How to Crochet a Bucket Hat with White Brim – Step-by-Step Pattern for Beginners

A crochet bucket hat is a stylish and practical accessory for any season. This tutorial is designed specifically for beginners, guiding you step-by-step through the process of creating a classic bucket hat with a striking white brim. You’ll learn essential crochet techniques like working in the round, making increases, and changing colors seamlessly.

Why This Pattern is Perfect for Beginners

Simple Stitches: We will primarily use the single crochet (sc) and half-double crochet (hdc) stitches, which are fundamental to crochet.
Structured Project: The hat is built in three distinct, easy-to-manage sections: the crown, the body, and the brim. This makes the project feel less overwhelming.
Color Change Practice: This pattern is an excellent way to practice changing colors neatly, a skill you’ll use in many future projects.
No Seaming: The hat is worked in a continuous spiral, so there’s no need to sew pieces together at the end.

Materials You Will Need

Yarn:
- Color A: Approximately 100 yards of worsted weight (medium/size 4) yarn for the main part of the hat.
- Color B (White): Approximately 50 yards of worsted weight (medium/size 4) yarn for the brim.
- Recommendation: Cotton or a cotton blend yarn is highly recommended. It holds its shape well, is durable, and is breathable. Acrylic yarn also works well and is a good, affordable option.
Crochet Hook: A size H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook. Using a hook slightly smaller than what’s recommended for your yarn can result in a tighter fabric, which is ideal for a hat’s structure.
Scissors: For cutting yarn.
Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends.
Stitch Marker: (Essential for this project) A stitch marker is a must-have for working in a continuous spiral. It marks the first stitch of each round so you don’t lose your place.

Essential Crochet Abbreviations (US Terms)

ch: chain
st(s): stitch(es)
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
hdc: half-double crochet
inc: increase (2 stitches in the same stitch)
Rnd: round

Let’s Get Started! The Pattern

We will create the hat in three main sections: the flat, circular crown; the straight body; and the floppy brim.

Part 1: The Crown (The Top of the Hat)

We will start with the crown, worked in a continuous spiral with Color A.

Set-Up (Using Color A)

Create a magic ring (or chain 4 and sl st to the first ch to form a ring). This is a flexible starting point that creates a closed circle without a hole.

Rnd 1:

Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch).
Make 8 half-double crochet (hdc) stitches into the magic ring.
Pull the tail of the magic ring tight to close the hole.
Do not join. Place your stitch marker in the first hdc of the round. (8 stitches)

Rnd 2:

Hdc increase (2 hdc in the same st) in each stitch around.
Move your stitch marker up to the first stitch of this round. (16 stitches)

Rnd 3:

[Hdc in the next st, hdc inc in the next st]. Repeat this sequence 8 times around.
Move your stitch marker up. (24 stitches)

Rnd 4:

[Hdc in the next 2 sts, hdc inc in the next st]. Repeat 8 times around.
Move your stitch marker up. (32 stitches)

Rnd 5:

[Hdc in the next 3 sts, hdc inc in the next st]. Repeat 8 times around.
Move your stitch marker up. (40 stitches)

Rnd 6:

[Hdc in the next 4 sts, hdc inc in the next st]. Repeat 8 times around.
Move your stitch marker up. (48 stitches)

Rnd 7:

[Hdc in the next 5 sts, hdc inc in the next st]. Repeat 8 times around.
Move your stitch marker up. (56 stitches)

Rnd 8:

[Hdc in the next 6 sts, hdc inc in the next st]. Repeat 8 times around.
Move your stitch marker up. (64 stitches)

Your crown should now be about 6.5 to 7 inches in diameter. You can add or subtract rounds to adjust the hat’s size. For a larger hat, continue the pattern: [Hdc in the next 7 sts, hdc inc], and so on, until the crown fits the top of your head.

Part 2: The Body (Sides of the Hat)

Now we will work without increases to create the straight sides of the hat.

Rnd 9:

Hdc in each stitch around.
Move your stitch marker up. (64 stitches)

Rnds 10-15:

Repeat Rnd 9, working one hdc in each stitch around.
Keep moving your stitch marker to the first stitch of each new round. (64 stitches)

After completing Rnd 15, the hat should be deep enough to cover your head comfortably. You can add or subtract rounds here to adjust the depth. We will now change to the white yarn for the brim.

How to Change Colors

On the very last stitch of the last round (Rnd 15), work the stitch as usual, but stop before the final yarn over. You will have two loops on your hook.
Drop your main color (Color A).
Pick up your white yarn (Color B). Yarn over with the white yarn and pull it through the two loops on your hook. This completes the stitch and changes colors at the same time.
Cut the main color yarn (Color A), leaving a 6-inch tail to weave in later.

Part 3: The Brim (Using White Yarn)

The brim is worked by increasing stitches again, which makes the fabric flare out.

Rnd 16 (Starting with White Yarn):

Work this round in the front loop only (flo). This creates a neat ridge that defines the separation between the body and the brim.
[Hdc in the next 7 sts, hdc inc in the next st]. Repeat 8 times around.
Move your stitch marker up. (72 stitches)

Rnd 17:

[Hdc in the next 8 sts, hdc inc in the next st]. Repeat 8 times around.
Move your stitch marker up. (80 stitches)

Rnd 18:

[Hdc in the next 9 sts, hdc inc in the next st]. Repeat 8 times around.
Move your stitch marker up. (88 stitches)

Rnd 19:

Single crochet (sc) in each stitch around. This will create a tighter, more structured final edge.
Move your stitch marker up. (88 stitches)

Rnd 20:

Single crochet (sc) in each stitch around.
Join with a slip stitch (sl st) to the first stitch of the round. This will finish the spiral and create a neat, final edge.
Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail.

Part 4: Finishing Touches

Step 1: Weave in All the Ends

Using your tapestry needle, carefully weave in all the loose yarn tails on the inside of the hat.
To secure them, weave the tail through a few stitches, then change direction and weave back through the stitches. This prevents the ends from coming loose.

Step 2: Blocking (Optional but Recommended)

Blocking helps your hat hold its shape and gives it a professional, finished look.
Wet Blocking: Submerge your hat in lukewarm water. Gently squeeze out the excess water. Place the hat on a towel and shape it by hand. Let it air dry completely.
Steam Blocking: Lay the hat on a towel. Using a steamer or an iron with a steam setting, hold the steamer/iron a few inches away from the hat and gently steam it. While steaming, you can shape the hat with your hands.

Congratulations! You have now completed your very own handmade, two-tone crochet bucket hat. It’s a fun and practical accessory that you can now customize with different colors and stitch patterns for future projects. Enjoy!