Crochet Pattern: Mesh Summer Hat

Crocheted hats aren't just for cooler weather. If you choose a lighter (non-wool) yarn, it's easy to make a breathable hat that's perfect blocking the sun on warmer spring and summer days.

This hat design is really a recipe that can be made to accommodate any size with just about any yarn. I used a skein of Bernat Cotton-ish yarn which is a 3-light weight yarn.

Gauge is not important (Hooray!) and you can use whatever hook feels comfortable as long as the top piece of the hat lays mostly flat when you work it.

Materials

• tape measure
• ruler
• yarn
• crochet hook
• stitch marker (optional)

Measurements

Use a tape measure to measure the circumference of your head. Use a ruler to measure the vertical distance from the top of the ear to the top of the head.

Abbreviations

ch - chain
sc - single crochet
dc - double crochet
sl st - slip stitch

Directions

Top

For the top of the hat you will create a circular piece (technically, it’s a hexagon) that has the same circumference as your head. If you notice the top piece does not lay mostly flat, you will need to start over with a larger or smaller hook.

The top of the hat is worked in continuous rounds, like a spiral, so do not turn the piece at the end of each round. It may be helpful to use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the rounds so you don’t lose your place.

Ch 3, sl st into beginning ch to form a loop, ch 1. (You can use the Magic Loop method to get started if you prefer.)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in loop.

Rnd 2: *2 sc in next sc* 6 times. (12 sc)

Rnd 3: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc* 6 times. (18 sc)

Rnd 4: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc* 6 times. (24 sc)

Rnd 5: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc* 6 times. (30 sc)

Rnd 6: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc* 6 times. (36 sc)

See how the repeated pattern for each round has 1 additional sc? Since you repeat the pattern six times, you are increasing the top of the hat by six stitches every round.

Continue increasing 6 stitches per round in the same manner until the top piece is the desired head circumference.

Write down the repeated pattern for your final round and the number of stitches in the round because you will continue increasing in the same way once you get to the brim.

Fill in the blanks:
Final Top Rnd: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next _________ sc* 6 times. (_________ sc)

Mesh

There is no increasing in this section. It is still worked in a continuous spiral, so there is no need to turn your work at the end of each rnd.

Rnd 1: *Ch 1, skip 1 sc, dc in next sc* repeat as many times as necessary to reach the end of the round.

Rnd 2 - end of Mesh: *Ch 1, dc in next dc* repeat until the mesh section is the desired length. If you want to be precise, mark your piece so your work is exactly a full number of rounds, but it’s ok if you end this section mid-rnd.

Since the mesh is very stretchy, the length of the mesh section should be at least ½ to 1 inch shorter than the measured distance from the top of your ear to the top of your head.

Brim

Rnd 1: Ch 1, *sc in next dc, sc in next ch 1 space* repeat as many times as necessary to reach the end of the round. There should be as many sc in this round as the final round of the top section of the hat.

Continue increasing 6 stitches per round in the same way you did for the top of the hat.

For example, my final round on the top of the hat was:
Final Top Rnd: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 14 sc* 6 times. (96 sc)

So my next round will be:
*2 sc in next sc, sc in next 15 sc* 6 times. (102 sc)

Continue increasing 6 stitches per round until the brim is your desired width.

Sl st in next st. Finish off.

Embellishments

	This hat looks just fine without any additional embellishments. So it's just fine to weave in the ends and wear it as-is.
	However, if desired, you can create one or more crocheted flowers in contrasting yarn to brighten up your hat. I made two Button Carnations and two leaves from the book "200 Crochet Flowers, Embellishments"by Claire Crompton.

Another simple embellishing option that I think would look really cool, is to make a long chain in a contrasting color and weave it through the mesh section of the hat.