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What you need
Materials
Medium weight yarn in 5 colours:
- Colour A
- Colour B
- Colour C
- Colour D
- Colour E
You will need approximately 236 yards total.
You will also need:
- US 7 / 4.5 mm crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch marker, optional but very helpful
A cotton or cotton-blend yarn works nicely for a lighter crochet bucket hat, while acrylic or wool-blend yarn will give a softer, warmer finish. If you are using scrap yarn, try to choose yarns with a similar thickness and feel.
Abbreviations
Beg = beginning
Ch = chain
Dc = double crochet
Rep = repeat
RS = right side
Sc = single crochet
Sl st = slip stitch
Sp/sps = space/spaces
WS = wrong side
Yoh = yarn over hook
Instructions
This Granny Dots Crochet Bucket Hat is a bright, stash-friendly crochet hat pattern with a lovely granny-style dotted texture and a simple brim. It has that playful retro feel that bucket hats do so well, but it is worked in rounds, so there is no joining a pile of separate motifs. Bless that, because nobody needs more ends and seams hiding in the yarn basket.
This free version is written for an adult one-size fit and uses five colours of medium weight yarn. You can make it in soft pastels, earthy autumn shades, bold festival colours, or even greys and blacks for a more modern unisex crochet bucket hat.
If you love easy crochet hats, this is a fun project for using up leftover yarn from other makes. Just keep your yarns close in weight so the hat keeps a nice even shape.
Project Details
Skill Level: Easy
Finished Size: One size, fits most adults
Gauge: 15 sc and 16 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm
Yarn Weight: Medium weight / worsted weight yarn
Hook Size: US 7 / 4.5 mm crochet hook
Pattern Notes
Ch 3 at the beginning of rounds counts as 1 dc.
To change colour, work to the last 2 loops on the hook, draw the new colour through the last 2 loops, then continue in the new colour.
Join each round as instructed.
The body of the hat is worked in granny-style groups of 3 dc.
The brim is worked in sc and alternates between right side and wrong side rows to help shape the edge.
Weave in ends as you go if you can. Five-colour crochet is gorgeous, but those little ends can pile up faster than unfinished projects on a craft table.
Colour Order Used
This version uses colours A, B, C, D, and E throughout the pattern.
You can use any five-colour combination you like. Try:
- Pastels: blush, mint, lilac, buttercream, sky blue
- Autumn: mustard, rust, olive, cranberry, camel
- Neutrals: black, charcoal, grey, cream, soft white
- Coastal: seafoam, aqua, sand, coral, cream
Instructions
Crown
Using Colour B, ch 4.
Round 1:
Work 7 dc in 4th ch from hook. Join Colour A with sl st to top of beg ch 3.
You will have 8 dc.
Round 2:
With Colour A, ch 3. Work 1 dc in same sp as last sl st.
Work 2 dc in each dc around.
Join with sl st to top of ch 3. Break Colour A.
Round 3:
Join Colour E with sl st in sp between any 2 groups of 2 dc. Ch 3. Work 2 dc in same sp.
Work 3 dc in sp between each group of 2 dc around.
Join with sl st to top of ch 3. Break Colour E.
You will have 8 groups of 3 dc.
Round 4:
Join Colour D with sl st in sp between any 2 groups of 3 dc. Ch 3. Work 2 dc in same sp.
*Work 3 dc in centre dc of next 3 dc group. Work 3 dc in sp between next 2 groups of 3 dc. Rep from * around, ending with 3 dc in centre dc of last 3 dc group.
Join with sl st to top of ch 3. Break Colour D.
You will have 16 groups of 3 dc.
Round 5:
Join Colour A with sl st in sp between any 2 groups of 3 dc. Ch 3. Work 2 dc in same sp.
*Work 3 dc in centre dc of next 3 dc group. Work 3 dc in sp between next 2 groups of 3 dc 4 times. Rep from * around, ending with 3 dc in sp between next 2 groups of 3 dc 3 times.
Join with sl st to top of ch 3. Break Colour A.
You will have 20 groups of 3 dc.
Round 6:
Join Colour C with sl st in sp between any 2 groups of 3 dc. Ch 3. Work 2 dc in same sp.
Work 3 dc in each sp between groups of 3 dc around to last group. Work 3 dc in centre dc of next 3 dc group.
Join with sl st to top of ch 3. Break Colour C.
You will have 21 groups of 3 dc.
Round 7:
Join Colour B with sl st in sp between any 2 groups of 3 dc. Ch 3. Work 2 dc in same sp.
Work 3 dc in each sp between groups of 3 dc around.
Join with sl st to top of ch 3. Break Colour B.
Body
Rounds 8–15 are worked the same as Round 7, changing colour each round as listed below.
Round 8: Colour A
Round 9: Colour E
Round 10: Colour D
Round 11: Colour A
Round 12: Colour C
Round 13: Colour B
Round 14: Colour A
Round 15: Colour E
At the end of Round 15, do not turn unless instructed in the brim section.
Brim
The brim rounds alternate RS and WS.
Round 1, RS:
Join Colour D with sl st in any dc at the centre back of hat. Ch 1.
Work 1 sc in each dc around.
Join Colour A with sl st to first sc. Turn.
You will have 63 sc.
Round 2, WS:
With Colour A, ch 1. Work 1 sc in each of first 2 sc. Work 2 sc in next sc.
*Work 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. Work 2 sc in next sc. Rep from * around.
Join Colour C with sl st to first sc. Turn.
You will have 84 sc.
Round 3, RS:
With Colour C, ch 1. Work 1 sc in each sc around.
Join Colour B with sl st to first sc. Turn.
Round 4, WS:
With Colour B, ch 1. Work 1 sc in each of first 3 sc. Work 2 sc in next sc.
*Work 1 sc in each of next 3 sc. Work 2 sc in next sc. Rep from * around.
Join Colour A with sl st to first sc. Turn.
You will have 105 sc.
Round 5, RS:
With Colour A, ch 1. Work 1 sc in each sc around.
Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Weave in all ends.
Optional Fuller Brim
For a wider, more flared brim, continue increasing after Round 4.
Optional Round 5, RS:
With Colour A, ch 1. Work 1 sc in each of first 4 sc. Work 2 sc in next sc.
*Work 1 sc in each of next 4 sc. Work 2 sc in next sc. Rep from * around.
Join with sl st to first sc. Turn.
You will have 126 sc.
Optional Round 6, WS:
Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each sc around.
Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
This fuller version gives the bucket hat a little more brim drama, which is lovely if you want a sun-hat look. For a neater fitted bucket hat, stop after the standard Round 5.
Finishing
Weave in all yarn ends securely.
Gently shape the hat with your hands.
If the brim needs a little encouragement, lightly steam it and shape it while warm. Do not press the crochet flat with an iron. Just a little steam and patience is enough. Handmade hats like to be coaxed, not bossed around.
For a firmer brim, you can block the hat over a bowl or hat form and pin the brim into shape while it dries.
Stitch Key For Diagram
○ = chain
• = slip stitch
↑ = double crochet
Helpful Making Tips
Use a stitch marker to mark the start of your brim rounds. Once the brim starts turning between RS and WS, it is very easy to lose your place.
Try your hat on before starting the brim if possible. If the body feels too short, add another repeat round before the brim. If it feels too deep, remove one body round.
For a softer brim, use the same hook size throughout. For a slightly firmer brim, you can go down half a hook size for the sc rounds.
This is also a lovely crochet pattern for handmade gifts or market makes because the colour combinations completely change the look. One pattern, many personalities — which is exactly the sort of project that makes leftover yarn feel useful instead of guilty.
Project Variations
Make it in pastels for a spring crochet bucket hat.
Use warm oranges, browns, and cream for a retro autumn version.
Try black, charcoal, grey, and white for a more masculine or neutral style.
Use cotton yarn for a festival or beach hat.
Add an extra brim round if you want more sun coverage.
CraftBits Editor Note
This free crochet bucket hat pattern is a colourful stash-busting project with a granny-inspired texture and an easy single crochet brim. It is a great next-step project for beginners who are comfortable working in rounds and changing colours. The finished hat is fun, wearable, and easy to customise with your favourite yarn shades.
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