Easy Crochet Bonnet - Girls' Easter Hat in Crochet

Maybe it's a girl thing. That whole "Yay! I get to dress up all pretty!" thing. I don't know, but I remember so vividly how excited my younger sister and I were every year as Easter drew near. We would get to pick out a special spring dress - economically designed to be worn first for our Easter egg hunt but perfect for wearing throughout the rest of the summer - and generally prepare to be girlie with sandals and hats (or ribbons, in my sister's case) and everything.

My daughter and nieces help me remember that feeling every year. Beginning with the birth of my older niece, not long after my daughter, we decided we wanted to create a new tradition. Not only the whole "getting pretty to hunt easter eggs" thing, but that each girl would get something they could keep - heirlooms, I guess.

This year we decided it would be bonnets. Pooling ideas and memories of our own favorite Easter bonnets, this very easy crochet pattern was the result.

And I do mean easy. It's nothing but double and half-crochets throughout the entire hat (and a couple single crochets at the end). To keep it so easy, I'm going to leave abbreviations out. Anyone, including the absolute beginner, can crochet this bonnet without any trouble.

If you use the pattern, leave a comment - I'd love to hear what you think!

Easy Spring Bonnet

Directions are for a size 6-8 easter bonnet. Use a size smaller crochet hook and only 3 chains in the starting chain for size 4-6, and a size larger crochet hook and 5 chains in the starting chain for size 8-10.

The pattern is worked in one piece, beginning with the cap. The cap is in rounds, which will work into rows on the brim.

Use a size E aluminum hook (adjusting according to directions above for other sizes), and about 4 ounces of worsted-weight yarn.

Cap

Round 1: Chain 4, join with a slip stitch to form a ring. Chain 3 (counts as first double crochet) and work 11 double crochet in the ring. Join to the top of beginning chain 3 with a slip stitch (12 dc)

Round 2: Chain 3 (counts as first double crochet now and throughout pattern). Double crochet in the same stitch as chain 3, 2 double crochet in next stitch and in each remaining stitch around. Join to the top of beginning chain 3 with a slip stitch. (24 dc)

Round 3: Chain 3, double crochet in the same stitch. *Double crochet in the next stitch, 2 double crochet in the following stitch. Repeat from * around. Join to top of beginning chain 3 with a slip stitch. (36 dc)

Rounds 4-5: Chain 3, 2 double crochet in the next stitch. *Double crochet in each of the next 2 stitches, 2 double crochet in the next stitch. Repeat from * around. Join to top of beginning chain 3 with a slip stitch.

Round 6: Chain 3, double crochet in the same stitch. *Double crochet in each of the next 4 stitches, 2 double crochet in the next stitch. Repeat from * around. Join to top of beginning chain 3 with a slip stitch.

Rounds 7-8: Chain 3, double crochet in the next stitch and in each stitch around. Join to top of beginning chain 3 with a slip stitch.

Round 9: Chain 3, double crochet in each of the next 2 stitches, skip the next stitch, double crochet in each remaining stitch around. Join to top of beginning chain 3 with a slip stitch. (76 dc)

Rounds 10-12: Chain 3, double crochet in the next stitch and in each stitch around. Join to top of beginning chain 3 with a slip stitch. (76 dc)

Round 13: Chain 2 (counts as first half-double crochet), half-double crochet in the next stitch and in each stitch around. Join to top of beginning chain 3 with a slip stitch. (76 hdc)

Brim

Round 1: Chain 1, single crochet in each of the next 5 stitches. Double crochet in each of the next 3 stitches, chain 1, double crochet in the same stitch as the last double crochet. *Double crochet in each of the next 4 stitches, chain 1, double crochet in the same stitch as last double crochet. Repeat from * around to the last 6 stitches. Work 1 single crochet in each of the remaining 6 stitches. Join to top of beginning chain 1 with a slip stitch.

Row 2: Slip stitch in each of the next 7 stitches. Double crochet in each of the next two stitches, (2 double crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet) in the chain 1 space. *Double crochet in each of the next 4 stitches, (2 double crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet) in the chain 1 space. Repeat from * to last 7 stitches. Single crochet in the next stitch. Turn.

Row 3: Chain 1, single crochet in the same stitch and in each of the next 5 stitches. 3 double crochet in chain 1 space. *Double crochet in each of the next 8 stitches, 3 double crochet in the chain 1 space. Repeat from * across to last 6 stitches of brim. Work 1 single crochet in each of the last 6 brim stitches. Finish off.

Optional:

The roses shown in the picture attached to this article are the simple, self-adhesive paper flowers found in the craft section of most department stores. Not happy to rely on the self-adhesive, I just used some fabric-safe craft glue to adhere the roses. Another option would be a 1-inch wide strip of ribbon wrapped around the bottom of the cap where it flares into the brim.