Scrap Buster Hats
Use up your leftover yarn to make a colorful Scrap Buster Hats for the winter months. This free crochet hat pattern can be adjusted to fit anyone's head in your family. It's a quick and easy pattern to complete using any worsted weight yarn you have lying around. The matching braid adds the perfect finishing touch.
Crochet HookH/8 or 5 mm hook
Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)
MATERIALS:
- 1-2 ounces of worsted weight yarn for the band
- Scrap worsted weight yarn for the rest
- Crochet Hook: H/8 (5 mm)
- Measuring Tape
- Tapestry Needle
- Scissors
All Sizes
Common head circumferences by age inches/centimeters:
Newborn: 13.5/34
3 months: 16/41
6 months: 17/43
12 months: 18/46
2 years: 19/48
3-5 years: 20/51
6-10 years: 21/53
Adult Small: 22/56
Adult Medium: 23/58
Adult Large: 24/61
GAUGE:
Do not use a gauge- instead, measure your head for the best fitting hat.
NOTES:
Instructions are written for baby/child with changes for (adult) in parentheses.
HAT
Band:
Chain 11(13).
Row 1- sc in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. Ch1, turn [10(12)sc]
Row 2- sc in BLO each sc across. Ch1, turn.
Repeat row 2 until your hat band measures to 1/2inch(1 inch) less than fit chosen head.
Tip: End with tails on the same side so you can hide them easier!
Match ends and sl st across to seam. FO.
Body:
Round 1- Join scrap color with a sl st at the seam. Ch2. HDC in the end of each band row around, hiding those ends as you go. Join with a sl st to the beginning ch2. FO.
Round 2- Join next scrap color with a sl st. Ch2. Hdc in each hdc, (hiding ends- not gonna keep repeating this- you get the idea) around. Join with a sl st to beginning ch2. FO.
Round 3-6- Repeat Round 2 (4) more times.
Adult sizes only- Repeat Round 2 (twice) more (for a total of 8 even hdc rounds)
Decreasing:
What does it mean to decrease? Decrease means to turn two stitches into one. It's two stitches at the bottom and 1 stitch at the top. In this hat pattern, we are turning 2hdc into 1hdc. To hdc2tog (half double crochet two together) aka DECREASE, you will yarn over, insert hook in the first stitch, yarn over and pull through 2. Yarn over and insert hook into the next stitch, Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.
Round 7(9)- Join next scrap color with a sl st. Ch2. Hdc around, decreasing every 7(9) stitches. Join with a sl st to beginning ch2. FO.
Note: It doesn't matter if it's not exact and there are stitches left over. The effect will be the same by the time you braid the end closed.
Round 8(10)- Join next scrap color with a sl st. Ch2. Hdc around. Join with a sl st to beginning ch2. FO.
Round 9(11)- Join next scrap color with a sl st. Ch2. Hdc around, decreasing every 6(8) stitches. Join with a sl st to beginning ch2. FO.
Round 10(12)- Repeat round 8(10)
Round 11(13)- Join next scrap color with a sl st. Ch2. Hdc around, decreasing every 5(7) stitches. Join with a sl st to beginning ch2. FO.
Round 12(14)- Repeat round 8(10)
Round 13(15)- Join next scrap color with a sl st. Ch2. Hdc around, decreasing every 4(6) stitches. Join with a sl st to beginning ch2. FO.
Round 14(16)- Repeat round 8(10)
Round 15(17)- Join next scrap color with a sl st. Ch2. Hdc around, decreasing every 3(5) stitches. Join with a sl st to beginning ch2. FO.
Round 16(18)- Repeat round 8(10)
Round 17(19)- Join next scrap color with a sl st. Ch2. Hdc around, decreasing every 2(4) stitches. Join with a sl st to beginning ch2. FO.
Round 18(20)- Repeat round 8(10)
For Baby/Child Sizes Only:
Round 19- Join next scrap color with a sl st. Ch2. Decrease around. Join with a sl st to beginning ch2. FO.
Round 20- Repeat round 8, leaving end tail 1.25feet long.
For Adult Sizes Only:
Round 21- Join next scrap color with a sl st. Ch2. Hdc around, decreasing every 3 stitches. Join with a sl st to beginning ch2. FO.
Round 22- Repeat round 10.
Round 23- Join next scrap color with a sl st. Ch2. Hdc around, decreasing every 2 stitches. Join with a sl st to beginning ch2. FO.
Round 24- Repeat round 10.
Round 25- Join next scrap color with a sl st. Ch2. Decrease around. Join with a sl st to beginning ch2. FO.
Round 26- Repeat round 10, leaving end tail 1.5 feet long.
The Braid:
The braid is attached just as you would add fringe to a scarf or blanket. If you don't want to stitch the ends in, you can sew them on after the braid is complete.
Cut 24(30) pieces of various yarns 2.5(3)feet long. Using your hook to pull through the last stitches you made, distribute pieces as evenly as possible around top opening of hat, (some may have more than others) pulling to match ends as you go. (Try to make these as even as possible.)
Divide evenly into 3 groups (there will be an extra one because of the long tail you left, so 16, 17, 16 -or- 20, 21, 20... or, you know, whatever...). I try to mix them up here- not get all the blue, for example, into one braid. Braid to near the ends and knot tightly. Trim the fringe evenly.
Alternatively, you could make a solid braid to match (or not match) the hat band.
How to attach the strands for the braid?
Any way you want, really. Tie them on, pull them through like fringe. As long as they are even, it doesn’t really matter how you attach them.
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JaneEK
Jun 30, 2018
I love quirky looking hats like these although I rarely wear them myself. But my grandchildren are crazy about them, even the teenage boys. I think they wear crazy hats to attract the girls. The best thing is you can use scraps, ombre yarn, or whatever you have on hand. Wouldnt a group photo with everyone wearing these hats be fun?
princess6860504
Oct 11, 2017
This hat reminds me of the Peruvian style hats and other various clothing items. It looks very boutique and expensive, actually. Nobody will know that it is made up out of scraps. If you'd prefer you could even work out a specific color scheme. The addition of the multi-colored braid coming out the top of the hat is boho chic! Loving this hat and thanks for posting it.
carolyn1944zeke 67 20838
Oct 04, 2017
IS THERE A PHOTO OF THIS HAT?
cmiranda70
Oct 04, 2017
I can't see one either (
AFC Editor Julia
Oct 05, 2017
Hi cmiranda, The photo should be appearing now! Julia, editor for AllFreeCrochet
AFC Editor Julia
Oct 05, 2017
Hi carolyn, The photo should be appearing now! Julia, editor for AllFreeCrochet
Morehouse17
Sep 30, 2017
It never fails that my grandson will leave home with a hat and come home without one. I wonder if I made him one as fancy as this one, would he make an effort to keep up with it. What do you think, with or without the "tail"?
mulberrygalprinces s
Aug 07, 2017
Great idea, easy pattern and inexpensive. My three favorite words, easy, cheap and cute. I have so much left over yarn from purses I make. Now I have a great use for all of that. From baby to adult, no one will get forgotten. Like the saying goes, no head left behind!
len10pin
May 05, 2017
This Scrap Buster Hat is just what I need. I love hats and have plenty of scrap yarn When I make this, I'll have the cutest hat around here!
Delphine Bryant
Apr 04, 2017
There is always extra yarn left over after every project. I like the idea of creating something useful with it. This scrap buster hat pattern is just perfect for making that happen. The project designer included hats from newborn to adult and included a whimsical tassel to boot. I love this pattern.
lyndaturner2468 41 37770
Mar 25, 2017
Here is my attempt, just used whatever 8 ply I have. I've never joined stripes before but quite easy! Didn't do the plait though.
lyndab81 5654457
Jan 26, 2017
Isn't this a great hat pattern? Who doesn't like to put bits and pieces of leftover yarn to good use? The variations are endless depending on what yarns you have to hand. I think it is so useful to be given all these sizes so that everyone in the family will be included and have a cosy "topping" for winter days. I also plan to make the plait to finish it off. Will you?
Inukshuk84
Oct 27, 2016
What a handy way to use up your scrap yarns. Each hat will be unique and it would be so easy to make each hat customised for each wearer. I also love that this pattern comes in so many sizes. I hate finding a pattern only to find that it comes in just one size, with no instructions on how to increase the size.
ETCROCHETS
Jun 22, 2016
FO at the end of every round stands for "Fasten Off". It is basically another way of saying that you are going to change yarn color after each round.
Cheryl Y
Jun 02, 2016
I do like this Scrap Buster hat, there are many questions that should be answered.. After reading the pattern that is now on this page I see there is no stitch guide. I understand all but one of the abbreviations. What does FO at the end of every round mean? To answer gildamattose question BLO means back loop only. I would like to make the scrap buster hat and hope it turns out well even if I don't know what the FO stands for. I really like the added braid instead of using a pom-pom. Thank you for this free hat pattern.
gildamattoso 55974 52
Feb 27, 2016
I dont understand what is BLO on the second row. Is this not worked in rounds ? What is FO abreviation I feel I am missing something. Dont quite understand how is worked. I like the idea of the scrap hat and want to do for my grandson.
jjpolistico 877873 8
Dec 28, 2014
I can't get the pattern. The link takes you to a web page that says to get the pattern from here?
craftyrosie
Oct 04, 2014
Just loved reading your intro to the actual pattern, funny and imaginative. Is the cat in the pic with the box scraps an oriental shorthair with the big ears? He looks like my Twix. I may make this hat just for fun to wear in a show to represent our knitting/crochet club
bobbylonardo 50143 99
Sep 06, 2014
I made one of these for my 11 year old daughter last year and she loved it! She got tons of compliments from her friends.
ktgriggs2 7650581
Jul 06, 2014
I MADE THIS HAT AND LOVED IT. I'LL BE USING MY LITTLE BALLS OF YARN TO MAKE AND DONATE THESE HATS. I POSTED A LINK ON MY BLOG TO THE PATTERN. THANK YOU FOR SHARING AND HAPPY CROCHETING.
teaellen
Feb 02, 2013
really cute. BTW, I had no problem accessing the pattern so the link has been fixed. It has so many different colors of yarn or only use a few!
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