Cotton Bucket Hat
A flat sc crown, straight sides and a brim that flares with two increase rounds. Firm cotton keeps its shape.
- Yarn
- Worsted (4) 100% cotton or cotton blend.
- Hook
- G-6 (4 mm): a firm fabric holds the brim
- Sizes
- Any size from preemie to adult large. Use the Finished hat and Height columns of the hat size chart. Example: adult medium.
- Example gauge
- 16 sts and 18 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in sc
- Yarn needed
- About 200 yd (180 m) cotton worsted.
US terms. The UK name follows in brackets the first time each stitch appears. Turning chains don’t count as stitches unless a step says so. See US vs UK crochet terms and crochet abbreviations.
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increases per round | 6.28 × (4 ÷ 4.5) | 5.6 → 6 | By hand |
| Crown stitches | finished hat × sts per in, to a multiple of 6 | 21.5 × 4 = 86 → 84 | Cast-On Calculator |
| Side rounds | 3.5 in × rnds per in | 16 rnds | By hand |
Materials
- Worsted (4) yarn (see yarn needed)
- G-6 (4 mm): a firm fabric holds the brim
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
Gauge swatch
Sc swatch in cotton.
Instructions
Crown
Work in a spiral with a marker in the first st of each round (no joins).
Rnd 1: 6 sc (UK dc) in a magic ring. Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (12).
Rnd n: *Sc in next (n − 2) sts, 2 sc in next; rep from * around (6 times in all). (6 × n)
Stop at your crown count (example: rnd 14, 84 sts).
Sides
Next rnd: Sc in the back loop only of each st (this makes the fold line). Then sc in each st for 3.5 in (example: 16 rnds).
Brim
Rnd 1: *Sc in next 5, 2 sc in next; rep from *. (98)
Rnd 2: Sc around.
Rnd 3: *Sc in next 6, 2 sc in next; rep from *. (112)
Rnds 4–8: Sc around. Sl st (UK ss) in each st for the last round. Fasten off.
Finishing
- Weave in ends.
- Steam the brim flat.
Designer’s notes
- Flat-circle rule: increases per round ≈ 6.28 × (sts per in ÷ rows per in). With typical gauges that comes to about 6 for sc, 8 for hdc (UK htr) and 12 for dc (UK tr).
- Stagger crown increases so the crown is round, not hexagonal.
- Floppier brim: add 2 more increase rounds.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: rounds.
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Tools for this pattern
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Cast-On CalculatorEnter your width and gauge; it rounds to the stitch multiple for you.
- Size ChartsLook up the finished measurements for the size you are making.
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.