Free Crochet Pattern for a Wide Brim Sun Hat.
This pattern creates a wide-brimmed sun hat worked entirely in single crochet (US terminology). It’s designed to be customizable, particularly in the brim size, encouraging the crocheter to try on the hat as they go and adjust the number of rounds to their preference. The hat is worked in a continuous spiral, without joining rounds.
Skill Level: The pattern uses only single crochet and increases, making it suitable for a confident beginner. The skills needed are:
- Magic ring (MR)
- Single crochet (sc) – US terminology
- Increase (inc) – working two single crochets in one stitch
- Slip stitch (slst)
- Chain (ch)
- Working in a continuous spiral (no joining rounds)
- Working in the back loop only (for a section of the hat)
- working in the front loop.
Sizing: One size. The pattern emphasizes adjusting the brim size to fit.
Yarn:
- Type: Julie (Falkgarn), color 10 (ecru). The pattern does not state the ply, but, Falkgarn Julie is aran/worsted weight.
- Amount: 4 skeins
Hook: The hook size isn’t specified in the pattern. This is a significant omission. Since the recommended yarn (Falkgarn Julie) typically calls for a 5.0mm hook, that would be a good starting point. A gauge swatch is essential to ensure the hat will fit.
Construction:
- Crown and Sides:
- The hat begins with a magic ring.
- Rounds 1-14 are worked in increasing rounds of single crochet to create the crown. The increases are strategically placed to create a relatively flat circle.
- Round 15 is a single round of single crochet in each stitch.
- Round 16 is another increase round.
- Rounds 17-31 are worked in the back loop only, creating a defined transition between the crown/top and the sides. These rounds are worked even (no increases). The pattern suggests trying on the hat during this section and adjusting the number of rounds to achieve the desired hat depth.
- Brim:
- Round 32 is worked in the front loop only.
* Rounds 33 onwards form the brim. These rounds are worked in both loops again, with increases in each round to create the widening brim. The pattern provides a specific increase sequence for each round, but encourages the crocheter to customize the brim size.
- Hanger/Buttonhole (Optional):
- Round 56, the final, round creates a small chain-4 space, which can be used as a hanger or to attach a button. This creates a loop at the edge of the hat.
Key Features:
- Customizable Brim: The pattern encourages adjusting the brim size to personal preference.
- Continuous Spiral: The hat is worked without joining rounds, creating a seamless look.
- Back Loop/Front Loop Detail: The use of back loop only and front loop only rounds creates subtle texture changes and defines the different sections of the hat.
- US Terminology: The pattern uses US crochet terms.
- Optional Hanger/Buttonhole: Adds a functional and decorative element.
- No Gauge Provided: This is a major drawback. The crocheter must make a gauge swatch with their chosen yarn and hook to ensure the hat will fit correctly.
- No hook size provided.