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: 

1. Red Heart Soft, or any worsted weight #4 yarn, 150-175 yards.
2. Hook Size – J/6.0
3. 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 2^nd 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 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 3^rd 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