When it comes to finding easy ways to show support for Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer, a crochet bucket hat is the perfect solution. For nothing more than the cost of yarn, a single hat can make a big difference and start conversations about this important cause.

I chose to design a crochet bucket hat again this year (check out Krissy’s Mountainside Bucket Hat), as the style is still trendy, but also a style hat that I can see Antonio wear.

Who is Antonio?

Antonio the young man that inspired this crochet bucket hat pattern, as he is a survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Remember that crochet can be more than a hobby – it can be a powerful tool for awareness and activism.

Crochet Bucket Hat

In fashion, trends tend to cycle, and the crochet bucket hat is one of those trends that has come back. Crochet bucket hats were first popularized in the 1960s and 1970s.

There are no limits to creativity with crochet bucket hats, as they work up pretty quickly, so you can make a different one for each day of the week and the colors you wear most often.

Crochet bucket hats are one of the most versatile because they can be worn throughout the year, and not limited to cold weather days like a crochet beanie. These crochet bucket hats offer style and sun protection, especially when made with cotton or a cotton blend on hot days. Choose an acrylic and wool blend, or wool yarn for warmth on chillier days.

Yarn

I chose yarn from my stash in a “violet” color to represent the Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer ribbon. This was more of a challenge than I expected, as no one seems to agree on what shade of purple violet actually is. I checked WeCrochet, Lion Brand, LoveCrafts and more to find every single violet yarn to be different. After asking the CBC Community their thoughts on the color, I settled on Patons Decor in Plum as the color closest to the cancer ribbon.

Please note that Patons Decor is an acrylic and wool blend, which is not recommended for cancer patients that have experienced hair loss. The wool can be scratchy to their sensitive skin. When making this crochet bucket hat to donate, ONLY USE acrylic, cotton blends, other synthetic fibers, or plant based fiber yarn, as to not irritate sensitive skin. Sweet Potato 3 has an extensive list of yarns.

If you do want to use Patons Decor that may be hiding in your stash (it’s discontinued) for personal us here are the deets.

Patons Decor is a worsted weight, category 4 yarn made of 75% acrylic and 25% wool. Each skein is 208 yards / 190 meters per 3.5 ounces / 100g. The price was slightly more than other worsted weight yarns in a large craft store due to the wool content. Yarnsub is a great resource for finding alternative acrylic and wool blends.

Antonio’s Story

Antonio was diagnosed at age 13, and wasn’t 100% sure what cancer was. He knew it was a disease that could be deadly, so he was scared and anxious about what the future held after the initial diagnosis.

Once he learned about the stage and type of cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, he learned that the survival rate was optimistic, which helped him feel a little bit better. He was negatively impacted by knowing that he would have to undergo chemotherapy and radiation, which meant missing school and other opportunities.

Antonio stated that the treatment was hard, and even included having to receive two shots daily of blood thinner, but the support from his family and friends really helped him persevere. The kindness of strangers and students at his school was also helpful in the journey to fight cancer.

He was nervous about his future as he learned that there is an increase chance of re-diagnosis after treatment, but the fear decreases with each passing month as he heads towards his 5th year in remission this month (yep, October 2023).

Currently, Antonio is enrolled in his first year of college. As a family friend, I have watched him grow into a stellar young man that will accomplish many more great things. It was an honor to celebrate his defeat of cancer five years ago because he was surrounded by so much love from family and friends.

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to products that I use, and think you will enjoy using too. Should you decide to use any such link, I will earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting this small business.

ADD TO RAVELRY FAVORITES

MATERIALS

• Patons Decor, Medium weight #4 yarn (75% acrylic, 25% wool; 208 yds/ 190 m; 3.5 oz/100 g skein): Plum x 1
  • Alternative Yarns:
  • Patons Canadiana
  • WeCrochet Brava Worsted
  • Lion Brand Pound of Love
  • Yarn Bee Soft Secret
• Hook US H8 / 5.00 mm Check out this set and case!
• Scissors
• Yarn Needle
• Stitch Markers
• Measuring Tape

GAUGE

4 rounds of dc = 4” /10 cm diameter

FINISHED SIZE(S)

Child: To fit head circumference – 20” [50 cm]; Crown: 5.5” [14 cm] diameter

Teen: To fit head circumference – 21.5” [55 cm]; Crown: 6.25”[15.8 cm] diameter

Adult: To fit head circumference – 22.5” [57 cm]; Crown: 7” [18 cm]  diameter 

Adult Large: To fit head circumference – 24” [61 cm]; Crown: 7.75” [19 cm] diameter

PATTERN KEY

BLO: back loop only

Ch: chain

CSDC: chainless starting double crochet

Dc: double crochet

FLO: front loop only

Rem: remain(s)

RS: right side

Sc: single crochet

Sk: skip

Sl st: slip stitch

St(s): stitch(es)

WS: wrong side

SPECIAL STITCHES & TECHNIQUES

CSDC: pull up a loop that is row height, holding loop in place and wrap yarn around hook (yarn over), insert hook in first st, YO, pull up a loop, [YO, pull through 2 loops] twice

EXPERIENCE LEVEL

Intermediate

NOTES

• Pattern is written in US terms.
• Read entire pattern before beginning.
• The Antonio Hat is made in 3 parts: Crown, Side, and Brim.
• Sizes are written separately in the following format: Child (Teen, Adult, Adult Large).
• Ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
• CSDC can be replaced with ch 3, but it may create a more noticeable seam.
• When referring to the stitch counts at the end of each line of instruction, 5 (10, -, 15), the – is a place holder, and indicates that there are no stitches for that particular size.
• It may help to place a stitch marker in the first st of each round of the Side.
• The Brim can be adjusted to preferred width. 

Purchase the ad-free PDF from your favorite pattern shop.

Don’t forget to join the Creations By Courtney Community for CALs, crochet tips, and yarnie fun.

INSTRUCTIONS

Crown

Rnd 1: Magic Circle, ch 1, 10 dc in center, tighten center,  sl st to join, turn. 10 dc

Rnd 2: CSDC in first st, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, sl st to join, turn. 20 dc

Rnd 3: CSDC in first st, dc in same st, dc in next st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st, rep from * around, sl st to join, turn. 30 dc

Rnd 4: CSDC in first st, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, rep from * around, sl st to join, turn. 40 dc 

Rnd 5: CSDC in first st, dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts, rep from * around, sl st to join, turn. 50 dc 

CHILD SIZE ONLY 

Rnd 6: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 4 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, rep from * around, sl st to join, turn. 60 sc

Continue to Side

TEEN SIZE ONLY

Rnd 6: CSDC in first st, dc in same st, dc in next 4 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts, rep from * around, sl st to join, turn. 60 dc 

Continue to Side

ADULT SIZE ONLY

Rnd 6: CSDC in first st, dc in same st, dc in next 4 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts, rep from * around, sl st to join, turn. 60 dc 

Rnd 7: Ch 1, 2 dc in first st, dc in next 5 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts, rep from * around, sl st to join, turn. 70 dc 

Continue to Side

ADULT LARGE SIZE ONLY

Rnd 6: CSDC in first st, dc in same st, dc in next 4 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts, rep from * around, sl st to join, turn. 60 dc 

Rnd 7: CSDC in first st, dc in same st, dc in next 5 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts, rep from * around, sl st to join, turn. 70 dc 

Rnd 8: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 6 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, rep from * around, sl st to join, turn. 80 dc

Continue to Side

Side

Rnd 1 [RS]: Working in BLO, CSDC in first st, sc in next st, *dc in next st, sc in next st, rep from * around, sl st to join, turn. 60 (60, 70, 80) sts 

Rnd 2 [WS]: Working in both loops, CSDC in first st, sc in next st, *dc in next st, sc in next st, rep from * around, sl st to join, turn. 

Rnds 3-10: Rep Rnd 2, turn. 60 (60, 70, 80) sts

Brim

Rnd 1: Ch 1, working in FLO, sc in each st around, sl st to join, turn. 60 (60, 70, 80) sc

Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next st, *2 sc in next st, sc in next st, rep from * around, Size Child and Adult Only, sk last st; sl st to join, turn. 90 (90, 104, 120) sc

Rnds 3-6: CSDC in first st, sc in next st, * dc in next st, sc in next st, rep from * around, sl st to join, turn. 90 (90, 104, 120) sts

STOP HERE FOR CHILD SIZE, FO

Rnd 7: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 2 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, rep * from around, Size Child, sk last st, sl st to join, turn. – (120, 138, 160) sc

Rnds 8-9: Rep Rnds 3, FO after last rnd. – (120, 138, 160) sts 

Finishing

Weave in ends.

Check out the previous Cancer Challenge Hat Patterns

Make a larger impact by creating more hats to donate by purchasing the Creations by Courtney Crochet Cancer Challenge Hats Bundle.

Crochet Cancer Challenge

It’s an honor to participate for the 5th year in a row as a designer for the Crochet Cancer Challenge.

As the featured designer for October 14th, 2023, I’m sharing the Antonio Crochet Bucket Hat to represent Hodgkin’s lymphoma. As stated above, Antonio was surrounded by his dad, sister, mom, other family and community to overcome his battle with cancer, and now shares his story with others to give them hope.

To download a copy of the Antonio Crochet Bucket Hat PDF, refer to the instructions below

1. Click “Download the Pattern Here”
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Click “Have a coupon?” and enter the code you grabbed from Sweet Potato 3.
4. Verify the price shows $0, then click “Complete Order”
5. Click on the hyperlink to download the pattern automatically to your device.
6. You’ll also receive an invoice by email with the link to access the PDF for ONE WEEK ONLY. Make sure you save the PDF to your device of choice.

Note: Some may experience technical issues with the cart. I am unable to address such issues, as it may be a compatibility problem if the browser being used is not the latest version. Please try from a different browser, and if still unable to access, you can try this link.

Pin it for Later

Want to talk about yarn goodness, crochet tips, and exclusive weekly deals? Join my Facebook Group, Creations By Courtney Community.

If we’re not hanging out on social media yet, come check me out on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Join my newsletter for sneak peeks, crochet tips, and more. HERE

Use #CreationsByCourtney on social media when sharing your projects.

This pattern is not to be duplicated or resold, and not to be reproduced commercially. You may sell finished products on Etsy, at farmers markets, and craft fairs, but please credit Creations By Courtney as the pattern’s author.