Looking for a lightweight hat to protect you from the sun? Or just trying to find the perfect project to get done in a few hours while on the beach? Then this sun hat made from just one skein of raffia yarn is the perfect project for you!
The yarn I used is Hobbii’s Rafaella yarn, which is 100% raffia paper and measures around 120 meters for 100g. I used slightly less than one skein in the colourway 09 Apricot.
Additionally, you’ll need a 6mm crochet hook, a pair of scissors, a tapestry needle, and some wire to help the brim hold its shape later on.
This took me just a couple of hours to finish, it’s one of the most easy-going projects I’ve done so far.
Abbreviations used in the pattern:
ch = chain
DC = double crochet
SC = single crochet
ch sp = chain space
st = stitch(es)
Some more notes before you start:
All rounds with the filet pattern (rounds 1-10) will start with a chain three counting as the first DC + ch1.
Any round will always end with joining the round by slip stitching into the top of the first stitch/chain.
DCs and chain ones count as one stitch each, so one DC + ch1 counts as two stitches in total.
Instructions between *stars* are the part that needs to be repeated.
The number in brackets behind the row number indicates the total number of stitches after finishing the round
Start by creating a magic loop. If you don’t know how to do that, you can find my tutorial here.
Row 1 (16 st): Pull up a loop and chain three, then *DC into the magic loop, chain 1*, repeat the part between the stars six more times and then slip stitch into the first chain 3 space to join the round. This should leave you with a total of 16 stitches (8 chain spaces).
Row 2 (32 st): Again, start by chaining three which counts as your first DC+ch1. In this round we will double the number of stitches, this is achieved by working into every chain space as well as into the top of every DC of the previous round. So *DC into the first chain space and chain one, DC into the previous round’s DC and chain one*, repeat this until the end of the round.
Row 3 (48 st): Here, we want to increase the total number of stitches from 32 to 48. Once again DC + ch1 into every chain space, additionally DC + ch1 only into every other DC of the previous round. Repeat *DC+ch1 into 2 ch sp, DC+ch1 into next DC* until the end of the round.
Row 4 (64 st): This will be our final increase round for the top part of the hat. We will increase again by 16 stitches, this time creating one additional DC + ch1 only into every third DC of the round before. *DC+ch1 into the next three chain spaces, then DC+ch1 into the top of the next DC*, repeat until the end of the round.
Row 5-11 (64 st): Simply *DC+ch1 into every chain space of the previous row* until the end of the row, for a total of seven rounds. As always starting the round with a chain three (counting as the first DC + ch1) and end the round by joining with a slip stitch into the first chain three space.
Row 12 (64 st): SC twice into every chain space. This will keep the total number of stitches the same (as every DC + ch1 count as two stitches).
Row 13 (64 st): Now, in order to make the brim lean towards the outside, SC again for the whole round, but this time only into the back loop of each stitch (so the back part of the little V).
Row 14 (80 st), row 15 (100 st): In order to keep the brim "growing" in a circular shape, we will again need to increase. SC into each stitch of the previous row, and SC another time into every fourth stitch. So, for every four stitches of the previous row, we’ll end up with five stitches in the current row. Repeat *SC into next 3 st, 2 SC into next st* for the next two rounds.
Row 16 (100 st), row 17 (120 st), row 18 (140 st): With each following round, we will increase less frequently than in the round before that, keeping the total number of stitches added at 20.
So, for round 16, SC twice only into every fifth stitch *SC into next 4 st, 2 SC into next st*
For round 17 only into every sixth *SC into next 5 st, 2 SC into next st*
And for round 18 finally only into every seventh stitch *SC into next 6 st, 2 SC into next st*.
Row 19 (160 st): To finish the brim, we will DC around the whole brim once (without any more increases). In order to help the brim hold its shape, we will crochet all stitches around a wire. You can do this quite simply be holding a wire on top of the stitches you are crocheting into and then working your stitch as normal. When you're close to the end of the round, twist the ends of the wire and keep crocheting around until you finish the round.
Note: if you are happy with it turning out more in the shape of a bucket hat, you can skip the wire.
