This crochet bucket hat was specifically made for the Crochet Cancer Challenge 2022 hosted by Sweet Potato 3. It is a yearly event where designers offer up a free hat pattern for the general public to download, make, and then pledge to donate at least one to a person with cancer. I’m honored to participate in this wonderful challenge again this year. The Hoty Hat is bucket hat meets cloche, a simple design and fun to wear.
Inspiration behind the Hoty Hat
For this crochet bucket hat, I chose the color gold for childhood cancer. It’s tough enough being a child with an illness, but to lose their hair on top of that makes it even harder to bear. About two years ago, I landed a wonderful career opportunity with the non-profit Wigs For Kids. Their mission is to provide wigs free of charge to children with hair loss caused by any illness. This includes alopecia, burns, and cancer.
I chose Hoty for the name of my hat after the inspiration for Wigs For Kids, Laura Hoty. She was the teenage niece of the founder, Jeffrey Paul. About 40 years ago, she came to him in tears devastated by the prospect of losing her hair due to leukemia. An avid gymnast, she begged Jeffrey, who was a successful hairdresser to make her a wig that would allow her to compete.
He did just that! She competed with a big smile on her face. Unfortunately, Laura Hoty is no longer with us, but she lives on in the legacy of Wigs For Kids. It now services children all over the country, providing custom made hairpieces free of charge.
If you would like to learn more about this non-profit, please check out the website: Wigs For Kids
Materials needed for this crochet bucket hat
#4 worsted weight {150 yds}
US H (5 mm) hook or size needed to obtain gauge
Sizes:
Child: Crown Size: 6.5”/ Height: 7.5”
Teen/Small: Crown Size: 7”/ Height: 8”
Medium Adult: Crown Size 7.5”/ Height 8.5”
Large Adult: Crown Size 8”/ Height: 9”
The medium adult is available here free on the blog. If you would like to get all 4 patterns in one premium pattern, it is available in my Ravelry Shop. The premium version also includes a photo tutorial of the pineapple cluster stitch.
Gauge: 4 HBhdc=1” 4 HBhdc rows=1” 2 PS rows=1”
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner +
Abbreviation Used: {US Terms}
MR=magic ring
ch=chain
HBhdc=herringbone half double crochet
Inc=Increase
Rnd=round
st(s)=stitch(es)
PS=Pineapple cluster stitch
Need to keep better track of your WIPS?
Get the downloadable PDF of my WIP Tracker Sheet absolutely free when you sign up for the Simply Melanie Jane Newsletter. You can print a bunch and place one in each of your project bags. Keep track of what hook you were using, the yarn weight and brand, and write down notes about your pattern or where you left off. Never throw down a half completed project because you can’t remember all the pertinent details. You’ll receive the link in your welcome email once you sign up.
Special Stitches Used
Ps{pineapple cluster stitch}= *yo, insert hook in st, yo, pull through* Rep between * 3 times, yo, pull through the first 8 loops on your hook, yo, pull through the 2 remaining loops on hook. Make sure you keep loops loose so you can pull through 8 easily. {See photo tutorial page 3}
HBhdc {herringbone half double crochet}= yo, insert hook in st, yo, pull through st and first loop on hook, yo, pull through remaining 2 loops.
Notes:
Ch 2 does not count as a stitch.
Featured in Crochet Cancer Challenge 2022
You can see all the hat patterns available in this event and get the coupon code by clicking the button below.
On October 17th, 2022, the Hoty Hat was featured in the Crochet Cancer Challenge 2022. While it is no longer a free download, you can get one of the sizes here free on the blog. I hope you enjoy it!
Medium Size Instructions (Crown Size 7.5”/ Height 8.5”)
Rnd 1: With MR, 8 HBhdc in ring, pull to close, sl st in first st to join [8]
Rnd 2: ch 2, 2 HBhdc each st around, join [16]
Rnd 3: ch 2,*HBhdc next, Inc next*; rep between * around, join [24]
Rnd 4: ch 2,*HBhdc next 2, Inc next*; rep between * around, join [32]
Rnd 5: ch 2, *HBhdc next 3, Inc next*; rep between * around , join [40]
Rnd 6: ch 2, *HBhdc next 4, Inc next*; rep between * around , join [48]
Rnd 7: ch 2, *HBhdc next 5, Inc next*; rep between * around , join [56]
Rnd 8: ch 2, *HBhdc next 6, Inc next*; rep between * around , join [64]
Rnd 9: ch 2, *HBhdc next 7, Inc next*; rep between * around , join [72]
Rnd 10: ch 2, *HBhdc next 8, Inc next*; rep between * around, join [80]
Row 11: ch 3, Ps in next st, ch 1, sk next st, *(Ps, ch 1) next st, sk next st; rep from * around, join in 1st st [40 Ps, 40 ch-1 sp]
Row 12: ch 3, (Ps, ch 1) in each ch 1-sp around, join [40 Ps, 40 ch-1 sp]
Rnd 13: ch 2, HBhdc in each Ps and ch 1-sp around, join [80]
Rnds 14-16: ch 2, HBhdc in each st around, join [80]
Row 17: ch 3, Ps in next st, ch 1, sk next st, *(Ps, ch 1) next st, sk next st; rep from * around, join in 1st st [40 Ps, 40 ch-1 sp]
Row 18: ch 3, (Ps, ch 1) in each ch 1-sp around, join [40 Ps, 40 ch-1 sp]
Rnd 19: ch 2, HBhdc in each Ps and ch 1-sp around, join [80]
Rnds 20-21: ch 2, HBhdc in each st around, join [80]
Rnd 22: ch 2, *HBhdc next 9, Inc next*; rep between * around , join [88]
Rnd 23: ch 2, *HBhdc next 10, Inc next*; rep between * around , join [96] Fasten off. Weave end.
Last year’s Crochet Cancer Challenge hat
Featured in last year’s challenge, the Glacier Ridge Beanie is available free on my blog or for purchase in my Ravelry Shop.
Thanks for visiting! Hope you come again real soon!
