Free pattern for an easy crochet cloche hat worked seamlessly and entirely in the round. Adorned with a beautiful crochet rosette that is added separately (instructions included in pattern).
What is a cloche hat?
A cloche hat, or simply cloche, is a bell-shaped hat that was “the hat” of the 1920’s era.
Invented in 1908 by renowned French designer Caroline Reboux these hats gained popularity in the fashion world when worn by “Flappers”.
Flappers were stylish young women known for a wild nature, heavy smoking and drinking, and rebellion towards standard social norms of the time.
Thus, cloche hats have often been called “flapper hats” or “1920’s hats”.
Cloche is the French word for “bell” so it’s not surprising that these hats are soft, rounded, and sit close to the head.
These hats are usually made of felt and adorned with large flowers, however, in this tutorial I am going to show you how to crochet a cloche hat that is just as beautiful and stylish as the felt versions!
What hairstyle works best when wearing a cloche hat?
In the 1920’s the bobbed hairstyle dominated the fashion industry and it was ideal for this type of hat.
However, I personally think cloche hats look equally good with long hairstyles as well and often wear mine whether my hair is long or short.
What is the difference between a cloche hat and a bucket hat?
The main difference between a bucket hat and a cloche hat is that bucket hat tends to have a square shaped based. Cloche hats, on the other hand, have round bases.
However, crochet cloche hats also tend to have round bases. So the true difference when it comes to crochet bucket hats and crochet cloche hats is the fit.
Crochet cloche hats are fitted and are snug around the head while crochet bucket hats are loosely fitted and not typically snug up against the head.
Additionally, often, the brim of a crochet cloche hat is worked longer than the brim of a crochet bucket hat. This is so part of the brim can curl up on a crochet cloche hat, but does also provide some additional length to the hat itself.
Chloé Crochet Cloche Hat Pattern
**THIS IS AN ORIGINAL PATTERN. Please see my Copyright Statement for details.
A timeless crochet piece. The Chloé Cloche is an easy crochet hat with classic style inspired by the cloches of the 1920’s “flapper” era. Worked entirely in the round, this bell shaped is worn fitted & snug. Plus, it comes together in a snap and takes only a few hours to work up. A beautiful crochet accessory that’s the perfect addition to any wardrobe.
Construction
This pattern is constructed entirely in the round as one piece.
- There are 3 sections: Image 1. Crown Images 2-3. Body Image 4. Brim
- Rosette is constructed separately and sewn to body of hat. Image 5.
All photos depict Teen/Sm. Adult size hat.
Difficulty level
Difficulty level : Intermediate/Easy
Gauge/Tension
15 stitches and 11 rows = 4 x 4-inches using G/6 4.20mm hook in single crochet (sc) worked in the round.
Recommended yarn
KnitPicks/WeCrochet CotLin DK #3 weight. 70% Tanguis Cotton, 30% Linen, 123 yards/50grams.
Colors: A = Macchiato B = Cashew
I’d like to say a big thank you to We Crochet for sponsoring this project and donating all the yarn used to design it! I choose CotLin DK because I wanted a lightweight cloche hat for spring or summer.
Most crochet cloche hats I’ve seen use a medium 4 worsted weight yarn, but I felt that would make a warm weather hat a bit bulkier and heavier, and thus, hotter, than I wanted.
CotLin DK was not only the perfect weight, but also the perfect blend as cotton and linen are exactly the right materials to use for a crochet project designed to stay cooler for those hotter times of the year.
If you’d like to learn more about how to choose the right yarn for a specific crochet project, please check out A Guide to Yarn: Weights, Fibers, & How to Choose It
Yardage requirements
*provided requirements are estimates only
Total yardage:
Preemie to Newborn (0-3 months)
- Color A = 20yds / 18m to 30yds / 36m
- Color B = 7yds / 6.4m to 19yds / 17m
3-6 months to 6-12 months
- Color A = 35yds / 32m to 45 yds / 41m
- Color B = 13yds / 12m to 25yds / 23m
Toddler (1-3 years) to child (3-10 years)
- Color A = 65yds / 59m to 75 yds / 59m
- Color B = 25yds / 23m to 37yds / 34m
Teen/Sm Adult to Lg Adult/Mens
- Color A = 130yds / 119m to 145 yds / 133m
- Color B = 50yds / 46m to 62yds / 57m
Yarn alternatives
DK weight yarn
Other Materials
- Crochet Hook size G/6 4.25 mm or whatever hook is necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
- Measuring tape
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Abbreviations
Pattern is written in US terms.
- Stitch / es (st / sts)
- Yarn over (Yo)
- Skip (sk)
- Slip stitch (slp-st)
- Back post only (BPO)
- Back loop only (BLO)
- Chain stitch (ch / chs)
- Single crochet (sc)
- Half double crochet (hdc)
- Double crochet (dc)
- Treble crochet (tr)
- * ___ * Repeat indicated instructions
Special Stitches
Magic ring (MR) – make a loop of yarn and work the first round of stitches into that adjustable loop. Pull one end of the loop to tighten it.
Finished Dimensions/Sizing
All measurements are approximate, measured flat pre-use, and are provided in inches. Cloche hat can be made to any size per the chart below.
- Increase to crown diameter that is 0.75 to 1 inches smaller than indicated in chart for each age range.
- Hat length will extend passed the ear. Add 1 inch to the Hat Length indicated in chart.
Additional Notes
Read all pattern notes, instructions, and other provided details carefully before starting the project to make sure you understand everything. It could save you hours & a lot of headaches!
- For gauge/tension, make a swatch of each square that measures at least 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 inches using the stitch provided under the Gauge Section. If your swatch matches the gauge, then you are all set to start the project. If the gauge is wrong, you might need to change your crochet hook – increase your hook size if your stitches are smaller & decrease your hook size if your stitches are larger.
- All given measurements are unblocked and measured pre-wear and as fabric pieces may stretch during/after blocking, and wearing.
- Provided measurements are as exact as possible, but are given as approximates. This is because yarn variances, crochet tension & individual technique might give variations in the result, which changes from person to person.
- Stitch counts are given in [ ] at the end of each row. If no stitch count is given, then the count is the same as the previous row.
- The crown, body, and brim of this pattern is worked in continuous rounds. There will be NO joining at the end of each round, or turning and chaining.
- The rosette is worked flat in rows.
- Care Instructions: Hand wash & lay flat to dry or follow instructions on the yarn label.
Instructions
Crown
- Preemie work through round 2
- Newborn (0-3 months) work through round 3
- 3-6 months work through round 4
- 6-12 months work through round 5
- Toddler (1-3 years) work through round 6
- Child (3-10 years) work through round 7
- Teen/Sm Adult work through round 8
- Lg Adult/Men work through round 9
Color A
Make a magic ring, ch 2 ( counts as a hdc), work 7 hdc into the ring [8 hdc]
Round 1: Work 2 hdc in the blo in each st around. Place a st marker in the last st. [16 hdc]
Round 2: *Hdc in the blo of the next st, 2 hdc in the blo of the next st*, Repeat from * to* around, remove st marker, ending with 2 hdc in the last st, place st marker in the last st. [24 hdc]
Round 3: *Hdc in the blo of the next 2 sts, 2 hdc in the blo of the next st*. Repeat from * to * around, remove the st maker, ending with 2 hdc in the last st, place st marker in the last st. [32 hdc]
Round 4: *Hdc in the blo of the next 3 sts, 2 hdc in the blo of the next st*. Repeat from * to * around, remove the st maker, ending with 2 hdc in the last st, place st marker in the last st. [40 hdc]
Round 5: *Hdc in the blo of the next 4 sts, 2 hdc in the blo of the next st*. Repeat from * to * around, remove the st maker, ending with 1 hdc in the last st, place st marker in the last st. [48 hdc]
Round 6: *Hdc in the blo of the next 5 sts, 2 hdc in the blo of the next st*. Repeat from * to * around, remove the st maker, ending with 2 hdc in the last st, place st marker in the last st. [56 hdc]
Round 7: *Hdc in the blo of the next 6 sts, 2 hdc in the blo of the next st*. Repeat from * to * around, remove the st maker, ending with 1 hdc in the last st, place st marker in the last st. [64 hdc]
Round 8: *Hdc in the blo of the next 7 sts, 2 hdc in the blo of the next st*. Repeat from * to * around, remove the st maker, ending with 2 hdc in the last st, place st marker in the last st. [72 hdc]
Round 9: *Hdc in the blo of the next 7 sts, 2 hdc in the blo of the next st*. Repeat from * to * around, remove the st maker, ending with 2 hdc in the last st, place st marker in the last st. [79 hdc]
Body
Round 1: Sc in the blo of each st around.
NOTE: Stitch count should be the same as the last round you worked for the crown.
Repeat round 1 until hat measures approximately:
- Preemie – 1 inches
- Newborn (0-3 months) – 2 inches
- 3-6 months – 2.5 inches
- 6-12 months – 3.5 inches
- Toddler (1-3 years) – 4 inches
- Child (3-10 years) – 4.5 inches
- Teen/Sm Adult – 5 inches
- Lg Adult/Men work – 5.5 inches
Change to Color B
Round 1: Sc in each st (under both loops) around.
Repeat round 1 until hat measures approximately:
- Preemie – 3 inches
- Newborn (0-3 months) – 4 inches
- 3-6 months – 4.5 inches
- 6-12 months – 5.5 inches
- Toddler (1-3 years) – 6 inches
- Child (3-10 years) – 6.5 inches
- Teen/Sm Adult – 7 inches
- Lg Adult/Men work – 7.5 inches
Brim
Change to Color A
Round 1: *Sc in the blo of next st, 2 sc in the blo of the next st*. Repeat from * to * around.
Round 2: Sc in each st around.
Repeat round 2 until hat measures approximately:
- Preemie – 5 inches
- Newborn (0-3 months) – 6 inches
- 3-6 months – 6.5 inches
- 6-12 months – 7.5 inches
- Toddler (1-3 years) – 8 inches
- Child (3-10 years) – 8.5 inches
- Teen/Sm Adult – 9 inches
- Lg Adult/Men work – 9.5 inches
Bind off & weave in ends.
Rosette
- Step-by-step photo tutorial
- Step-by-step video tutorial
Color A
- Preemie – chain 21
- Newborn (0-3 months) – chain 21
- 3-6 months – chain 31
- 6-12 months – chain 31
- Toddler (1-3 years) – chain 41
- Child (3-10 years) – chain 41
- Teen/Sm Adult – chain 51
- Lg Adult/Men work – chain 51
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook in the bpo and in each ch across to end.
Row 2: Turn work, sc in the 1st st, ch 2, *skip 1 sc, sc in the next st, ch 2*. Repeat from * to * up to the last st, sc in the last st.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn work, *(sc, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc) in the next ch 2 – sp*. Repeat from * to * to end.
Bind Off & Weave in Ends
Roll the rosette together as indicated in images 7 – 9.
Seam bottom of rosette as indicated in image 10.
Seam the rosette to the hat at the transitions between colors A & B as indicated in image 11.
Crochet Cloche Hat FAQs
Let’s answer some of the common questions people have about cloche hats!
Are cloche hat still popular?
Generally speaking, cloche hats fell out of popularity around 1933. This has to do with the fact hair styles changed.
As mentioned earlier, cloche hats created a gorgeous silhouette for the fashionable bobbed hair style of the 1920’s.
However, in later decades women began to grow their hair longer and more feminine.
Thus, hats that were smaller, with wider brims and jauntily perched on top of the head became more popular.
That being said, I personally love cloche hats and find them to have a simply chic and classy style.
Those who feel the same remain dedicated to the gorgeous cloche and still wear them in today’s modern society!
Are Gatsby hats the same as cloche hats?
In short, yes. However, this is not a standard name for cloche hats.
This name comes from The Great Gatsby, a book by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in 1925.
The book is also set in the Jazz age (1920’s) and thus the female characters wear the most fashionable hat of the time, the cloche hat.
Thus, cloche hats are sometimes dubbed “Gatsby” hats after this famous piece of literature.
More crochet hat patterns
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Bobbi Jo
Tuesday 16th of January 2024
I see from other comments that other people had a problem with the logo overlaying everything. Still having problem in 2024. Hmmm
Itchin4Stitchin
Monday 12th of February 2024
Hi Bobbi Jo,
I think there is some sort of element on this post in particular that is causing some intermittent issue. I haven't figured out what it is yet and think I'll just have to redo the post. I'll redo it as soon as I can. In the meantime, I've cleared my cache and that usually clears it up for a while. You can email me if it happens again and I'll continue to clear the cache until I get a new post up. My email is [email protected]
I apologize for the inconvenience.
Sincerely,
RaeLynn
Patty
Tuesday 19th of September 2023
Hard to see the pattern, your logo is overlaying everything. Am I doing something wrong?
Itchin4Stitchin
Thursday 21st of September 2023
Hi Patty,
Hmmm... may I ask what device you are using? I've just checked my desktop, iPhone, and iPad - it seems fine on all of those. I'll clear my cache just in case.
Let me know if you keep having issues and I can reach out to my theme developer. You can email me at [email protected] with photos if you like so I can pass it on to them.
Sincere thanks,
RaeLynn
Ginny B.
Tuesday 23rd of May 2023
Nevermind, it is all ok now. Thanks again.
Itchin4Stitchin
Tuesday 23rd of May 2023
Hi Ginny,
Yay! My fix worked. :)
Have a great day!
Best,
RaeLynn
Ginny B.
Tuesday 23rd of May 2023
I am not finding the free download... seems that everything is overlaying each other. Thanks for the help and great pattern.
Itchin4Stitchin
Tuesday 23rd of May 2023
Hi Ginny,
Thanks for letting me know. I had the same issue! I cleared my cache and did some support stuff on the backend. May take a bit, but it should right itself soon.
Sincerely,
RaeLynn
Claire
Tuesday 23rd of May 2023
Just wondering if acrylic yarn would work or does it need cotton for the shape?
Claire
Tuesday 23rd of May 2023
@Itchin4Stitchin, Thanks, yes I can size ok and I will only wear in cold weather as our summers in Australia where I am are too hot. Thinking I will be able to match it to a cardign I'm making :)
Itchin4Stitchin
Tuesday 23rd of May 2023
Hi Claire,
You can use acrylic, but if using a medium 4 you will need to use a larger hook and less rounds for sure. If you follow the sizing chart and instructions under Finished Dimensions/Sizing you should be able to adjust the pattern easily. Does that make sense? Cotton yarn was used because I wanted a lightweight cloche for spring and summer. If you use a medium 4, please keep in mind the hat will be thicker, heavier, and warmer.
Does that make sense?
Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you need help making adjustments. :)
Sincerely,
RaeLynn