Well, summer has finally come to Colorado! It’s time for walks to the park and days by the neighborhood pool…which means lots of sun protection is needed. If you’ve ever been to the Rocky Mountains, you know that the sun shines brightly here almost every day of the year and it can be rough on little eyes.
My grandson, Hudson, is particularly sensitive to light and we’ve had to be really careful about protecting his eyes, but at 6 months old, sunglasses are just not his thing. So, Grandma did what grandmas do and she (I) made him a hat.
I had searched the internet for the perfect little bucket hat that would shade his eyes but still allow him to see what was going on in the world. After not finding just what I was looking for, I grabbed my hook and raided my yarn stash to make him the perfect little sun hat. He loves it. He just looks adorable when he wears it to the pool or the park.
With stripes or without, the hat is perfect for your kiddo this summer. The pattern is written in four sizes – ages 3 months to 10 years so you can make one for each kid in the neighborhood!
TABLE OF CONTENTS (jump to section)
Ready to Make Your Own?
Great! Find the pattern one of three ways:
- Make your own Sun and Sand Bucket Hat in one of four sizes (3-6 mos, 6-12 mos, 1-3 years and 3-10 years) by using the pattern that follows, below,
- Make the hat in size 1-3 years with the ad-free, downloadable FREE pattern in my subscribers-only pattern library when you subscribe here, or
- or, for the most convenient option, get the ad-free, downloadable pattern in all three sizes for less than the price of a cup of coffee by clicking this link to Etsy or Ravelry.
Skill Level
Beginner
Terminology
US
Sizing
This pattern is designed for (click the size to jump to that specific pattern):
- Ages 3 – 6 months with head circumference 16 – 17″
- Ages 6 – 12 months with a head circumference of 17 – 18″
- Ages 1 – 3 years with a head circumference of 18.5 – 19″
- Ages 3 – 10 years with a head circumference of 19 – 20″
Materials
- (US size G) 4.25 mm crochet hook
- (size 4) 100% cotton yarn
- Color A: 90 – 120 yards
- Color B: 16 yards
- Color C: 8 yards
- Sewing scissors
- Yarn needles
(Click HERE to shop all my favorite crochet and blogging tools!)
Stitches Used
- SLST: slip stitch
- HDC: half-double
- DC: double crochet
Gauge
Working in rows of DC with a 4.25mm hook, 2 rows x 7 stitches = 2” square
Construction
This hat is worked in rounds from the top down.
Important Notes
- No matter your skill level, I always suggest that you read through the pattern from beginning to end before beginning your work just to be sure you don’t have any questions that might cause frustration in the midst of your project.
- The initial CH2 at the beginning of each row is included in the stitch counts. For a smoother seam, replace the CH2 at the begging of each row with a CH1, DC or a CH1, HDC. For no seam, work in the round using a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each row.
Sun and Sand Bucket Hat for Baby
For size 3 – 6 months
Using a “magic circle” (note: if you don’t want to use the magic circle, create a loop by chaining 3 and closing with a slip stitch)
Rnd 1: CH 2, DC 9. Join with SLST to top of beginning ch2. (10 sts)
Rnd 2: CH2, DC in same stitch as beginning ch2, work 2 DC into each stitch, around. Join. (20 sts)
Rnd 3: CH2, DC in same stitch as beginning ch2, DC in the next st, *DC 2 in the next stitch, DC in the following stitch,* repeat from * to * 9 more times. Join. (30 sts)
Rnd 4: CH2, DC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, DC in each of the next 2 stitches, *DC 2 in the next stitch, DC in each of the next 2 stitches,* repeat from * to * 8 more times. Join. (40 sts)
Rnd 5: CH2, DC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, DC in each of the next 3 stitches, *DC 2 in the next stitch, DC in each of the next 3 stitches,* repeat from * to * 8 more times, DC in the last 4 sts. Join. (50 sts)
At this point, the circle will measure approx.. 4.5”
Rnd 6: CH2, DC in each stitch. Join. (50 sts)
Rnds 7: repeat round 6.
Rnd 8: (switch to contrasting color B) CH2, HDC in each stitch around. Join. (50 sts)
Rnd 9: (switched to contrasting color C) CH2, HDC in each stitch around. Join. (50 sts)
Rnd 10: repeat round 8.
Rnd 11: (join main color A) CH2, HDC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, HDC in each of the next 7 sts, *HDC 2 in the next stitch, HDC in each of the next 7 sts,* repeat from * to * 4 more times, HDC in each of the last 2 stitches. Join. (56 sts)
Rnd 12: CH2, HDC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, HDC in each of the next 3 sts, *HDC 2 in the next stitch, HDC in each of the next 3 sts,* repeat from * to * 12 more times. Join (70 sts)
Rnd 13: CH2, HDC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, HDC in each of the next 7 sts, *HDC 2 in the next stitch, HDC in each of the next 7 sts,* repeat from * to * 6 more times, HDC 2 in the next stitch, HDC in the last 5 stitches. Join. (79 sts)
Finish off, tuck ends.
For size 6 – 12 months
Using a “magic circle” (note: if you don’t want to use the magic circle, create a loop by chaining 3 and closing with a slip stitch)
Rnd 1: CH 2, DC 10. Join with SLST to top of beginning ch2. (11 sts)
Rnd 2: CH2, DC in same stitch as beginning ch2, work 2 DC into each stitch, around. Join. (22 sts)
Rnd 3: CH2, DC in same stitch as beginning ch2, DC in the next st, *DC 2 in the next stitch, DC in the following stitch,* repeat from * to * 9 more times. Join. (33 sts)
Rnd 4: CH2, DC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, DC in each of the next 2 stitches, *DC 2 in the next stitch, DC in each of the next 2 stitches,* repeat from * to * 9 more times. Join. (44 sts)
Rnd 5: CH2, DC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, DC in each of the next 4 stitches, *DC 2 in the next stitch, DC in each of the next 4 stitches,* repeat from * to * 6 more times, DC in the last 4 sts. Join. (52 sts)
At this point, the circle will measure approx.. 5.0”
Rnd 6: CH2, DC in each stitch. Join. (52 sts)
Rnds 7 – 8: repeat round 6.
Rnd 9: (switch to contrasting color B) CH2, HDC in each stitch around. Join. (52 sts)
Rnd 10: (switched to contrasting color C) CH2, HDC in each stitch around. Join. (52 sts)
Rnd 11: repeat round 9.
Rnd 12: (join main color A) CH2, HDC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, HDC in each of the next 7 sts, *HDC 2 in the next stitch, HDC in each of the next 7 sts,* repeat from * to * 4 more times, HDC in each of the last 4 stitches. Join. (59 sts)
Rnd 13: CH2, HDC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, HDC in each of the next 3 sts, *HDC 2 in the next stitch, HDC in each of the next 3 sts,* repeat from * to * 12 more times, HDC in the last 3 stitches. Join (73 sts)
Rnd 14: CH2, HDC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, HDC in each of the next 7 sts, *HDC 2 in the next stitch, HDC in each of the next 7 sts,* repeat from * to * 7 more times, HDC in the last stitch. Join. (82 sts)
Finish off, tuck ends.
For size 1 – 3 years
Using a “magic circle” (note: if you don’t want to use the magic circle, create a loop by chaining 3 and closing with a slip stitch)
Rnd 1: CH 2, DC 11. Join with SLST to top of beginning ch2. (12 sts)
Rnd 2: CH2, DC in same stitch as beginning ch2, work 2 DC into each stitch, around. Join. (24 sts)
Rnd 3: CH2, DC in same stitch as beginning ch2, DC in the next st, *DC 2 in the next stitch, DC in the following stitch,* repeat from * to * 10 more times. Join. (36 sts)
Rnd 4: CH2, DC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, DC in each of the next 2 stitches, *DC 2 in the next stitch, DC in each of the next 2 stitches,* repeat from * to * 10 more times. Join. (48 sts)
Rnd 5: CH2, DC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, DC in each of the next 5 stitches, *DC 2 in the next stitch, DC in each of the next 5 stitches,* repeat from * to * 6 more times. Join. (56 sts)
At this point, the circle will measure approx.. 5.5”
Rnd 6: CH2, DC in each stitch. Join. (56 sts)
Rnds 7 – 9: repeat round 6.
Rnd 10: (switch to contrasting color B) CH2, HDC in each stitch around. Join. (56 sts)
Rnd 11: (switched to contrasting color C) CH2, HDC in each stitch around. Join. (56 sts)
Rnd 12: repeat round 10.
Rnd 13: (join main color A) CH2, HDC in each stitch around. Join. (56 sts)
Rnd 14: CH2, HDC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, HDC in each of the next 7 sts, *HDC 2 in the next stitch, HDC in each of the next 7 sts,* repeat from * to * 5 more times. Join. (63 sts)
Rnd 15: CH2, HDC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, HDC in each of the next 3 sts, *HDC 2 in the next stitch, HDC in each of the next 3 sts,* repeat from * to * 13 more times, HDC in the last 3 stitches. Join (78 sts)
Rnd 16: CH2, HDC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, HDC in each of the next 7 sts, *HDC 2 in the next stitch, HDC in each of the next 7 sts,* repeat from * to * 7 more times, HDC 2 in the next stitch, HDC in each of the next 5 sts. Join. (88 sts)
Finish off, tuck ends.
For size 3 – 10 years
Using a “magic circle” (note: if you don’t want to use the magic circle, create a loop by chaining 3 and closing with a slip stitch)
Rnd 1: CH 2, DC 11. Join with SLST to top of beginning ch2. (12 sts)
Rnd 2: CH2, DC in same stitch as beginning ch2, work 2 DC into each stitch, around. Join. (24 sts)
Rnd 3: CH2, DC in same stitch as beginning ch2, DC in the next st, *DC 2 in the next stitch, DC in the following stitch,* repeat from * to * 10 more times. Join. (36 sts)
Rnd 4: CH2, DC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, DC in each of the next 2 stitches, *DC 2 in the next stitch, DC in each of the next 2 stitches,* repeat from * to * 10 more times. Join. (48 sts)
Rnd 5: CH2, DC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, DC in each of the next 4 stitches, *DC 2 in the next stitch, DC in each of the next 4 stitches,* repeat from * to * 7 more times, DC 2 in the next stitch, DC in each of the next 2 stitches. Join. (58 sts)
At this point, the circle will measure approx.. 5.75”
Rnd 6: CH2, DC in each stitch. Join. (58 sts)
Rnds 7 – 10: repeat round 6.
Rnd 11: (switch to contrasting color B) CH2, HDC in each stitch around. Join. (58 sts)
Rnd 12: (switch to contrasting color C) CH2, HDC in each stitch around. Join. (58 sts)
Rnd 13: repeat round 11.
Rnd 14: (join main color A) CH2, HDC in each stitch around. Join. (58 sts)
Rnd 15: CH2, HDC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, HDC in each of the next 7 sts, *HDC 2 in the next stitch, HDC in each of the next 7 sts,* repeat from * to * 5 more times, DC in each of the last two stitches Join. (65 sts)
Rnd 16: CH2, HDC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, HDC in each of the next 4 sts, *HDC 2 in the next stitch, HDC in each of the next 3 sts,* repeat from * to * 11 more times, HDC in the last stitch. Join (78 sts)
Rnd 17: CH2, HDC in the same stitch as beginning ch2, HDC in each of the next 5 sts, *HDC 2 in the next stitch, HDC in each of the next 5 sts,* repeat from * to * 11 more times. Join. (91 sts)
Finish off, tuck ends.
What a resourceful Grandma and the hat is so cute. Perfect for those warm sunny days.
This is just too cute. Thank you for sharing with us at Handmade Monday, it’ll be one of the features at the linkup this coming Monday 🙂
Hi Julie! Thank you so much for the feature and for doing such a great job hosting the party. <3
In the 6-12 month size round 5 I don’t get 56 stitches. Are you sure the count I correct?
Hi! Yes, the stitch count is correct. You’ll be starting with 50 stitches. Then, as you work the row, you’ll be increasing by one stitch in the first stitch and then, working the pattern repeats, you’ll be increasing by 5 more stitches (once as you work from * to * and then 4 more times as you repeat that section), for a total of a 6 stitch increase for 56 stitches. Please let me know if you continue to have trouble and I’ll see what I can do to help!
How would i make this hat to fit 0-3 months.? I am happy to have found your pattern
Hi Melanie,
The free pattern on this post is only for ages 1-3. If you’d like instructions for 0-3 months, you can either purchase the pattern in my Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/madewithatwist or sign up for my newsletter (where you’ll get access to my free pattern vault and all the free patterns therein). If you’d like to subscribe, you can do that here: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/w2q6q6
Thank you so much for sharing your pattern. I love the little hat.