This hat is in honor of someone special in my life’s battle with esophogeal cancer. I designed this hat for the 2021 Crochet Cancer Challenge. Each day in October, the challenge offers one or more new hat designs for free download. Each download is then a pledge to make a hat to help someone who has been affected by cancer, which really is probably all of us. This crochet hat pattern uses a variation on the shell stitch.
The ribbon color for esophogeal cancer is light purple or periwinkle. My sample hat is in a shade of lavender for the light purple.
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About the Inspiration for the Breann Hat
The first inspiration for this hat was to design a hat in light purple for the ribbon for esophogeal cancer. The second was to design a hat using a variation on the shell stitch. The alternating shells and v’s make a lightweight hat with an interesting design.
About the Yarn
I used Bernat Softee Baby for my hat. A good friend gifted me this yarn for one of my recent birthdays, and I’ve been holding onto it for awhile. Purple is my favorite color so this lavender colorway spoke to me especially because it represents the ribbon color and is a variation on one of my favorite colors. For DK weight yarns, I really love both Bernat Softee Baby and Stylecraft Special DK. Both of these are 100% acrylic yarns that are super soft and also durable. I think the hat would work well in either of these yarns as well as other DK weight yarns that you love.
Crochet Cancer Challenge
This pattern is featured on October 27, 2021 as part of the 2021 Crochet Cancer Challenge hosted by Sweet Potato 3. Each day in October 2021 one or more designers will be offering a new hat pattern as a free download. Each download is a pledge to make a minimum of one hat from that pattern to donate. Go to the round up post to get the coupon code and check out the other patterns. Then, use the button below to take you to the Ravelry pattern page where you can use the coupon code to get your download for free.
Pattern Options
The Adult Small version of the Breann Hat pattern is included for free on the blog below. It is written in U.S. crochet terminology.
PDF Pattern Downloads: You can also purchase a printable PDF of this pattern in my Ravelry Shop. The PDF pattern includes sizes Children’s 0-3 mo, 6-12 mo, 2-5 years, and adult sizes S and L.
Click the Photo Below to Pin this Pattern for Later
Breann Hat Pattern
What You’ll Need
Yarn: DK Weight (#3 Light) in color(s) of choice. Children’s Sizes: Approximately 120 (140, 160) yards. Adult Sizes: approximately 180 (200) yards.
Shown above: Bernat Softee Baby (100% Acrylic), 362yds [331m] / 5oz [140g] #166054-54008 Lavender, partial skein.
Hook: Size G/6 (4.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Notions: Tapestry needle, measuring tape, stitch markers.
Sizing and Gauge
Size: Adult Small (purchase the PDF for additional sizes)
Gauge: 16 sts x 8 rows in dc = 4” x 4” (10cm x 10cm).
Pattern Notes
Notes:
- A flat band of single crochet ribbing is worked first.
- Then, it is seamed together to make a tube that forms the brim of the hat.
- The body of the hat is then worked in rounds building up from the brim towards the top of the hat.
- Finally, the top of the hat is sewn together. Tutorial for closing the top of a crochet hat at https://craftingeachday.com/close-top-of-crochet-hat/.
- Work row one of the ribbing into the bottom bumps (sometimes called back bumps) of the foundation ch. Tutorial at https://craftingeachday.com/how-to-crochet-in-the-bottom-bump-of-the-chain.
Standard Stitch Abbreviations (U.S. Crochet Terminology):
beg = beginning
ch(s) = chain(s)
sc = single crochet
sc2tog = single crochet two together
sk = skip
sl st = slip stitch
sp(s) = space(s)
st(s) = stitch(es)
pm = place marker
rep = repeat
rnd(s) = rounds
( ): work a group of sts all in the same st or sp; also used at the end of a row to indicate the stitch count for that row
*: rep the instructions following the * as directed
Breann Hat Pattern
Begin Working Ribbing
Base Chain: Ch 6.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each chain across, ch 1, turn. (6 sc)
Row 2: Sc blo in each stitch across, ch 1, turn. (6 sc blo)
Row 3 and all subsequent rows: Rep row 2 until you have approximately 20 inches (50.5 cm) of ribbing without stretching. As a guide, this will be approximately 100 rows. Measuring the inches/cm will give the most precise fit.
After final row: Do not fasten off. Sew or slip stitch the ends of the strip of ribbing together. Match up the last row of sc blo with the chain stitches from the base chain. This will make a tube that will become the brim of the hat. After seaming, keep the seam on the inside of the tube.
Body of Hat:
Rnd 1: Work 80 sc stitches distributed evenly around the edge of the tube to begin body. Join with a sl st to first sc.
Rnd 2: (Ch 3, 4 dc) in same st (counts as first 5-dc shell, pm at top of ch 3 to mark beg of rnd), sk 3 sc, v-st in next sc, sk 3 sc, *5-dc Shell in next sc, sk 3 sc, v-st in next sc, sk 3 sc; rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch 3. (10 v-sts and 5-dc Shells)
Rnd 3: Sl st 2 times to get to 3rd dc in center of the 5-dc Shell, (ch 4, dc) in same st (counts as first v-st, pm in 3rd ch to mark beg of rnd), 5-dc Shell in sp at center of next v-st, *v-st in 3rd dc at center of next 5-dc Shell, 5-dc Shell in center of next v-st; rep from * around, join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 4.
Rnd 4: Sl st in sp at center of v-st, (ch 3, 4 dc) in sp at center of v-st (pm at top of ch 3 to mark beg on rnd), v-st in 3rd dc at center of next 5-dc Shell, *5-dc Shell in center of next v-st, v-st in 3rd dc at center of next 5-dc Shell; rep from * around, sl st to top of beg ch 3.
Rnds 5 and on: Rep rnds 3 and 4 until the body of your hat (including the brim) is approximately 9 inches (23 cm) in height. This is approximately 18 rounds. Measuring the inches/cm will give the most precise fit.
Last two rounds: Ch 1, sc2tog around the hat for two rounds, end with an extra sc if needed, join with a sl st to top of first sc2tog. Fasten off leaving a long tail, at least 20 inches.
Finishing: Use the tail to sew up the top of the hat. Tutorial for how to close the top of a crochet hat at https://craftingeachday.com/close-top-of-crochet-hat/. Weave in ends.
Other Crochet Hat Projects You Might Enjoy
If you like the Breann Hat, you might also like the Lacy Little Hat or the Mirabella hat which also both use DK weight yarn.