The Once Upon a Sparkle Crochet Hat is absolutely that hat. This free crochet hat pattern brings bold puff stitch texture together with a classic ribbed brim to create a design that’s playful, modern, and genuinely wearable. It’s fun to make, satisfying to finish, and (bonus!) looks great on everybody.
Whether you’re crocheting for yourself, for gifts, or because you just want an excuse to play with texture, this hat delivers.
Quick Pattern Overview
The Once Upon a Sparkle Crochet Hat is worked in the round, starting with a stretchy ribbed brim and transitioning into a beautifully textured puff stitch body. Two colors are carried up the side, giving you that eye-catching look without a pile of yarn ends to weave in (we love that for us 🙌).
In this post, you’ll learn:
Why puff stitches are such a texture win
How the ribbed brim helps the hat actually stay put
What makes this pattern size-inclusive
Easy ways to customize your finished hat
Where to find video support if you want it
Who This Pattern Is Perfect For 🧶
This pattern is a great fit if you:
Love textured crochet stitches
Want a hat that feels “special” but not stressful
Enjoy patterns with clear repeats
Want sizing that actually works for real humans
Appreciate video support when learning new stitches
If you can single crochet and are ready to try puff stitches, you’re more than ready for this one 💪
Why Puff Stitches Steal the Show ✨
Puff stitches add instant drama—in the best way. They create a raised, plush texture that makes even simple shapes feel extra special. In this hat, the puff stitches are worked in repeating rounds, so once you find the rhythm, it’s smooth sailing.
Paired with a snug ribbed brim, the result is a hat that looks fancy but feels friendly—and stays comfortably in place when you wear it.
What You Will Love About This Pattern 💖
Free crochet hat pattern
Bold puff stitch texture
Stretchy ribbed brim for comfort
Sizes from baby through adult
Optional pom pom and leather tag
Video tutorials included (because I’ve got you 😉)
✨ Designer Tip: Puff stitches love consistency—relax your hands, keep your loops even, and let the texture do the work.
Colors are carried up the side (no cutting every round 🎉)
Ribbing gives a comfy, stay-put fit
Yarn Notes & Custom Touches
The original sample used Red Heart Sparkle Soft and Red Heart Unforgettable. Sparkle Soft has since been discontinued, but no worries—this pattern works beautifully with other worsted-weight yarns that have good stitch definition.
⭐️ 3 Half Double Crochet Cluster (3 hdc-cl): *Yarn over hook, insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop; repeat from * twice more in same st, yarn over and draw through all 7 loops on hook.
⭐Back Loop Only (blo): This is the furthest loop to you of the top 2 loops of the stitch indicated, regardless if you are on the RS or WS.
⭐️Chain (Ch): With slip knot or free loop on hook, yarn over hook and pull through loop on hook.
⭐️Single Crochet (Sc): Insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook.
⭐️Slip Stitch (Sl st): Insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop and draw through loop on hook.
⭐️Single Crochet Two Together (Sc2tog): *Insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop; repeat from * in next stitch indicated, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
Directions are for size Baby; changes for sizes (Toddler-Child, Adult Small-Medium, Adult Large-Extra Large) are in parentheses. When only one number is given then that number applies to all sizes.
Brim of the hat is worked flat then seamed together before starting on the body of the hat.
Body of the hat is worked into the long side edge of the brim as instructed.
Body of the hat is worked in joined rounds. Use a marker to identify the first stitch of each round. Do not turn at the end of each round.
Do not cut colors, carry the color up the side of the project.
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Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn — 6 (8, 10, 10) sc.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc-blo in each sc across, turn.
Repeat row 2, 46 (54, 62, 70) times more —48 (56, 64, 72) rows.
Joining Row: Ch 1, *slip stitch into the front loop of next st and next ch on foundation ch at the same time: repeat from * across, do not turn, do not fasten off.
BODY
Turn to begin working on long edge of brim (around the row ends), with color A ch 1.
Set-up Round (RS): Evenly place 48 (56, 64, 72) sc along long side of brim, join to first sc (begin working in the round), do not turn throughout.
Round 1: With color A, ch 2, *3 hdc-cl in next sc, ch 1, skip next sc; repeat from * around, join to first st with sl st, sl st in next ch-1 sp, change color to B – 24 (28, 32, 36) ch-1 sps. Round 2: Ch 2, *3 hdc-cl in ch-sp, ch 1, skip next st; repeat from * around, join to first st with sl st, sl st in next ch-1 sp, change color to A.
Round 3: Ch 2, *3 hdc-cl in ch-sp, ch 1, skip next st; repeat from * around, join to first st with sl st, sl st in next ch-1 sp, change color to B.
Repeat rounds 2-3 until hat measures approx. 4.75 (5.5, 5.5, 6.25 )” [12 (14, 14, 16) cm] not including brim or to desired length, ending after a round 2.
CROWN
Round 1 (decrease round): Ch 2, *[3 hdc-cl in ch-sp, ch 1, skip next st] twice, 3 hdc-cl in next ch-sp, skip next st, 3 hdc-cl in next ch-sp, ch 1, skip next st; repeat from * around, join to first st with sl st, sl st in next ch-1 sp, change color to B – 18 (21, 24, 27) ch-1 sps.
Round 2 (decrease round): Ch 2, *3 hdc-cl in next ch-sp, skip next st, 3 hdc-cl in next ch-sp, ch 1, skip next sts, 3 hdc-cl in ch-sp, ch 1, skip next st; repeat from * around, join to first st with sl st, sl st in next ch-1 sp, change color to A – 12 (14, 16, 18) ch-1 sps.
Round 3 (decrease round): Ch 2, *3 hdc-cl in next ch-sp, skip next st, 3 hdc-cl in next ch-sp, ch 1, skip next sts; repeat from * around, join to first st with sl st, sl st in next ch-1 sp, change color to B – 6 (7, 8, 9) ch-1 sps.
Round 4 (decrease round): Ch 2, *3 hdc-cl in next ch-sp, ch 1, skip next sts; repeat from * around, join to first st with sl st, sl st in next ch-1 sp, change color to A – 6 (7, 8, 9) ch-1 sps.
Round 5 (decrease round): Ch 1, sc in each ch-sp around, join to first sc with sl st, fasten off with long tail- 6 (7, 8, 9) sc.
With the color A tail thread through a tapestry needle, weave yarn through every stitch. Pull to tighten the hat and close. Weave yarn around stitches, then back in the opposite direction to secure the end.
FINISHING
BRIM EDGING DETAIL (Optional)
With color B, insert hook from RS under the top 2 loops of any sc on the Set-up Round of body to WS around post of sc to front under the top 2 loops of next sc, yarn over with yarn on RS, pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook, *insert hook from RS to WS to RS under the top 2 loops of next sc, yarn over with yarn on RS, pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook; repeat from * around, sl st to first sc, fasten off and weave in ends.
(Optional) Add pom pom and Leather Tag with Leather Rivets
The Once Upon a Sparkle Crochet Hat is joyful, cozy, and just the right amount of extra. It’s the kind of project that reminds you why texture is so fun—and why handmade hats are always a good idea.
If you make one, I’d love to see it 💕 #mmmdi #marlybird
❤️ Your BiCrafty Bestie, Marly Bird
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Marly is a knitwear and crochet designer (and yarn addict) that is here to help you learn how to knit and crochet in a way that's fun and approachable.
