Learn how to crochet a raffia bucket hat with a bold two-colour checkerboard design. In this video we go through the full process: starting the crown, building the sides, making clean colour changes and shaping the brim for a proper fit. It is a summer project that looks just as good in natural raffia shades as in bright colour combinations.
What you’ll be making
- Level: intermediate. Single crochet, working in the round and colour changes.
- Design: a two-colour checkerboard.
- Wear: a summer hat with a firm brim, thanks to the raffia.
How the hat is built
- Crown. Start in the round and increase until you reach your head diameter.
- Sides. Stop increasing and work straight to the depth you want.
- Checks. Change colour on the last yarn over of the previous stitch — that way the new colour comes in clean, with no fleck of the old one.
- Brim. Pick the increases back up, spread evenly, until you reach the brim width you want.
- Finish. One edging round and all ends woven in on the inside.
Common mistakes
- Changing colour on the wrong stitch. Switch at the start of a stitch and you get a fleck of the old colour at the edge of the check. Make the change on the last yarn over of the previous stitch.
- A rippling or domed crown. Too many increases ripple, too few dome. Try the crown on your head as it grows.
- Uneven tension with raffia. Raffia is unforgiving: keep your hand steady and don’t tug the yarn between stitches.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use something other than raffia?
Yes, but the brim loses its structure. Cotton gives a softer hat; for a firm brim, raffia is the best choice.
How do I adjust the size?
Stop increasing on the crown when the diameter matches your head, then work straight. It is the most reliable method.
Can it be washed?
Raffia should be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth. Don’t put it in the machine — the brim loses its shape.
