Checkered Crochet Bucket Hat Pattern

This pattern uses double crochet stitches and a tapestry crochet technique to create the checkered effect.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Number 4) yarn in two contrasting colors. The tutorial uses Red Heart Super Saver.
• Color A (e.g., Brown)
• Color B (e.g., Cream)
• Crochet Hook: 4.5 mm
• Tools: Darning needle, scissors

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• dc: double crochet
• inc: increase (place 2 dc in the same stitch)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• mc: magic circle
• CA: Color A
• CB: Color B

Important Notes

• The beginning ch 2 at the start of each round does not count as a stitch.
• Color Changes: To change colors, work the last stitch of a color block until you have two loops left on your hook. Yarn over with the new color and pull through to complete the stitch.
• Carrying Yarn: Carry the non-working yarn along the top of your stitches and crochet over it to keep your work neat and manage the two colors.
• Stitch Tension: The original tutorial recommends tight stitches for a structured hat.

The Pattern

Part 1: The Crown (Increases)

Round 1:

• With CA, create a mc.
• Ch 2. Work 10 dc into the mc. (10 sts)
• Pull the tail to close the circle. Sl st to the top of the first dc (not the ch 2) to join.

Round 2:

• Ch 2.
• With CA, work an inc in the first st. Change to CB on the final step of the second dc.
• With CB, work an inc in the next st. Change to CA on the final step of the second dc.
• Repeat from * to * around. You will end with a CB block. Change to CA. (20 sts)
• Sl st to the top of the first dc to join.

Round 3:

• Ch 2.
• With CA: dc in the first st, inc in the next st. Change to CB.
• With CB: dc in the next st, inc in the next st. Change to CA.
• Repeat from * to * around. (30 sts)
• Sl st to join.

Round 4:

• Ch 2.
• With CA: dc in the first 2 sts, inc in the next st. Change to CB.
• With CB: dc in the next 2 sts, inc in the next st. Change to CA.
• Repeat from * to * around. (40 sts)
• Sl st to join.

Round 5:

• Ch 2.
• With CA: dc in the first 3 sts, inc in the next st. Change to CB.
• With CB: dc in the next 3 sts, inc in the next st. Change to CA.
• Repeat from * to * around. (50 sts)
• Sl st to join.

Round 6:

• Ch 2.
• With CA: dc in the first 4 sts, inc in the next st. Change to CB.
• With CB: dc in the next 4 sts, inc in the next st. Change to CA.
• Repeat from * to * around. (60 sts)
• Sl st to join.

Round 7:

• Ch 2.
• With CA: dc in the first 5 sts, inc in the next st. Change to CB.
• With CB: dc in the next 5 sts, inc in the next st. Change to CA.
• Repeat from * to * around. (70 sts)
• Sl st to join.

Round 8 (Transition to 4-Stitch Checkers):

• This round continues to increase while establishing the 4-stitch checker pattern for the body of the hat.
• Ch 2.
• With CA: dc in the next 4 sts. Change to CB.
• With CB: dc in the next 2 sts, inc in the next st. Change to CA.
• Repeat from * to * around. This pattern uses 7 stitches from the previous round to create 8 new stitches. (80 sts)
• Sl st to join.

Part 2: The Sides (No Increases)

For the sides of the hat, you will work in even rounds of double crochet, alternating the checker pattern every two rounds.

Rounds 9-10:

• Ch 2.
• Following the colors from Round 8, work 2 rounds of even checkers.
• With CA, dc in the next 4 sts. Change to CB.
• With CB, dc in the next 4 sts. Change to CA.
• Repeat from * to * around for two full rounds. (80 sts)
• Sl st to join at the end of each round.

Rounds 11-12:

• Ch 2.
• Switch the color pattern to create the checkerboard effect.
• With CB, dc in the next 4 sts. Change to CA.
• With CA, dc in the next 4 sts. Change to CB.
• Repeat from * to * around for two full rounds. (80 sts)
• Sl st to join at the end of each round.

Continue repeating Rounds 9-12 until the side of the hat reaches your desired length before the brim begins.

Part 3: The Brim (Increases)

The brim is created over four rounds, with increases in each round. Note: The increase counts may not align perfectly with the 4-stitch color blocks. Prioritize keeping the checker sections as symmetrical as possible, adjusting the placement of an increase by a stitch or two if it prevents a color block from becoming too wide or narrow.

Brim Round 1 (Increase every 7th stitch):

• Ch 2.
• The pattern is [dc in the next 6 sts, inc in the next st].
• Continue the established 4-stitch checker pattern, changing colors as needed. Start your stitch count over when you change colors to help track the increases within each section. (Approx. 91 sts)
• Sl st to join.

Brim Round 2 (Increase every 9th stitch):

• Ch 2.
• The pattern is [dc in the next 8 sts, inc in the next st].
• Continue the checker pattern, changing colors as needed. (Approx. 101 sts)
• Sl st to join.

Brim Round 3 (Increase every 11th stitch):

• Ch 2.
• The pattern is [dc in the next 10 sts, inc in the next st].
• Be flexible: As the tutorial mentions, you may need to place your increase in the 10th or 12th stitch occasionally to keep the checkers looking even. (Approx. 110 sts)
• Sl st to join.

Brim Round 4 (Increase every 13th stitch):

• Ch 2.
• The pattern is [dc in the next 12 sts, inc in the next st]. (Approx. 118 sts)
• Sl st to join.

Finishing

• Cut both yarn colors, leaving a 6-inch tail.
• Fasten off the last stitch.
• Using your darning needle, weave in all loose ends. For a clean finish, weave each tail through stitches of the same color on the inside of the hat. A good technique is to go down the post of a stitch, through the base of several stitches, and then back in the opposite direction to secure it.

Your checkered bucket hat is complete!