Sun hat crochet patterns are the fastest way to add UPF protection and summer style to any outfit, and cotton, raffia, and paper yarns keep them light enough for the hottest afternoons at the beach or in the garden. From wide-brim glamour to floppy bucket hats to packable travel styles, the right sun hat pulls together every warm-weather look while shielding your face and shoulders from harsh rays.
This roundup gathers 25 free crochet sun hat patterns organized by brim style and use case, so you can jump straight to the silhouette you want to make. You’ll find wide-brim floppy stunners, structured bucket hats, packable raffia designs, boho and festival styles, plus baby and toddler sun hats. Want to see beanies, ear-flap hats, and every other topper alongside these summer picks? Browse our full guide to free crochet hat patterns for 41 more designs.
Table of Contents
Wide-brim & floppy sun hats
Wide-brim and floppy sun hats deliver the most face and shoulder coverage of any style, and they read as instantly glamorous on the beach or at an outdoor lunch. Most work up in cotton, cotton blends, or crochet thread and drape naturally around the brim edge — you can leave them soft for a Grace Kelly moment or add wire for a firmer sweep.
1. Free Floppy Sun Hat Crochet Pattern
This wide-brim floppy sun hat from Anne Egan at Gathered.how works up in cool DK cotton with candy-colored horizontal stripes, so you get an instantly cheerful look while cleaning out your stash. Finished dimensions come in at a 40cm diameter, 15cm depth, and 55cm head circumference — a proper, dramatic sun-blocking brim. It’s a weekend project and a great way to use up leftover cotton in whatever palette makes you happy.
2. Floppy Sun Hat Free Crochet Pattern
Ashlea at Heart Hook Home designed this delicate wide-brim floppy hat using Red Heart Mercerized crochet thread and a 2.25mm hook for a beautifully fine, lacy feel. The finished hat gets starched with a homemade heavy starch solution to lock in that gorgeous drape around the brim. It’s an intermediate project that pays off with a truly vintage summer silhouette.
3. Floppy Shell Brim Sun Hat
Erangi Udeshika at Crochet For You pairs a fitted single-crochet crown with a floppy shell-stitch brim on this bulky-yarn beauty, and the whole thing comes together in about a day using one skein of Lion Brand Rewind. The shell edging gives the brim a soft, decorative sweep that feels beachy without being fussy. Beginner-friendly and quick — a perfect first sun hat project.
4. Beach Day Sunhat
Jennifer Pionk at A Crocheted Simplicity designed the Beach Day Sunhat with a slightly wavy brim edge and an optional decorative lace tie for that vintage-postcard look. It fits head sizes 21.5″ to 23″ and comes with clear instructions for adding millinery wire if you want a firmer brim shape. Worked in sport-weight cotton at intermediate level, it’s an elegant weekend make that pairs beautifully with a linen dress.
5. Wildflower Romance Lace Summer Hat
Kirsten Holloway’s Wildflower Romance hat is a lightweight lace summer topper with delicate floral accents and gorgeous varied stitch texture across the crown and brim. Worked in fingering-weight yarn on a 3.25mm hook, it finishes at about 7″ tall by 9.75″ wide with generous stretch. It’s an intermediate project with just enough texture play to keep you interested, and it lands on the pretty side of cottagecore.
6. Soft Cotton Sunhat
Rhondda Mol at Oombawka Design Crochet designed this cotton summer hat for full scalp coverage that reaches down to the hairline, with a soft brim you can fold, pin, or leave loose. It works up in a day using worsted cotton on a 5mm hook and includes an optional carnation flower embellishment for a sweet finishing touch. A great one-skein project that’s beginner-friendly.
7. August Sun Hat
Breann Mauldin at Hooked on Homemade Happiness created the August Sun Hat as part of a CAL for a cause, and it’s become a classic tight-stitched summer hat with a beautifully proportioned silhouette. Simple crown increases and straight brim rounds mean it’s an easy make, and the final crab stitch edge gives it a polished finish. Worked in worsted cotton on a 4mm hook — a lovely everyday summer hat that offers real sun coverage.
Bucket & fitted sun hats
Bucket hats and fitted sun hats sit closer to the head with a shorter, more structured brim — the shape that stays put in a breeze and packs down easily for travel. They’re beginner-friendly (a straight crown circle plus straight brim rounds) and read as effortlessly cool with everything from swimsuits to jeans.
8. Fun & Simple Crochet Bucket Sun Hat (Millie Belle)
Heather at HayHay Crochet designed this bucket-style sun hat with a well-proportioned dome crown and a medium brim that can be worn two ways for adjustable coverage. Available in two sizes, it works up in either raffia or Sugar ‘n Cream cotton depending on the vibe you want — structured beachy or soft everyday. The video tutorial walks you through it stitch by stitch, so it’s an ideal beginner project.
9. Solara Sunhat
Michelle Moore at MJ’s Off The Hook Designs uses an elegant shell stitch across the entire body of this cotton bucket-style sun hat, giving it a wide, structured brim with real texture. Available in baby, child, and adult sizes, it’s a beginner-friendly project that scales beautifully for family-matching sets. The video tutorial makes it easy to follow along even if shell stitch is new to you.
10. Basic Sun Hat with Reinforced Brim
Rhondda Mol’s second entry, the Basic Sun Hat, comes in three adult sizes and includes a clever reinforced brim option that stands up on its own without needing wire. Worked in worsted cotton on a 4mm hook, it uses just over 200 yards, so it’s a one-skein weekend project. Great pick if you want a structured, everyday sun hat that actually keeps its shape wash after wash.
11. Crochet June Sun Hat
Ashleigh at Sewrella designed the June Sun Hat as a lightweight, breezy summer topper that works up in bulky yarn with a slip-stitch stabilization trick along the brim — no wires, no starch, no glue needed. It’s a day project with a classic bucket silhouette, and the bulky yarn means you cover ground fast. Perfect for casual beach days or last-minute gifts.
12. Sun Daze Bucket Hat
Breann Mauldin’s Sun Daze Bucket Hat uses V stitches and half double crochet worked in the third loop for a breathable, textured fabric that reads as summer even in solid cotton. Sized for teen/small adult and large adult, it uses about 140 yards of worsted cotton on a 4.5mm hook. An intermediate project with a light, airy feel that beats out plain single crochet on both looks and breathability.
13. Oh Snap! Bucket Hat
Juli Anne at Once Upon a Cheerio designed this checkerboard bucket hat worked from the crown down in continuous rounds using two alternating cotton colors. It fits adult heads 21″ to 23″ and hits that Y2K-checkered vibe that’s back in a big way. Beginner-friendly and quick — an ideal day project for beach trips or running errands in the sun.
Raffia, straw-look & packable travel hats
Raffia and paper yarns give crochet sun hats a real straw look and enough structure to pack flat in a suitcase, then bounce right back. These are the hats you throw in a beach bag on the way out the door — they hold their shape, block real UV, and pair with everything from linen sundresses to a swimsuit.
14. Beach Day Crochet Sun Hat
Jane at Jenny & Teddy designed this one-size-fits-all wide-brim raffia sun hat using a solid shell stitch worked in Ra-ra Raffia yarn. Finished dimensions include a 7-inch crown depth and 3-inch brim — real coverage in a lightweight, packable package. It’s a beginner project you can knock out in a weekend and take straight to the beach.
15. Handy Little Me Raffia Sun Hat
Louise Bollanos at Handy Little Me uses lightweight King Cole raffia worked in simple stitches in spirals — no turning chains, no seaming, no fuss. It fits head sizes 22 to 24 inches and packs completely flat for travel, then springs back into shape when you put it on. A beginner-friendly boho pick that’s perfect for the summer travel bag.
16. Cleo Fedora
Jess Coppom at Make & Do Crew designed the Cleo Fedora as a packable, moldable sun hat with an optional wire-reinforced brim for structure. It uses continuous single crochet in Lion Brand Rewind bulky yarn and can be finished with a leather chin strap for that Western/festival vibe. Beginner-level construction with a very grown-up result — one of the most versatile sun hats in this roundup.
17. Cotton Summer Beach Vibe Sun Hat
Jane at Jenny & Teddy returns with a classic bucket-style summer hat with a floppy brim, worked in DK cotton held double for extra body without extra bulk. It uses only single and double crochet and finishes at about 9.5″ tall including the brim. Beginner-friendly with a video walkthrough, and it packs down easily for that beach-house or road-trip suitcase.
Boho, festival & flower-trimmed sun hats
Boho and festival sun hats lean into personality — think granny shells, back-post texture, striped color-blocking, and playful details. Pair any of these with a swim beach cover-up crochet pattern and you have a full festival or beach look ready to go.
18. Color Splash Sun Hat
Kat at Krazy Kabbage designed this adult-sized sun hat around a spiral ribbed focal-point crown made with back-post stitches — it’s the kind of detail that makes people ask where you got your hat. Works in solid, ombré, or striped color combos for a totally customizable summer look. Worked in worsted cotton on a 5mm hook; a weekend make with a real design statement.
19. Popsicle Sun Hat
Also from Krazy Kabbage, the Popsicle Sun Hat is a happy striped summer topper in sunny yellow, juicy orange, berry pink, and lime cotton bands. A magic-ring crown and floppy brim built from spiral increases keep the construction beginner-friendly, and the color palette is pure festival fun. A day project that reads as an instant good mood.
20. The Chloe Granny Stitch Sun Hat
Cyprianne Nolan at Pretty Darn Adorable designed the Chloe as a granny-shell-stitch sun hat with a floppy ruffled brim and a tightly worked crown for real sun coverage. Sized from 0 to 6 months all the way through adult with optional wire brim finishing, it’s a fantastic pick for family-matching sets or a boho-mama-and-me look. Easy skill level with a huge visual payoff — that granny-stitch texture reads instantly summery.
21. Granny Stitch Sun Hat (Child)
Dorianna at The Lavender Chair built this child-sized sun hat with granny shell stitches on the crown and a double-crochet brim, worked in worsted cotton for lightness and breathability. It’s an intermediate project that comes together in a day. A great festival-ready hat for kids with a colorful, textured look that stands out.
Baby & toddler sun hats
Baby and toddler sun hats need to be light, breathable, and forgiving on delicate skin — cotton and cotton blends are the go-to yarns, and top-down crown constructions let you size up or down without redoing math. These four hats cover baby, toddler, and older-kid needs.
22. Cleo Fedora Mini (Kids)
The kids’ version of Jess Coppom’s Cleo Fedora is a packable, moldable little sun hat sized from baby through tween, with the same optional wire brim stiffening as the adult version. Styling options include braided accents or a leather chin strap. Beginner-friendly and endlessly cute — perfect for family-matching sets or a birthday-gift stack.
23. Simple Summer Sun Hat (All Sizes)
Crystal Marin at ChristaCoDesign designed this top-down summer sun hat with breathable mesh sides, an adjustable brim, and a decorative ribbon detail. Available in eight sizes from newborn through adult, it’s the ultimate one-pattern-fits-the-whole-family project. Worked in cotton on a 4mm hook at beginner level — a day project you’ll make in every size.
24. Easy Toddler Sun Hat
Also from Crystal Marin, this quick toddler sun hat has an open mesh side design and a small brim, sized for ages 1 to 3. It uses breathable worsted cotton and finishes with a decorative ribbon tie for a secure fit. A day project that eats up minimal yarn — great for last-minute summer gifts.
25. Baby Crochet Sun Hat
Crochet ‘n’ Create’s baby sun hat is designed for 3 to 6 month olds with a basic crown, a small added brim, and a decorative chain tie threaded through the crown rows. It’s worked in King Cole Cottonsoft DK for lightweight, breathable coverage. An easy day project and a lovely handmade baby shower gift.
Tips for making a great crochet sun hat
A few small choices make the difference between a sun hat that stays crisp all summer and one that goes floppy after the first wear. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Choose the right yarn. Cotton and cotton/linen blends are breathable and washable and hold their shape well. Raffia and paper yarn give you that real straw look with structure baked in. Skip wool — it’s warm, and warm is not what you want in July.
- Stiffen the brim. The three classic tricks are crocheting the final round over millinery or galvanized wire, spray-starching the finished brim and pressing it with a hot iron, or holding two strands of yarn together throughout for extra body. For a crisp brim angle, work single crochet in the front loops only along the transition round.
- Nail the sizing. Sun hat crown depth is easy to adjust — add or remove crown rounds before you start the brim increases. A too-small crown will pop off in a breeze, and a too-loose one won’t sit level. Try it on as you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best yarn for a crochet sun hat?
Cotton is the standard for good reason — it’s breathable, washable, holds its shape, and comes in every color under the sun. Cotton/linen blends give you a slightly crisper hand. Raffia and paper yarn deliver a straw-look finish with built-in structure, so they’re ideal for packable travel hats. Skip wool entirely for summer wear — it’s warm, itchy on hot skin, and doesn’t drape the way cotton does.
How do you make a crochet sun hat brim stiff so it doesn’t flop?
Three tricks work well. First, crochet the final brim round over millinery or galvanized wire, which lets you shape and reshape the brim. Second, spray-starch the finished brim and press it with a hot iron using a pressing cloth — great for lace and lightweight cotton hats. Third, hold two strands of yarn together throughout for a naturally stiffer fabric. For a crisp brim angle, work single crochet in the front loops only along the round where the brim starts.
Are crochet sun hats good for actual sun protection (UPF)?
Yes, if you make them right. Tightly worked cotton or raffia in single crochet or half double crochet gives real UPF because the stitches leave very little space for UV to pass through. Open lacy patterns look pretty but let more UV reach your skin. For serious sun protection, aim for a wide brim (3.5″ minimum), dense stitches, and darker or brighter colors, which absorb more UV than pastels or whites.
Can beginners crochet a sun hat?
Absolutely. A basic sun hat is just a crown circle plus straight sides plus brim increases, and most of the stitching is single crochet or half double crochet. Start with a bucket or simple wide-brim style before you tackle lace, fedora shapes, or complex shell-stitch brims. Many patterns in this roundup are marked beginner and come together in a single afternoon — a great way to build hat-making confidence.
Save your favorites to a Summer Crochet Pinterest board so you can pull them up the moment beach-day plans get made. Whichever style you start with, share what you make — a handmade sun hat is exactly the kind of piece that gets compliments all summer long.
