Summer Sunhat – Free Crochet Pattern for Babies, Children, and Adults by Yay For Yarn

by | Jun 29, 2019

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This simple sunhat will keep the bright sunlight out of your eyes all summer long!  Crocheted in washable cotton yarn, it’s perfect for your next trip to the park, pool, or beach. 


This hat gets the stability in its brim from an easy crochet technique, no wire needed. So you can smush this hat all you want, or throw it in the washing machine, and it won’t get damaged.
The Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn that I used works great for a sunhat, because it is made from mercerized cotton, which has a slight sheen and a smooth, fuzz-free texture.


Summer Sunhat Crochet Pattern

by Yay For Yarn

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Note: The bow shown in the photo is a separate free pattern, available here.

Sizes (according to the wearer’s head circumference measurement):

0-6 Months: 13” circumference (33 cm)

6-12 Months: 14” circumference (35.6 cm)

12-18 Months: 16” circumference (40.6 cm)

Child Small / Medium: 17 1/2” circumference (44.5 cm)

Child Medium / Large: 19 ¼” circumference (48.9 cm)

Adult Small: 21” circumference (53.3 cm)

Adult Medium: 22” circumference (55.9 cm)

Adult Large: 23” circumference (58.4 cm)

Hat is designed with negative ease, meaning the hat is a little smaller than the wearer’s actual head circumference, so it will stretch to comfortably stay on the head.

If you do not want the hat to have negative ease, choose the next size up.

Actual Finished Size (circumference/ hat length):

0-6 Months: 12” / 5” (30.5 cm / 12.7 cm)

6-12 Months: 13 1/4” / 5 ½” (33.7 cm / 14 cm)

12-18 Months: 14 3/4” / 6 ¾” (37.5 cm / 42.5 cm)

Child Small / Medium: 16” / 7 ¼” (40.6 cm / 18.4 cm)

Child Medium / Large: 17 1/4” / 7 ¾” (43.8 cm / 19.7 cm)

Adult Small: 18 3/4” / 8” (47.6 cm / 20.3 cm)

Adult Medium: 20” / 8 ¼” (50.8 cm / 21 cm)

Adult Large: 21 ¼” / 8 ½” (54 cm / 21.6 cm)

– Instructions and yarn requirements for 0-6 Months are given outside the parentheses, with all remaining sizes given inside the parentheses, like this: 0-6 Months (6-12 Months, 12-18 Months, Child S/M, Child M/L, Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large)

– When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow pattern more easily, circle or highlight all numbers that apply to your size before beginning.

Floppy hat crochet pattern for babies, kids, and adults

You Will Need:

Approx. 130 (160, 200, 230, 270, 295, 330, 365) Yards of #4 Worsted Weight Yarn (I used Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, 1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins)

US Size I / 5.5 mm Crochet Hook (I used this one)

Scissors

Measuring Tape

Yarn Needle or Blunt Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 18 single crochet stitches = 4” (10 cm); 20 single crochet rows = 4” (10 cm)

Abbreviations:

beg: beginning

sk: skip

ea: each

nxt: next

st: stitch

sts: stitches

ch: chain

sc: single crochet

*CSSC: chainless starting single crochet

*invslst: invisible slip stitch

*FLO: front loop only

*This is a special stitch. See instructions below to learn how to work this stitch.

Special Stitches

CSSC: (video tutorial) Stretch loop on hook slightly. Insert hook in the same stitch the loop is coming from. Yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook.

Invslst: (video tutorial) Remove hook from current loop. Insert hook from back to front through the top of the CSSC from beg of round. Place original loop back on hook. Pull loop through the st from front to back.

FLO: This is not a stitch as such, but is a way of working into the stitches from the previous row. When you look at the top of the stitch, there are two strands of that stitch. The one closest to you is the front loop, and the one furthest from you is the back loop. When we work into the front loop only, we only insert the hook into the front loop to work each stitch.

wide brim sunhat for babies and toddlers

Summer Sunhat Instructions

Crown of Hat

Ch 2.

Round 1: Pull 1st ch st tight and skip it. 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with invslst in 1st sc of round. You should have 6 sts, not including invslst or the ch that was skipped.

Round 2: CSSC in same st, sc again in same st. 2 sc in ea of nxt 5 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 12 sts, not including invslst.

Round 3: CSSC in same st, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt st, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 18 sts, not including invslst.

Round 4: CSSC in same st, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 2 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt st. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 24 sts, not including invslst.

Round 5: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 2 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 3 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst to CSSC from beg of round. You should have 30 sts, not including invslst.

Round 6: CSSC in same st, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 4 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 3 sts. Join with invslst to CSSC from beg of round. You should have 36 sts, not including invslst.

Round 7: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 4 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 5 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 42 sts, not including invslst.

Round 8: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt st, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 6 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 4 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 48 sts, not including invslst.

Round 9: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 3 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 7 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 3 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 54 sts, not including invslst.

For 0-6 Months size, stop here and skip to Round 17 to work Body of Hat.

Round 10: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 7 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 8 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 60 sts, not including invslst.

For 6-12 Months size, stop here and skip to Round 17 to work Body of Hat.

Round 11: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 4 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 9 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 4 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 66 sts, not including invslst.

For 12-18 Months size, stop here and skip to Round 17 to work Body of Hat.

Round 12: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 9 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 10 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 72 sts, not including invslst.

For Child S/M, stop here and skip to Round 17 to work Body of Hat.

Round 13: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 5 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 11 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 5 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 78 sts, not including invslst.

For Child M/L, stop here and skip to Round 17 to work Body of Hat.

Round 14: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 11 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 12 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 84 sts, not including invslst.

For Adult Small, stop here and skip to Round 17 to work Body of Hat.

Round 15: CSSC in same st, sc in nxt 6 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 13 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 6 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 90 sts, not including invslst.

For Adult Medium, stop here and skip to Round 17 to work Body of Hat.

For Adult Large only:

Round 16: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 13 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 14 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 96 sts, not including invslst.

Body of Hat

Round 17: CSSC in same st, sc in ea st around. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 54 (60, 66, 72, 78, 84, 90, 96) sts, not including invslst.

Repeat Round 17 until piece measures:

5” (5 ½”, 6 ¾”, 7 ¼”, 7 ¾”, 8”, 8 ¼”, 8 ½”) long from center of hat to edge.

Wide-brim sunhat with bow on the back

Brim

None of the sizes use all of the rounds for the brim. Skip to the instructions for your size, and only work the rounds specified for the size you are making.

For 0-6 Months, start by working Round 18 in FLO, then continue working following rounds, stopping after you’ve finished round 28.

Round 18: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 7 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 8 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 60 sts, not including invslst.

For 6-12 Months, start by working Round 19 in FLO, then continue working following rounds, stopping after you’ve finished round 30.

Round 19: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 4 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 9 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 4 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 66 sts, not including invslst.

For 12-18 Months, start by working Round 20 in FLO, then continue working following rounds, stopping after you’ve finished round 32.

Round 20: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 9 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 10 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 72 sts, not including invslst.

For Child S/M, start by working Round 21 in FLO, then continue working following rounds, stopping after you’ve finished round 34.

Round 21: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 5 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 11 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 5 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 78 sts, not including invslst.

For Child M/L, start by working Round 22 in FLO, then continue working following rounds, stopping after you’ve finished round 36.

Round 22: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 11 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nst 12 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 84 sts, not including invslst.

For Adult Small, start by working Round 23 in FLO, then continue working following rounds, stopping after you’ve finished round 38.

Round 23: CSSC in same st, sc in nxt 6 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 13 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 6 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 90 sts, not including invslst.

For Adult Medium, start by working Round 24 in FLO, then continue working following rounds, stopping after you’ve finished round 40.

Round 24: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 13 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 14 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 96 sts, not including invslst.

For Adult Large, start by working Round 25 in FLO, then continue working following rounds, stopping after you’ve finished round 42.

Round 25: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 7 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 15 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 7 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 102 sts, not including invslst.

Round 26: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 15 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 16 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 108 sts, not including invslst.

Round 27: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 8 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 17 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 8 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 114 sts, not including invslst.

Round 28: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 17 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 18 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 120 sts, not including invslst.

For 0-6 Months, stop here and move on to Stabilizing the Brim.

Round 29: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 9 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 19 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 9 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 126 sts, not including invslst.

Round 30: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 19 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. * sc in nxt 20 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 132 sts, not including invslst.

For 6-12 Months, stop here and move on to Stabilizing the Brim.

Round 31: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 10 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 21 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 10 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 138 sts, not including invslst.

Round 32: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 21 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 22 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 144 sts, not including invslst.

For 12-18 Months, stop here and move on to Stabilizing the Brim.

Round 33: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 11 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 23 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 11 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 150 sts, not including invslst.

Round 34: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 23 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 24 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 156 sts, not including invslst.

For Child S/M, stop here and move on to Stabilizing the Brim.

Round 35: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 12 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 25 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 12 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 162 sts, not including invslst.

Round 36: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 25 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 26 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 168 sts, not including invslst.

For Child M/L, stop here and move on to Stabilizing the Brim.

Round 37: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 13 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 27 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 13 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 174 sts, not including invslst.

Round 38: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 27 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 28 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 180 sts, not including invslst.

For Adult Small, stop here and move on to Stabilizing the Brim.

Round 39: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 14 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 29 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 14 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 186 sts, not including invslst.

Round 40: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 29 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 30 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 192 sts, not including invslst.

For Adult Medium, stop here and move on to Stabilizing the Brim.

Round 41: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 15 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 31 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Sc in nxt 15 sts. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 198 sts, not including invslst.

Round 42: CSSC in same st. Sc in nxt 31 sts, 2 sc in nxt st. *sc in nxt 32 sts, 2 sc in nxt st* 5 times. Join with invslst in CSSC from beg of round. You should have 204 sts, not including invslst.

For Adult Large, stop here and move on to Stabilizing the Brim.

Blue Crocheted Sunhat with Bow - Free pattern for babies, children, and adults

Stabilizing the Brim

Turn work so wrong side of brim is facing you. Sl st loosely in ea st around.

When you get back to the beg of the round, move down to the base of the previous round and sl st loosely in ea st around in the round below.

Again, when you get back to the beg of the round, move down to the base of the previous round and sl st loosely in ea st around in the round below.

By this point, you will have slip stitched around 3 times, each time working into the round below the previous round. Cut the yarn, leaving a tail about 6” (15 cm) long. Stretch the loop on the hook until the yarn tail comes out, and pull the yarn tail to tighten the last stitch. Weave in the yarn tail.

To Block:

For natural fibers, pin project out to the correct measurements on foam blocking mats. Spray with water until fully saturated, allow to dry.

OR

For acrylic fibers, pin project out to the correct measurements on an ironing board or several layers of towels. Hold a steaming iron 2”-3” over the surface of the fabric, making sure all of the fabric is penetrated by the steam. Allow to cool / dry.

Since my yarn was 100% cotton, I chose to steam block my hat and gently iron my brim. DO NOT iron your hat unless your yarn label says the yarn can be ironed.

Enjoy your finished Summer Sunhat!

This pattern is intended for your personal use only. You may not share, copy, sell, or give away the pattern, or mass-produce the finished product. However, you may sell the finished items on a small scale, as long as you convey in your item description that you used a Yay For Yarn pattern.

Yay For Yarn Copyright© 2019 – Current. All patterns and photos are owned by Yay For Yarn.

 

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This simple sunhat will keep the bright sunlight out of your eyes all summer long!  Crocheted in washable cotton yarn, it's perfect for your next trip to the park, pool, or beach. #crochetsunhat #freecrochetpattern #crochethat #crochetbabyhat #crochettoddlerhat #summercrochet #beachcrochet #summercrochetpatterns #yayforyarn
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6 Comments

  1. Alex

    Hi! I love this pattern and I was wondering if I could make it using Lionbrand Rewind yarn. Its a super light weight, kind of bulky tape-style yarn. Do you think I would have to make many adjustments?

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Yay for Yarn

      Hi! If you want to make this hat with Rewind yarn, which is a #5 Bulky weight, you will have to make a slight adjustment. This pattern calls for #4 Medium / Worsted weight yarn, which is not as thick as the #5 Bulky Rewind yarn. If you use the bulky yarn without adjustment to the pattern, the hat will come out too large. So to use the bulky yarn, you’ll need to choose a smaller size to make. I would recommend making a gauge swatch, preferably in the round, with your bulky yarn. The swatch would need to be worked in the round as a tube, yet wide enough that you can measure the gauge with the tube laying flat. The pattern calls for 18 single crochets in 4″. Choose a hook size that creates a rather dense, slightly-tighter-than-normal fabric, and make a tube in single crochet that, when it lays flat, is at least 4″ wide. Then, measure your gauge to see how many stitches you have in 4″. Divide the number of stitches you have in 4″ by 4, to get the number of stitches per inch. (This may not be a whole number, and that is okay.) Multiply the number of stitches per inch by the number of inches that you want your hat to measure around (finished hat circumference, see sizing section of the pattern to determine how large the finished hat needs to be). Then, you will have the approximate total number of stitches needed in the Body of Hat section. Read through that part of the pattern, and find the size that has the number of stitches in the Body of Hat that most closely matches your approximate stitch count. That will help you know which size to make. You can then follow the pattern according to the instructions for that size (the size you’ll need to make will likely be a smaller size in the pattern than what you want the finished hat to be, but since the yarn is thicker, it will come out larger than the pattern instructions say). Since you will have already determined the approximate finished size of the hat that you would get if you followed those instructions, the hat will come out pretty close to the finished size you are looking for. I hope this helps!

      Reply
  2. ER

    If I add one more row to make the pattern size to adult extra large (102 sts). How do I adjust the stitch increases when I get to the brim? Thank you for sharing your beautiful hat pattern!

    Reply
    • Yay for Yarn

      Hi! If you’re adding another round of increases to the crown, then when you begin the brim, you’ll need to start by working Round 26 in FLO, then continue working following rounds, stopping after you’ve finished round 42. I hope this helps!

      Reply
  3. Heather

    Im having trouble getting gauge mine is coming out to 7 inches evem went down to 4mm hook and still 5 and half inches any help would be greatly appreatied

    Reply
    • Yay for Yarn

      Hi Heather! The correct gauge for this pattern is 18 stitches in 4 inches. Please make sure you are using a yarn that is #4 Worsted Weight. If the yarn you have is a different weight (thickness), that can mess up the gauge. If you are using a worsted weight yarn, and the gauge is still too large even after changing to a smaller hook, you may just be a loose crocheter. The tension of the yarn is controlled by how the yarn runs through your hand. Perhaps trying a different way of wrapping / weaving the yarn through your fingers can help make your gauge tighter. I hope this helps, and please let me know if you have any more questions!

      Reply

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