Checkered Crochet Bucket Hat Pattern

June 10, 2026
By Tracy Cai

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!

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