If you love the look of a crochet bucket hat but aren’t a fan of working with raffia yarn, this cotton version of a crochet bucket hat pattern is a great alternative.

For this unisex crochet bucket hat pattern, I used Paintbox cotton yarn in #4 medium weight. Cotton gives the hat a softer, more familiar feel while still creating enough structure for that classic bucket hat shape. It’s also easier to find and work with than raffia, which makes this a really approachable project if you’ve been wanting to crochet your own hat.

This pattern is designed for both men and women and comes in four sizes: S, M, L and XL, fitting head circumferences from approximately 19″ to 27″. The sample shown in the photos is a size Medium.

I also used two colors for a little contrast, but you can easily make the entire hat in one color if you prefer a simpler look.

If you’d rather work from a clean, printable version without ads, you can grab the PDF below:

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If you’re looking for more crochet fun projects to work on, you might like these crochet patterns below

Crochet Side Slit Cardigan / 2. Crochet Sun Hat / 3. Crochet Kimono

Crochet Bucket Hat Pattern

This pattern uses English (US) crochet terminology.

The hat is worked in a continuous spiral rather than joining at the end of each round. Make sure to place a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round and move it up as you work.

All four sizes begin the same way for the top of the hat. The pattern will indicate when the instructions begin to differ between sizes.

Skill Level

Beginner/easy

This pattern primarily uses single crochet stitches and simple increases, making it a good project for anyone comfortable working in the round.

Materials

I used 2 colors of Paintbox Yarn, #4 medium weight
3.5 mm crochet hook
Scissors
Yarn needle
Stitch marker

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Yarn Needed

Color A: 220 (240, 280, 300) yards

Color B: 8 (10, 15, 17) yards

Yardage is listed for sizes S (M, L, XL).

Stitches Used & Code (US Term)

sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
REP = repeat
“ = inches

Gauge unblocked

21 sc × 22 rounds = 4″

Checking your gauge is especially important for this project because the finished circumference determines how well the hat will fit.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

This crochet bucket hat is available in four unisex sizes.

Small

Best for women with smaller heads and teens.

Finished hat circumference: 19.80″
Total height: 8.72″
Designed to fit approximately 19–21″ heads

Medium

Fits most women and men with smaller heads.

Finished hat circumference: 21.33″
Total height: 8.90″
Designed to fit approximately 21–23″ heads

The hat shown in the photos is a size Medium.

Large

Fits most men and women with larger heads.

Finished hat circumference: 24.38″
Total height: 9.63″
Designed to fit approximately 23–25″ heads

Extra Large

Designed for larger heads.

Finished hat circumference: 25.90″
Total height: 10.18″
Designed to fit approximately 25–27″ heads

Pattern Notes

This pattern uses US crochet terminology.
Sizes are written as S (M, L, XL).
The sample shown is a size Medium.
The hat is worked in a continuous spiral.
Do not join each round unless specifically instructed.
Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round and move it up as you work.
All sizes begin with the same instructions for the top of the hat.
Color A is the main color.
Color B is the contrasting color.

Why I Used Cotton for This Bucket Hat

I’ve made bucket-style hats using raffia yarn before, and while raffia can give you a beautiful structured summer look, I know it isn’t everyone’s favorite material to crochet with.

That was one of the main reasons I wanted to make this version with cotton.

Cotton yarn is much more familiar to most crocheters, it’s comfortable against the skin, and it still gives this hat enough body to hold the bucket hat shape. Using a #4 medium weight yarn also makes this project work up relatively quickly without creating a hat that feels overly bulky.

It also gives you a huge amount of freedom when it comes to color. You can use two contrasting shades like I did here, keep the contrast subtle, or crochet the entire hat in one solid color.

Choosing Your Size

For the best fit, measure around the widest part of the head before choosing your size.

Wrap a measuring tape around the head where you would normally wear the hat, generally just above the eyebrows and ears.

Choose the size whose recommended head circumference includes your measurement.

Because crochet fabric can stretch slightly with wear, the finished hat circumference may be somewhat smaller than the maximum head measurement listed for that size.

Crochet Bucket Hat Construction

The hat is crocheted from the top down.

You’ll begin by crocheting the circular top of the hat. Once the crown reaches the correct size, you’ll continue working downward to create the sides of the hat.

The brim is then worked directly from the bottom of the hat, so there are no separate pieces to sew together.

Because the entire project is worked in a spiral, a stitch marker is important. Place it in the first stitch of each round so you always know exactly where one round ends and the next begins.

Make It Your Own

One of my favorite things about this simple crochet bucket hat is how easy it is to customize.

The small amount of Color B needed means this is also a great opportunity to use leftover yarn from another project. Try a bold contrasting stripe, two neutral colors, or skip the second color completely for a classic solid-color bucket hat.

Since the design is unisex and available in four sizes, you can also use the same pattern to make hats for several different people just by changing the size and colors.

A Cotton Alternative to a Raffia Bucket Hat

If you’ve wanted to crochet a bucket hat but raffia yarn has been keeping you from trying one, I hope this version gives you another option.

You still get the casual, classic bucket hat shape, but with an everyday cotton yarn that many crocheters already know and enjoy working with.

And with sizes ranging from Small through Extra Large, you can use this same unisex crochet bucket hat pattern for teens, women and men.

Happy crocheting!

Crochet Bucket Hat Pattern Instructions

All sizes begin the same.

Top of the hat

Notes:

We’re going to work in spiral so make sure to place the stitch marker into the first stitch in each round
For the hat top all the sizes start the same

Round 1: Make a magic ring, 8 sc into the ring sp. Total of 8(8, 8, 8) sc

Round 2: 2 sc into each st around. Total of 16(16, 16, 16) sc

Round 3: *1 sc into next st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* around. Total of 24(24, 24, 24) sc

Round 4: *1 sc into each of next 2 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* around. Total of 32(32, 32, 32) sc

Round 5: *1 sc into each of next 3 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* around. Total of 40(40, 40, 40) sc

Round 6: 1 sc into each of next 2 st, 2 sc into next st, *1 sc into each of next 4 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 2 st left, 1 sc into each of next 2 st. Total of 48(48, 48, 48) sc

Round 7: 1 sc into each st around. Total of 48(48, 48, 48) sc

Round 8: 1 sc into each of next 2 st, 2 sc into next st, *1 sc into each of next 5 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 3 st left, 1 sc into each of next 3 st. Total of 56(56, 56, 56) sc

Round 9: *1 sc into each of next 6 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* around. Total of 64(64, 64, 64) sc

Round 10: 1 sc into each st around. Total of 64(64, 64, 64) sc

Round 11: 1 sc into each of next 3 st, 2 sc into next st, *1 sc into each of next 7 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 4 st left, 1 sc into each of next 4 st. Total of 72(72, 72, 72) sc

Round 12: 1 sc into each st around. Total of 72(72, 72, 72) sc

**From here on, the top of the hat will gradually start to curl, and that’s totally normal. I intentionally designed it this way so it slowly shapes itself to fit the head.

Round 13: *1 sc into each of next 8 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* around. Total of 80(80, 80, 80) sc

Round 14: 1 sc into each st around. Total of 80(80, 80, 80) sc

Round 15: 1 sc into each of next 4 st, 2 sc into next st, *1 sc into each of next 9 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 5 st left, 1 sc into each of next 5 st. Total of 88(88, 88, 88) sc

Round 16: 1 sc into each st around. Total of 88(88, 88, 88) sc

Round 17: *1 sc into each of next 10 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* around. Total of 96(96, 96, 96) sc

Round 18: 1 sc into each st around. Total of 96(96, 96, 96) sc

Round 19: 1 sc into each of next 5 st, 2 sc into next st, *1 sc into each of next 11 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 6 st left, 1 sc into each of next 6 st. Total of 104(104, 104, 104) sc

**Size S: stop at round 19

(Sizes M, L and XL only) Round 20: *1 sc into each of next 12 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* around. Total of 112, 112, 112 sc

**Size M: stop at round 20

(Sizes L and XL only) Round 21: 1 sc into each st around. Total of 112, 112 sc

(Sizes L and XL only) Round 22: *1 sc into each of next 13 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* around. Total of 120, 120 sc

(Sizes L and XL only) Round 23: 1 sc into each of next 7 st, 2 sc into next st, *1 sc into each of next 14 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 7 st left, 1 sc into each of next 7 st. Total of 128, 128 sc

**Size L: stop at round 23

(Size XL only) Round 24: 1 sc into each stitch around. Total of 128

(Size XL only) Round 25: *1 sc into each of next 15 st, 2 sc into next stitch* REP from *TO* around. Total of 136 sc

**Size XL: stop at round 25

Check picture below

Hat Bucket

*Pattern continue

Round 20(21, 24, 26): 1 sc into each st around. Total of 104(112, 128, 136) sc

Round 21(22, 25, 27) – 36(37, 40, 43): REP round 20(21, 24, 26)

Hat Brim

*Pattern continue

Round 37(38, 41, 44): *1 sc into each of next 7 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* around. Total of 117(126, 144, 153) sc

Round 38(39, 42, 45): 1 sc into each st around. Total of 117(126, 144, 153) sc

Round 39(40, 43, 46): 1 sc into each st around. Total of 117(126, 144, 153) sc

Round 40(41, 44, 47): 1 sc into each of next 4 st, 2 sc into next st, *1 sc into each of next 8 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 4 st left, 1 sc into each of next 4 st. Total of 130(140, 160, 170) sc

Round 41(42, 45, 48): 1 sc into each st around. Total of 130(140, 160, 170) sc

Round 42(43, 46, 49): 1 sc into each st around. Total of 130(140, 160, 170) sc

Round 43(44, 47, 50): *1 sc into each of next 9 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* around. Total of 143(154, 176, 187) sc

Round 44(45, 48, 51): 1 sc into each st around. Total of 143(154, 176, 187) sc

Round 45(46, 49, 52): 1 sc into each st around. Total of 143(154, 176, 187) sc

Round 46(47, 50, 53): 1 sc into each of next 5 st, 2 sc into next st, *1 sc into each of next 10 st, 2 sc into next st* REP from *TO* until you have 5 st left, 1 sc into each of next 5 st. Total of 156(168, 192, 204) sc

Round 47(48, 51, 54): 1 sc into each st around. Total of 156(168, 192, 204) sc

Round 48(49, 52, 55): 1 sc into each st around. Total of 156(168, 192, 204) sc

**Sizes S and M only: At the end of round 48, 49. Cut the yarn and weave the ends (I used the invisible join). Check picture below

(Sizes L and XL only) Round 53, 56: 1 sc into each st around. Cut the yarn and weave the ends (I used the invisible join). Check picture below. Total of 192, 204 sc

Check the pictures below for how to make an invisible join for a single crochet.

Round 49(50, 54, 57) Color B: insert new yarn into any st you prefer and make a sl st, sl st into each st around (Make sure not to make the sl st too tight), cut the yarn and weave the ends (I used the invisible join). Check picture below. Total of 156(168, 192, 204) sc