Basketweave Hat in Cascade Boliviana Bulky - B235 - Downloadable PDF

Basketweave Hat in Cascade Boliviana Bulky – Pattern B235 by Anna R. Simonsen

This free downloadable PDF crochet pattern, B235 Boliviana Bulky Basketweave Hat, was designed by Anna R. Simonsen and published by Cascade Yarns. It produces a warm, textured hat worked in the round from the crown down, featuring a classic basketweave surface that gives the finished piece a richly dimensional, woven appearance. The pattern is rated Intermediate in skill level and is sized for both women and men.

What Is Being Made

The project is a crocheted hat available in two sizes: a Women's size measuring 20 inches wide (unstretched) by 9 inches tall, and a Men's size measuring 22 inches wide by 10 inches tall. The hat is worked entirely in joined rounds, beginning at the crown with a magic ring and expanding outward before continuing down the body of the hat. The finished fabric is dense, stretchy, and well-suited to cold-weather wear.

Techniques Used

• Magic ring start: The hat begins with a magic ring, allowing the crafter to close the crown opening tightly with no hole at the top — an essential technique for seamless top-down construction.
• Working in the round: Every round is joined with a slip stitch, keeping the hat construction seamless and the basketweave pattern properly aligned throughout.
• Crown shaping: Increases are worked in the early rounds using double crochet increases to build the flat circular crown before transitioning into the straight body of the hat.
• Basketweave stitch pattern: The signature texture of this hat is created by alternating columns of front post double crochet (Fpdc) and back post double crochet (Bpdc) stitches. By working around the post of the stitch below rather than through the top loops, these post stitches push fabric forward or backward, creating the raised ridges and recessed channels that mimic the look of woven basketwork.

Stitches Used

• Chain stitch (Ch) – used at the beginning of rounds as a turning equivalent
• Slip stitch (Sl st) – used to join each round
• Single crochet (Sc) – used in the initial crown round worked into the magic ring
• Double crochet (Dc) – used in the increase rounds to build the crown circumference
• Front post double crochet (Fpdc) – a post stitch worked around the front of the stitch below, creating raised vertical ridges on the right side of the fabric
• Back post double crochet (Bpdc) – a post stitch worked around the back of the stitch below, creating recessed channels that contrast with the Fpdc ridges to complete the basketweave illusion

Materials and Tools

• Yarn: Cascade Yarns® Boliviana Bulky, a 100% Merino Wool yarn. Each skein contains 200 g (7.05 oz) and approximately 175 yards (160 m). The pattern calls for 1 skein in color #17 (Treetop). As a super chunky weight yarn, Boliviana Bulky works up quickly and produces a thick, cozy fabric that is ideal for cold-weather accessories. Merino wool is prized for its softness against the skin, natural elasticity, and excellent stitch definition — all qualities that make the basketweave texture stand out beautifully.
• Crochet Hook: Size N (10 mm), or the size needed to achieve the stated gauge.
• Additional Tools: A yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge

The stated gauge is 9 stitches × 8 rows = 4 inches (10 cm), measured blocked in the Basketweave pattern. Checking gauge before beginning is especially important for a fitted accessory like a hat, as even small variations can significantly affect the finished circumference and height.

Skill Level and S