Heart-Appliquéd Sun Hat Free Crochet Pattern
Heart-Appliquéd Sun Hat Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This little lilac sun hat is made for the small dogs in your life — the ones with a 10–12 inch head who deserve a bit of shade and a whole lot of charm. It has a flat crown, a straight-sided band, and a wide, gently flared brim that keeps the sun off little faces, plus three white heart appliqués stitched around the crown for a sweet, handmade touch. Worked in worsted-weight acrylic at a firm single-crochet gauge, it holds its shape nicely without being stiff or heavy. A braided chin cord keeps it in place on breezy walks, and the whole hat works up quickly in an evening or two.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) acrylic — lilac (A) 80 yd, white (B) 10 yd
- Hook: 5.0 mm (US H-8)
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, rust-proof pins for assembly
- Finished size: Crown circumference 12 inches, height 3.5 inches; brim width 2 inches; fits small dogs with a head circumference of 10–12 inches
Abbreviations
- ch — chain
- sc — single crochet
- hdc — half double crochet
- dc — double crochet
- inc — increase: work 2 sc in the same stitch
- sl st — slip stitch
- MR — magic ring (adjustable loop)
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- Rnd / R — round
Gauge
16 sts and 16 rnds = 4 inches in single crochet. Work a small swatch in the round and measure the stitch and round counts over 4 inches before starting; if you get more stitches than 16, go up a hook size, and if you get fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round — single crochet in the round spirals, and it is easy to lose your place.
- Keep your tension even and slightly firm; a loose crown will stretch out of shape on a wiggly dog.
- Try the crown on your dog after Round 16 (before the brim) to check the fit — the brim adds width, so the crown should sit snugly.
- Make all three hearts first and pin them in place before sewing, so you can space them evenly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Crown (Yarn A)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts). Pull the ring closed.
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).
Rnds 9–16: sc in each st around (48 sts). Do not fasten off.
Brim (Yarn A, continuing from the crown)
Rnd 17: [7 sc, inc] x6 (54 sts).
Rnd 18: [8 sc, inc] x6 (60 sts).
Rnd 19: [9 sc, inc] x6 (66 sts).
Rnd 20: [10 sc, inc] x6 (72 sts).
Rnds 21–24: sc in each st around (72 sts). Fasten off and weave in the end.
Hearts (Yarn B — make 3)
Rnd 1: Ch 6. Sc in the 2nd ch from hook, sc in the next ch, hdc in the next ch, dc in the next ch, 5 dc in the last ch. Working along the opposite side of the foundation chain: dc in the next ch, hdc in the next ch, sc in the next ch, sc in the last ch. Sl st to the first sc. Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail for sewing.
Chin Cord (Yarn A)
Cut 3 strands of yarn A, each 30 inches long. Hold them together and braid to the desired length, then knot each end firmly to secure. Set aside until assembly.
Assembly and Finishing
Pin the three white hearts evenly around the crown, about 1 inch above the brim, adjusting the spacing until they look balanced. Using yarn B and the tapestry needle, sew each heart in place with small, neat stitches along its edges, then weave in the tails on the wrong side. Attach one knotted end of the braided chin cord to the brim at each side, sewing or knotting it securely through the brim edge, and weave in any remaining ends. Block the hat lightly by misting it with water and shaping the crown and brim flat over a small bowl or round form; let it dry completely before use.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the heart colors for a holiday look — red hearts on white, or pastel hearts on cream.
- Add a round of sc in a contrasting color around the brim edge for a crisp, finished border.
- For a sturdier brim, work Rnds 21–24 with the yarn held together with a strand of matching cotton thread.
