Crochet Bucket Hat Pattern – Free & Easy for Kids & Adults

Want to crochet a cute and stylish sun hat this summer? You’re in the right place! This free crochet bucket hat pattern is perfect for beginners and includes two sizes: child and adult. It’s fun, fast, and ideal for matching family sets or sunny day outfits.

Worked in simple stitches, this hat is easy to follow—even if you’re new to crochet. It’s a lightweight accessory that’s great for beach trips, festivals, or just soaking up the sun in style. Ready to get started? Grab your hook and let’s make a bucket hat you’ll love to wear! The free crochet pattern is just below.

Melissa hassler from Lovable Loops wearing her free crochet bucket hat pattern

Why you’ll love this crochet bucket hat pattern

This beginner-friendly crochet bucket hat is quick to make, fun to customize, and perfect for sunny days. The pattern includes two sizes—one for kids and one for adults—so you can make matching sets for the whole family. It’s worked from the top down using basic stitches like double crochet, with no complicated shaping or tricky techniques.

Whether you’re new to crochet or just want a fast project, you’ll love how easy and satisfying this one is. Add stripes, switch up the colors, or try appliqués to make it your own. Lightweight and stylish, it’s a great handmade gift or summer accessory for beach days, festivals, or everyday wear.

What is a bucket hat?

A bucket hat is a soft, rounded hat with a wide brim that slopes gently all the way around—like an upside-down bucket! Originally worn as a sun or fishing hat, it’s now a trendy and functional accessory. The wide brim offers sun protection, while the relaxed shape gives it a casual, laid-back feel.

Crochet bucket hats are especially fun to make because they’re simple, beginner-friendly, and easy to personalize with colors, stripes, or embellishments.

Best yarn for bucket hats

The right yarn for your bucket hat depends on when and how you’ll wear it. For summer, cotton yarn is ideal—it’s breathable, lightweight, and holds its shape well, making it perfect for sunny days, beach trips, and festivals.

For cooler weather or a softer feel, acrylic yarn is a great choice. It’s cozy, easy to wash, and comes in lots of colors. Both options work well for this pattern—just pick the yarn that suits your season and style best!

Skill level

Beginner. This pattern is perfect for new crocheters. It uses basic stitches like double crochet and is worked in simple rounds from the top down—no tricky shaping required. It’s a great way to build confidence while making something fun and practical.

Materials needed

I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook – or the size needed to match your gauge
Worsted weight yarn (#4) – cotton is ideal for summer; acrylic is great for softness and color options
Tapestry needle – for weaving in your yarn ends
Scissors – to trim your yarn after finishing
Stitch markers – optional, but helpful for keeping track of rounds
Tape measure – to check gauge and ensure a good fit

Size chart

	Circumference	Height	Brim
Child size	19-21 inches	7.5 inches	1.5 inches
Adult size	21-24 inches	8 inches	2 inches

Crochet Bucket Hat Pattern Size Chart

Gauge

Gauge: 16 stitches and 9 rounds = 4 inches

✅ Too many stitches? Use a larger hook
✅ Too few stitches? Use a smaller hook

Crochet abbreviations

Pattern is written in US crochet terms:

dc = double crochet
sc = single crochet
ch /chs = chain / chains
st / sts = stitch / stitches
sl st = slip stitch
flo = front loop only
sc flo = single crochet in the front loop only

Pattern notes

Begin with a magic circle
The starting chain does not count as a stitch
Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch
Hat is worked from the top down in the round
Ribbed brim is made using FPdc and BPdc stitches

Crochet bucket hat pattern instructions

Child size hat

Crown:

Round 1: Make a magic circle. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Join. (11 sts)
Round 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each stitch around. Join. (22 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join. (33 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat around. Join. (44 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts; repeat around. Join. (55 sts)
Round 6: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts; repeat around. Join. (66 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts; repeat around. Join. (77 sts)

Body

Round 8: Ch 2, dc in each stitch around. Join. (77 sts)
Rounds 9–18: Repeat Round 8. (77 sts per round)

Brim

Note: For Round 19, work into the front loop only (FLO).

Round 19: Ch 1, 2 sc FLO in next st, sc FLO in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (84 sts)
Round 20: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 11 sts; repeat around. Join. (91 sts)
Round 21: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 12 sts; repeat around. Join. (98 sts)
Round 22: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 13 sts; repeat around. Join. (105 sts)
Round 23: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 14 sts; repeat around. Join. (112 sts)
Round 24: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 15 sts; repeat around. Join. (119 sts)
Round 25: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 16 sts; repeat around. Join. (126 sts)
Round 26: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 17 sts; repeat around. Join. (133 sts)
Round 27: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 18 sts; repeat around. Join. (140 sts)

Adult size hat

Crown

Body

Round 9: Ch 2, dc in each stitch around. Join. (88 sts)
Rounds 10–19: Repeat Round 9. (88 sts per round)

Brim

Note: For Round 20, work into the front loop only (FLO).

Round 20: Ch 1, 2 sc FLO in next st, sc FLO in next 10 sts; repeat around. Join. (96 sts)
Round 21: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 11 sts; repeat around. Join. (104 sts)
Round 22: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 12 sts; repeat around. Join. (112 sts)
Round 23: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 13 sts; repeat around. Join. (120 sts)
Round 24: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 14 sts; repeat around. Join. (128 sts)
Round 25: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 15 sts; repeat around. Join. (136 sts)
Round 26: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 16 sts; repeat around. Join. (144 sts)
Round 27: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 17 sts; repeat around. Join. (152 sts)
Round 28: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 18 sts; repeat around. Join. (160 sts)
Round 29: Ch 1, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 19 sts; repeat around. Join. (168 sts)

Finishing

Fasten off your yarn and weave in the ends. Try it on for a sunny day or wrap it up as a thoughtful handmade gift!

FAQs

What yarn is best for a crochet bucket hat?
Cotton yarn is ideal for summer—it’s breathable, sturdy, and holds its shape well. Acrylic yarn also works great if you want a softer feel or more color variety.

Is this crochet bucket hat pattern beginner-friendly?
Yes! This pattern uses simple stitches like double crochet and single crochet. There’s no complicated shaping, making it perfect for beginners.

How do I choose the right size?
The pattern includes both child and adult sizes. Use the size chart and make a gauge swatch to ensure a comfortable fit based on head circumference.

Can I use a different crochet hook size?
Definitely! Just adjust your hook size to match the gauge. A larger hook will make the hat looser; a smaller one will tighten the fit.

Can I sell hats made from this pattern?
Yes, you’re welcome to sell finished hats made using this pattern. Please credit Lovable Loops as the designer when possible.

Can I customize this hat?
Absolutely! Add stripes, switch up the colors, or include appliqués to give your hat a personal touch.

Get the ad-free printable PDF

Want to crochet your bucket hat without ads or interruptions? Grab the printable PDF of the Crochet Bucket Hat Pattern in my Etsy shop. It’s great for offline use and includes both sizes in one easy-to-read file.

More free crochet hat patterns

Love making cozy hats? Explore even more free crochet hat patterns that are perfect for every season and style. From classic beanies and warm winter hats to playful designs for kids and trendy accessories for adults, you’ll find inspiration for your next project here.