Dahlia Crochet Sun Hat Pattern

This crochet sun hat pattern is the perfect way to keep little (and big!) heads safe in the hot summer months!

With a fun floral motif on the crown, and a simple single crochet body, this summer hat works up really quickly.

The pattern is written for 6 sizes (Baby, Toddler, Child 3-5, Child 6-10, Adult Small and Adult Large), so it is very family friendly.

Use a #4/worsted weight yarn in cotton or cotton blend and a small crochet hook to create nice tight stitches, and to give your hat plenty of structure

What you’ll need for this crochet bucket hat

Yarn

Any #4/Medium/Worsted weight yarn in a cotton or cotton blend will work great for this pattern. Cotton is perfect for summer hats (and summer crochet in general!) because it is breathable and durable, and can easily be machine-washed to leave it looking good as new.

For my hat, I used WeCrochet Comfy Color Mist, which was very generously provided by WeCrochet for this project. This yarn is a gorgeous blend of 75% pima cotton and 25% acrylic which adds a little extra softness.

Hook

For my hat, I used a 4mm (G-6) crochet hook. I decided to go for a smaller hook than the recommended one for this yarn weight, so that I could have nice tight stitches, and thus create good structure for my hat.

If you tend to crochet loosely, you might find that you need to go down another hook size to match the gauge in the pattern.

Other supplies

You will also need a stitch marker to keep track of the start of each round, as well as a yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Crochet Summer Hat Sizing

The hat is designed to be just a little smaller than the head circumference of the person who is wearing it.

Cotton yarn does not have as much stretch as a wool or acrylic yarn (that you might use for a winter hat). So, it is important that your finished hat is not too much smaller than the head of the wearer, or it will be too tight!

Choosing a size

The sizes in this pattern are based on the head circumference measurements as laid out by the Craft Yarn Council.

Sizes & head circumference measurements used in the pattern:

When deciding the size you would like to make, you will need to know the actual head circumference measurement (based on the info above) of the wearer.

It is more important to use this measurement when selecting a size, rather than just choosing a size based on the age categories.

Top tip: before you start crocheting, it is a good idea to go through the pattern and highlight/mark the rounds and stitch counts that correspond to the size you are making (this will make your life much easier!).

Crochet Sun Hat Construction

This summer hat is worked in the round from the top down.

First you will work the floral pattern for the crown, followed by some extra single crochet rounds (depending on the size that you are making).

Next you will work the body of the hat in continuous single crochet rounds (without joining at the end of each round).

Finally, work some more increase rounds for the brim, and finish with a reverse single crochet trim!

Finished Sizes

Gauge

As this hat is worked from the top down, it is a good idea to measure your gauge separately for the crown and the body sections.

Crown Gauge: For Baby, Toddler, and Child 3-5 sizes, your circle will measure approx. 4.75″ / 12cm in diameter after 5 rounds. For Child 6-10, Adult S, and Adult L sizes, your circle will measure approx. 5.25″ / 13.5cm in diameter after 5 rounds.

Body Gauge: 9 sts x 10 rows/rounds = 2″ x 2″ / 5 cm x 5 cm measured over sc worked in the round.

Please note: for the Body section i.e. the single crochet rounds, you will want your finished fabric to be quite tight. If you tend to crochet loosely, you may find that you need to go down to hook size or two to meet gauge, even if your crown diameter measured correctly.

Materials

Hook

4mm (G-6) crochet hook (or hook required to meet gauge – see Gauge notes above)

Yarn

Any #3/DK/Light weight yarn in cotton or a cotton blend.

Any #4/Medium/Worsted weight yarn in cotton or cotton blend.

The amounts given here are for WeCrochet Comfy Color Mist in Dahlia (219yds/200m per 100g skein; Weight: #4/Medium/Worsted; 75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic).

Alternative yarn options:

• WeCrochet Comfy Worsted (75% Cotton, 25% Acrylic)
• Scheepjes Stone Washed XL (70% Cotton, 30% Acrylic)
• Rico Creative Cotton Aran (100% Cotton)
• Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran (100% Cotton)

Other items

• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker

Pattern Notes

Please read through the entire pattern before beginning.

Skill Level

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• mc = magic circle
• ch = chain
• tch = turning chain
• st = stitch
• sk = skip
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• 2dc-cl = 2 double crochet cluster (see Special Stitches)
• 3dc-cl = 3 double crochet cluster (see Special Stitches)
• rsc = reverse single crochet (see Special Stitches)
• beg = beginning
• rem = remaining

Construction

This hat is worked from the top down as follows: 

• CROWN: Begin with a magic circle, and work 5 rounds to create the floral pattern. Next, depending on the size you are making, you will work some extra single crochet increase rounds.
• BODY: Crochet hat body without increasing (continuous rounds)
• BRIM: Work the brim in alternating increase/even single crochet rounds. Finish with a reverse single crochet round for the trim.

All single crochet rounds are worked in continuously i.e. do not join at the end of each round with a sl st. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the first stitch in each round.

The print-friendly PDF also includes a stitch chart for the crown section.

General Pattern Notes

• The stitch count for each round is given in [ ] at the end of the round. 
• If no stitch count is given, then the count is the same as the previous round.
• The pattern is written for the smallest size with larger sizes given in parentheses ( ).
• For the Crown section, the stitch count includes chains (unless otherwise indicated).
• Ch 2 at the start of Rounds 3 and 5 does not count as a stitch (beg ch 2 and 2dc-cl together count as one 3dc-cl).
• The pattern is written separately for Baby/Toddler/Child and Adult sizes.
• When working Rounds 1-5 of the Crown, you can either follow the written instructions in the pattern or use the Stitch Chart in the print-friendly PDF.
• When working increases on sc rounds (i.e. 2 sc in same st), you can choose to work 2 sc in both loops OR work an invisible increase as follows:
  • First sc in front loop only (flo) indicated st
  • Second sc in both loops of same st

Special Stitches

Two Double Crochet Cluster (2dc-cl)

Step 1: Yarn over, insert hook into indicated st and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through first two loops. [2 loops on hook]

Step 2: Yarn over, insert hook into same st and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through first two loops. [3 loops on hook]

Step 3: Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

Three Double Crochet Cluster (3dc-cl)

Step 1: As for 2dc-cl.

Step 2: As for 2dc-cl.

Step 3: Repeat Step 2. [4 loops on hook]

Step 4: Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops.

Reverse Single Crochet (rsc)

Step 1: Working from left to right, insert hook into next stitch.

Step 2: Yarn under and pull up a loop.Step 3: Yarn over and pull through both loops.

Written Pattern

Baby (Toddler, Child 3-5, Child 6-10)

CROWN

Baby (Toddler, Child 3-5, Child 6-10)

Round 1: Mc, ch 2 (does not count as a st), 14 (14, 14, 16) dc in circle, sl st to join to beg dc, do not turn. [14 (14, 14, 16)]

Round 2: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc, 1 ch), *dc in next st, ch 1; repeat from * around, sl st to join to 3rd ch of beg ch-4, do not turn. [28 (28, 28, 32)]

Round 3: Sl st to first ch-sp, ch 2 (does not count as a st, here and throughout), 2dc-cl in same ch-sp, ch 2, *3dc-cl in next ch-1 sp, ch 2; repeat from * around, sl st to join to beg st, do not turn. [42 (42, 42, 48)]

Round 4: Sl st to first ch-sp, ch 5 (counts as 1 dc, 2 ch), dc in same ch-sp, *(dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-sp; repeat from * around, sl st to join to 3rd ch of beg ch-5, do not turn. [56 (56, 56, 64)]

Round 5: Sl st to first ch-sp, (ch 2, 2dc-cl, ch 2, 3dc-cl) in same ch-sp, ch 1, *(3dc-cl, ch 2, 3dc-cl) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1; repeat from * around, do not join. [70 (70, 70, 80)]

Baby, Toddler, Child 3-5: your circle will measure approx. 4.75″ / 12cm in diameter.

Child 6-10: your circle will measure approx. 5.25″ / 13.5cm in diameter.

The rest of the crown rounds (as well as the hat body and brim rounds) are worked continuously (i.e. do not join with a sl st at the end of each round). Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.

Baby only

Round 6: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in next st, sc in ch-1 sp; repeat from * around, do not join. [70]

Toddler (Child 3-5, Child 6-10) only

Round 6: *2 sc in next st, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in next st, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in next st, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in next st, sc in ch-1 sp; repeat from * around, do not join. [77 (77, 88)]

Child 3-5 only

Round 7: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 10 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [84]

BODY

This section of the hat is worked in even rounds (with no increases). You can work the number of rounds as per the pattern below OR if you find that your gauge is a little looser than the one listed above, you can also stop working once the bucket of the hat measures as follows:

• Baby: 2.75″ / 6.5cm
• Toddler: 3.25″ / 8cm
• Child 3-5: 3.75″ / 9.5cm
• Child 6-10: 3.75″ / 9.5cm

Baby (Toddler, Child 3-5, Child 6-10)

Rounds 1 – 13 (16, 18, 19): Sc in each st around, do not join. [70 (77, 84, 88)]

Baby only

Round 14: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 9 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [77]

Child 6-10 only

Round 20: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 10 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [96]

BRIM

Baby (Toddler, Child 3-5) only

Round 1: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 6 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [88 (88, 96)]

Round 2: Sc in each st around, do not join.

Round 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 7 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [99 (99, 108)]

Round 4: Sc in each st around, do not join.

Round 5: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 8 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [110 (110, 120)]

Round 6: Sc in each st around, do not join.

Child 3-5 only

Round 7: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 9 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [132]

Round 8: Sc in each st around, do not join.

Child 6-10 only

Round 1: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 7 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [108]

Round 2: Sc in each st around, do not join.

Round 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 8 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [120]

Round 4: Sc in each st around, do not join.

Round 5: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 9 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [132]

FINISHING

Weave in ends. All done!

Written Pattern

Adult S (Adult L)

CROWN

Round 1: Mc, ch 2 (does not count as a st), 16 dc in circle, sl st to join to beg dc, do not turn. [16]

Round 2: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc, 1 ch), *dc in next st, ch 1; repeat from * around, sl st to join to 3rd ch of beg ch-4, do not turn. [32]

Round 3: Sl st to first ch-sp, ch 2 (does not count as a st, here and throughout), 2dc-cl in same ch-sp, ch 2, *3dc-cl in next ch-1 sp, ch 2; repeat from * around, sl st to join to beg st, do not turn. [48]

Round 4: Sl st to first ch-sp, ch 5 (counts as 1 dc, 2 ch), dc in same ch-sp, *(dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-sp; repeat from * around, sl st to join to 3rd ch of beg ch-5, do not turn. [64]

Round 5: Sl st to first ch-sp, (ch 2, 2dc-cl, ch 2, 3dc-cl) in same ch-sp, ch 1, *(3dc-cl, ch 2, 3dc-cl) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1; repeat from * around, do not join.  [80]

Your circle will measure approx. 5.25″ / 13.5cm in diameter.

The rest of the crown rounds (as well as the hat body and brim rounds) are worked continuously (i.e. do not join with a sl st at the end of each round). Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of the round, moving it up on each round.

Round 6: *2 sc in next st, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in next st, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in next st, 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in next st, sc in ch-1 sp; repeat from * around, do not join. [88]

Round 7: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 10 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [96]

Adult L only

Round 8: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 11 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [104]

BODY

This section of the hat is worked in even rounds (with no increases). You can work the number of rounds as per the pattern below OR if you find that your gauge is a little looser than the one listed above, you can also stop working once the bucket of the hat measures as follows:

Adult S: 4.5″ / 11.5cm

Adult L: 4.75″ / 12.5cm

Rounds 1 – 22 (24): Sc in each st around, do not join. [96 (104)]

BRIM

Round 1: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 7 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [108 (117)]

Round 2: Sc in each st around, do not join.

Round 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 8 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [120 (130)]

Round 4: Sc in each st around, do not join.

Round 5: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 9 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [132 (143)]

Round 6: Sc in each st around, do not join.

Round 7: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 10 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [144 (156)]

Round 8: Sc in each st around, do not join.

Round 9: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 11 sts; repeat from * around, do not join. [156 (169)]

Round 10: Sc in each st around, do not join.

Final Round: Ch 1, rsc in each st around, join to beg st with a sl st.

FINISHING

Weave in ends. All done!

June 1, 2022

I am so excited to be featured in the Summer Designer’s Picks Blog Hop today! 

Here’s what you need to do you get the your free PDF:

1. Click on the IMAGE below – this will bring you to my About Me page.
2. On that page, you have you will find easy two ways to get the pattern:
   • You can download the PDF directly
   • If you prefer to keep all your patterns together in Ravelry, I also have the option to email you a Ravelry coupon code to get the pattern for free over there.

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

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 project on Instagram or Facebook using @nedandmimi or #nedandmimi!

Happy crocheting!

Sarah