Bucket of Strength Hat

I am thankful to have participated in this event each year since it started. Over the years I have been honored to have met many outstanding people, including survivors, their family members, and those who make and donate things to help those effected by cancer.

This year my “beanie” is a different style, one full of strength. After a dozen beanies, I thought it would be fun to make a loose fitting bucket hat.

Quick Jump to…

A few years ago my mother in law was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. I often tell her she should be the poster child for the effect a positive outlook can have on one’s life. Through the diagnosis, aggressive rounds of chemo, hair-loss, and many side effects, she has never stopped living her life to the fullest. I know she has to have felt a range of emotions and she has been sick, but she has ALWAYS been 100% there for everyone around her.

Crochet Cancer Challenge

I chose a color, purple-ish yarn instead of white (the color of the lung cancer ribbon) to celebrate the many colorful moments she brings to her grandkids, kids, and everyone who knows her. May this hat bring strength, comfort, and a feeling of power to all who wear it.

How To Get Involved In This Event

  1. Visit the Challenge blog post daily. A new pattern will be posted Monday through Friday (plus bonus weekend patterns on Saturday) throughout October.
  2. Download the free hat pattern. Each designer will offer their pattern for free for a minimum of 24 hours using code “CANCERCHALLENGE2025“.
  3. Make a pledge. By downloading the pattern, you’re pledging to make at least one hat from that design and donate it to someone battling cancer.
  4. Share your progress. Use the hashtag #CrochetCancerChallenge on social media so we can see your beautiful work and encourage others to join.

Please remember that by downloading the hat pattern you are pledging to make at least one hat from it to donate to someone affected by cancer or to a treatment center.

A Message From Christine of Sweet Potato 3

Previous Challenge Patterns $1 Each

Some of my most favorite hat patterns were designed for this event in previous years. Each October I offer those patterns for just $1 each.
– Please visit the collection at https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/challenge-57, – Choose any of the patterns, add them to your cart and use coupon code: challenge25 (no spaces)
– Offer ends 11/1/25

Many of the hats from previous years, shown above, are currently being added to my blog. I will link each title as it becomes available. Meanwhile, all of the patterns shown are available to purchase for $1 at the link above.

Free Versions

Bucket of Strength Crochet Pattern

If you ever have any questions or need help with any of my patterns please send an email to [email protected]. I want to make sure you enjoy my projects and feel great about the process and outcome.

The pattern is available for free below. Plus an ad free, downloadable pdf is available to download from 10/10/25 – 11/1/25 from my Ravelry shop. 
Click HERE or the graphic below before 11/1/25 and make sure to enter the following coupon code (no spaces): cancerchallenge2025

This is designed to be a loose fitting bucket hat, made from a bulky weight yarn. For a more fitted version, use a worsted weight yarn. The samples are teen/adult size.

Materials and Details

  • Yarn: 150 yards bulky or worsted weight yarn in choice of color.
    Sample yarn: Premier Puzzle Hangman, Red Heart Super Saver White
  • Crochet Hook: J (6mm)
  • Miscellaneous: yarn needle
  • Sizes: 2-4 yrs, 5- Preteen, Teen-Adult 
  • Gauge: 4″ with a J hook and bulky weight yarn = 11 sts (in pattern repeat of dc, sc) x 11 rows

Tips

  • The number at the beginning of each line refers to the step and not the number of rows.
  • The first stitch of each row is worked into the same st as the turning chain.
  • Stitch counts remain the same unless noted at end of row.

Special Stitches

Short Cluster: Insert hook in designated st, pull up a loop, YO and pull through one loop on hook, *insert hook in same st, pull up a loop, YO and pull through one loop on hook,* repeat once (4 loops remaining on hook), YO and pull through all loops on hook.

Cluster: YO and insert hook in designated st, pull up a loop, YO and pull through two loops on hook, *YO, insert hook in same st, pull up a loop, YO and pull through two loops on hook,* repeat once (4 loops remaining on hook), YO and pull through all loops on hook.

Partial Cluster: YO and insert hook in designated st, pull up a loop, YO and pull through two loops on hook, YO, insert hook in same st, pull up a loop, YO and pull through two loops on hook (3 loops remaining  on hook), YO and pull through all loops on hook.

Child: 2-4 Years

1.  With a J hook and yarn color of choice, start with a magic circle of 8 sts (or preferred method for starting a circle of 8 sc sts), join with a sl st and pull closed. (8sts)

2.  Ch 1, 2hdc in each stitch to end of round, sl st to join. (16sts)

3.  Ch 1, *hdc, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (24sts)

4.  Ch 1, *hdc, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (36sts)

5.  Ch 1, *hdc 2, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (48sts) Bulky weight – 6.25” across; Worsted weight – 5” across.

6.  Ch 1, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. 

7.  See “special stitches” on page one for stitches used this round. Ch 2, partial cluster in same st, ch 1, sk 1, *cluster, ch 1, sk 1*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. 

8-9. Ch 2, turn, partial cluster in space before first cluster from previous round, ch 1,  *cluster in next space, ch 1*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join.

Note: For worsted weight yarn, repeat the previous round one more time. 

10. This round begins the bottom part of the hat. Ch 1, turn, FPHDC around each post from previous round, sl st to join. Tip: each cluster consists of 3 “posts”. (72sts)

11-12. Ch 1, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. 

Note: For worsted weight yarn, repeat the previous round one more time. 

13. Ch 1, sc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. 

14. Make sure to not work the sts of this round more snug than previous sts. Sl st in each st to end of round. Finish off and weave in ends. 

Child: 5 Years to Preteen

1.  With a J hook and yarn color of choice, start with a magic circle of 8 sts (or preferred method for starting a circle of 8 sc sts), join with a sl st and pull closed. (8sts)

2.  Ch 1, 2hdc in each stitch to end of round, sl st to join. (16sts)

3.  Ch 1, *hdc, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (24sts)

4.  Ch 1, *hdc, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (36sts)

5.  Ch 1, *hdc 2, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (48sts) 

6.  Ch 1, *hdc 7, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (54sts) Bulky weight – 7” across; Worsted weight – 6” across.

7.  Ch 1, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. 

8.  See “special stitches” on page one for stitches used this round. Ch 2, partial cluster in same st, ch 1, sk 1, *cluster, ch 1, sk 1*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. 

9-11. Ch 2, turn, partial cluster in space before first cluster from previous round, ch 1,  *cluster in next space, ch 1*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join.

Note: For worsted weight yarn, repeat the previous round one more time. 

12. This round begins the bottom part of the hat. Ch 1, turn, FPHDC around each post from previous round, sl st to join. Tip: each cluster consists of 3 “posts”. (81sts)

13-14. Ch 1, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. 

Note: For worsted weight yarn, repeat the previous round one more time. 

15. Ch 1, sc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. 

16. Make sure to not work the sts of this round more snug than previous sts. Sl st in each st to end of round. Finish off and weave in ends. 

Teen to Adult

1.  With a J hook and yarn color of choice, start with a magic circle of 8 sts (or preferred method for starting a circle of 8 sc sts), join with a sl st and pull closed. (8sts)

2.  Ch 1, 2hdc in each stitch to end of round, sl st to join. (16sts)

3.  Ch 1, *hdc, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (24sts)

4.  Ch 1, *hdc, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (36sts)

5.  Ch 1, *hdc 2, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (48sts) 

6.  Ch 1, *hdc 7, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (54sts) 

7. Ch 1, *hdc 8, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (60sts) Bulky weight – 7.5” across; Worsted weight – 6.5” across.

8.  Ch 1, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. 

9.  See “special stitches” on page one for stitches used this round. Ch 2, partial cluster in same st, ch 1, sk 1, *cluster, ch 1, sk 1*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. 

10-13. Ch 2, turn, partial cluster in space before first cluster from previous round, ch 1,  *cluster in next space, ch 1*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join.

Note: For worsted weight yarn, repeat the previous round one more time. 

14. This round begins the bottom part of the hat. Ch 1, FPHDC around each post from previous round, sl st to join. Tip: each cluster consists of 3 “posts”. (90sts)

15-16. Ch 1, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. 

Note: For worsted weight yarn, repeat the previous round one more time. 

17. Ch 1, sc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. 

18. Make sure to not work the sts of this round more snug than previous sts. Sl st in each st to end of round. Finish off and weave in ends. 

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2 Comments

  1. Pingback: Crochet-Cancer-Challenge-2025-free-hats-for-cancer-patients
  2. Gail McKeon says:

    I saw your post and had to letter you know I survived cancer five years ago and two winters ago I crocheted 100 bucket hats with worsted at yarn and donated them to the shelter group (The Inn Between in Longmont CO. Last year I made 50 as I was packing to move to Cheyenne WY. Now I have cc e finished 70 new hats to donate plus 13 lap size Afghans. I plan to give the lapghans to the VA nursing facility here and first offer the hats to the Meals On Wheels group then if they can’t use them find a local charity here to give them to. While I was undergoing 8 hour chemo treatments every three weeks for seven months I made hats for the other patients and nurses. So I like your idea and I hope many folks do accept your offer.

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