. For example, if it took you 63 rows to achieve 20”, you would need to make sure you had 64 sc around for your first round. Another example would be if it took you 68 rows to achieve 20”, crochet 68 sc around for your first round.
Hint: If this is your first experience working with a hat from the bottom up, don’t close the page! You can do this, I promise. It’s much easier than you think and in the end, you might even like it better! Just remember, when you start working the hat, the body may look “too big”. No worries. Once you close the top, it will fit nice and snug just as if you’ve worked it from the top down.
As you can see from the pictures, there are many variations and color schemes you can use to make this great hat. I’m going to tell you how to make all these styles and hopefully not confuse you. Read the pattern instructions first because I want you familiar with it when I start talking to you about the color changes. (I know, I know….. for some of you that might be challenging because you just want to dive into the pattern, but don’t be like your husband and not read the directions first). As for the pattern below, it’s only for a solid color hat. Once you become familiar, you can scroll to the bottom of the page. I’ve got each picture separate with the instructions on what rounds to make your color changes. Trust me, it’s really simple!
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Pattern Instructions:
Supplies:
- Red Heart Soft, or any worsted weight #4 yarn, 150-175 yards.
- Hook Size – J/6.0
- Tapestry needle for weaving in the ends.
Gauge:
Band – 1 sc row (width) and 2 rows of sc (length) = 1”
4 dc/4fpdc and 6 rows = 2”
The instructions for this hat, as given, will fit an adult measuring approximately 22”. The hat can easily be adjusted to meet other sizes. When I completed the band, the 72 rows measured approximately 20” and fit perfectly on my model measuring 22”. There is a great guide on head measurements provided by Cre8tion Crochet. It will give you the average size of head measurements (including length) from child to adult. I use this reference quite a lot as Lorene does a great job of thoroughly explaining the specifics required to successfully making a hat that fits.
Abbreviations:
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
fpdc – front post double crochet
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch
Note:
Ch 3 is considered first dc throughout the pattern.
Band:
Leave a long tail (4”) before making your beginning ch. This will be used to join the band of the hat.
Ch 6
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st across, ch 1 turn. (5 st)
Row 2: sc in first sc and each sc across, ch 1 turn (5 st)
Row 3 – 72: Repeat row 2
At the end of row 72 do not cut the yarn. Take you tapestry needle and join the ends of your rows using the whipstitch method. Insert your hook once again and begin with round 1.
Body of hat:
Round 1: sc evenly around, join with sl st to first sc (72st)
Round 2: Ch 3, dc in next sc and around, join with sl st to top of 3rd ch. (72st)
Round 3: Ch 1 and sc in same sp, sc in next dc and around, join with sl st to first sc (72st)
Round 4: Ch 3 skip next sc and fpdc in round below skipped sc , *dc in next sc, skip next sc and fpdc in round below skipped sc* repeat from *to*, sl st to top of 3rd ch. (72st)
Round 5: Ch 1 and sc in same sp, *sc in next fpdc, sc in next dc*, repeat from *to*, join with sl st to first sc, (72st)
Round 6: Sl st in next sc, ch 3, skip next sc and fpdc in round below skipped sc , *dc in next sc, skip next sc and fpdc in round below skipped sc*, sl st to top of 3rd ch.
Round 7: Ch 1 and sc in same sp, *sc in next fpdc, sc in next dc*, repeat from *to*, join with sl st to first sc,
Round 8 – 22: Repeat Rounds 6 & 7 or until you have reached your desired length.
Do not fasten off. Measure out enough yarn to weave through every other sc. I’m an overachiever and probably cut around 20” of material.
Take your tapestry needle and weave under the loops of every other sc around, pull the yarn tightly. This will close up the hat. Sew the top of the hat with a few stitches for security. Fasten off.
Optional Round: Holding the hat upside down, insert hook into bottom row and form a sl st, ch 1 and sc in same st, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (72st)
On this hat, you can see white is the “background” color. To get this look, on each round (not rows which is the band) that instructs you to sc, use white. So what that means is all your odd # rows are white.
For this hat, the band is also multi-colored. Change your color for each row, carrying your yarn along with you. I have shown you how to do this in my Houndstooth Scarf pattern with some photos, so this will help you if you don’t understand how to carry the yarn. Once you finish the band, you will follow the same instructions as above on the raspberry/white hat.
If you want to make a pom-pom for the top of your hat, The Crochet Geek has a wonderful video to show you how.
As always, please don’t use my photos as your own. You may sell your finished product from my pattern. If you share my pattern on any social media, please link back to my blog. If you print out that pattern, please leave my header on the page.
I hope you enjoy the pattern. Have a great day and be blessed!
Kathy
In the picture it looks like the band is done in rib stitch, but the pattern just says too sc in each stitch. I’m afraid if I do that, though, that it will be too tight to wear. Can you clarify that for me?
Hi Beth,
It is definitely only sc stitches. You are making the band first then sewing it together, so you can make it as wide as you want before you start adding the body of the pattern.
kathy ciao
I am manuela
I am romanian,but living for many years in Germany
I crochet about a year,and, when I found your site,I worked a few of them
I would like to show tile,but I do not know where to post them
and if you would do to you pleasure to see
i am far from being a designer,but working models of others,
because I made a real passion
for crocheted and I want to become more professiona
l still work at an blog and a page facebook but do it all alone and lasts longer
because I don’t know everything
I’m using slightly lighter yarn so needing to do a few more rows than the pattern. I’m worried that it’ll be too gathered and bumpy when I join at the top?
So far absolutely loving the pattern 🙂 Thank you x
You can do some decrease sc stitches before you join. That would probably help.
Thanks, would you recommend just one round of these at the end or a couple? X
I mean would the pattern still work? X
You could probably do a couple. How often are you decreasing? If you had 72 stitches, I would probably decrease every 6th stitch and do two rounds of decreases.
before even starting the body of the hat… there are 72 rows? did i read this right?
That is the brim of the hat. I crocheted 72 rows which measured around 20″ for me. I then joined the ends to form a circle. Once you’ve done that, you’ll start the body of the hat.
Hi I am new to your site. I have been crocheting for years but have never made such a beautiful hats.
I making the orange and turquoise and I’m confused I know you you said to follow the raspberry colored hat directions, but I’m not having luck of coming out right. Should my single rounds be orange? that’s what I really stuck on.
Make sure all your single crochet rounds are the same color. I think that will help you.
Hi, I am really excited to make this hat, it looks like a wonderful pattern! I jus had a quick question, I was looking on the pink and white color scheme, How you get the stripe of white at the top and bottom of the band? I understand how to do it in the rounds but I feel like I am missing something in the band part.
Shelle,
The white at the bottom of the band is where I crocheted evenly around the bottom of the pattern and the top is just a round of sc stitches evenly around. (Sort of making spaces if you will). I hope this helps.
Kathy
This is SO lovely. I am just in few trouble to understand the patterns. Anyone have pics from how it will be diagonal in the finished pattern?????
I hope someone are able to help me out, I am thanksfull for all help
Laila,
When I tell you to skip a sc and fpdc in round below, you will basically be doing the fpdc around the dc directly below the skipped sc on the previous round then dc in the current round and repeat. Does this help you?
Kathy
Thank you so very much for morning frost pattern. It is such a beautiful hat and you are a beautiful person for sharing. Your work is just BEAUTIFUL.
I’m new to your website and skill. I went through your ravelry store, and I love your stitch combinations and color choices. Thank you for sharing your skills, and for so many free items. I love free, don’t get me wrong, but you could easily charge for most all of them, and still get a lot of customers! Once I noticed that you did have the pin at the bottom, I started pinning the ones I downloaded. Hopefully that will get a little more notice than I myself could give you.
I need help on the Morning Frost hat. I am trying to figure out row 4. When I fpdc, am I actually doing it in the row of sc right below it or the row of dc that is below the sc?
Mels,
When you skip the next sc, you will fpdc around the post of the sc directly under the skipped sc. This is what creates the diagonal type of look.
Kathy
Just finished my hat, great pattern and very detailed instructions. Thank you very much!
Yay!!
Some help please. I feel kind of silly asking , but ….I’m a little confused on what my gauge is supposed to be. “Band – 1 sc row (width) and 2 rows of sc (length) = 1”
Do you have another way of explaining this
Thank you
I love this hat pattern. Thank you. I do have a question about the back seam. Should it be on a diagonal. I am pretty sure that is correct but how about the second color being so visible on this seam. Am I joing my yarn incorrectly?
Thank you
The seam will run diagonal. I didnt have an issue with the seam on changing to the second color and joined it as i would any other project.
Im sure you are joining correctly. I did just carry my yarn up though and didnt cut my yarn. It didnt make a big difference if you changed every other round for me. I hope this helps.
Hello. 🙂 I love this pattern but I’m fairly new to crocheting and I’m not sure how you got the pattern to look like the color is underneath . [Pink and white] if you could explain that a little more or maybe a picture demonstration? Thank you. 🙂
Nicole,
If you follow the pattern, you’ll see the round of sc stitches followed by the next round of fpdc/dc stitches is what actually makes the “window” appearance of the pattern. You aren’t really doing anything special to get the look…it’s just the way of the pattern. At this time, I don’t currently have a tutorial of this pattern. I’m sorry. Maybe I can do one in the future.
Kathy
Hi, is there a way to turn the pink and white one into a slouchy hat?
Yolanda,
I’m not sure if continuing to do the rounds would actually work because of the texture of the hat but you could always give it a go and see what happens!
Kathy
Would you please post a picture of what the inside view looks like. I think I have made an error because row 6 has formed a ridge underneath.
Jo Haynes,
I no longer have this hat to show you the inside. You shouldn’t have a ridge though.
I want to make your hat in 5ply can you help me. What adjustments should I make?
Since you start with the brim of the hat, I would crochet the band until you reach 20″. Once you start the sc around the brim, just make sure you are using multiples of 4 for your first round of sc stitches. I hope this helps.
Kathy
You’re amazing. So glad I found your patterns. I’m co-hosting a crochet for chemo event. We will be using your patterns. I will definitely like your patterns on Ravelry. Thank you so much!
Yay! Im so glad you love them! I wish you all the success with the event!
Kathy
Hi, I am a beginner at crocheting and decided to try to make this hat for some Christmas presents. No problems until the end. I am not sure how to weave and fasten off the hat. Do I used the same strand or cut off a different strand for the weave? I’m just not sure how to go about it.
Don’t cut your yarn. Leave yourself a long tail and thread your tapestry needle. Take the needle and weave through every other stitch. Once you’ve finished, pull the yarn and it will close up the hole then weave in that part of the yarn to keep your hole closed. Does this help?
Kathy
Hi, I absolutely love this hat and am still a beginner when it comes to hats. I was a little confused though, does the slip stitch count as a stitch?
Alexa,
The sl st does not count as a stitch. Good luck which the hat!
Thanks,
Kathy
Kathy: thank you so much for making this a free pattern. I’m still a beginner but I’m going to try to make a hat to donate. I’ll take a pic to share when I’m done! Thank you so much!
I would love to see it! I know your talents will be appreciated by the person receiving your donations!
Kathy – I absolutely love the look of this hat, but it just isn’t coming out like the pictures. I’m hoping you can help me figure out where I’m going wrong – trying to make the raspberry version of this hat. Once you whipstitch the band together, what direction am I supposed to crochet the first row of single crochets? Do I crochet so that I’m looking at the inside or outside of the hat?
Also, in row 6, what do you mean by fpdc in round below skipped sc? the “round below” part doesn’t make sense to me?
Thanks, M
M,
If you are right-handed, crochet counter-clockwise like you normally do. You aren’t turning the hat. Round below means to work on the round you completed previously, not the current round you are on at the time. Hope this helps.
Kathy
Thanks Kathy – I figured out the fpdc in the round below part. My single crochet rounds still “look” different….are you by chance left handed? I’m wondering if that is the difference – I realized that the single crochet rounds look inside out to me based on the picture.
Thanks so much for the help!
I am left-handed.
Oh my! Thank you so much LaRonda. I’m so glad you’ve been inspired! I’m sure you are such a blessing to your family and all the others too!
Kathy
Thank you so much for your gorgeous patterns. I made this one in gray and pink as a chemo cap for my sister battling breast cancer. She loved it!
I’m sure it’s beautiful Denessa. Prayers for your sister.
Thanks so much for the great pattern. I’m making the raspberry/white hat and I have a few questions about joining. If my stitch count is 72 should I change colors on the slip stitch to chain one or when I’m making stitch 72? Also, does the slip stitch-chain one (or chain three) end up in the stitch count–is it stitch one? This always confuses me and sometimes I seem to make an extra stitch and end up ripping out the row. Some people say to make the seam straight for stitch one put your hook in the hole right under the slip stitch, chain one. But, some people go into the next stitch. I hope this makes sense. Thanks for any help you can give. Pam
Pam,
For this pattern, your ch 3 does counts as a double crochet. The ch 1 does not count as a stitch. When you are changing colors, do it on the last stitch prior to the sl st. You will work the stitch as normal and when you have 2 loops on the hook, change color then sl st.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you need any other help.
Kathy
Thanks so much. Love the design and texture–very creative and unique. I’ll post a pic on Ravelry when I’m done.
Pam,
Can’t wait to see it!!
I love this pattern it is so beautiful!! I am in the process of making my first one. I’m not a beginner and not yet an expert so I need a little help on row four is there a video or another way to explain it? Please please please anyone
Thank you very much for making this beautiful hat a free pattern – my best friend is in the hospital undergoing chemo & radiation – this is going to be perfect for her to cover up the loss of all her hair.
HI Dorothy Hooks of Hope is currently running a contest which will have all hats and crocheted items donated to Cancer Centers. If you are interested in helping there is information on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HooksofHope. It seems that everyone’s life is in some way impacted by this devastating diagnosis this is our way of helping to give comfort to those patients. This is a wonderful thing you are doing for your bff and we pray for all the best for you both. Melissa
Dorothy,
I know she will be so blessed when you give her this hat! I’m so honored for the hat to be considered a chemo hat. It blesses me.
I pray for a healing of you friend’s body and restoration.
Kathy
Thanks!
You will weave every other sc just on the last round. Let me know if you need any other help!!
Kathy
Absolutely beautiful! I’m definitely going to try my hand at this hat. I’ve never worked a hat from the bottom up before. I can’t wait! If I’m successful I will definitely be making more of these and sending them to various hospitals. Thank you for making it free….especially since I know you didn’t have to and thank you for sharing. i will definitely be sharing on my FB page and I will go to ravelry right now.
Anika,
Enjoy the pattern!!! It’s really a lot of fun to make.
Kathy
I’m working on this now. It’s such a beautiful pattern but this is my first hat project and I’m getting myself confused. Is there some sort of decrease that happens in rows 6-22? Also, do the fpdc stack over each other or stagger? It looks like they may stagger but that’s not how it’s working out for me right now. Thanks!
Lisa,
You won’t decrease. When you work round 23 and pull tightly, the hat should be okay.
The fpdc’s do stagger. Go back and read the pattern and see if you see where at the end I’ll tell you to sl st to the first stitch to join your round right? Then you will sl st again in the next stitch before you ch 3. That’s what will make it stagger. Let me know if you need any other help.
Kathy
So there are 23 rounds ending with sc? I was wondering how you weaved in every other sc.
I have a video demonstrating how to close up a hat. Click HERE for the link.
Love this hat made it into a slouch hat with gray and white looks great thanks for the pattern!
I wondered when someone was going to make it into a slouchy hat. Glad you enjoy!
Kathy
This is the neatest hat pattern! I used a bright varigated yarn for the single crochet rounds and it came out looking like stained glass. Each little “window” shows a different color. Since this one is a gift, I’m going to make another for myself–or make another for the gift and keep this one! Thank you so much for sharing!
Carolynn,
I would love to see it! You should send me an email and let me show it off on my Facebook page! elkstudiocrochet@gmail.com
Kathy
Reblogged this on The Crochet Hooker and commented:
Love the bright colors.
Thank you for the reblog!!
Love your hats and thank you so much for sharing your patterns.
Hi Kathy, Thank you so much for this fab pattern. I have added it to my favorites on Ravelry and shared it on FaceBook. You are so generous! I can’t even guess how many of your houndstooth hats I’ve already made, so i am really looking forward to making this one. Love your patterns. Thanks again!
Thanks for the hat. I also doing hats for chemo patients. Always hunting new hats to do.
Love it!! Would have paid for it ! Thanx !!
The hat is beautiful I am in love with the design. Although you could have sold the pattern and I’m sure many would have payed for it you are giving it for free. Thank you so much for being so kind….may god bless you ..
We will be working on these for our Crochet for Cancer group, called Hooks of Hope https://www.facebook.com/HooksofHope We are a nonprofit group that donates handmade items to local cancer centers and patients. Thanks so much for posting free patterns, we always love trying something new.
Melissa,
Love to hear it! What a wonderful and kind act to serve others and it’s really a privilege. The hat is thick and will certainly help!
Beautiful hats!! Quick question for the pink hat… on the fpdc rounds, are you dcing into the bl of the sc? Thanks in advance! 🙂
Nikki,
I know it looks that way, but I don’t. Once you start the hat, you’ll see what’s happening.
Kathy
Love the pattern. Going to make it as soon as I finish this order WIP.
Thank you so much for sharing your pattern. Alot of us aren’t gifted enough to create such wonderful work and really appreciate your generosity of sharing it for free. Thanks for all the time you have put into this. God bless you and yours
Marcia,
Thank you for such kind words. My family is truly blessed! I hope you enjoy the pattern.
Kathy
Thanks Victoria!
Thank you for linking to my pattern. I pray it will always be used for people in need.