Easy printable bucket Hat Crochet Pattern – Trending in 2023

With this easy printable bucket hat crochet pattern you can make a simple, cute and stylish hat. Did you know that they are also known as fisherman hats or sun hats and that they are an iconic trend from the 90’s?

Like any other fashion trend, this one comes and go, and never really went away. And now they are trending again everywhere.

In fact, if you search online you will find celebrities wearing them everywhere. They can be your “go to” accessory to complement your warmer weather outfits.

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I’ve written this easy bucket hat pattern that you can make even if you are a beginner. I tried to include as much details as possible to make it easy and quick to make.

So, don’t be afraid to try it out even if you have never made a hat before. In fact, this is a perfect first time hat project.

An inexpensive PDF including this and 7 other sizes is available for sale, from Premie to Adult Large. It can be purchased on my Ravelry or Etsy shops.

What’s the best yarn to crochet a bucket hat?

Cotton or cotton blend yarn is the best to make bucket hats. The reason why cotton is better is because those hats are usually made for warmer weather and cotton is a very absorbent and cool fiber. I used worsted weight (4) 100% cotton yarn I Love This Cotton, by Hobby Lobby.

Also, cotton doesn’t get as hot as others, like acrylic, for example. It’s fine if you use acrylic too, as there is very good quality acrylic yarn out there, but I thought I would give you a hint on my preference.

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Notes and instructions about the pattern

Below is a list of important things to know before you jump in to the actual pattern.

• This Pattern is written using standard US terminology.
• Level of difficulty: Advanced beginner
• The hat is made from top down, worked in continuous rounds, meaning you don’t have to join the rounds with a slip stitch. 
• Use the “single crochet yarn under” technique to achieve the “x” looking stitches. See instructions below.
• A stitch marker may be needed to mark the first stitch of every round, moving it up as you go, that way you won’t lose count.
• Instructions in the pattern are for size Teen/Small Adult.
• This hat was designed to be a close fitting. If you would like it to have some ease, consider using a larger hook.
• If you are using a different yarn brand or fiber, like acrylic for example, there may be variation in size. Make sure you meet gauge. 
• You will achieve better results with a tighter tension and if you keep it consistent throughout the end. If you crochet loose, you may have to use a smaller hook. 
• Measurements and yarn amounts are based on using informed yarn and gauge. Yarn amounts may vary if you use different yarn.
• When you finish the body of the hat, before starting the brim, the hat length should reach about the top of the ear. If it needs to be longer, you can add more rows.

Supplies and tools to make a bucket hat

• Worsted weight (4) 100% cotton yarn. I used love this Cotton by Hobby Lobby
• Yarn substitution: 24/7 by Lion brand
• 5.00 mm (US H) crochet hook
• A pair of scissors
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle to weave in the ends

Pattern abbreviations

• inc increase (2 sc in next stitch)
• FO fasten off
• mc magic circle
• Rnd round
• st(s) stitch(es)
• sc single crochet 
• ( ) repeat instructions within parentheses as many times as directed
• [ ] stitch count in a round

A note on gauge

6 rounds = 3” with 5.00 mm (US H) hook before blocking/washing.

Gauge swatch pattern

• Rnd1: 8 sc in a mc [8]
• Rnd2: (inc) 8 times [16]
• Rnd3: (inc, sc in next st) 8 times [24]
• Rnd4: (inc, sc in next 2 sts) 8 times [32]
• Rnd5: (inc, sc in next 3 sts) 8 times [40]
• Rnd6: (inc, sc in next 4 sts) 8 times [48]

Size of the finished bucket hat

The hat finished size is approximately 21.5″ (55 cm), fits head sizes 21-22″ (53-56 cm), if gauge is met.

Tips and tricks for crocheting a bucket

Here are a few tips on how to crochet this hat and make it fit right. Make sure you read through all of them and follow the gauge instructions to make it the right way.

Tip# 1 – How to yarn under to make an “x” shaped sc stitch

• I used the “yarn under” technique for this hat, which is the x-shaped single crochet stitch. To do that, insert the hook in next stitch, place the hook facing down on top of the yarn (see picture below), grab the yarn and pull up a loop. Complete the stitch as normal.
• Basically, the difference between doing this x-shaped single crochet stitch and the conventional “v” single crochet stitch is that you will “yarn under” and not “yarn over”. That being said, you will place the yarn under the hook, before pulling through, like shown in the picture below. 
• The other thing that’s different is the way it looks. With the “yarn over” technique the stitches will look like a “v” and not like an “x”, as shown on the hat pictured on this pattern. 
• Choosing one over the other to make hats will probably give you a difference in size though. In my experience making this hat, I found that with the conventional single crochet stitch, your swatch will be bigger than the other way around. A smaller hook may fix that, but please make sure you meet gauge.

Tip# 2 – Color changing method

• Color changing is not a requirement for this pattern. However, as you can see, if you use multiple yarn colors you can make a trendy striped crochet bucket hat. For the sample pictured in this pattern, which is a Teen/Adult Small size, I changed colors every four rounds. 
• Before you start, I would like to mention that this method leaves a visible ladder looking seam every time you change colors (see picture below). The seam, in my opinion, looks better than a seam from joining rounds with a slip stitch. 
• But if you are not happy with it, there is other color changing methods out there that makes it a little less visible. Go to Google and search for “how to do invisible color change crochet” and you will find tons of tutorials. 

Here is how I did it:

• After you do the last stitch of the round with the current color, cut the yarn and pull the end through so it doesn’t unravel. 

• Insert the hook in that last stitch like you would continue to crochet normally, grab the new yarn with the hook and pull up a loop. Continue the new round as normal. 

• Leave both tails at the back of work, tie both of them together to secure it. You may come back later and weave in the ends. Crochet as many rounds as needed with the new yarn. Repeat the process when you are changing colors again.

Here is the crochet bucket hat pattern

With this step by step free instructions you will be able to make an adult size hat. Pick your favorite color of yarn, a crochet hook and let’s get started.

Start with the crown

In this first step you are making the crown. You will crochet twelve rounds of single crochet, increasing in every round. At this point, it’s important that you have read all the pattern notes and have crocheted a gauge swatch.

Doing so will be helpful so you make sure that your hat size is as close as possible of what you are expecting.

Rnd1: 8 sc in a mc (alternatively, you can make two chs and sc 8 sts in 2nd ch from hook [8]
Rnd2: (inc) 8 times [16]
Rnd3: (inc, sc in next st) 8 times [24]
Rnd4: (inc, sc in next 2 sts) 8 times [32]
Rnd5: (inc, sc in next 3 sts) 8 times [40]
Rnd6: (inc, sc in next 4 sts) 8 times [48]
Rnd7: (inc, sc in next 5 sts) 8 times [56]
Rnd8: (inc, sc in next 6 sts) 8 times [64] 
Rnd9: (inc, sc in next 7 sts) 8 times [72] 
Rnd10: (inc, sc in next 8 sts) 8 times [80] 
Rnd11: (inc, sc in next 9 sts) 8 times [88] 
Rnd12: (inc, sc in next 10 sts) 8 times [96]
Continue to the body of the hat. No need to cut the yarn if you are not changing colors here

Crochet the body of the hat

In this step you will crochet plain rounds, with no increases. As a reminder, when you reach round 32, the ideal hat body length will be right above the ear. Add more plain rounds if needed, to make it longer.

Rnd13-32: sc around

Continue to brim. No need to cut the yarn.

Make the brim

The brim is the last step. In this step you will crochet two rounds of increases and eight rounds of plain single crochet. If you want it longer, all you have to do is to add more plain rounds after round 42.

Rnd33: (inc, sc in next 11 sts) 8 times [104]
Rnd34: (inc, sc in next 12 sts) 8 times [112]
Rnd35-42: sc around [112] 

Finishing the hat

When you are done with the brim, sl st in next st. Cut the yarn leaving a tail of 5-6 inches, pull the tail through the last loop and fasten off. Weave in all the ends.

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Frequent questions

Final thoughts

Before we know it, spring will be here, and I hope this bucket hat crochet pattern will be your choice for your next sun hat project. I hope you enjoy making it as much as did. 

Drop a comment below if you have any questions or if you just would like to say “hi”. Another way to reach out to me is by joining my community group on Facebook. 

If you use any of my patterns or tutorials for a project, please tag me @zamiguz or use the hashtag #zamiguzmakers. I would love to see what you make.

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