Spirit Hat Crochet Pattern

Spirit Hat in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash

What is Being Made

The Spirit Hat is an adult-sized crocheted hat designed by Susie Bonell. This project creates a colorful, structured hat featuring a rounded crown with ear flaps, making it both functional and stylish. The design incorporates three distinct color sections using blue, green, and white yarn, creating a visually striking finished piece suitable for everyday wear.

Crochet Techniques Used

This beginner-level hat employs fundamental crochet techniques that build skills progressively. The crown is constructed using increases worked in rounds, a core technique for creating shaped, three-dimensional pieces. The pattern uses strategic increases—doubling stitches at regular intervals—to expand the hat from a small center point to full adult size. After reaching the desired circumference, the pattern transitions to even rounds (working without increases) to create the straight sides of the hat. The ear flaps are worked in rows rather than rounds, introducing directional shaping, and incorporate decreases to taper the flaps to a point. Color changes are worked directly into the pattern, allowing the crocheter to switch yarn colors seamlessly between rounds. The pattern also demonstrates joining techniques using slip stitches to connect rounds and establish proper stitch placement.

Crochet Stitches Used

• Chain (ch) – the foundation stitch used to begin the project and create turning chains between rows
• Double crochet (dc) – the primary stitch used throughout the crown and main body of the hat, creating a fabric with good drape and structure
• Half double crochet (hdc) – used exclusively in the ear flap sections, providing a slightly tighter, more stable fabric for these appendages
• Slip stitch (sl st) – used to join rounds and secure the work, ensuring even tension and proper stitch alignment
• Single crochet (sc) – referenced in the abbreviations section as part of standard crochet vocabulary
• Decrease (dec) – worked in the ear flaps to gradually reduce stitch count and create the tapered flap shape

Materials and Specifications

This pattern calls for Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash, a 100% superwash wool yarn. Superwash wool has been specially treated to be machine washable, making this hat practical for regular care and maintenance. The yarn is worked at a worsted weight with yardage of 220 yards per 100-gram skein. The project requires one skein each of three colors: 813 (blue), 851 (green), and 871 (white), providing approximately 220 yards of each color for a total of roughly 660 yards of yarn needed.

The pattern is worked with a Size H crochet hook (5 millimeters), which is standard for worsted-weight yarn. The specified gauge is 7 double crochets and 4 rows equaling 2 inches, which is important for achieving the correct finished hat size. A yarn needle is required for weaving in ends and finishing the project.

Skill Level and Pattern Structure

This hat is rated as a beginner project and requires only knowledge of basic crochet stitches. The pattern assumes familiarity with chain, double crochet, half double crochet, slip stitch, and basic decreases. The construction method—starting from the crown center and working outward in expanding rounds—is an excellent introduction to shaping techniques. The transition from rounds to rows for the ear flaps introduces directional changes, while the color work teaches yarn management without requiring complex techniques like stranding or intarsia. The clear abbreviations and straightforward stitch counts make this an ideal project for crocheters building confidence with structured garment construction.