After all these years, I’m *finally* publishing a new pattern! Like all the rest, this one has been on my docket for-ever. It’s super easy, fun, and looks much more complicated than it actually is. It’s simple enough that this could be your very first crocheted hat, and impress everyone with your newfound skills!
I’ve titled this the extremely creative “Pom Pom Button Hat”. It seems all the rage these days to give hats trendy names, like “Riley” or “Tallulah”, but I just wouldn’t be able to keep track of which one had earflaps, which one was chunky, etc. So, I just keep my naming schematic as boring, descriptive and straight forward as possible. I’ll add “improve hat pattern naming scheme” to my ever-growing list of future goals.
The premise of this hat is to double crochet the crown to the length/width you want, and then insert basically any exciting cluster stitch you want. My original (red) one used the granny square cluster stitch, then I tried it with the shell stitch, and clearly the possibilities are endless, and cute!
The most important part is knowing what stitch multiples you choose to use. For example, the granny square is a cluster of three, so my overall hat stitch count must be a multiple of three. The shell stitch is a multiple of five. Once you figure that out, the sizing is pretty easy. This free online pattern has the stitch counts for the average female sized head. I’m also publishing a nicely formatted, inexpensive PDF version here, or on Etsy and Ravelry. This pattern also includes sizing and instructions for baby and toddler sizes.
Enough talk, let’s make a hat!
MATERIALS:
Your favorite worsted weight yarn (I used Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice and Red Heart Soft in the photos)
I hook or your preferred worsted weight hook of choice (H, J, etc.) Just make sure your gauge is close enough to 4 rows dc = 2″ (5cm) high, 6 dc = 2″ (5cm) wide
3/4″ buttons for front flap. I prefer wood, but you can use whatever material you fancy.
BODY:
Row 1: Ch4, sl st to form loop. Ch2, 12 dc into loop. Sl st to first ch2 (12 st).
Row 2: Ch2, dc in same st, 2 dc in each ch around, sl st to last st (24 st).
Row 3: Ch2, dc in same st, *1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st* repeat from * around. Sl st to last st (36 st).
Row 4: Ch2, dc in same st, *1 dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st* repeat from * around. Sl st to last st (48 st).
Row 5: Ch2, dc in same st, *1 dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st* repeat from * around. Sl st to last st (60 st).
*NOTE 1: Row 6 is where you will increase your hat size to the desired multiple of your chosen cluster stitch. For example, my granny hat (red) is a multiple of 3, so I increased 6 stitches evenly this round (6 2dc) for a total of 66 stitches. My shell stitch hat (blue) is a multiple of 5, so I increased 5 stitches evenly around for a total of 65 stitches. For my gauge and hook size, 65 stitches is *about* the average female head. A hat with a multiple of 4 would probably be 64 stitches, but it will depend on your tension, hook and yarn you use.
*NOTE 2: A 60 st count is pretty fabulous since it’s divisible by 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. If you’re making a toddler sized hat, this is where you’d start your stitch pattern. If you want to make this an adult hat and just want to keep the stitch count 60 for all future universal patterns, switch up to a chunky yarn and J hook.
Row 6: Ch2, dc in same st, *increase hat evenly to desired number of dc st*, sl st to last st.
*NOTE 2: row 7 is where you will start your desired pattern stitch.
Row 7: For the granny hat, ch2, 2 dc in same st, then *skip 2 st, 3 dc in next st*, repeat * all the way around. Skip the last 2 st and sl st to finish the round.
For the shell stitch hat, ch1, sc into same st. *skip 2 st, 5 dc in next st, skip 2 st, sc into next st*, repeat * all the way around. When you get to the end, you should have a 5 dc cluster, sl st to top of sc to end row.
Row 8: For granny hat, ch2, skip the first 2 st and 3 dc into the st between the granny clusters of the previous row. *skip next 2 st, 3 dc into the next st*, repeat * all the way around. On the last cluster, 2 dc into the same st as your foundation 2ch (this creates a cluster of 3). Sl st to fasten off. (NOTE: You can dc your clusters into the actual stitch, OR you can do a ‘true’ granny square and 3 dc into the entire space between the clusters. That’s totally up to you. I find dc into the actual stitch instead of the space leaves less gaps.)
For the shell stitch hat, ch2, 2dc in same st, then *sc in the 3rd dc of the 5 dc cluster (the top stitch), 5 dc in next sc*, repeat * all the way around. When you come to the end, you should have a sc, then 2 dc into the same space as the ch2 foundation (this creates the last cluster of 5). Sl st to fasten off.
Row 9-12: Repeat cluster stitch. For the shell stitch, you will be alternating rows of starting with a sc or starting with the 5 dc cluster. Also, because this stitch “stacks” more densely than a regular dc row, my hat ended up being 13 rows long.
Your hat should now be approximately 6.5″/17cm long. Sc around for 4 additional rows. Do not fasten off, you will be going straight into the front flap of the hat.
FRONT FLAP:
Continuing with same yarn and hook, ch2, 1 dc into next 25 st. Ch2, turn, 1 dc into each st. Continue until you have a total of 5 rows of dc. (If you like the front flap thicker, by all means keep going until you have the height you want.) Ch1, then sc along the side, down around the entire brim of the hat, then back up the other side of the front flap and across the top to the first sc. Fasten off and weave in ends.
FINISHING:
Sew buttons to the corners of earflaps, and attach pom pom of choice. I’ve used both yarn and faux fur, both are delightful.
Enjoy your new hat!
Classy Crochet 