The Best Bottom-up Hat Crochet Patterns
I don’t know about you, but in the middle of winter, I get in the mood to crochet hats. I love that you can use any yarn weight and there are a variety of stitches to try without becoming too invested in a lengthy project. I’ve asked several top crochet designers for their best bottom up crochet hat patterns to share with you and you are going to love what they sent. I’ve compiled over 50 of the most popular bottom up crochet hat patterns on the internet.
But before we jump into the patterns, you may be asking yourself what “bottom up crochet hat” means and why that’s important. Aren’t all crochet hats the same? Nope. There are a few types of construction methods and each one uses different techniques to give you that custom fit. I want to ensure you understand how bottom up crochet hats are made so you know how to adjust the sizing when needed.
Ready to get started?
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What is a Bottom-up Crochet Hat?
There are a few different construction methods to crocheting a hat. Previously, we reviewed the top down crochet hat construction, and now it’s time to look at the opposite method. Equally as popular is the bottom up method, where you start crocheting the hat at the bottom, often with the brim. Once you make the brim, or the opening of the hat, then you work your way up the sides and then, end at the top of the hat.
The opening of the hat is made to fit the head circumference, and once you master that size, then you can make tight-fitting beanies or slouchy hats by varying the length you desire to make. You will often use decreasing crochet stitches to close the top of the hat opening. Then, using a long tail of yarn and a yarn needle, thread the yarn around the opening and pull tight to close the opening entirely. Then you can weave in your ends and add any additional things like a pom pom.
What are the Types of Bottom Up Crochet Hats?
There are several types of crochet hats that are made from the bottom up, including:
- Beanie
- Slouchy hat
- Gnome hat
- Brimmed or brimless hats
How to Get Started Crocheting a Bottom Up Hat?
To get started, find the pattern you want to make for your bottom up crochet hat. There are oodles of patterns on places like Pinterest and yarn company websites. I’ve put together a list of over 50 patterns below for you to get started. Many designers have the patterns available for free on their websites, or you can purchase an ad-free, printable version from their shops on Ravelry, Etsy, and Ribblr.
Once you have your pattern, check the notes for the amount and type of yarn needed, and grab the crochet hook listed. Sometimes the hat might require two hooks, where you use one for the brim and one for the body of the hat. You’ll also need a yarn needle and scissors for weaving in your yarn tails, plus any embellishments like a pom or tag.
As we reviewed earlier, bottom up crochet hats start at the wide opening, usually with a brim if there is one. Did you know the brim can be made a few different ways, too? First, you can crochet the brim back and forth in rows, until it reaches a desired length per the pattern and size you are making. Then, crochet or sew the ends together. After that, turn the brim sideways and continue the body of the hat by crocheting in the round per the pattern’s directions.
An alternative is to make the brim in the round from the start, and continue in the round as you crochet the sides.
Tips to Successfully Crochet Your Bottom Up Hat
From my experience, the most important thing to successfully making a bottom up crochet hat is getting the brim or opening to the correct fit. Since yarn has some stretch to it, you will often see that patterns call for the opening to be made slightly smaller than the circumference of a person’s head. That way, it will stretch to a snug fit. If you’re making the hat for yourself, you can try it on once the brim is complete. That will make it easier to undo and redo if you need to make any adjustments.
Some hats don’t have a brim that is made in rows and sewn together. They are instead made in the round from the start. I recommend crocheting a few inches of the beginning rounds and then checking the fit of the hat before you proceed with the rest of the pattern.
Bottom-Up Crochet Hat Patterns
Touch of Plaid Beanie & Slouch - Free Crochet Hat Pattern
Simple Free Crochet Christmas Hat Pattern - With Video Tutorial
Free Crochet Cable Hat Pattern - Adaleigh Beanie by Nicole Chase
Slouch Beanie Crochet Pattern - Free Crochet Pattern - All Sizes
Free Crochet Reversible Hat Pattern with Diamonds and Hearts
Easy Knit Look Crochet Hat Tutorial - Bay Tree Hat Free Pattern
Common FAQs About Bottom Up Crochet Hat Patterns
What Size to Make a Bottom Up Crochet Hat?
Bottom up crochet hats can be made in any size head. Often you will notice that the circumference of the brim is a few inches/cm smaller than the actual head circumference. This allows for a snug fit, but can easily be adjusted if you prefer a tighter or more loose fit.
If you have a head circumference that doesn’t fit within the pattern sizes listed, you might be able to recognize the ease (or the difference between the brim and the head size) to adjust for your own head needs. For example, if the brim in the pattern is made 2 inches (5.1 cm) smaller than the head circumference, measure your head and subtract 2 inches (5.1 cm).
How do I maintain the right stitch count?
Stitch markers come in handy when crocheting hats, especially to denote the start of each new round. It’s easy to miss where one round ends and another begins, and stitch markers can take the guesswork out. Another tactic I’ve used is to lay a contrasting piece of yarn across the top of the round, just before the first stitch. When you get to the end of the round, fold the yarn up and across the top of the next round right in between the first and last stitches.
What yarn and hook size is best for bottom up crochet hats?
You can crochet bottom up hats with any size yarn. If you’re trying to use up yarn in your stash, you can search Pinterest for hat patterns in the weight of yarn you have. Next, when it comes to selecting your hook, it’s best to make a gauge swatch using the recommended hook size for the yarn or in the pattern.
Also, be aware that some hats will call for different size hooks for the brim versus the body of the hat. Usually, the brim will be made with a smaller hook. This can be due to the designer wanting to keep the brim more tightly stitched. When you make your hat, you can play around with the look and feel you like best.
What are some common stitches for bottom up crochet hats?
There are many stitches that can be used in a bottom up crochet hat, and you should be able to find patterns that suit every skill level, from beginner to advanced. More often, you will find closed stitches, which are those that don’t have a lot of mesh or holes in the stitch pattern. It depends on whether you are looking for a hat to keep the winter wind out or not.
How do I finish off a bottom up crochet hat?
Once you’ve worked your way to the top of the hat, you’ll need to close the hole. You will do this by weaving a long tail around the top opening of the hat and then pull the tail tight so that the hole closes. Continue weaving in that long tail so that it keeps the top of the hat tightly closed. Then, add your own style with a pom and label.
Can I adjust the length of my bottom up crochet hat?
Yes, you can adjust the link of any bottom up hat to make it custom to your needs. If you add more rounds prior to the decreasing rounds, that will help make the hat taller and have a more slouchy look. If you follow a pattern and the hat ends up with too much room at the top, I recommend that you undo the decreasing rounds and frog one or many of the regular rounds. Then, follow the directions for the decreasing rounds again and see how that helps the hat fit.
How can I adjust the gauge for a bottom up crochet hat?
Gauge for your bottom up crochet hat is one of those measurements that can be adjusted in a few different ways. Often, start by going up or down in your crochet hook size to see if you can meet gauge that way. Additionally, you can change your gauge by adjusting how tight you wrap the yarn around your hook. Try crocheting a little more loosely and see how that affects gauge, or make your stitches tighter if you are typically a loose crocheter.
What do I do if my bottom up hat is turning out too big/small?
As previously discussed, the fit of a bottom up crochet hat is dependent on the size of the brim. Do a fit check, if possible, when you complete the brim. If the hat is too loose, you’ll want to remove a few rows or stitches in the brim before continuing with the rest of the pattern. If the hat is too tight, you can add a few rows or stitches to the length of the brim. Just be wary of any specific directions in your pattern such as “ending with an even number of rows” where you will need to ensure your new brim size meets that requirement.
The Last Thing You Need to Know About Bottom Up Crochet Hats
In summary, there are several types of crochet hat patterns to choose from, and the construction method can vary. Regardless, you can adjust any bottom up crochet hat pattern for that perfect fit by adjusting the opening at the beginning, and then adding/removing rounds to change the height.
The brim of bottom up crochet hats can be made in rows, then sewn together, or in rounds. Don’t forget that some patterns call for a different hook to be used on the brim than the body. Then the body of the hat is made in the rounds, often changing to decreasing rounds as you close the hat. Once you’ve mastered the perfect fitting brim, move to the body and watch the hat come to life.
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