Patriotic Bucket Hat – Free Crochet American Flag Hat

Jun 12, 2026 | Crochet patterns

If you’ve been looking for the perfect crochet American flag hat to show off your patriotic spirit, I’ve got just the thing! This Patriotic Bucket Hat is designed on the foundation of my Essential Basic Bucket Hat and takes it to a whole new level with classic red and white stripes, a navy blue canton, and hand-embroidered white stars. Whether you’re crocheting for a Fourth of July parade or cookout, or just because you love red, white, and blue, this pattern is going to be your new summer favorite!

The best part? It’s available in all six sizes – from Newborn/6 Months all the way up to Adult XL – so you can make one for every member of the family. There’s something so special about a whole crew showing up in matching patriotic hats, don’t you think? And with straightforward single crochet stitches throughout and clever turned-round color work that dramatically reduces the number of ends to weave in, this hat is more achievable than it looks!

I used Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Red, White, and Navy for this crochet American flag hat and it’s honestly the perfect choice – it’s soft, washable, and gives you that crisp stitch definition that really makes the stripes pop. Pair it with my tapestry crochet tips tutorial and the Essential Basic Bucket Hat tutorial and you’ll be set up for success from the very first round!

Patriotic American Flag Crochet Bucket Hats

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Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Crochet American Flag Hat

Intermediate Skill Level. This pattern uses basic single crochet stitches throughout, but the color changing and tapestry crochet technique give it just enough of a challenge to keep things interesting. If you’ve made simple hats before, you’re ready for this one!

Six Sizes, One Pattern. From tiny newborns to adult XL, I’ve got you covered – literally. Make the whole family match for your next patriotic celebration.

Minimal Ends to Weave In. The turned-round construction for the stripe and canton sections means you’re dropping and pulling in your yarn colors as needed instead of cutting and rejoining constantly. Your future end weaving self will thank you!

Crisp, Vivid Colors. Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Red, White, and Navy gives you bold, beautiful color with excellent stitch definition. It’s also machine washable – perfect for summer sun and outdoor fun.

Hand-Embroidered Stars. The white stars on the navy canton are embroidered after the hat is complete using a long strand of white yarn with a tapestry needle. I’ve included a step-by-step guide with a numbered diagram to make it totally approachable. I put together a short video walking through the steps of my 5-point embroidery star as well! However, if you would prefer an applique or solid star for your hat I would recommend using my Mini Star Appliques which would be the perfect substitute!

American Flag Hat Mini star applique option

Video Support Available. My Essential Basic Bucket Hat tutorial walks you through the main construction, and I’ve also linked my tapestry crochet color work tips video to help you nail those color changes. I also have a brand new video tutorial for How to Make a Magic Circle – the easy way!

Get the Crochet American Flag Hat Ad-Free Printable PDF

Want an ad-free, printer-friendly version of the American Flag Patriotic Bucket Hat pattern? The printable PDF is available in my shop! It’s perfectly formatted, easy to read while you’re working, and great for keeping in your pattern binder.👉 [LINK TO PDF ] If you love PDFs, you might want to check out my Lifetime Membership. It’s an awesome deal! Never pay for one of my PDFs again!!

You Will Also Love The Summer Kids’ Bucket Hat Bundle!

Summer Bucket Hat crochet pattern Bundle

If you’re on a mission to crochet all the hats this summer (same, honestly), you’re going to want to grab the Summer Kids’ Bucket Hat Crochet Pattern Bundle! This bundle features 8 adorable kids’ bucket hat designs – a sea turtle, crab, frog, dinosaur, shark, fish, blue whale, and orca. They’re all built on the same bucket hat base, so once you’ve got the construction down, you can work through the whole collection. Perfect for beach days, pool parties, or just the most fun gift you’ve ever made.

Supplies for the Stars & Stripes Bucket Hat Pattern

*This post contains affiliate links. You can click on any yarn or material highlighted to purchase. I will receive a small commission if you purchase but it won’t cost you any extra! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I am using Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton for my crochet American Flag hat which is a 100% mercerized cotton. it has a beautiful sheen, holds its shape well, and is completely machine washable. It’s soft against skin, which makes it especially great for babies and kids.

If you are substituting with a different cotton yarn be sure to check gauge!

Looking for More Free Patriotic Crochet Patterns?

I have several free patriotic crochet patterns right here on the blog, from blankets to fun and whimsical crochet ideas. And if you don’t want to miss a single new release – be sure to sign up for my free newsletter! You’ll get new patterns, tutorials, and crafty inspiration delivered straight to your inbox.

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Check out these free summer crochet patterns!

American Flag Bucket Hat Free Crochet Pattern

Pattern written in US crochet terminology

Supplies:

Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton Weight 4 / Medium (100% mercerized cotton)

Newborn 1.6 oz / 85 yards
Toddler 2.0 oz / 110 yards
Child 2.3 oz / 125 yards
Teen 3.0 oz 160 yards
Adult 3.6 oz / 195 yards
Adult X-Large 4.0 oz / 225 yards

Colorways:

Red (Red)
White (White)
Navy (Blue)

Size G-6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Stitch Markers

Approximate finished size:

Gauge: 4” = 9 rounds of sc

Abbreviations:

Rnd(s) = round(s)
RS = right side
MC = magic circle
ch(s) = chain(s)
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)

Pattern Notes:

Hat is worked from the top-down.
Fit Note: Sizes are based on standard head circumference measurements for a close fit. For a more relaxed or oversized look, go up one size. To add width to the brim, work one additional increase round after the final increase round, then add 2–3 rounds of single crochet before fastening off.

General Color Handling

Three colors are used throughout: Red (R), White (W), and Blue (B).
Do not fasten off when changing colors unless specified. Drop the non-working yarn to the wrong side of hat and pick it up again when needed.

Stars and Stripes patriotic Bucket Hat dropping and pulling in yarn colors

Crown & Stripe Section (Red and White)

Worked in continuous rounds. Do not join at end of round; use a stitch marker to track round beginnings.
Alternate Red and White as indicated in the pattern. Each color change occurs at the start of a new round.

Color changing for each round of the American Flag hat

Canton Section (Blue field with stars)

Worked in joined, turned rounds — this is a departure from the continuous crown rounds. At the end of each round, join with a slip stitch, chain 1, then turn before beginning the next round. Tip: place a stitch marker in the first stitch after the ch-1 and another in the slip stitch at the end of the round so neither gets accidentally skipped.

Placing stitch markers for color changing

The canton is worked simultaneously with the stripe section. Pattern instructions will tell you exactly where the blue field begins and ends horizontally on each round.
The Main Body round’s instructions are presented in two parts:
- Line 1 — the stitch pattern for the full round
- Lines 2 – number of rounds worked — the specific color placement (where to switch between Blue, Red, and White within that round)

Recommended Tutorials:

How to make a Magic Circle – the Easy Way!

How to make a perfect circle in single crochet tutorial

Essential Basic Bucket Hat complete video tutorial

Tapestry Crochet Tutorial – How to Change Colors

5-Point Embroidery Star on Crochet Tutorial

Mini Star Applique Tutorial

Pattern Instructions

Newborn – 6 months

With Red, make a MC.

Rnd 1: (RS) Ch 1, 6 sc in MC. (6)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st. (12)

Rnd 3: *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st,* repeat from * to * to end. (18)

Rnd 4: 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat from * to * to last st, 1 sc in last st. (24)

Rnd 5: *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 3 sts,* repeat from * to * to end. (30)

Rnd 6: 1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, 1 sc in last 2 sts. (36)

Rnd 7: *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 5 sts,* repeat from * to * to end. (42)

Rnd 8: 1 sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat from * to * to last 3 sts, 1 sc in last 3 sts. (48)

Rnd 9: *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 7 sts,* repeat from * to * to end. (54)

Rnd 10: 1 sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat from * to * to last 4 sts, 1 sc in last 4 sts. (60)

Circle (crown) should measure approximately 4 1/2”.

Fasten off Red and change to Blue.

Patriotic Bucket Hat pattern color changing

Note: This first round of color changes you will fasten off your red at the beginning of the round and then rejoin after the blue stitches are completed. You could also carry your red yarn through the blue stitches if preferred. After this round you will drop and pick up your yarn as needed.

Main Body

(Begin color changes see below)

Note: Beginning with Main Body, rounds are no longer worked continuously. At the end of each round, join with a sl st to the first st, turn, ch 1. Do not count ch-1 as a st.

Rnds 11 – 22: 1 sc in each st around. (60)

← Row 11 [RS]: (Blue) x 23, (Red) x 37

→ Row 12 [WS]: (Red) x 37, (Blue) x 23

← Row 13 [RS]: (Blue) x 23, (White) x 37

→ Row 14 [WS]: (White) x 37, (Blue) x 23

← Row 15 [RS]: (Blue) x 23, (Red) x 37

→ Row 16 [WS]: (Red) x 37, (Blue) x 23

← Row 17 [RS]: (Blue) x 23, (White) x 37

→ Row 18 [WS]: (White) x 37, (Blue) x 23

Fasten off

← Row 19 [RS]: Join (Red) x 60 Note: Do not turn at end of Rnd 19, resume continuous rounds throughout remainder of pattern.

← Row 20 [RS]: (Red) x 60

← Row 21 [RS]: (White) x 60

← Row 22 [RS]: (White) x 60

Brim

Rnd 23: With Red, *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 5 sts,* repeat from * to * to end. (70)

Rnd 24: With Red, 1 sc in each st around.

Rnd 25: With White, *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 6 sts,* repeat from * to * to end. (80)

Rnd 26: With White, 1 sc in each st around, sl st in next st.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Size Toddler