Chunky Bucket Hat

CHUNKY BUCKET HAT

Skill level:

Size: Approx. 21.5” circumference unstretched (due to super-bulky yarn and large gauge, hat will stretch when worn, up to 24” circumference)

Materials:

100 yds. super-bulky acrylic/wool blend yarn (samples shown in Plymouth Encore “Mega” (75% acrylic, 25% wool - 64 yds/100g ball) & Lion Brand “Wool-Ease Thick & Quick” (80% acrylic, 20% wool – 108 yds./170g ball)) – or – super-bulky yarn of choice that works to gauge

Size N/15 (10.0 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to achieve gauge

Tapestry needle

Gauge: With super-bulky yarn on size N/15 (10.0 mm) hook:

7 sts & 8 rows = 4” in single crochet

7 sts & 5 rows = 4” in half double crochet

Pattern notes:

Top of hat is worked in continuous spiral rounds (i.e., do not join at end of each round but continue around in same direction throughout. Use a yarn marker to denote beginning of each round.)

Remainder of hat is worked with slip stitch join at end of each round and chain up to begin next round.

Beginning ch-2 on hdc rounds counts as a stitch

Terms/Abbreviations: beg (beginning), BLO (back loop only), ch (chain), ea (each), hdc (half double crochet), inc (increase), rep (repeat), rnd (round), sc (single crochet), sl st (slip stitch), yo (yarn over)

Hat crown (worked in continuous spiral – see Pattern notes)

Rnd 1: Make beginning disappearing ring (wind yarn around finger once, insert hook into center of this ring, yo and pull loop through, ch 1), work 6 sc in ring (6 sc). Do not join, do not turn. Place yarn marker or removable stitch marker to note beg of rnd, and move it up each rnd.

Rnd 2 (increase rnd): Work 2 sc in ea sc around (12 sc). Do not join, do not turn.

Rnd 3 (increase rnd): Work 2 sc in ea sc around (24 sc). Do not join, do not turn.

Rnd 4: Sc in ea sc around (24 sc). Do not join, do not turn.

Rnd 5 (increase rnd): Work 2 sc in 1st sc, 1 sc in next sc, *work 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, rep from * around (36 sc). Do not join, do not turn.

Rnd 6: Sc in ea sc around, join with sl st, do not turn (36 sc).

Begin hat sides

(Note: rounds will now end with slip stitch join at end of each round and chain up to begin next rnd):

Rnd 7: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in back loop only (BLO) of ea sc around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-2, do not turn (36 hdc)

Rnds 8-11: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), working through both loops again as normal, hdc in ea hdc around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-2, do not turn (36 hdc)

Hat brim

Rnd 12 (increase rnd): Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in next hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc, *hdc in next 2 hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc, rep from * around, join with sl st, do not turn (48 hdc)

Rnd 13 (increase rnd): Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in next 2 hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc, *hdc in next 3 hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc, rep from * around, join with sl st, do not turn (60 hdc)

Lower edging

Sl st in ea hdc around, join with sl st and fasten off.

Crown trim

Join yarn to any free (unused) loop on crown, then sl st in ea free loop around. Join with sl st and fasten off.

Finishing

Holding strand of yarn inside hat between Rnds 11 & 12, insert crochet hook from outside of hat through to inside, grab the strand of yarn with hook and pull through to outside of hat. Working loosely, sl st around entire hat, forming a line of decorative chain stitches between Rnds 11 & 12 (this helps give the hat stability when worn). Join with sl st and fasten off. Weave in all ends.

For personal or charity use only. Do not duplicate pattern for commercial purposes.