Bun Up Hat

Bun Up Hat by TDLowe Designs

What You Will Make

The Bun Up Hat is an intermediate-level crochet design that creates a functional hat with a distinctive bun opening at the crown. This downloadable PDF pattern from TDLowe Designs offers a creative solution for those who want to wear their hair in a bun while keeping their head warm. The hat features a contrasting color band at the base and a main body worked in a complementary yarn color, with the option to add a decorative button detail to the design.

Crochet Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate crochet techniques to construct the hat. The band is created using slip stitches worked in the back loop only, which creates a textured ribbed effect that provides structure and elasticity. The main hat body uses single crochet stitches and slip stitches to join rows, creating a dense, warm fabric. The pattern includes shaping techniques where stitches are left unworked to create the opening at the crown, allowing the wearer's bun to pass through while maintaining the hat's fitted shape around the head.

Stitches Featured

• Chain (Ch) – Used to create the foundation for both the band and hat sections
• Single Crochet (Sc) – The primary stitch used throughout the hat body for structure and density
• Slip Stitch (Slst) – Used in the band for texture and to join rows and sections together
• Back Loop Only (Blo) – A variation technique used in the band rows to create a ribbed appearance

Materials and Yarn Requirements

This project requires a size J hook or 6mm crochet hook and worsted weight yarn. The pattern calls for I Love This Yarn in two colorways: approximately 1 ounce in Linen for the contrasting band, and 2 to 2.5 ounces in Painted Canyon for the main hat body. A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in yarn ends, and a decorative button is included as an optional embellishment for the button flap detail.

Pattern Structure

The Bun Up Hat is constructed in two main sections. The band section is worked first using the contrasting Linen yarn, with slip stitches in the back loop only creating a ribbed texture that measures approximately 1¾ to 2 inches wide. After the band reaches the desired width, the pattern transitions to working single crochet in both loops to prepare for joining the main hat body. The hat body is then worked in the Painted Canyon yarn, with a foundation chain of either 21 or 31 stitches depending on whether you prefer an opening for the bun or a closed crown. Rows are constructed by working single crochet stitches in the back loop only toward the top of the hat, with strategic unworked stitches creating the distinctive bun opening.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, the Bun Up Hat requires familiarity with basic crochet stitches and an understanding of how to read pattern instructions. The intermediate classification reflects the pattern's use of multiple techniques including back loop only work, color changes, and shaping through selective stitch placement. Crocheters with experience completing basic projects will find this hat an appropriate next step in skill development.