Double Crochet Bucket Hat

By the DoubleCrochet Team | Last Updated: November 2026 | Skill Level: Easy / Confident Beginner

This double crochet bucket hat is worked top-down in the round using about 145 to 175 yards (133 to 160 m) (estimate) of Category 4 medium worsted-weight cotton yarn and a 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook, building a 6.5- to 7-inch (16.5 to 18 cm) (estimate) flat crown (Rounds 1–6, 72 dc), a 3.5-inch (estimate) straight side band (Rounds 7–12, 72 dc), and a 2-inch (estimate) angled brim (Rounds 13–16, 84 to 96 dc) to fit an average 21"–22" (53.5–56 cm) adult head.

Because double crochet stitches are twice as tall as single crochet, you can finish the entire 16-round hat in under 2.5 hours. Below you will find the complete written pattern for Adult Medium, a 6-size chart from Baby to Adult Large, the secret BLO/FLO loop trick for crisp structural folds, and instructions for both a classic angled sun brim and a wavy ruffled festival brim. Need custom stitch counts for a different yarn weight? Plug your gauge into our hat size calculator.

Worked top-down in 16 joined rounds of double crochet, this bucket hat transitions seamlessly from a flat circular crown to straight sides and a structured sun brim.

Project Specifications & Materials

Finished Measurements (Adult Medium — 72-Stitch Crown)

• Fits Head Circumference: 21" to 22.5" (53.5 to 57 cm) (estimate)
• Flat Crown Diameter (Rounds 1–6): 6.5" to 6.75" (16.5 to 17.1 cm) (estimate)
• Finished Hat Circumference (Around Body): ~20.5" to 21" (52 to 53.5 cm) (estimate) (includes ~0.5"–1" of light negative ease so the hat stays put in a breeze)
• Straight Side Depth (Rounds 7–12): ~3.5" (9 cm) (estimate)
• Brim Width (Rounds 13–16): ~2.0" (5 cm) (estimate)
• Working Gauge: 14 dc × 8 rounds = 4" × 4" (10 × 10 cm) with a 4.5 mm hook (estimate) (Hint: Rounds 1–3 of the flat crown should measure ~3.25" to 3.4" (estimate) across)

Materials & Tools Needed

• Yarn: Category 4 Medium Worsted-Weight 100% Cotton Yarn (such as Dishie, Lily Sugar'n Cream, or Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton) — approx. 145–175 yards (133–160 m) / 85–100 g (estimate) for an Adult Medium hat.
  • Summer vs. Winter Yarn: Choose 100% cotton or a cotton-linen blend for a breathable, structured summer sun hat. For a cozy autumn/winter bucket hat to pair with our beginner double crochet scarf, use a smooth worsted wool or anti-pilling acrylic.
• Crochet Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7) for the crown and sides; optional 4.0 mm (G-6) hook for the brim rounds to make the brim extra firm
• Notions: Flexible tape measure, 1 locking stitch marker, blunt metal tapestry needle, and scissors

Abbreviations & Stitches Used (US Terms)

This pattern uses US crochet terminology. (In UK terms, a US double crochet (dc) is called a treble crochet (tr).)

Understanding Top-Down Bucket Hat Construction (3 Stages)

Every top-down bucket hat is built in three simple geometric sections:

1. Stage 1 — The Flat Crown (Rounds 1–6): Starting with 12 dc inside a magic ring, you increase by 12 stitches per round (12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72) using our flat circle formula. Notice how even-numbered rounds (Rounds 4 and 6) split the repeat (*dc 1, inc, dc 1* and *dc 2, inc, dc 2*) so the increases never stack into hexagonal corners!
2. Stage 2 — The Straight Sides (Rounds 7–12): Once the flat circle reaches your target crown diameter (Head Circumference ÷ 3.14), you stop increasing and work 6 even rounds of 72 dc straight down to cover the sides of the head down to the tops of the ears.
3. Stage 3 — The Flared Brim (Rounds 13–16): To angle the brim outward and downward at 45 degrees (without ruffling flat like a platter), you alternate 1 increase round (+12 dc) with 1 even round (0 increases) over 4 rounds (72 → 84 → 84 → 96 → 96 dc).

Pro Tip: Use BLO and FLO Hinge Rounds for Tailor-Made Structure

You can work every round under both loops for a soft, rounded silhouette, or use this structural trick:

• Work Round 7 (first side round) in the Back Loop Only (BLO) to create a crisp 90-degree crease around the top rim of the crown.
• Work Round 13 (first brim round) in the Front Loop Only (FLO) so the brim pivots cleanly outward away from your forehead.

Multi-Size Bucket Hat Chart (Baby to Adult Large)

Use the formula Crown Diameter = (Head Circumference - 0.75") ÷ 3.14 (or check our interactive hat size tool) to customize this pattern for any age. Because each crown round adds 12 dc, you can also stop on a half-increase round (+6 dc)—such as 66 dc or 78 dc—by working (dc in next 9 sts, 2 dc in next st) × 6!

Written Pattern: Adult Medium Double Crochet Bucket Hat (72-Stitch Crown)

Notes: Join every round with a sl st into the top (3rd chain) of the beginning ch-3. The beginning ch-3 counts as the first dc of every round. When a round begins with Ch 3, dc in same st, that counts as your first 2-dc increase (inc).

Part 1: The Crown (Top-Down Flat Circle — Rounds 1–6)

• Foundation: Start with a magic ring (or ch 4 and sl st in first ch to form a ring).
• Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), work 11 dc into the ring. Pull the magic ring tail tight and join with a sl st to the top of the ch-3. (12 dc)
• Round 2: Ch 3, work 1 dc in the same st at the base of the ch-3 (first increase made), then work 2 dc in each of the remaining 11 sts around. Join with a sl st to top of ch-3. (24 dc)
• Round 3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 2 dc in next st; *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to top of ch-3. (36 dc)
• Round 4 (Staggered Increase Round): Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in next st, dc in next st; *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to top of ch-3. (48 dc)
• Round 5: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st; *dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * around (or work *2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts* around, placing the final dc in the base of the ch-3). Join with a sl st to top of ch-3. (60 dc)
• Round 6 (Staggered Increase Round): Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; *dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts; repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to top of ch-3. (72 dc)
  • Size Check: Lay the circle flat and measure across the center. It should measure 6.5 to 7 inches (16.5 to 18 cm) (estimate) across for an average adult.

Part 2: The Sides (Bucket Body — Rounds 7–12)

• Round 7 (Optional BLO Hinge Round): Ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 1 dc in each st around (72 dc)—working either in the Back Loop Only (BLO) for a crisp 90-degree top crease or under both loops for a rounded dome. Join with a sl st to top of ch-3.
• Rounds 8–12 (5 rounds): Working under both loops, ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 1 dc in each st around. Join with a sl st to top of ch-3. (72 dc per round)
  • Fit Check: Try the hat on now! The bottom edge of Round 12 should sit right at the top of your ears (~3.5 inches below the crown seam, estimate). Add or subtract 1 even round here if you prefer a deeper or shallower crown.

Part 3: The Brim (Classic Angled Brim — Rounds 13–16)

Tip: For a stiffer brim that never flops into your eyes, switch to a 4.0 mm (G-6) hook for Rounds 13–16!

• Round 13 (Increase Round — Optional FLO Hinge): Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st; *dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * around (or *2 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts* around)—working in the Front Loop Only (FLO) if you want a defined outward kick. Join with a sl st to top of ch-3. (84 dc)
• Round 14 (Even Round): Working under both loops, ch 3, work 1 dc in each st around. Join with a sl st to top of ch-3. (84 dc)
• Round 15 (Increase Round): Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st; *dc in next 6 sts, 2 dc in next st; repeat from * around (or *2 dc in next st, dc in next 6 sts* around). Join with a sl st to top of ch-3. (96 dc)
• Round 16 (Final Even Round): Ch 3, work 1 dc in each st around. Join with a sl st to top of ch-3. (96 dc)
• Optional Brim-Stiffening Edging (Round 17): Ch 1, work 1 sc (or 1 loose sl st) in each of the 96 sts around to lock the outer rim so it never stretches out. Fasten off and weave in all ends on the inside of the hat.

Brim Variations & Stiffening Techniques

1. Ruffled "Lettuce-Edge" Festival Brim Variation

Want a dramatic, wavy Y2K ruffle around the brim? Instead of alternating increase rounds with even rounds on Rounds 13–16, increase on every single round of the brim:

• Ruffled Round 13: *Dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st* around (~86 dc).
• Ruffled Round 14: *Dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st* around (~107 dc).
• Ruffled Round 15: *Dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st* around (~142 dc).
• Ruffled Round 16: Ch 3, 1 dc in each st around (~142 dc). Because you add extra stitches faster than a flat circle can expand, the brim folds into uniform vertical waves!

2. Three Ways to Stiffen a Floppy Bucket Hat Brim

If your yarn is soft and the brim droops over your eyes, use any of these three millinery tricks:

1. Downsize Your Hook + Switch to Hdc or Sc on the Final Round: Dropping from a 4.5 mm hook to a 4.0 mm (or 3.75 mm) hook on Rounds 13–16 tightens the stitch gauge by 15% and makes the brim stand out on its own.
2. Crochet Over 50 lb Nylon Fishing Line or Millinery Wire: On Round 16 (or an optional Round 17 of sc), hold a strand of heavy clear monofilament fishing line (or plastic-coated 1.2 mm millinery wire joined with a crimp tube) along the top of the stitches and crochet right over it so it is completely encased inside the outer rim.
3. Spray Starch Blocking: Mist the finished cotton brim with liquid fabric starch or a 1:3 solution of white PVA school glue and warm water, shape the brim angle on a rolled towel, and let dry overnight.

Common Mistakes & Troubleshooting

1. "My crown is ruffling like a potato chip by Round 5."

• Cause: Accidentally working 14 or 16 increases per round (most often by working 2 dc into the base of the starting ch-3 AND into the slip-stitch join at the end of the round), or crocheting with very loose, tall stitches.
• Fix: Count your stitches at the end of every crown round—each round must be an exact multiple of 12 (12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72). Remember that the slip-stitch join at the end of the previous round is not a stitch; always skip the flat slip stitch before joining to the top of the ch-3.

2. "My crown curls into a dome before Round 6."

• Cause: Tight crochet tension (short double crochet stitches) or missing increases.
• Fix: If your stitch count is correct (72 dc at Round 6) but the crown is slightly domed, your double crochet stitches are shorter than standard. Either go up a hook size (5.0 mm / H-8) or steam-block the crown flat over a dinner plate before starting Round 7.

3. "The diagonal seam at the back of my hat looks bumpy."

• Cause: Starting every round with a tall ch 3 and joining into the top chain can leave a slight diagonal jog down the back of the hat.
• Fix: Replace the starting ch 3 with ch 2 (does not count as a stitch) and work your first true dc directly into the same stitch as the join, or use a standing/chainless starting double crochet so the back seam blends invisibly into the rounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)