Crochet Cotton Hat Pattern

From LoveToKnow Crafts

If you're looking for a crochet cotton hat pattern, there are plenty available, both online and in books and pamphlets. Just decide what type of hat you'd like to make and then peruse your many options.

Crocheting with Cotton

Crocheting with cotton is slightly different than crocheting with wool. Wool has some "give" and elasticity, while cotton doesn't. It can be a stiffer fiber to work with, and that's what makes it ideal for many types of hats.

If you want to crochet a cowboy-type hat, you need the stiffness that cotton provides. To get a brim that keeps its shape, you might need a smaller hook than what's normally recommended for a yarn weight. Using a smaller hook keeps the crocheted fabric dense instead of light and airy.

However, because cotton is stiffer, it can be tougher on your hands. You may find you need to take more frequent breaks and/or apply moisturizing lotions to your hands more often when you crochet with cotton.

Cotton Yarn Tips

Many crochet patterns don't specify a yarn fiber. Instead, they'll identify a yarn weight and hook size to get the right gauge. If you spy a pattern you like and you can get gauge with a cotton yarn, go ahead and try it. Just keep in mind a few points about cotton yarn:

It's heavy. Cotton usually stretches out over time. If you're worried about a hat stretching out of shape after repeated washings, consider using a cotton blend, such as cotton/acrylic or cotton/wool.
It's not very elastic. Cotton doesn't have much elasticity, so while it's not as stretchy as wool, this is actually better for the structure of certain hats.
It's less forgiving than wool. This lack of elasticity means that cotton isn't as forgiving. If you create a hat with dense, closely spaced stitches, any mistake you make will probably show up with cotton yarn.

Good for Beginner Projects in the Round

If you've only crocheted flat projects so far, such as granny squares, crocheting a hat is a great way to learn to do it in the round. A hat is a fairly small project, so it won't eat up a lot of yarn or too much of your time. You can practice and perfect your in-the-round technique on this small scale, to better prepare you for bigger projects that call for this type of crochet.

If you're still not sure about making a hat for yourself, see if you can attempt a baby hat or doll hat. These tiny projects can usually be made in a matter of hours, so even if your first try isn't successful, you haven't invested days worth of time.

Types of Hats

What type of hat would you like to make? You'll find patterns for all kinds of crochet hats, including:

Beanies
Brimmed
Cloche
Mesh
Lacy

Find a Crochet Cotton Hat Pattern

Once you decide what type of hat you'd like to make, it's time to find a pattern. Here are some online resources for a variety of cotton hats that meet the skill levels of all crochet lovers:

Head Huggers offers a nice selection of knit and crochet hat patterns. Some suggested yarns are wool or acrylic, but it's up to you what type of yarn you want to use.
Crochet Pattern Central is always a wealth of great free patterns. Some of the patterns you'll find there that specifically call for cotton yarn include:
- Bohemian Beanie – Sport weight
- Cotton Thread Sun Hat – Fingering weight
- Cotton skull cap/chemo cap - Worsted weight

With such a wide range of options in crochet cotton hat patterns, you can whip up a collection of hats in no time. They're perfect for gift giving and charities, but also great for quick projects that you can start and finish in the same day.

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