Free Pattern: Seaside Bucket Hat

Do you prefer a bucket style hat or a sunhat more? I used to think of bucket hats being more for men/boys and sunhats more for women/girls. I think bucket hats are becoming more common. I would love to know your thoughts on this. Please comment below and let me know your favorite style.

Growing up we spent several vacations on the Oregon Coast and it one of my most favorite places. It is unlike any other “beach” experience. It is usually chilly, the water seems more gloomy, and it is often raining or misty. My most favorite weather by far!

I designed this Seaside Bucket Hat with those trips in mind.

Seaside Bucket Hat Crochet Pattern

The pattern is free below on this page. An ad-free, downloadable pdf is also available this week for free as part of my freebie files and special “Pattern Party Week” event.

If you already receive my email you should have the link and password for the freebie files. If not, you can sign up below.

Materials 

• Yarn: 150-200 yards worsted weight in choice of colors (acrylic or cotton). 
• Crochet Hook: I (5.5mm)
• Miscellaneous: yarn needle

Measurements

• Gauge: 4” with an I hook = 12.5 rounds, 15 sts
• Sizes: Child Small, Child Large, Teen/Adult

Tips

• The first stitch of each row is worked into the same stitch as the turning chain unless noted. 
• Numbers at the beginning of each line may refer to steps and not indicate the number of rows.
• This can be made with or without the ponytail opening.
• The samples shown are sizes teen/adult.

Child Small (4-7 years)

This starts at the top of the hat. 

1. With I 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), sl st to join and pull closed. (8sts)

2. Ch 1, 2sc in each st 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 2, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (32sts)

5. Ch 1, *hdc 3, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (40sts)

6. Ch 1, *hdc 4, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (48sts)

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

8. Ch 1, bphdc around each post to end of round, sl st to join.

9-10. Ch 1, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st in first st to join.

Note: at this point, lay hat on a flat surface. Measure from starting edge to bottom edge to check length. It should be approximately 4”. Add additional rounds if necessary.

11. Choose one of the following options:

Ponytail Opening

Ch 1, TURN, hdc in the same st and in each st until 6 sts remain. Leave remaining sts unworked. (48sts)

Ch 1, turn, hdc in the same st and in each st from previous round. Ch 6, sl st in the fist st (across the skipped sts) to join. (48sts + 6 chs)

Ch 1, turn, hdc in the same st, sc 6 sts around the chain, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. (54sts)

Turn to work from the right side. Continue to step 12.

No Opening:

Ch 1, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st in first st to join.

Repeat the previous round 2 more times.

Continue to step 12. 

12. This step starts the “clustered band” section. Finish off the current yarn and change to a contrasting or variegated yarn. The beginning chain in this section counts as a st. Ch 2, 2hdc in the same st, sk 2, *3hdc in the next st, sk 2*, repeat to end of round, sl st in the first st to join. (54sts)

13. Ch 2, TURN. 2hdc in the space between the clusters from the previous round, 3hdc in each space between clusters to end of round, sl st in the first st to join. 

14. Repeat the previous round once (3 cluster rounds total). 

15. Finish off the current yarn and change back to the main color for the brim. Ch 1, TURN, *2FPHDC around the next post, FPHDC around each of the next 8 posts*, repeat to end of round, sl st in the first st to join. (60sts)

16. Ch 1, 2hdc in the same st, hdc 5, *2hdc in the next st, hdc 5*, repeat to end of  round, sl st to join. (70sts)

17. Ch 1, 2hdc in the same st, hdc 6, *2hdc in the next st, hdc 6*, repeat to end of  round, sl st to join. (80sts)

18. Ch 1, 2sc in the same st, sc 7, *2sc in the next st, sc 7*, repeat to end of  round, sl st to join. (90sts)

19. Be careful to not work this round too tight. Ch 1, sl st to end of round. Finish off and weave in ends.

Finger shape the brim for a smooth edge.

The sample shown below is the adult size but all sizes are made the same.

Child Large (8-12 years)

This starts at the top of the hat. 

1. With I 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), sl st to join and pull closed. (8sts)

2. Ch 1, 2sc in each st 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 2, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (32sts)

5. Ch 1, *hdc 3, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (40sts)

6. Ch 1, *hdc 4, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (48sts)

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

8. Ch 1, *hdc 8, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (60sts)

9. Ch 1, bphdc around each post to the end of round, sl st to join.

10. Ch 1, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st in first st to join.

11. Repeat the previous round for an additional 2 rounds.

Note: at this point, lay hat on a flat surface. Measure from starting edge to bottom edge to check length. It should be approximately 4.5”. Add additional rounds if necessary.

12. Choose one of the following options:

Ponytail Opening

Ch 1, hdc in the same st and in each st until 8 sts remain. Leave remaining sts unworked. (52sts)

Ch 1, turn, hdc in the same st and in each st from previous round. Ch 8, sl st in the first st (across the
                        skipped sts) to join. (52sts + 8 chs)

Ch 1, turn, hdc in the same st, sc 8 sts around the chain, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. (60sts)

Continue to step 13.

No Opening:

Ch 1, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st in first st to join.

Repeat the previous round 2 more times.

Continue to step 13. 

13. This step starts the “clustered band” section. Finish off the current yarn and change to a contrasting or variegated yarn. The beginning chain in this section counts as a st. Ch 2, 2hdc in the same st, sk 2, *3hdc in the next st, sk 2*, repeat to end of round, sl st in the first st to join. (60sts)

14. Ch 2, TURN. 2hdc in the space between the clusters from the previous round, 3hdc in each space between clusters to end of round, sl st in the first st to join. 

15. Repeat the previous round two more times (4 cluster rounds total). 

16. Finish off the current yarn and change back to the main color for the brim. Ch 1, TURN, *2FPHDC around the next post, FPHDC around each of the next 5 posts*, repeat to end of round, sl st in the first st to join. (70sts)

17. Ch 1, 2hdc in the same st, hdc 6, *2hdc in the next st, hdc 6*, repeat to end of  round, sl st to join. (80sts)

18. Ch 1, 2hdc in the same st, hdc 7 *2hdc in the next st, hdc 7*, repeat to end of  round, sl st to join. (90sts)

19. Ch 1, 2sc in the same st, sc 8, *2sc in the next st, sc 8*, repeat to end of  round, sl st to join. (100sts)

20. Be careful to not work this round too tight. Ch 1, sl st to end of round. Finish off and weave in ends.

Finger shape the brim for a smooth edge.

The sample shown below is the adult size but all sizes are made the same.

Teen/ Adult

This starts at the top of the hat. 

1. With I 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), sl st to join and pull closed. (8sts)

2. Ch 1, 2sc in each st 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 2, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (32sts)

5. Ch 1, *hdc 3, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (40sts)

6. Ch 1, *hdc 4, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (48sts)

7. Ch 1, *hdc 5, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (56sts)

8. Ch 1, hdc 6, *2hdc in next st, hdc 4*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (66sts)

9. Ch 1, bphdc around each post to end of round, sl st to join.

10. Ch 1, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st in first st to join.

11. Repeat the previous round for an additional 3 rounds.

Note: at this point, lay hat on a flat surface. Measure from starting edge to bottom edge to check length. It should be approximately 5”. Add additional rounds if necessary.

12. Choose one of the following options:

Ponytail Opening

Ch 1, hdc in the same st and in each st until 8 sts remain. Leave remaining sts unworked. (58sts)

Ch 1, TURN, hdc in the same st and in each st from previous round. Ch 8, sl st in the first st (across the skipped sts) to join. (58sts + 8 chs)

Ch 1, turn, hdc in the same st, sc 8 sts around the chain, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join. (66sts)

Continue to step 13.

No Opening:

Ch 1, hdc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st in first st to join.

Repeat the previous round 2 more times.

Continue to step 13. 

13. This step starts the “clustered band” section. Finish off the current yarn and change to a contrasting or variegated yarn. The beginning chain in this section counts as a st. Ch 2, 2hdc in the same st, sk 2, *3hdc in the next st, sk 2*, repeat to end of round, sl st in the first st to join. (66sts)

14. Ch 2, TURN. 2hdc in the space between the clusters from the previous round, 3hdc in each space between clusters to end of round, sl st in the first st to join. 

15. Repeat the previous round for an additional 2 rounds (4 cluster rounds total). 

16. Finish off the current yarn and change back to the main color for the brim. This step starts the bottom brim section. Ch 1, TURN, *2FPHDC around the next post, FPHDC around each of the next 10 posts*, repeat to end of round, sl st in the first st to join. (72sts)

17. Ch 1, 2hdc in the same st, hdc 6, *2hdc in the next st, hdc 6*, repeat to end of  round, sl st to join. (82sts)

18. Ch 1, hdc 2, *2hdc in next st, hdc 7*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (92sts)

19. Ch 1, hdc 2, *2hdc in next st, hdc 8*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (102sts)

20. Ch 1, sc 2, *2sc in next st, sc 9*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (112sts)

21. Be careful to not work this round too tight. Ch 1, sl st to end of round. Finish off and weave in ends.

Finger shape the brim for a smooth edge.