Ready to stitch up the cutest checkered accessory of the season? This free crochet bucket hat pattern brings nostalgic vibes and modern style together in one cozy project, no matter your skill level!
There's something so satisfying about transforming just yarn with a hook into a stylish crochet bucket hat, especially one that catches eyes with a fun checkered design! Whether you're new to crochet or a seasoned stitcher, this free crochet bucket hat pattern delivers wearable style without any complicated bits.
In this bucket hat crochet pattern, you'll work from the top down in continuous rounds, switching colors to create a bold checkerboard effect that stands out in every season. Best of all? It's free to make and easy to customize with your favorite hues. Perfect for gifting, gifting to yourself, or showing off at every sunny outing!
What You Need / Materials
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- Worsted (weight #4) yarn shown in Dishie Yarn (100% Cotton; 173 m / 190 yards per 100 grams / 3.53 oz)
- 5.5 mm crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
Yarns Substitutions
- Hobbii Friends Cotton 8/8 (100% cotton; 75 m / 218 yds per 50g / 1.75 oz)
- Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/8 (100% cotton; 75 m / 218 yds per 50g / 1.75 oz)
Prefer the PDF version?
Grab the ad-free, printable PDF pattern. Download and print at home, or view on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.Finished Size
This crochet pattern makes an adult-sized bucket hat that fits a head size of approximately 21-23" in circumference.
Level of Difficulty
- ★★☆☆☆ Beginner / Easy
- Requires familiarity with stitches used (below) and changing yarn colors.
Stitches & Abbreviations
- st/sts - stitch/stitches
- sc - single crochet
- sc-inc - single crochet increase, 2 single crochets in one stitch
Pattern Notes
- This pattern is written using US crochet terms.
- Gauge: 10 cm x 10 cm (4" x 4") = 18 sc stitches x 17 rows
- This bucket hat is worked from the top down (from the crown to the brim).
- Use the yarn under single crochet technique to achieve tighter, more aligned stitches.
- Learn how to seamlessly change color in crochet mid-row or round to create clean color transitions.
- Crochet in continuous spiral rounds. Do not join at the end of each round unless otherwise stated.
- Use a running stitch marker to keep your place when crocheting in rounds.
- Use the invisible fasten-off method to create a smooth, knot-free edge that blends perfectly with your stitches.
- Use a double magic ring to create a more secure center that won't loosen over time.
- Optional: Use the invisible increase to enhance the appearance of your amigurumi.
FREE Crochet Pattern
Using a 5.5 mm crochet hook with color A yarn...
Round 1: Magic ring with a base of 10 stitches (10 sts)
Round 2: Sc-inc in each st around (20 sts)
Round 3: [Sc, sc-inc] x 10 times (30 sts)
Round 4: [Sc, sc-inc, sc] x 10 times (40 sts)
Change and start the round with color B yarn...
Round 5: Sc in each st around - alternate color every 4 sts (40 sts)
Round 6: [3 sc, sc-inc] x 10 times - alternate color every 5 sts (50 sts)
Round 7: [2 sc, sc-inc, 2 sc] x 10 times - alternate color every 6 sts (60 sts)
Round 8: [5 sc, sc-inc] x 10 times - alternate color every 7 sts (70 sts)
Round 9: [3 sc, sc-inc, 3 sc] x 10 times - alternate color every 8 sts (80 sts)
Round 10: [7 sc, sc-inc] x 10 times - alternate color every 9 sts (90 sts)
Start the round with color A yarn...
Round 11: [4 sc, sc-inc, 4 sc] x 10 times - alternate color every 10 sts (100 sts)
Round 12-16: Sc in each st around - alternate color every 10 sts (100 sts)
Start the round with color B yarn...
Round 17-22: Sc in each st around - alternate color every 10 sts (100 sts)
Start the round with color A yarn...
Round 23-28: Sc in each st around - alternate color every 10 sts (100 sts)
Start the round with color B yarn...
Round 29: [9 sc, sc-inc] x 10 times - alternate color every 11 sts (110 sts)
Round 30: [5 sc, sc-inc, 5 sc] x 10 times - alternate color every 12 sts (120 sts)
Round 31: [11 sc, sc-inc] x 10 times - alternate color every 13 sts (130 sts)
Round 32: Sc in each st around - alternate color every 13 sts (130 sts)
Round 33: [6 sc, sc-inc, 6 sc] x 10 times - alternate color every 14 sts (140 sts)
Round 34: Sc in each st around - alternate color every 14 sts (140 sts)
Round 35: [13 sc, sc-inc] x 10 sts - alternate color every 15 sts (150 sts)
Use color A for the rest of the round...
Round 36: Sc in each st around (150 sts)
Cut and invisible fasten off.
Prefer the PDF version?
Grab the ad-free, printable PDF pattern. Download and print at home, or view on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.Inspiration Behind the Crochet Design
I don't usually take on commissions. Over the years, I've almost made it a personal rule not to. Most requests come from friends (and charging friends always feels awkward), and between blogging and designing new crochet patterns, my project list is never short. Designing is rewarding, but it's also very time-consuming.
That said... Sometimes the right idea comes from the right person at the right time.
Last summer, I became friends with a coworker who discovered my crochet through Instagram and casually asked if I could make her a checkered crochet bucket hat. I initially said no, mostly because I wasn't sure if I could commit to another project.
But after taking a closer look at what she had in mind, something clicked. The design felt fun, modern, and totally doable. And then, I also realized that I could turn it into something I can share on my blog, so I changed my mind and said yes.
I'm so glad I did.
The hat turned out even better than I had imagined. The bold checkerboard pattern, the structured shape, and the overall vibe just worked. And while I may not be the best at taking selfies, my friend absolutely nailed the photos. When I delivered the hat, I asked if she'd be willing to model it so I could share the pattern on my blog and social media, and the results were stunning. I'm still obsessed with how they turned out!
Around the same time, I also made a few of these bucket hats for our Disney vacation, and that's when I really fell in love with this design. One of my favorite things about this pattern is how easy it is to customize and choose any color combination you like. That makes it perfect for Disneybounding, whether you're going subtle or leaning fully into a character-inspired look.
Creative Uses and Ideas
- Everyday summer bucket hat: Perfect for errands, beach days, or outdoor play.
- Matching family hats: Make coordinating hats for kids, teens, and adults.
- Festival or concert outfit add-on: Bold checks = instant statement piece.
- Disneybound accessory: Customize colors to match your favorite characters for park days, rides, and photos!
- Theme park must-have: Lightweight breathable hat for long days in the sun.
- Bestie or BFF gift: Customize the colours to match their personality.
More to Love...
- Classic Crochet Fedora Hat Pattern: A timeless fedora style that pairs beautifully with summer and fall wardrobes.
- Minnie Mouse Bucket Hat: A fun and festive bucket hat perfect for Disney days and Minnie-inspired outfits.
- Crochet Summer Sun Hats: A collection of breezy, stylish sun hat patterns ideal for warm weather and sunny adventures.
Share Your Creation with Me!
Did you make this project? I'd love to see it! Please share it with me on Instagram and/or use the #onceuponacheerio hashtag.
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This is an original crochet pattern written by Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio. Please do not claim this crochet pattern as your own. If you wish to share this crochet pattern, you may link to this blog post, but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for personal use, but please DO NOT sell or distribute the crochet pattern.
You may sell products made from this crochet pattern, but please credit the design to Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio, and provide a link to my blog www.OnceUponaCheerio.com. Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you for understanding!
How cute is that! My college age granddaughter has been asking for a bucket hat and I love yours. Thank you!
Hey! how many grams of yarn did you use?
Yayyy!!! I hope you get a chance to make one! The bucket hat actually turned out way cuter than I thought it would!
I used approximately 130 yards of EACH colour. I don't know for sure how many grams, but I'm estimating about 140 grams of yarn in total?
Just want to know, what happens after Row 36? How do you finish it off?
Thanks
Oh oops! Sorry, I guess I forgot to say that you're supposed to cut and fasten off. You can follow this tutorial to fasten off invisibly!
I love this pattern. Please clarify whether you crocheted in a continuous round, or did you sl st and chain to join at the beginning of each row? Thank you for sharing. Can't wait to get started.
That hat is so so cute! I just know my granddaughter will love it...if I don't keep it for myself!
They're continuous rounds. You don't need to join or slip stitch at the beginning of each round.
It is definitely really tempting!!
I love this hat pattern, but is there a specific way you used to change the colors??
Message me on Instagram and I'll send you a short video on how I make colour changes :)
Cute pattern! What do you mean by sc,sc inc x10?
Hey Shannon! It's supposed to say [sc, sc inc] x 10, which means to repeat whatever that's in the brackets 10 times in that sequence (i.e. sc, sc inc, sc, sc inc... etc).
Hi---I am getting ready to purchase your pattern on ravelry and was wondering if you could explain how you do your color change. Instead of dropping colors do you carry them ? I do not have instagram to receive a video. Thanks.
Hey there! I uploaded a video that shows you how to crochet over the non-working colour and how to change colours as well for the bucket hat. I hope that helps!
Hi, Because I'm continuously crocheting, my squares aren't lining up in one place. How did you prevent that? Also, as I am working the top of the hat, it's rippling. Did that happen to you as well?
Hi! Make sure you are doing yarn-under single crochet stitches. That will help with the alignment of the squares. I tend to crochet with a tighter gauge, so make sure your gauge is right. If it's too big, try using a smaller hook.
I just finished making this and I absolutely love it, however it’s about 2” too big for my head. How would you recommend adjusting the pattern to make it smaller?
Hey Allie! Your tension is probably looser than mine. In this case, I would advise to maybe go down a hook size if you can. This will result in a smaller hat :)
How can I make the hat bigger? I just finished and it’s so cute! I just have a big head lol. It fits my bf though!
The easiest way to make a larger bucket hat without altering the pattern is to go up a hook size.
I love the pattern. I made a cute hat dir my newborn nephew ‘cause i did use To thin yarn
Made this hat and loved how it turned out. Used a smaller hook because I read a couple of comments saying it was too big. I crochet pretty tight so it barely fits. Should have stayed with larger hook.
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