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Frozen winter bun hat

The Frozen Winter (bun) Hat is a winter themed crochet bun hat. This hat features the extreme drop stitch and a combination of white and blue yarn, which makes it look frozen and covered with ice. It’s a fun pattern that works up fast and can be made with any worsted yarn.

Get the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free PDF version of this pattern on Etsy and Ravelry. The PDF is designed for printing and this way you can support me!

Frozen Winter bun Hat

Frozen Winter Bun Hat - free crochet bun hat pattern by Wilmade

Other free hat patterns you might like

About this design

When I came across the extreme drop stitch, I knew I had to play with it. The stitch reminded me of ice so I picked some nice blue yarn and started experimenting with the stitch.

I ended up with a hat that looks frozen and covered with ice. I made a normal version which looks great with a pom pom, but I also jumped on the bandwagon and created a bun hat version. Below you can find the steps I followed for both the bun hat and normal hat.

Other hats with the extreme drop stitch

While working on my Frozen Winter Hat, I noticed the extreme drop stitch also looks like leaves or fire flames when worked upside down. Isn’t it amazing how you can create such different and unique hats by simply changing the colors!? I now have four versions which are all available for FREE here on my blog:

About this pattern

This pattern is mainly made out of double crochet stitches and of course the extreme drop stitch. The brim is made with half double crochet stitches in the back loops only.

After working on the brim, the hat continues being worked in joined rounds. You’ll need to work with a multiple of 8 stitches. It’s a pattern with many repeats; in total we will repeat a series of four rows twice, which includes the row with extreme drop stitches.

The last few rows include decreases to make the hat smaller and eventually close the top. If you prefer you can make a bun hat version. Both instructions are included below.

Frozen Winter Bun Hat - free crochet bun hat pattern by Wilmade

About this yarn

For this hat you can use most worsted yarn. However, to make the ice (extreme drop stitches) pop out, I recommend using color-transitioning yarn. I’ve used Knitpicks Brava Worsted Yarn (color white) and Knitpicks Chroma Worsted Yarn (color Surf’s Up).

This is luxurious, high-quality yarn with an affordable price. Knitpicks has many different color options, which makes it great for a hat like this.

Frozen Winter Bun Hat

Materials

– Worsted yarn in 2 colors;
1x Knitpicks Brava Worsted – White
1x Knitpicks Chroma Worsted – Surf’s Up

– 6mm hook (US J hook)

– Tapestry needle

– Pom pom (optional)

Finished dimensions

Size: adult / circumference fits 57 cm / 22”
Height: 23 cm / 9” when lying flat
Width: 23 cm / 9” when lying flat

Gauge

12 double crochet stitches and 8 rows equal 10×10 cm / 4” square

Stitches used (US terms)

– st: stitch
– ch: chain
– sc: single crochet
– hdc: half double crochet
– BLO hdc: half double crochet worked in the back loops only
– dc: double crochet
– dc2tog: double crochet 2 together (decrease)
– extreme drop stitch:
1. Yarn over, insert hook in next ch-space, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull up another loop. You now have 5 loops on your hook.
2. Yarn over, insert hook into ch-space from row directly below, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull up another loop. You now have 9 loops on your hook.
3. Yarn over, insert hook into ch-space from row below (3rd ch-space), pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull up another loop. Yarn over, pull up another loop. You now have 15 loops on your hook.
4. Yarn over, insert hook into ch-space from row above, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull up another loop. You now have 19 loops on your hook.
5. Yarn over, insert hook into ch-space from row above (5th ch-space), pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull up another loop. You now have 23 loops on your hook.
6. Yarn over and pull through all loops together. Chain 1.

**: repeat between **
(): amount of stitches at the end of the row

Notes

– This pattern is worked bottom-up

– The brim is worked in rows and the hat is worked in joined rounds (vs continuous rounds)

– The first 3 chains count as a dc

– End every row with a slip stitch in the 1st st

– The amount of stitches should be a multiple of 6. Take this into account when you want to make a larger or smaller hat.

Video

Below you can find a video tutorial of this crochet bun hat. Note: this pattern was updated to make it easier to follow and to improve the size of ch-spaces. The video can be different than the written pattern. I will make a new video soon, but till then, you can use the old video which shows you how to make the extreme drop stitch.

Click here to watch the video on YouTube

Crochet Bun Hat pattern

** Note: you can purchase the ad-free PDF version of this pattern on Etsy and Ravelry. The PDF is designed for printing and this way you can support me! **

Ribbed brim

With white yarn:
Chain 5 + 2 (turning ch)

Row 1:
1 BLO hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each across, ch 2, turn (5 hdc)

Row 2 – 36:
1 BLO hdc in each st across, ch 2, turn (5 hdc)

Fold the long piece in half and stitch both ends together with slip stitches in BLO.

Hat body

We’re now going to work in the round. With Knitpicks Brava Worsted yarn and hook size 6mm, 54 is a good amount of stitches for the hat body. If you want to make the hat larger or smaller, make sure you work with an amount of stitches that is divisible by 6.

Row 1:
ch 1, *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st* across, 2 sc in last 2 st, sl st in 1st st, turn (54 sc)

Row 2 – creating the first ch-spaces:
ch 3, 1 dc in next 2 st, *ch 1, 1 dc in the next 6 st* across, ch 1, 1 dc in the last 3 st, sl st in 1st st, turn (54 dc)

Row 3 – ch-spaces above the ch-spaces:
ch 3, 1 dc in next st, *ch 1, 1dc in next st, 1 dc in st after ch-space, ch 1, 1 dc in next 4 st* across, 1 dc in last st, sl st in 1st st, turn (54 dc)

Row 4 – 3rd row with ch-spaces above the ch-spaces:
ch 3, 1 dc in next st *1dc in st after ch-space, 1 dc in next dc, 1 dc in st after ch-space, 1dc in next 3 st* across, 1 dc in last st, sl st in 1st st, turn (54 dc)

Change to blue

Row 5 – extreme drop stitches:
ch 3, 1dc in next st, *extreme drop stitch, ch 1, 1 dc in next 4 st* across, 1 dc in last 2 st, sl st in 1st st, turn (36 dc, 9 drop st)

Row 6:
ch 3, 1 dc in next st, *(1 dc in ch-space above drop st, ch 1, 1 dc in same ch-space above drop st), 1 dc in next 4 st* across, 1 dc in last 2 st, sl st in 1st st, turn (54 dc)

Row 7:
Repeat row 3 (54 dc)

Row 8:
Repeat row 4 (54 dc)

Change to white yarn

Row 9:
Repeat row 5 (54 dc)

Row 10:
ch 3, 1 dc in next st, *1 dc in ch-space above extreme drop st, 1 dc in next 4 st* across, 1 dc in last 2 st, sl st in 1st st, turn (45 dc)

Row 11:
ch 3, 1 dc in next 2 st, *dc2tog, 1 dc in next 3 st* across, 1 dc in last st, sl st in 1st st (36 dc)

Row 12:
ch 3, 1 dc in next st, *dc2tog, 1 dc in next 2 st* across, sl st in 1st st (27 dc)

Row 13:
ch 3, dc2tog, *1 dc in next st, dc2tog* across, sl st in 1st st (18 dc)

Row 14:
dc2tog across, sl st in 1st st (9 dc)

Bun hat version

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Normal hat version

Fasten off and leave a long end for sewing. Use a tapestry needle and weave yarn through loops of the last round. Pull tightly. Add a pom pom to hide the remaining gap.

Share a picture!

If you make one, please tag or mention me on Instagram @wilmawestenberg and add it as a project on Ravelry. I would love to see what colors you used and feature some of your pictures!

Questions?

If you have any questions about this crochet bun hat, feel free to join my Facebook Group. I created this group for you to share pictures/ progress, ask questions and to help each other out.


More free crochet patterns

88 Comments

  1. I LOVE this hat. But for some reason, I can not get it right. I have started over so many times. And when I go to watch the video it doesn’t line up to the pattern. Any help?

    1. The patterns wrong it drove me crazy just follow the crochet along and you will get there
      When there is a chain one you need to miss a stitch and base row has 7 dc and chain one then it works out

  2. This is so beautiful! I have been expanding my horizons with learning new techniques in crochet and this is a good one! I have been crocheting off and on for years and by no means consider myself an expert. I have tried to make my own patterns and failed miserably, but to follow patterns comes pretty easy to me. The thing with this one is to make sure you have enough slack when pulling up loops for the drop in order to make it sit correctly. I do think there are some typos but I just followed what I was doing and referenced the photos ( not following what is typed under them) otherwise it would not have turned out. Just make sure you have a pyramid of chain spaces! Easy peasy! Thank you so much for this pattern! I may even attempt another one myself using the drop stitch!

  3. This is seriously gorgeous! My bf has his very own beard beanie, so I wanted a cute beanie of my own too. So happy I stumbled upon your page! I love there’s a hole for ponytails and buns. Absolutely love this!

  4. your Row 2 instructions read “ch 1, 1 dc in the next 6 st” but the diagram says “R2. *7dc, 1ch* around”. Same discrepancies in Rows 3 and 4 between the directions and the diagram. Please advise which counts are correct.

  5. Thank you very much during another hat of the winter hat.I just finish making it. I wonder how you did the decrease row. Did you go in every stitch?

  6. Thanks—so generous of you to share!I too am tearing my hair out, have ripped out 5 times. I’ve crocheted since I was 14–am now 76, so it could just be old age! My niece loved this, so I’m trying to make it BUT w/ a stitch ct of 64, seems when you get to the drop stitch there are no sts for in between the drop.At least on mine,drop st’s run into each other. Is that right? If I count right, it actually takes 11 st to do the drop, as you have to count the 1st & last from last row. Instr.jfor a 64 st. carried all the way through would really help& maybe a little slower video

    1. I just finished my hat and had the same issue. Look carefully at which gaps are used for the drop stitch. Its the two on top of each other. The single gap is used for your missing dcs

  7. Hi—Done this 4 times—STILL doesn’t work. I have 64n. But when you do the drop down.st, there’s no place for the dc, dc in gap and dc. The run into each other with no space between. What am i doing wrong?

  8. Hi! I absolutely love this pattern and the extreme drop stitch is gorgeous. My only problem is that every time I do it, it ends up looking like a big clump of yarn. I’ve tried following your video and I’m not quite sure what I’m missing. I just can’t seem to get the definition in the stitch. Any tips?

      1. I was using Red Heart Super Saver yarn. I managed to follow the steps on HOW to do it, where to look my yarn through and all that, I just can’t get my yarn to sit right. (I would just like to point out, I think you did a great job with the instructions and video. A couple minor typos, but nothing that can’t be resolved by reading all of the instructions carefully.)

  9. Wilma, Would you happen to have a pattern for the crochet hat Frozen for children? I have 5 grand-daughters who would love to have Santa bring them each, a Frozen hat this Christmas. I just came across your site, and couldn’t believe all the cute patterns. I signed up right away to get more of your patterns. Thanks for all time that you have put into your site, and letting us have them for free. Thanks again, Sandy Isaacs – [email protected]

    1. Hi Sandy, I don’t have the exact amount of stitches for children yet, but I will make one for my niece. I will write down how much stitches I used and let you know!

    2. Hi Wilma!
      Darling hat! Would you please share th brand and color or the blue yarns you used? I too am experimenting with reducing the size of the hat for my grand daughters!

  10. Hello. I am on th first row of the extreme drop stitch. I have pulled it out so many times I’ve lost count. I am doing a band size of 64 stitches. Every time I finish the extreme drop stitch round my stitch count is only 56 I have watched the video many times to see if I’m missing a chain space somewhere but if I am I can’t figure it out. I am doing 3 dc chain 1 and then the drop stitch and close with a chain then chain 1 and starting all over for the next stitch. No matter how many times I do this my stitch count is still 56. Am I missing a chain 1 somewhere? Please help.

    1. I think there was a math mistake, if it needs to be divisible by 8, it would be 72 or 64 or 56. I believe you have it right with 56 but maybe Wilma can verify.

      1. So sorry for my late reply, I didn’t see your comment. Thanks to Vanessa I got a notification.
        The rows with the extreme drop stitch indeed have less stitches – the row after the extreme drop stitches it will be back to the normal amount of stitches. I will make another Frozen Winter hat soon and count the amount of stitches at the extreme drop stitch row – I think 56 will be correct!

  11. Hi Wilma!
    I am following your pattern, but do have a small issue that I can’t seem to figure out. After completing round 6, I only have 54 stitches and the pattern says I should have 72. Any ideas?

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  13. I really love this pattern but it has me at my wits end. can you please tell me how on rows 1,2, and 3 have 72 stitches.Is there a revised pattern or something that explains this better. I have been crocheting for over 40 yrs and this one has me so stumped. Please if can help me

    1. Hi Karen, after making the rib, you’ll be working in the round. You have 40 rows = 40 stitches where you can make a single crochet. However, you’ll need more sc, otherwise the hat becomes too small. So increase to 72 by making *4 increases, 1sc* around. 4 increases means you make 2sc in one stitch for the following 4 stitches. Hope this helps! If not, please let me know.

      1. Do we not count the first two rows in order to get 40? If we are doing rows 1-42 wouldn’t that give us 42 stitches around the brim? I tried to follow along with the video but it also has been confusing and doesn’t seem to make sense with the pattern :/

  14. Thank you for sharing this pattern. I have made 3. However, I have done the band with alternating fpdc/bpdc rather than as you have suggested, thus for ME a smoother transition to the rest of the hat. I was very happy the way they turned out, and would be happy to share pics if you are interested.

  15. Hi Wilma, thank you for taking the time to write and publish this lovely pattern for free.

    I too have been crocheting many years and I can’t seem to get beyond the brim without having my count off. You advise to do 42 rows of ribbing. Then to SC in each one (that would make 42 sc, right?) and somehow your count decreases to 40? I’m confused. I also wondered about the beginning of round 3. If you do a double crochet ch1 and/or ch 4 to start it off then immediately go into the 3dc ch1 sk1 dc1 ch1 sk1 dc1 pattern when you get back around to the beginning the pattern is off. Should we be skipping a stitch after the ch4? No mention of this and when I get back around to the end of the repeat ch1 skip 1 I end up at the beginning chain 4 that is also a DC ch 1. This breaks the rep. I haven’t even tried the drop stitches yet! Thank you for your attention and response

    1. Hi Joanne, thank you for your kind reply.
      42 rows are actually 40 stitches, because I count the first 6 chains as row 1, but this is actually no stitch. So you actually make 41 rows of HDC (because row 1 are chains), but by slip stitching the two ends together at the end, you only have 40 gaps left to sc in. Hope this makes it more clear!
      Personally I started every row with a DC instead of ch3, but I know many people use chains for the first stitch, that’s why I mentioned it. I didn’t have lining problems because I started every first stitch the same: in the same stitch as the slip stitch. And yes, you’re right, the first stitch is a DC + chain (and skip one stitch), I will add this to the pattern to make it more clear, thank you for letting me know!
      Also, in my video at the top of the page I show all the rounds of this pattern, hope this makes it more clear. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know 🙂

      1. Thank you Wilma! I got up at 4 AM this morning and was determined to understand this pattern. I think I got it! Very pretty pattern.

  16. When doing my blue round I have 54 stitches not 72 took it out 4 times I do the three doubles and ch then the drop stitch….what am doing g wrong? My previous white round has 72 stitches!

      1. On which round? The band is 42 with a 8 mm hook only way I could get that to work out…I am following this pattern but says blue round should be 72 stitches how? There is no way…I’m sad I want this to work it’s beautiful!

  17. Love this pattern and am a 45 year crocheting but you crochet to fast and I am on the snow flake row,but can’t figure it out so will you help me
    My snow flakes look awful

  18. I’m trying to make this hat based on a round of 64, not 72. I cannot get round 6 to come out right. There are not enough stitches to end up with 64. Please can you tell e what I’m doing wrong? Thank you

      1. I’ve managed to complete the extreme drop stitch row finally, based on a round of 64 stitches, not 72. However I am not understanding the next row, which would be row 6, the first row of the next three rows for the next extreme drop.

    1. The beginning of row 6,it says to start with 2 DC in the gap. DO NOT DO THIS. Begin with 3 DC across the first 3 stitches . Then follow instructions between the *, ending with 2 DC in gap, chain 1, 2 DC in gap then slip stitch to the first double crochet. Essentially, you are mobbing the 2 DC from the beginning of the round to the end of the round. This is the only way I could get it to work out! Hope this helps! Lol though I see your comment is from a few months back

      1. Thank you for your help, Cassandra! And sorry for my late response, didn’t see your comment before. When I get home from vacation I will check and update the pattern! Thanks again 🙂 x

  19. I love this hat, but, also had problems with it. My gaps didn’t line up until I followed the video, but, when it came to making the drop stitches, they just looked terrible. I finally gave up and made another hat. Having said all this, your video was a bit quick to follow the first time, I had to watch 3 or 4 times before it became easier to follow. I will try this hat again because I really like it,just need to relax. Thank you for designing this beautiful hat.

  20. I love this hat pattern..very well done on the video which is what I followed, then the written one made sense….I have mistakes but it’s a beautiful hat…thank you!!

  21. Hi Wilma! I followed your video this morning and made a beautiful hat. I made a few mistakes along the way and the second row of extreme drop stitches was tough because of how my holes lined up, but it came out awesome! Thank you for the pattern!!

  22. I am having the same trouble as in the 1st comment. I have taken my work out a 1/2 dozen times, reworked it skipping the 1st st on rows 2 & 3, working across so many on row 4 and then counting for the drop stitch and the gaps just don’t line up. I have been crocheting for over 40 years & I’ve never seen such poorly written directions. You do not explain if you join at the ends of rounds, you also did not explain clearly how to do the drop stitch IE: working around stitches of previous rounds or over all stitches. I had to watch the video to find out how it is worked. I have been able to read a pattern from day one of my crocheting years but find all yours very hard to understand so I can believe how hard it is for someone that’s just learning.

    1. Thank you for your feedback Ruth. I will look what I can do to improve this (and future) pattern(s). If you have suggestions, please let me know.

    2. Wow. That’s a really rude, unnecessary comment on something that this nice person did for FREE. She took her time and effort and have us a lovely pattern. I can’t imagine being so nasty for no reason.

    3. Wow. That’s a really rude, unnecessary comment on something that this nice person did for FREE. She took her time and effort and gave us a lovely pattern. I can’t imagine being so nasty for no reason.

    4. I have not started this and I have every intention to make a few. Wilma, thank you for taking time out of your day to share your creativity with the rest of us who do not share your same talent. I would like to thank you. Should I run in to any problems I will do one of 2 things, find a different pattern to work or message you for clarity because it’s probably me messing up 🙂
      There is really no reason to bash anyone sharing THEIR work. Thank you again for SHARING !

  23. I absolutely love this pattern. But I am having a lot of trouble! I’m only on row 3 and my gaps aren’t lining up and I’m going crazy. I have pulled out my work 4 times, recounted and everything matches. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I think my issue is finding the stitches on the brim. Could that be the issue? I’m still getting 72 sc stitches…. I’m at a loss. Really.

    1. Hi, are you starting each round with a chain? If you start the rounds without chaining, at all, the stitches line up. Hope this helps. 🙂

    2. Hi Tamra,

      The stitches on the brim couldn’t be the problem I think, as long as you get 72 stitches. Because with those stitches you will work the rest of the rows.

      Do you have this lining problem only at one place or everywhere? I think the problem starts at row 3, when you have to start at the last chain + dc of a ‘serie’. Can you maybe make a picture and send it to me on instagram or facebook?

  24. Hi! I’m working this pattern tonight, my first try at it. I’m using RHSS worsted weight yarn and the size J hook. My stitch count is correct but so far the size of the beanie itself (not the brim) looks large. Does this self-correct as the decreases are done at the top?

  25. Is the video above the revised (correct) version ? I see some concerned about a wrong count ,, is it fixed in the video above ? I am going to attempt to make this..I Love it Thank You

    1. Yes, I added a ‘warning box’, but somehow YouTube only shows it on desktops, not on smartphones. The pattern on this page is also updated. I wrote ‘8inc, 1sc’ which should be ‘4 inc, 1sc’ 🙂

    1. Yes, I think this will turn out great, but I think you’ll need to make less stitches. Make sure to measure it on your head while making it so it will not be too large!

    1. Woops, I made a mistake in the counting, thanks for letting me know. I’ve changed it now. There wasn’t a step missing, just a wrong number 🙂

  26. I’m having a hard time. I did 42 rows for the brim. I’m doing 4sc inc, sc and coming out with way more than 72 stitches. What could I be doing wrong? In the video you say 8sc inc. I’m confused! Lol

    1. Hi Amber,

      Yes, I made a mistake in the video, it should be 4 increases followed by 1 normal sc. I added an info box in the video, but somehow this is only shown on browsers, not on phones 🙁 Anyway, if you made it till round 42, you normally would have 40sc if you made 1sc in every space. To get to 72, you make 4 increases (which is 8) + 1 normal sc (in total 9). Repeat this 8 times (you should be at the end of the row now) and the total should now be 72!

      If you somehow don’t manage to get 72 stitches, try making a few less or more increases (depending on how many you have) at the end. Hope this helps!

  27. I’m not too good at crocheting. I am having a problem understanding the first row after doing the brim. Do you have a video by chance?

  28. Hi Wilma! First of all, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you! I know you mentioned any worsted weight yarn for use in the making of the hat, but could you let me know what brand you used? I always like to use the same yarn as crochet designers use, so I can get the best result! Thank you so much xx

    1. Hi Heidi, thank you! Merry Christmas to you also! I used yarn from a local shop called Action, they don’t ship any of their products. However, I’ve seen people making the hat with yarn from the US. One lady told me she used 2 strands caron simply soft and she needed 64 stitches (instead of 72) to make it fit. Hope this helps! x

  29. Could you pls explain what to do between the extreme drop stitches. It seems there sb 3dcs like at the start but if I do those dcs(in the dc, sp and dc in previous row then that puts me off for doing the next extreme drop stitch. I’ve redone this 3 times and follow directions exactly and watched your video and it’s not working for me. Maybe if you explain steps between each drop stitch section that would help me. Thanks!!

    1. Hi Kem,

      I also had this problem once, you should make sure you do not use the right upper gap which is used for the extreme drop stitch. When I had that problem with my first hat, I frogged a bit, by making the 3dc (indeed in dc, gap, dc previous row) in the same stitch as the previous extreme drop stitch. I hope you know what I mean, just try to put the 3dc somewhere as long as you do not use the gap which you need for the next drop stitch! The hats I made later didn’t have this problem, so I don’t know where this comes from 😮

      Also, I’ll upload a longer video tonight!

  30. Thank you so much. I’ll be giving it a go this evening.
    So kind of you to share especially taking the time out during this busy season. Happy Holidays!
    Karen

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