Funkytown Hat in Berroco Summer Sesame - Downloadable PDF

Funkytown Hat in Berroco Summer Sesame – Crochet Pattern Summary

The Funkytown Hat is an intermediate-level crochet hat pattern designed by Alison Green and published by Berroco. This downloadable PDF pattern produces a stylish, textured hat with a finished circumference of approximately 20½ inches (52 cm) and a height of 9 inches (23 cm), making it a well-proportioned fit for most adult heads. The design is distinguished by its use of individual crocheted motifs that are assembled together, giving the hat a bold, geometric, and artisan aesthetic that lives up to its playful name.

Construction and Design Overview

What sets the Funkytown Hat apart from a standard top-down or bottom-up crochet hat is its unique modular construction method. The hat is built around seven individual square motifs, each measuring approximately 3¼ inches (8 cm) square before being sewn together. These motifs are joined in the round to form the body of the hat. Once the motifs are assembled, stitches are picked up around the top edge and worked upward to shape the crown. The brim is then worked downward in the round from the bottom edge of the motifs. This construction sequence — motifs first, crown second, brim last — is an inventive approach that gives the finished hat its structured, dimensional quality.

Techniques Used

• Modular motif construction: Seven individual square motifs are crocheted separately and then sewn together in the round to form the main body of the hat.
• Working in the round: Both the crown and the brim are worked in continuous rounds after stitches are picked up from the assembled motif section.
• Picking up stitches: Stitches are picked up around the top edge of the joined motifs to begin the crown shaping, a technique that requires careful stitch placement for a clean finish.
• Seaming: The motifs are sewn together using a tapestry needle, so basic finishing and seaming skills are expected at this intermediate level.
• Cluster stitches: The pattern uses special cluster stitch techniques, including a beginning dc3tog cluster and a dc3tog cluster, which are central to creating the textured, dimensional surface of the motifs.
• Chain ring foundation: Each motif begins with a chain-5 ring joined with a slip stitch, a classic motif-starting technique.
• Stitch marker use: Locking stitch markers are recommended as notions, indicating their use in tracking rounds or key stitch positions during construction.

Stitches Used

• Single crochet (sc) – used in the brim and crown sections
• Double crochet (dc) – used in the crown and brim sections
• Slip stitch (sl st) – used to join chain rings and rounds
• Beginning dc3tog cluster – a special cluster stitch that begins with a chain-3, working into a chain-1 space to create a gathered, bobble-like texture
• Dc3tog cluster – a three-double-crochet cluster worked entirely into a chain-1 space, adding bold stitch relief to the motif surface
• Chain stitch (ch) – used throughout for foundations, turning chains, and spacing within motifs

Gauge

The pattern specifies three distinct gauge measurements, reflecting the different sections of the hat and the two hook sizes used:

• Motif gauge: Each motif measures 3¼ inches (8 cm) square using the larger hook (size G / 4 mm)
• Single crochet gauge: 22 sc and 24 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) using the smaller hook (size F / 3.75 mm)
• Double crochet gauge: 22 dc and 9½ rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) using the smaller hook (size F / 3.75 mm)