Peach Pompom Brim Bucket Hat Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This peach pompom brim bucket hat is the perfect first hat project for anyone who has just learned single crochet. Worked in super bulky yarn with an 8.0 mm hook, it grows from a flat circle into a simple cylinder and finishes in an evening or two. The straight brim turns up neatly thanks to a back-loop-only round, and four little apricot pompoms stitched evenly around the edge give it a playful Nordic winter look. It is soft, squishy, and warm, and the same pattern scales down for babies and even cats.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Super bulky (6) weight yarn, acrylic or wool blend. Color A (peach): approx 90 yd (82 m) for the adult hat; less for baby and cat sizes. Color B (apricot): approx 15 yd (14 m) for the pompoms.
- Hook: 8.0 mm (US L-11) crochet hook.
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, pompom maker or two cardboard circles (1.25 in / 3 cm for adult, 1 in / 2.5 cm for baby, 0.75 in / 2 cm for cat).
- Finished size: Adult: 22 in (56 cm) circumference, 8 in (20 cm) tall including a 1.5 in (4 cm) brim. Baby: 16 in (41 cm) circumference, 6 in (15 cm) tall. Cat: 12 in (30 cm) circumference, 4.5 in (11 cm) tall.
Abbreviations
- MR: Magic ring — an adjustable loop you crochet into to start a closed circle.
- sc: Single crochet — insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- inc: Increase — work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch.
- BLO: Back loop only — work into the loop farthest from you, leaving the front loop free to create a ridge.
- st(s): Stitch(es).
- Rnd/R: Round.
Gauge
8 sc x 9 rounds = 4 in (10 cm) in single crochet. Work a small swatch in the round and measure it flat; if you have more stitches than 8 per 4 in, go up a hook size, and if fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round — single crochet in the round spirals, so the marker keeps your count honest.
- Keep your tension relaxed on the increase rounds so the crown stays flat instead of doming.
- The back-loop-only brim round is what makes the brim fold crisply; don't skip it or work it in both loops.
- Make all four pompoms before assembly so you can match their size and fluffiness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Adult Hat — Crown and Sides (Color A)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring (6 sts).
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts).
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts).
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts).
Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] x6 (48 sts).
Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] x6 (54 sts).
Rnd 10: [8 sc, inc] x6 (60 sts).
Rnds 11-24: sc in each st around (60 sts).
Adult Hat — Brim (Color A)
Rnd 25: sc in BLO of each st around (60 sts).
Rnds 26-28: sc in each st around (60 sts). Fasten off and weave in ends.
Adult Pompoms (Color B)
Make 4 pompoms, each 1.25 in (3 cm) across, leaving 8 in (20 cm) tails on each for sewing.
Baby Hat — Crown and Sides (Color A)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring (6 sts).
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts).
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] x6 (36 sts).
Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] x6 (42 sts).
Rnds 8-18: sc in each st around (42 sts).
Baby Hat — Brim (Color A)
Rnd 19: sc in BLO of each st around (42 sts).
Rnds 20-22: sc in each st around (42 sts). Fasten off and weave in ends.
Baby Pompoms (Color B)
Make 4 pompoms, each 1 in (2.5 cm) across, with 8 in (20 cm) tails.
Cat Hat — Crown and Sides (Color A)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into ring (6 sts).
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts).
Rnds 6-13: sc in each st around (30 sts).
Cat Hat — Brim (Color A)
Rnd 14: sc in BLO of each st around (30 sts).
Rnds 15-16: sc in each st around (30 sts). Fasten off and weave in ends.
Cat Pompoms (Color B)
Make 4 pompoms, each 0.75 in (2 cm) across, with 8 in (20 cm) tails.
Assembly and Finishing
Mark the brim edge at 4 evenly spaced points: every 15 sts on the adult hat, every 10-11 sts on the baby hat, and every 7-8 sts on the cat hat. Thread each pompom's tails onto the tapestry needle, sew one pompom at each mark through the brim fabric, then knot the tails on the inside and trim them. Weave in all remaining ends. Block lightly by misting with water and shaping the crown and brim flat over a bowl or hat form; let dry fully before wearing.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the pompoms for a single large pompom on top, or use contrasting stripes on the brim rounds for a different look.
- Work the brim in a slightly tighter tension so it holds its shape without stiffening.
- For a warmer hat, hold two strands of worsted weight yarn together and keep the same hook and stitch counts.
