This is a pattern overview, not a full tutorial. The free crochet peppermint hat pattern from Virkadia is an intermediate-level project worked in the round with alternating white and red single crochet, finished with a ruffled, wrapper-like brim. Below you’ll find the essentials: sizing, supplies, terminology, construction flow, and where to find the Original designer’s pattern and instructions.
Pattern Information | Free Crochet Peppermint Hat
The designer rates this free peppermint hat pattern as intermediate. The finished circumference is approximately 23.5 inches, sized to fit most adult heads. Those dimensions come from a model worked in medium weight yarn with a size I-9 (5.5 mm) hook at a gauge of 14 single crochet by 17 rows to 4 inches.
You can shift the finished size by changing your yarn weight or hook size, which the source notes will make pieces larger or smaller respectively. If you work the pattern, the designer also invites you to add your project on Ravelry so it joins the gallery of finished hats.
Supplies
Here is the complete supply checklist as listed by the source. Gather everything before you begin, since the color changes start early in the crown.
- Size I-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook
- Medium (4) weight yarn in two colors: Yarn A in white (the example uses Red Heart Super Saver in Soft White) and Yarn B in red (the example uses Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red)
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional)
Terminology
The pattern is written in English (US) terms. The abbreviations you’ll meet are st (sts) for stitch or stitches, ch for chain stitch, sl st for slip stitch, sc for single crochet, and sc2tog for single crochet 2 together, a decrease spanning two stitches.
One notation quirk is worth knowing before you start: numbers attach directly to stitch abbreviations, and that number tells you how many of that stitch go into the same stitch. So 1sc means one single crochet, while 2sc means two single crochet worked into one stitch, which functions as an increase.
Special Stitches
The designer asks you to review the special stitch instructions on the Stitch Tutorials FAQ before beginning, because some techniques are unique to this pattern. The two named tutorials are Joining Rounds and Changing Colors Mid-Round. You can also watch the creator’s amigurumi techniques video tutorial for tips on working in the round.
Construction runs in the round, with every round joined by a slip stitch at the end. Unless told otherwise, the first stitch of the next round is worked into the same stitch as the joining slip stitch. Keep the right side of your stitches facing outward as you go; the right side is the front face of the stitch as you complete it.
Changing Colors Mid-Round
The bold spiraling stripes come from a mid-round color change. The switch begins in the stitch immediately before the stitch you want in the new color. You start that stitch normally, inserting into the next stitch (or two stitches when decreasing), yarning over, and pulling through, then drop the current color before the final pull-through, yarn over with the new color, and pull through both loops.
You don’t have to cut the dropped color. You can let it float along the back or interior of the work until you need it again, or work over the strands as you go, being careful not to pull them too tight when you pick them back up. Another option is to leave moderate slack between uses, then cut the strands later and tie them in pairs to secure the changes. The source leaves the choice to you.
Construction Overview | Free Crochet Peppermint Hat
The hat builds in three stages: a crown that increases outward, straight sides, and an expanding ruffled brim. The source pattern gives full round-by-round instructions; what follows is only a shape summary so you understand how the project moves. Head to the designer’s page for the actual stitch-by-stitch directions.
Crochet Peppermint Hat Crown - Rounds 1 to 15
The crown starts with Yarn A and a chain of two, with Yarn B on standby. The example begins color changing in the very first round, which the source admits can be tricky because that round is so small. As an easier alternative, you can replace round 1 with a single-color standard round (6sc into the second chain from the hook, join, ch 1) and begin color changing in round 2 instead.
From there the crown increases steadily, adding six stitches per round and alternating the two colors as it grows. Round 15 finishes at 90 stitches. At the recommended gauge, rounds 1 through 15 produce the 23.5-inch circumference that fits most adults.
To go smaller, undo one or more rounds before continuing. To go larger, keep working outward, adding one stitch at the beginning of each color change until you reach your desired diameter. Note the source’s warning: every round added or removed before round 16 changes all later stitch counts by six stitches.
Crochet Peppermint Hat Sides - Rounds 16 to 31
If you resized the crown, adjust the sides to match. In the unaltered pattern, each color section runs an increase, then 1sc into each of the next 12 stitches, then a decrease. For every round you added or removed at the top, add or subtract one single crochet in that section; an extra crown round, for example, turns it into 1sc into each of the next 13 stitches.
Round 16 sets the pattern at 90 stitches, and rounds 17 through 30 repeat it. The sides can also be lengthened or shortened by adding or removing rounds. Once the hat reaches your desired length, fasten off Yarn B and weave in the end; the rest is worked in Yarn A only. Round 31 is a single crochet round without a join.
Crochet Peppermint Hat Brim - Rounds 32 to 40
The ruffled brim opens with round 32, a slip stitch round joined with a chain. Work those slip stitches loosely; if they cinch the hat, the source suggests working more loosely or sizing up your hook for that round only. Round 33 must be worked into the slip stitches of the previous round, not the top loops of the single crochets behind them.
Rounds 33 through 38 expand the brim with bracketed increase repeats, climbing from 135 stitches to 360. If you altered the hat size, add or subtract one bracketed repetition per changed round. Round 39 is a plain single crochet round, and round 40 adds a final loose slip stitch round for edge rigidity before fastening off Yarn A.
Conclusion | Free Crochet Peppermint Hat
That completes the overview. For the full instructions, the special stitch tutorials, and the designer’s own photos, use the Original designer’s pattern and instructions on Virkadia. If you enjoy the style, the designer also offers a companion Peppermint Scarf pattern, plus amigurumi, home decor, clothing, and granny square archives to browse.
For more mint-inspired ideas in one place, see our roundup of 24 Unique Peppermint Free Crochet Patterns.
