10 FREE Knit and Crochet Bucket Hat Patterns
Fast, fun, and free stylish hat patterns for summer!
10 FREE Knit and Crochet Bucket Hat Patterns
Bucket hats are experiencing a renaissance, and we might have ’90s nostalgia to thank for bringing back these short-brimmed sun hats. It also seems like bucket hats are here to stay and are now considered a “must-have” in many fashion-forward closets. It’s easy to see why! Bucket hats are both chic and practical, shielding your head from the elements while adding a stylish touch to your look!
Knitting or crocheting one up is a breeze if you’ve been thinking about creating your own bucket hat or making one to give to a special someone. With just the right bucket hat pattern, some yarn, and a few hours of your time, you can craft a customized one that perfectly reflects your style. So, grab your knitting needles or crochet hooks, and let’s get crafting!
How Do You Knit A Bucket Hat?
To knit a bucket hat, you’ll need circular needles or double-pointed needles (DPNs) since hats are usually worked in the round. It’s also possible to knit a hat with straight needles, knitting in the round allows for a seamless finish and eliminates the need for any unsightly seams or stitches!
Most bucket hats are knit from the bottom up, which means you’ll start by casting on for the hat brim and then work your way up to the crown. However, some patterns may call for a top-down approach. You can also expect to be doing shaping using increases or decreases..
When selecting a bucket hat pattern, be sure to pay attention to the recommended yarn weight and fiber, as this will impact the final look and feel of the hat!
How Do You Crochet A Bucket Hat
When it comes to crocheting a bucket hat, most patterns will have you start from the top at the crown and work your way down to the brim. This allows for greater control over the shaping and sizing of the hat, as you can easily increase or decrease stitches as needed.
One of the best things about crocheting a bucket hat is that you don’t need any special tools beyond your crochet hook. To achieve the best results, it’s important to pay attention to the recommended yarn weight and fiber, as well as the gauge notes in the pattern – this will also help you select the right size hook.
Knit vs Crochet Bucket Hat Patterns
If you’re new to hat-making, you might be wondering about the differences between knitting and crocheting. While both techniques can be used to create beautiful hats, there are some key differences to keep in mind.
Knit bucket hat patterns are less common than crochet patterns, but they have some advantages.
- Knit hats have a neater-looking finish compared to crochet hats, which can be appealing for certain styles.
- Knit bucket hats also have more give and can stretch to fit a variety of head sizes. There are ways to achieve a more structured look with knitting, but this requires some skill with controlling tension and attention to needle size.
- With knitting, you can create beautiful bucket hats with cable and lace patterns.
Crochet hats, on the other hand, have their own set of pros and cons.
- Crochet hats can be made more quickly than knit hats thanks to the larger stitches.
- This technique creates a fabric that is thicker and stiffer, resulting in structured hats with more defined shapes. However, this also means that achieving the perfect fit may require more precise measurements.
- Crochet is also well-suited for creating intricate patterns, colorwork, and other decorative elements that can be challenging to achieve with knitting.
Ultimately, whether you choose to knit or crochet a hat depends on your personal preferences and skill level. Our library of knitting tutorials may make it seem like we’re partial to knitting, but there are some amazing patterns you can only achieve using either craft. We say give both techniques a try!
What Yarn Is Best For Hats?
When selecting the yarn for your hat, it’s important to consider its intended use. If you’re knitting a hat for warmth during colder months, consider opting for chunky wool blends or faux fur yarn. Acrylic yarn is also a viable option.
Alternatively, for a summer or springtime sun hat, lightweight cotton or plant fiber yarns are ideal. Cotton is a breathable material that offers sun protection while keeping you cool.
When in doubt, always check the notes on the bucket hat pattern! You can’t go wrong with suggestions from the original designer.
Knit Bucket Hat Patterns
We’re starting you off with five fun and stylish knit bucket hat patterns! Make sure you have our knitting guide bookmarked in case you need a quick refresher on anything!
All credit belongs to the incredibly talented designers who we mention in each of the knit and crochet patterns’ descriptions. Happy crafting!
Disclaimer: This article contains links to external unaffiliated websites.
1. Sophie Bucket Hat
By: Alexandra Tavel
YARN: Super bulky weight yarn
SIZES:
- Circumference: 13 (16, 19.25, 22.5)”
- Crown height: 4.5 (5.5, 6.5, 7.25)”
Keep the ol’ noggin warm with an oh-so-cozy Sophie Bucket Hat. This fuzzy and festive-looking knit bucket hat pattern is adapted from a crochet version that is adored by all ages (gifting opportunity!). It’s also a breeze to knit – just the knit stitch and some shaping with K2TOG!
2. Marla Bucket Hat Pattern
By: Dorothea Neumann
YARN: Sport weight yarn
SIZE: 20” – 22” head circumference
Soft and light on your head with some lovely lacework; we think the Marla Bucket Hat would make a beautiful springtime hat. There’s some cable lace on the crown with a pattern reminiscent of the double helix of DNA, and an I cord edge on the brim. Try it out!
3. Ponder Knit Bucket Hat
By: Talitha Kuomi
YARN: DK weight yarn
SIZES:
- S (M, L, XL, XXL)
- 20” (21”, 22”, 23”, 24”)
The Ponder is a structured unisex bucket hat that looks a bit like a top hat when set down, but can take on an almost fedora-like look when worn thanks to the stretchy knit quality! It’s easily a style you could go day to night in.
After knitting the 1×3 ribbed pattern on the brim in the round, this unique bucket hat pattern calls for you to knit the striped portion of the hat’s body back and forth. This means after knitting one side, you turn your work and purl the other side. Once that’s done, you join and resume knitting in the round. Seaming is done at the end!
4. Eef’s Summer Baby Hat
YARN: Bulky weight cotton yarn
SIZE: 45cm or approx 18” head circumference
Keep your little one’s head cool by knitting up Eef’s summer baby hat! This unisex knitted bucket hat pattern calls for the use of a Provisional Cast On.
Once you’ve finished weaving in your ends, you have a lot of room to personalize and have fun! Stitch up one side of the brim, fasten it with cute buttons, do some embroidering, or just leave it as it is!
5. Knitted Baby Bucket Hat
By: Tina Barrett for Knit Today magazine
YARN: DK weight cotton yarn
SIZE: 0-6 months baby (14” head circumference)
Need to make a hand-knit baby gift in a jiffy? Try this striped knitted baby hat pattern! It’s knit top-down, and it tells you exactly when to change yarns – we love a good beginner-friendly pattern. Have fun mixing and matching colors to your liking.
Cotton yarn is recommended to make this a truly great summer baby hat for keeping cool, but any DK weight yarn will work as well.
Crochet Bucket Hat Patterns
Couldn’t find a style you were looking for above? Give these five beginner-friendly crochet bucket hat patterns a try! Again, all credit goes to the designers mentioned in each of the pattern descriptions.
6. Halcyon Crochet Granny Square Bucket Hat
By: Jess Coppom
YARN: Worsted weight yarn
SIZE: Approx 22” circumference
Get ready to fall absolutely in love with this crochet bucket hat pattern. The nostalgic granny square design is one that will never go out of style. You’re going to thank yourself for crocheting this beauty up for many many seasons!
Never crocheted granny squares before? Don’t worry the pattern comes with helpful links, tips, and a video tutorial!
7. Basic Crochet Bucket Hat
YARN: DK weight yarn
If you’ve never crocheted a hat before, here’s a great crochet bucket hat pattern to get you started. The designer does into detail about the construction and parts of the hat to make sure you can follow along easily.
The pattern starts you off at the crown with a magic ring and you just keep crocheting in a spiral with basic crochet stitches, no need to join each round. Need a versatile bucket hat to match any outfit? Go with this one!
8. Raffia Crochet Bucket Hat Pattern
By: Joanne Loh
YARN: Sport weight yarn
SIZE: 22″ – 23″ head circumference
Looking for a fun crochet bucket hat to accompany you on all your summer excursions? This straightforward crochet bucket hat pattern starts off with basic rounds, starting from crown to brim with a lattice-like pattern in the middle.
Basic crochet knowledge on the chain stitch, double crochet stitch, single crochet stitch, and slip stitch is required, but if you don’t feel too confident crocheting those stitches just yet, don’t worry. The designer has photos and suggests modifications to make this pattern even more beginner-friendly!
9. Chocolate Bucket Hat
By: Henrique Silva
YARN: Fingering weight yarn
SIZE: Crown size 7.75”, Hat height 9”
Stand out from the crowd in this chocolate brown striped sun hat! As a heads up, this crochet bucket hat pattern does call for you to do some embroidering. Make sure to check out the helpful diagram included in the pattern download in case you get lost on that step.
The extra effort to embroider strips is well worth it though because by the end you’ll have an all-season bucket hat with a polished finish!
10. Pretty in Spring Bucket Hat
By: Rose Obomighie
YARN: DK weight yarn
SIZES:
- Child (3-5yrs) 19 – 20” head circumference
- Child- (6-10yrs) 20 – 21”
- Teen (small) 21 – 22”
- Adult(medium) 22 – 23”
- Adult (large) 23 – 24”
Need a comfortable bucket hat to wear come spring? Here’s a quick and simple crochet bucket hat pattern with a finish similar to amigurumi projects. That’s because it calls for the use of just the single crochet stitch.
You can purchase the full pdf and learn how to make the little flowers, or just make little blossoms using a pattern you already know. They’re entirely optional, but make for a joyful finish to this springtime hat!
See the pattern >
Final Thoughts on Knit and Crochet Bucket Hat Patterns
A knit or crochet bucket hat is a fun and functional accessory that you can easily dress up or down depending on the occasion. There are so many fun patterns to choose from – from classic designs to more modern and casual interpretations, you can count on these hats to keep you protected from the sun and add a touch of style to your outfit.
Whether you’re knitting or crocheting a hat, there are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Be sure to select the right needle or hook size for the project, based on the recommended gauge in the pattern.
- When choosing yarn, consider the weight and fiber carefully, as this will impact the look and feel of the finished hat.
- Take the time to measure the hat accurately as you go, particularly with crochet hats which are less forgiving than knit hats.
- Practice your tension and experiment with different needle or hook sizes to achieve the desired structure and finish.
Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoyed browsing through this curated list of knit and crochet bucket hat patterns and found one (or more!) that you’re excited to make.
