Raffia Bucket Hat: free pattern step by step

The Raffia bucket hat has become a trendy accessory in recent years, thanks to its versatility, its casual style, and also because it protects from sunshine in summer.

In this post, we will learn together how to make a crochet fisherman hat. It’s a fashionable and versatile summer accessory that you cannot do without!

Here you find step-by-step pattern to crochet your own Bucket Hat with Rafia, our ecological, biodegradable, and renewable paper cellulose yarn. It’s for these properties that Raffia is known as the ideal yarn for summer accessories.

First step to make a crochet Bucket Hat

To make a crochet bucket hat, it is essential to have the necessary tools and materials, as well as to review the basic techniques.

Necessary materials

• 1 x 100 gr ball of Raffia, col. Candy – Color A
• 1 x 100 gr ball of Raffia, col. Fuchsia – Color B
• Wooden Crochet Hook – 5 mm (H8 US)
• Scissors
• Sewing Needle

Tension Swatch

• 10 cm x 10 cm are about 15 stitches x 16 rounds, working in Double Crochet with 5 mm/H8 US crochet hook.

Making a sample is necessary, although sometimes it may seem boring. However, it is essential to verify that the number of stitches and rounds you will have to work is right for your tension. It is also very important to maintain constant tension while working, to have a uniform surface and a good structure of the hat. If the tension is too loose, the hat may feel too loose and unstructured; if it is too tight, the hat could be stiff and uncomfortable to wear.

Stitches to know and abbreviations (US Terms)

• Magic Circle 
• Chain Stitch – ch.
• Slip Stitch – sl.st.
• Double Crochet – dc.
• Increase = inc.

For an overview of these techniques, look at the appropriate section dedicated to the Video Tutorials on our site.

Size and finished garment measurements

These instructions are for an adult Medium size Bucket Hat.

Measurements of the finished hat are approximately: 23 cm (9″) heigth for 57 cm (22.4″) circumference.

Tutorial for a crochet Raffia bucket hat 

As with most bucket hats, we will be working in the round, in top-down, starting at the crown of the hat and working our way to the brim.

We will use Tapestry Crochet technique to create a checkered, multi-colored work. It is therefore an intermediate-level pattern.

Pattern for a raffia bucket hat

Before starting to work with raffia, it is important to know that the ball unravels easily. We, therefore, advise you to take the end of the thread from the inside.

• With Color A (in our sample, it is Candy, a very light pink), make a magic circle. 
• Round 1: ch. 2, 12 dc. in circle, join with 1 sl.st. in the 1st dc. (12 dc.)

From the next round, we will start working with two colors. When changing colors, remember to change color on the last step of the double crochet, just before the color change.

• Round 2: with Color A, ch. 2 cat., starting in the first stitch, *1 inc. (that means work 2 dc. in the same following stitch), change to Color B, 1 inc., change to Color A*. Repeat from * to * until the end of round. Join to 1st dc. with 1 sl.st. (24 dc.)
• Round 3: again with Color A, ch. 2, *1 dc., 1 inc., change to Color B, 1 dc., 1 inc., change to Color A*. Repeat from * to * until the end of round. Join to 1st dc. with 1 sl.st. (36 dc.)
• Round 4: continuing with Color A, ch. 2, *2 dc., 1 inc., change to Color B, 2 dc., 1 inc., change to Color A*. Repeat from * to * until the end of round. Keep Color B and join to 1st dc. with 1 sl.st. (48 dc.)
• Round 5: with Color B, ch. 2, *3 dc., 1 inc., change to Color A, 3 dc., 1 inc., change to Color B*. Repeat from * to * until the end of round. Join to 1st dc. with 1 sl.st. (60 dc.)
• Round 6: again with Color B, ch. 2, *4 dc., 1 inc., change to Color A, 4 dc., 1 inc., change to Color B*. Repeat from * to * until the end of round. Join to 1st dc. with 1 sl.st. (72dc.)

The crown of the hat is finished. The diameter should measure approximately 17,5 cm (6.8″). We continue now to work for the sides, without increases, going down towards the brim.

• Round 7: continuing with Color B, ch. 2, *6 dc., 1 inc., change to Color A, 6 dc., 1 inc., change to Color B*. Repeat from * to * until the end of round. Keep Color A and join to 1st dc. with 1 sl.st. 
• Rounds 8 – 10: with Color A, ch. 2, *6 dc., change to Color B, 6 dc., change to Color A*. Repeat from * to * until the end of round. Join to 1st stitch with 1 sl.st. At the end end Round 10, keep Color B before joining with slip stitch! 
• Rounds 11 – 13: with Color B, ch. 2, *6 dc., change to Color A, 6 dc., change to Color B*. Repeat from * to * until the end of round. Join to 1st stitch with 1 sl.st. At the end end Round 13, keep Color A before joining with slip stitch! 

The hat is almost finished: only the brim remains to work!

• Round 14: again with Color A, *ch. 2, 1 incr., 2 dc., 1 inc. change to Color B, 2 dc., 1 inc., 2 dc., 1 inc., change to Color A*. Repeat from * to * until the end of round. Join to 1st stitch with 1 sl.st. (96 dc.)
• Rounds 15 – 16: continuing with Color A, *8 dc., change to Color B, 8 dc., change to Color A*.Repeat from * to * until the end of round. Join to 1st stitch with 1 sl.st.
• Cut yarns and weave in the ends.

Your crochet raffia bucket hat is now ready to wear! Don’t you find it beautiful? ☺️

Remember that if you prefer to save the complete instructions, you can download the PDF pattern from our website!

How to take care of your raffia bucket hat

As with all handmade garments and accessories, care is essential to ensure that they last over time.
The same goes for your Raffia bucket hat!

To clean it you must use delicate methods, then gently brush the surface with a soft bristle brush to remove dust and dirt.

If, on the other hand, the hat is stained, try passing over the area to be treated with a damp cloth (preferably cotton) and a little delicate soap. Dab with a rag soaked in clean water and squeezed well, to completely remove dirt and soap traces, then let it air dry.

Bettaknit Raffia dries fast if gets splashed, however, we advise you to avoid immersing the hat directly in water, as this could damage its shape and structure.

Finally, to store your raffia bucket hat, it is best to place it on a flat surface or on a hat stand to prevent it from losing its shape.

You can also take it with you on holiday and put it in your suitcase, but be careful, in case it loses its shape, there are some precautions to keep in mind. We recommend that you slightly moisten the hat with steam (the steam from the tea kettle is fine!) and reshape it with your hands. Put on the hat and, still with your hands, gently model the deformed areas, trying to restore the original shape.

Now that you know how to make a crochet Raffia fisherman’s hat, how to wash it and keep it, you just have to wear and show it off on all occasions. Don’t forget then to share it on social networks with the hashtag #bettaknit.