Crocodile Stitch Headband Sun Hat Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This sun hat is a sweet, whimsical project made for teens who like a little texture with their sunshine. The crown and brim are simple, smooth single crochet, so the whole hat is easy to work, while a caramel crocodile stitch band adds a raised, scaly pop around the base of the crown. Worked in fingering weight wool, it feels light and soft on the head, with a wide flat brim that shades the face. If you can single crochet in the round, you can make this hat.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Fingering weight (size 1) wool. Color A (chocolate): 200 yd. Color B (caramel): 100 yd.
• Hook: 3.5 mm (US E/4)
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, rust-proof pins for blocking
• Finished size: Head circumference 22 inches, hat height 6 inches, brim width 3 inches

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• inc – increase: work 2 sc in the same stitch
• sk – skip the stated number of stitches or chains
• sp – space (the gap made by a chain)
• MR – magic ring
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• [ ] x6 – repeat the instructions inside the brackets 6 times

Gauge

24 stitches and 12 rows = 4 inches in double crochet. Crochet a small swatch, measure it flat without stretching, and change hook size if your count is off.

Tips Before You Start

• The crown and brim are worked in continuous single crochet rounds. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round so you never lose your place.
• Keep your tension even and loose enough that the fabric stays soft; tight single crochet makes a stiff hat.
• The brim grows very large (up to 1320 stitches), so count each increase round carefully and check the total before moving on.
• Make the crocodile stitch strip first and set it aside. It is easier to work before the hat gets big and heavy in your lap.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Crown (Color A)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).

Rnd 2: inc x6 (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).

Rnd 11: [9 sc, inc] x6 (66 sts).

Rnd 12: [10 sc, inc] x6 (72 sts).

Rnd 13: [11 sc, inc] x6 (78 sts).

Rnd 14: [12 sc, inc] x6 (84 sts).

Rnd 15: [13 sc, inc] x6 (90 sts).

Rnd 16: [14 sc, inc] x6 (96 sts).

Rnd 17: [15 sc, inc] x6 (102 sts).

Rnd 18: [16 sc, inc] x6 (108 sts).

Rnd 19: [17 sc, inc] x6 (114 sts).

Rnd 20: [18 sc, inc] x6 (120 sts).

Rnd 21: [19 sc, inc] x6 (126 sts).

Rnd 22: [20 sc, inc] x6 (132 sts).

Rnds 23–34: sc in each st around (132 sts). Fasten off.

Brim (Color A)

Join A to any stitch of Rnd 34.

Rnd 35: [sc, inc] x66 (198 sts).

Rnd 36: sc in each st around (198 sts).

Rnd 37: [2 sc, inc] x66 (264 sts).

Rnd 38: sc in each st around (264 sts).

Rnd 39: [3 sc, inc] x66 (330 sts).

Rnd 40: sc in each st around (330 sts).

Rnd 41: [4 sc, inc] x66 (396 sts).

Rnd 42: sc in each st around (396 sts).

Rnd 43: [5 sc, inc] x66 (462 sts).

Rnd 44: sc in each st around (462 sts).

Rnd 45: [6 sc, inc] x66 (528 sts).

Rnd 46: sc in each st around (528 sts).

Rnd 47: [7 sc, inc] x66 (594 sts).

Rnd 48: sc in each st around (594 sts).

Rnd 49: [8 sc, inc] x66 (660 sts).

Rnd 50: sc in each st around (660 sts).

Rnd 51: [9 sc, inc] x66 (726 sts).

Rnd 52: sc in each st around (726 sts).

Rnd 53: [10 sc, inc] x66 (792 sts).

Rnd 54: sc in each st around (792 sts).

Rnd 55: [11 sc, inc] x66 (858 sts).

Rnd 56: sc in each st around (858 sts).

Rnd 57: [12 sc, inc] x66 (924 sts).

Rnd 58: sc in each st around (924 sts).

Rnd 59: [13 sc, inc] x66 (990 sts).

Rnd 60: sc in each st around (990 sts).

Rnd 61: [14 sc, inc] x66 (1056 sts).

Rnd 62: sc in each st around (1056 sts).

Rnd 63: [15 sc, inc] x66 (1122 sts).

Rnd 64: sc in each st around (1122 sts).

Rnd 65: [16 sc, inc] x66 (1188 sts).

Rnd 66: sc in each st around (1188 sts).

Rnd 67: [17 sc, inc] x66 (1254 sts).

Rnd 68: sc in each st around (1254 sts).

Rnd 69: [18 sc, inc] x66 (1320 sts).

Rnd 70: sc in each st around (1320 sts). Fasten off.

Crocodile Stitch Strip (Color B)

Row 1: Ch 22, dc in the 4th ch from hook, dc in the next 2 ch, [ch 3, sk 3, dc in the next 3 ch] 3 times, turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, [3 dc in the ch-3 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in the same ch-3 sp] 3 times, dc in the last 3 dc, turn.

Row 3: Ch 3, dc in the next 2 dc, [ch 3, sk 3 dc, dc in the next 3 dc] 3 times, turn.

Row 4: Ch 3, [3 dc in the ch-3 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in the same ch-3 sp] 3 times, dc in the last 3 dc, turn.

Rows 5–6: Repeat Rows 3–4. Fasten off.

Assembly

Sew the short ends of the strip together to form a ring. Pin the ring around the base of the crown so it covers Rnd 34, then sew it in place using Color A.

Edging

Join B to any stitch of Rnd 70. Rnd 71: sc in each st around (1320 sts). Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side, running each tail through a few stitches before trimming. Check that the crocodile stitch band sits evenly all the way around the crown and adjust any pins before the final stitches. Block the hat by misting it lightly and shaping the crown over a bowl or hat form, then pin the brim flat on a towel-lined surface. Let it dry completely before wearing.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Work the crocodile stitch band in a contrasting cotton for a crisper, more defined scale texture.
• Add a second band in a third color for a striped, playful look.
• For a firmer brim, work the final two brim rounds with a hook one size smaller.