The Tate Rancher Hat - Free Pattern

Learn how to make a moldable, stiff-brimmed hat with only single crochet stitches. Add a thrifted leather hat band and an optional sweatband level up your hat even further! Get the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.

This free crochet rancher hat pattern is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarns. This post contains affiliate links.

Meet the cool-weather cousin to the popular Cleo Wide-Brimmed Fedora. While the Tate is made entirely with single crochet, the wool blend yarn creates a gorgeous rustic texture. A touch of tweed and a thin leather belt add to the sophistication factor of this versatile wardrobe staple.

Keep reading for all the yarn and inspiration details or scroll down for the free pattern and tutorial. You can find the step-by-step video tutorial here.

Handmade In Disguise!

Don't get me wrong, I love the charm and imperfections that can only come by making something by hand. AND I also love recreating the look of current popular styles so well that no one can believe you made something yourself.

"You made that?! What?!" I'm guessing you've had that conversation a time or two... It feels good, doesn't it? And it also feels good to wear something with such pride because it you literally gave it life from your own two hands.

I think the Tate Rancher Hat is going to check all those boxes for you--and more!

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A Cool-Weather Fedora Follow Up

A couple years ago, I took my first stab at designing a stiff-brimmed crochet hat. I tore that thing out so many times and just could never get it quite right. I put it aside for a long time. (In fact, it's still balled up in my office, waiting for...a proper burial, I guess?)

Then earlier this year, I bought a straw sun hat from H & M that reminded me how much I wanted to crochet a similar hat and I got to work reimagining the design.

The Cleo Wide-Brimmed Fedora was (finally!) born and it's been really fun to watch you put your own spin on the pattern. Check out #cleofedora on Instagram for so much hat inspo!

Pin it! click to pin this pattern for later ⇨

Wooly Tweed for the Win

Once the Cleo Fedora worked out so well, I started planning a fall/winter version. As an owner of at least five wool, stiff-brimmed hats, I knew the cool-weather version would need to have a wool component. Lion Brand Re-Tweed is a yarn I've been dying to use since it was introduced last year and it proved perfect for what I had in mind for the Tate.

Re-Tweed is a magical blend of wool, acrylic and polyester and each fiber plays so well with the others. The texture is beautifully nubby and organic with little tweed flecks that perfectly capture the wool cap vibes I was going for.

The color palette of this line of yarn is also one of my favorites. Honestly, I think you might have a hard time narrowing yourself down to just one hat. (Why do you think I made two samples? Ha.) The great news is that the Tate only uses about 1.3 balls of Re-Tweed to crochet one hat, so you can afford to whip up several or crochet them as gifts.

Related: 35+ Free Chunky Crochet Beanie Patterns

Deliver it! click to shop for all the yarn you'll need ⇨

Substituting Yarn

If you don't have access to Lion Brand Re-Tweed, using a worsted weight natural fiber like wool or cotton will work well. (Re-Up or Fisherman's Wool could be a good place to start.) Since the hat needs to fit your head though, it's super important to measure your gauge as described a few inches into the pattern and adjust your hook size if necessary.

Skills Required

The Tate Rancher Hat is quite easy and approachable. This pattern will give you a chance to practice working in the round, meeting a pattern gauge and increasing, but don't worry, I walk you through each step of it in the pattern below.

Learn By Video

If you'd like me to walk you through the pattern step-by-step, watch the video tutorial that covers exactly how to crochet the Tate Rancher. Alternatively, the detailed photo tutorial below has got you if you just need a quick overview.

And if you'd like to take a peek at the Tate in all it's moldable, packable, stiff-brimmed glory, check out this brief pattern preview video below.

Print it! click to purchase the ad-free, printable PDF ⇨

Printable PDF Version

If you prefer to work from a printed copy of the pattern, you can pick up the ad-free, printable PDF here on Etsy or here on LoveCrafts. The PDF is formatted for easy printing with large type and includes all the photo tutorials and links to video tutorials you'll need to crochet your hat.

More Free Crochet Patterns

Here are a few more of our most popular free crochet patterns. You can always find all our free patterns here!

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Tate Rancher Hat
Free Crochet Pattern + Tutorial

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here on Etsy or here on LoveCrafts.

Save this pattern to your Ravelry here.

Pin this pattern for later here.

Explanation:
Meet the cool-weather cousin to the Cleo Fedora. While the Tate is made entirely with single crochet, the wool blend yarn creates a gorgeous rustic texture. A touch of tweed and a thin leather belt add to the sophistication of this versatile wardrobe staple.

Supplies:
• A: Lion Brand Re-Tweed (Weight: 4/Medium -  202 yds, 3.5 oz)
– 2 skeins [approx 140 g]
Pictured:
- Hay (253-098)
- Graphite (253-153) 

• Tapestry needle
• Size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
• Stitch markers or safety pins

Optional Additional Supplies:
• 6’ galvanized wire rope, 1/16th” thick (sold by the foot inexpensively at hardware stores) (Links: Home Depot, Amazon, Lowes)
• Wire cutters
• Thin thrifted belt or braided leather cord 
• 26” of 1”-wide grosgrain ribbon for interior hat band (roughly match color of yarn)
• Sewing needle and thread to match ribbon color
• Small amount of masking or washi tape

A Note On Substituting Yarn:
If Lion Brand Re-Tweed is not easily available, substituting a worsted weight wool or kitchen cotton can create a similar nubby texture.

Sizes:
Women’s Small - fits 21-22” heads

Women’s Large - fits 22.5-23.5” heads

Gauge:
9 sc x 10 rounds = 2” 

Gauge is difficult to swatch since hat is worked in the round. Instead instructions are given for measuring gauge a few inches into the pattern.

Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
ch – chain
PM – place marker
rep – repeat
RS - right side
sc – single crochet
slst – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
WS – wrong side

Overall Pattern Notes:
• Pattern is worked in the round with the RS facing throughout. Rounds are spirals and therefore are not joined at the end of each. 

• Stitches are intended to be worked tightly. If in doubt, use a smaller hook to achieve tighter tension. Circle is measured several rounds in to ensure gauge. 

• Place marker in first stitch of round and move as each round is worked. This is critical in keeping track of the beginning/end of each round. 

• Similarly, markers are used beginning in Round 6 to keep track of where increases are placed. Move markers up as each round is worked. Use a different color marker for the first st of round and the increases to differentiate.

HAT TOP

Preferred Foundation Round: Create a magic loop, ch 1 and work 6 sc within. (6)

Alternative Foundation Round: Ch 4, sl st to join into a loop. Ch 1, work 6 sc within loop. (6)

Continuing in spiral:

Round 2: 2 sc in first st (PM in first sc made), 2 sc in each st. (12)

Move marker to first st of each round from here forward. 

Round 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 6 times. (18)

Round 4: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] 6 times. (24)

Round 5: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts] 6 times. (30)

Round 6: [2 sc in next st (PM in first sc made), sc in next 4 sts] 6 times. (36) Piece should now have 6 marked stitches. These indicate the stitches to increase in moving forward. 

Round 7: [2 sc in marked st, sc in each st to next marker] 6 times. (42)

! GAUGE CHECK !

 Take the time to measure your circle now so that your hat fits later! Your circle should be 3” across. If it’s larger than 3”, remake either with a smaller hook or working your stitches more tightly. If it’s much smaller than 3”, remake either with a larger hook or working your stitches more loosely. 

SMALL: Rep Round 7 eight more times. Piece should increase by 6 sts per round. Round 15 should contain 90 sts. Circle should measure 6.4” across.

LARGE: Rep Round 7 nine more times. Piece should increase by 6 sts per round. Round 16 should contain 96 sts. Circle should measure 6.8” across.

HAT BUCKET

Notes:

• This section is worked without increasing. Keep first st marker in place and move up each round. All other markers can be removed.

TIP: It can also be helpful to leave one stitch marker in your first bucket round to make it easier to count how many rounds you’ve worked.

ALL SIZES:
Rounds 1-21: Sc in each st. 90 (96)

If you have a taller forehead than most, or desire a pronounced “V” at top of hat, work an additional two rounds before proceeding to Round 22. (As pictured in “Hay” colored sample.)

SMALL:
Round 22: [2 sc in marked st, sc in next 14 sts] 6 times. (96) Placing markers in increases is not necessary.

LARGE:
Round 22: Sc in each st. (96)

HAT BRIM

Notes:

• This section contains increases every other row. Once markers are in place, move them up as each round is worked.
  
• For a less wavy and more rigid brim look, you can add optional wire rope in Round 14. (See Supplies section for details on where to purchase.) While rope isn’t necessary, it will add extra stability and create a smoother-looking brim.
  
• View video tutorial on adding optional wire and working Finishing Round here.

TIP: It can be helpful to leave one stitch marker in your first brim round to make it easier to count how many rounds you’ve worked.

ALL SIZES:
Round 1: [2 sc in next st (PM in first sc made), sc in next 7 sts] 12 times. (108) Hat should now have 12 marked stitches.

Round 2: Sc in each st. (108)

Round 3: [2 sc in marked st, sc in each st to next marker] 12 times. (120)

Rep Rounds 2 and 3 five more times. Brim should now contain a total of 13 rounds and 180 sts. 

If adding optional brim support, follow Round 14. If not adding brim support rep Round 2 once more and fasten off.

Round 14: Hold galvanized wire rope along Round 13. Crochet over it as you sc in each st. Pause when 3” of round remains unworked. Rub brim flat and try on hat to make sure density of stitches around rope is to your liking. (In order to get the flattest brim possible, avoid spreading stitches out too far. This can create a wavier brim.) Using wire cutters, snip rope so it overlaps itself by 2”. Complete round by sc in each st, working over both ends of rope as you go. Slst to first st of round.

TIP: If Wire rope ends are poking out from stitches, try wrapping a piece of washi or masking tape around each of them to fasten them to the main rope circle.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

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FINAL TOUCHES

Suggested Blocking

It can be helpful to give hat a gentle blocking to help stitches settle into place and give brim a polished appearance. Simply use an iron or steamer held at 3-4” away to direct steam at hat. Press brim flat and let dry.

Leather Hat Band Option

Trim a thin leather belt to desired length for hat band. Create new hole at appropriate head circumference by using a leather punch or hammering a nail through the leather. Alternatively, use braided leather accent available in the ribbon section of craft stores to DIY your own hat band. In either case, use yarn and a tapestry needle to secure band to hat with whip stitches in a couple locations.

Optional Sweatband

While you may not be sweating in your hat, adding a simple ribbon band on the inside can add a level of comfort, especially if hats tend to make your head itchy. Cut a strand of ⅞-1” ribbon to four inches longer than your head circumference. Pin ribbon in place inside lower bucket section of hat. Whip stitch bottom edge of ribbon in place, then seam ribbon together into a circle. (Try on hat before joining ribbon into a circle to double check hat band circumference.)

Styling Suggestion

To create the classic molded hat shaping, simply lift the hat off your head a bit and use both hands to mold the top front into a V-shape. You’ll be surprised at how well your hat holds its shape while you’re wearing it. 

Tip your hat, quite literally, to yourself--you just made your very own handmade wool cap!

I love to see your finished projects! Use #MakeAndDoCrew and tag me Instagram (@MakeAndDoCrew) to show off your stitches and have a chance to be featured.

Try Your Hat at an Easy Crochet Sweater!

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