Orange + Tan “Amour” Crochet Ruffled Hat ✨

Hey everyone! I've been getting so many questions about how I create my signature crochet ruffled hats, especially the 'Amour' style with those lovely orange and tan stripes. It's actually a super fun project, and I'm so excited to walk you through the process so you can make your very own! There’s nothing quite like wearing a hat you’ve crafted yourself, and trust me, the compliments on a unique piece like this are endless. First things first, gather your materials! You'll need some worsted weight yarn (I love using a mix of vibrant orange and a soft tan for that striking striped look, but a gorgeous entirely orange headpiece can be stunning too!), a crochet hook (I usually go with a 5.0mm or 5.5mm, but always check your yarn label for recommendations), a pair of sharp scissors, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends. Let's start with the basic hat structure. We'll begin by creating the crown. Make a magic ring, then crochet 6 single crochet (SC) stitches into the ring. For your second round, SC 2 into each stitch (12 SC total). Continue increasing evenly in each subsequent round until your crown reaches the desired diameter for your head size (you can find standard hat sizing charts online, but generally aiming for about 6-7 inches for an adult is a good start before it starts to curve down). Once your crown is wide enough, you can stop increasing and simply SC in each stitch around until the hat body reaches just above your ears. This is where you can play with stripes! Switch between your orange and tan yarn every few rounds to get that cool striped effect like the one often seen on a mannequin. Now for the best part: the prominent ruffled brim! This is what gives the hat its unique character. Once your hat body is complete, join your orange yarn (or whatever color you want your ruffles to be) to the last stitch of the hat. For the first ruffle round, I like to work 2 double crochet (DC) stitches into each stitch around. This creates a good amount of fullness right away. For the second ruffle round, you can either continue with 2 DC into each stitch for a very dramatic, dense ruffle, or try alternating 2 DC in one stitch, then 1 DC in the next, repeating around. If you want an even more pronounced wave, you can even do 3 DC into some stitches! This really helps the brim stand out and create that beautiful, voluminous look. Keep going for 2-3 rounds, or until your ruffled brim is as prominent and flowy as you desire. Don't be afraid to experiment with different stitch counts to see what kind of ruffle you love most. Finally, finishing touches make all the difference. Once your ruffled brim is complete, fasten off your yarn, leaving a long tail. Use your tapestry needle to carefully weave in all your loose ends. Take your time with this step, as neatly woven ends make for a professional-looking finish. If you want to give your hat a bit more structure or shape, a light blocking can do wonders, especially for enhancing the ruffles. I hope this tutorial helps you create your own stunning crochet ruffled hat! It's such a joy to see these hats come to life. Don't hesitate to share your creations; I'd love to see what you make!