Chunky Hat Crochet Pattern

This post may contain affiliate links, view my disclosure policy for details.

This chunky crochet hat is super quick to make. It is worked from side-to-side so you are crocheting the ribbing and the body all at once. While this might be a little different to way you usually crochet a hat, once you have done a couple of rows you will be zipping along. And crocheting a hat in this way comes with a few bonuses:

  1. It’s super easy to customize the circumference of the hat; just keeping adding rows until you’re happy with it! Ending up with a hat that is too tight/too loose is just not an option here 🙂
  2. Because the ribbing and body are already joined together you avoid that awkward row where you have to crochet along the edge of the ribbing
  3. Once you have seamed the edges of the hat you can choose to leave the gap at the top for a messy bun hat or cinch the gap closed for a regular hat. Yay for options!
pinterest badge Save this for pattern for later

Chunky Yarn – a handmade gift-giver’s best friend

This hat can be easily whipped up in less than a couple of hours, mostly thanks to the chunky yarn! For this hat I used Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky which is available in over 50 shades so you are sure to find something that you like.

And while the side-to-side construction might take a little concentration for the first few rows, once you have the hang of it, you’ll be able to put the pattern down and just crochet. Yay, chunky hats for everyone!

Chunky Crochet Hat worn by girl
Chunky Crochet Hat worn by girl

Scroll on down to get this pattern for free!

OR

You can purchase an inexpensive ad-free PDF (in sizes Toddler/Child/Adult) through Ravelry or Etsy


Notes

Please read through the entire pattern before beginning as this will give you a much clearer picture of how the hat is constructed

  • This hat is crocheted from side to side, so you arecrocheting the ribbing and the body all at once
  • Each row tapers at the top of the hat to make it easier to cinch in at the end
  • To finish, the edges are seamed using the mattress stitch
  • Ch 1 at the start of each row does not count as a stitch
  • The stitch count for each row is given in [] at the end of the row.
  • Instructions are given for the smallest size, with all larger sizes given in ()
Chunky Crochet Hat with pompom on table

Finished Measurements

Toddler (to fit head cirumference: 18″-19″)

Hat Circumference: 15″, Hat Height: 7″

Child (to fit head cirumference: 19″-20″)

Hat Circumference: 17″, Hat Height: 7.5″

Adult Small (to fit head cirumference: 21″-22″)

Hat Circumference: 19″, Hat Height: 8.5″

Adult Medium (to fit head cirumference: 23″-24″)

Hat Circumference: 21″, Hat Height: 8.5″


Gauge

Ribbing: 3 stitches x 5 rows hd sl st = 1” x 1.75”

Body: 12 stitches x 9 rows = 4” x 4”

(Stitch pattern is: (sc, dc) in same st, sk one st)

The body gauge is the one that you need to try to match as the ribbing will stretch


Materials

Hook: 6mm/J-10 crochet hook (or hook needed to meet gauge) – if you tend to crochet tightly you may need to go to a 6.5mm/K-10.5 hook)

Yarn: Any Chunky/Weight 5 yarn

The amounts given here are for Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky (149m/136yds per 100g skein; Weight 5/Chunky; 100% Acrylic)

Toddler: 74 yds/67m (50g)

Child: 90 yds/83m (61g)

Adult Small: 100 yds/110m (74g)

Adult Medium: 120 yds/109m (80g)

Misc: Yarn Needle and Stitch Marker


Special Stitch

Half Double Slip Stitch (hd sl st)

Chain any number

ROW 1:

Yarn over, insert hook into the back loop only of second chainfrom hook and pull up a loop. DO NOT yarn over, continue to pull the hook through the bottom two loops on the hook (hd sl st made). Continue to hd sl st in the blo of each chain, turn

ROW 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), hd sl st in the blo of each st across, turn

Repeat ROW 2 as required

Abbreviations (US Terms)

ch = chain

st = stitch

sp = space

sl st = slip stitch

sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

hdc = half double crochet

hd sl st = half double slip stitch

blo = back loop only

Written Pattern

All Sizes (Toddler, Child, Adult-Small, Adult-Med)

Foundation Chain: Ch 22 (24, 26, 26)     

ROW 1:

hd sl st (blo) in second ch from hook and in next 2 (4, 4, 4) chs, sc (both loops) in next ch, (sc, dc) in next ch, *sk next ch, (sc, dc) in next ch; repeat from * until 6 chs remain, sk next ch, (sc, hdc) in next ch, sk next ch, sc in next ch, sl st (blo) in last two chs, turn [21 (23, 25, 25)]

ROW 2:     

Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sl st (blo) in each of first 2 sts, sc (both loops) in next st, (sc, hdc) in next st, sk next st, (sc, hdc) in next st, *sk next st, (sc, dc) in next st; repeat from * until 5 (7, 7, 7) remain, sk next st, sc in next st, hd sl st (blo) in each of last 3 (5, 5, 5) sts, turn [21 (23, 25, 25)]

ROW 3:     

Ch 1 (does not count as a st), hd sl st (blo) in first 3 (5, 5, 5) sts, sc in next st, (sc, dc) in next st,*sk next st, (sc, dc) in next st; repeat from * until 6 sts remain, sk next st, (sc, hdc) in next st, sk next st, sc in next st, sl st (blo) in next st (i.e. the second last st), turn [20 (22, 24, 24)]

N.B. Leave the very last st unworked and place a stitch marker in this unworked st (see picture below)

ROW 4:     

Ch 1, sl st (blo) in first st, sc in next st, (sc, hdc) in next st, sk next st, (sc, hdc) in next st, *sk next st, (sc, dc) in next st; repeat from * until 5 (7, 7, 7) remain, sk next st, sc in next st, hd sl st (blo) in each of last 3 (5, 5, 5) sts, turn [20 (22, 24, 24)]

ROW 5:

Ch 1 (does not count as a st), hd sl st (blo) in first 3 (5, 5, 5) sts, sc in next st, (sc, dc) in next st, *sk next st, (sc, dc) in next st; repeat from * until 5 sts remain before the marked st, sk next st, (sc, hdc) in next st, sk next st, sc in next st, sl st (blo) in next st, sl st (blo) in marked st (i.e. the unworked st from ROW 3), turn [21 (23, 25, 25)]

Chunky Crochet Hat stitches photo tutorial

ROW 6: Repeat ROW 2

ROWS 7-34 (38, 42, 46):  

Repeat ROWS 3-6 [7 (8, 9, 10) times]

After a few repeats you will see the hat shape start to form and taper at the top.

Chunky Crochet Hat progress after approx. 12 rows

Once you reach the required row number, you can stop and check if the hat will fit around the head (when slightly stretched). If you wish to make it wider, simply repeat ROWS 3-6 until the desired circumference is reached. Make sure to end on either ROW 4 or ROW 6.

Fasten off and leave a long tail.

Chunky Crochet Hat unfinished (before seaming)

FINISHING

Both sides are almost identical, so just choose the side you prefer to be the Right Side.

1. With the Right Side facing, fold so that the two edges are touching. Secure the bottom corners with a whip stitch.

Chunky Crochet Hat folded before seaming

2. Now using the mattress stitch, seam the two edges together. Secure the seam with a whip stitch at the top.

Mattress stitch photo tutorial

For a messy bun hat:

Finish off the top of the hat with a round of sl sts. Fasten off and weave in ends.

For a regular hat:

3. Turn the hat inside out and weave the yarn in and out to close up the hole. I chose to weave about every 4 sts or so.

Chunky Crochet Hat inside out with seam
Chunky Crochet Hat inside out

4. Pull tightly and secure the top with several more whip stitches. Weave in whatever is left of the tail.

All done!

P.S. Add a pom pom if you wish!


I hope you have enjoyed this pattern, if you have questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact me. And be sure to tag your finished hat on Instagram or Facebook using @nedandmimi or #nedandmimi!

If you wish, you can purchase an inexpensive, ad-free, pdf version of this pattern through Ravelry or Etsy.

Happy crocheting!

Sarah


pinterest badge Save this for pattern for later
Chunky Crochet hat collage
Chunky Crochet hat collage
Chunky Crochet Hat with pompom on table

Join the Ned & Mimi Crochet club for 80+ crochet patterns!FIND OUT MORE
+