Crocheted Top Hat Tutorial – Comprehensive Study Notes

Hook: Eye size (I/9) = $5.50\,\text{mm}$ .
- The tutor repeatedly flashes the number and explains the same size is sometimes labelled "9".
Yarn: Caron One-Pound skein (≈ $16\,\text{oz}$ ) in worsted weight.
- One hat uses most of the skein because the strand is held double for rigidity.
- Doubling the yarn plus tight single crochet makes the hat self-supporting; starch is optional but not required.
Gauge is not critical; individual tension (tight vs. loose crocheters) will change finished diameter. The pattern therefore builds in adjustable increase and decrease sections.
Extras:
- Stitch marker (strongly recommended; you see the instructor losing count when she skips it).
- Scissors & tapestry needle for ends.

Hold two strands together at all times for stiffness.
Always mark the last stitch of the round; otherwise rounds shift and counts go off.
When working the transitional “ridge” round, grab both the back loop of the current round and the un-used loop of the previous round to eliminate visible daylight gaps.
Keep decreases paired (front/back and side/side) so the cylinder does not lean.
If the crown ever feels too huge, simply rip back the most recent increase round; conversely, if it is too small, add another increase round before moving on.

Bullet list shows what the pattern says; the video occasionally shows mis-counts—ignore those.

Round 0: Ch $5$ , sl st to first ch to form ring.
Round 1: $8$ single crochet (sc) into ring.
- $\rightarrow$ Place stitch marker in the final stitch.
Round 2: 2 sc in every stitch $\Rightarrow 16\,\text{sc}$ .
Round 3: (1 sc, 1 inc) repeat $\Rightarrow 24\,\text{sc}$ .
Round 4: (2 sc, 1 inc) repeat $\Rightarrow 32\,\text{sc}$ .
Round 5: (3 sc, 1 inc) repeat $\Rightarrow 40\,\text{sc}$ .
Round 6: (4 sc, 1 inc) repeat $\Rightarrow 48\,\text{sc}$ .
Round 7: (5 sc, 1 inc) repeat $\Rightarrow 56\,\text{sc}$ .
Round 8: (6 sc, 1 inc) repeat $\Rightarrow 64\,\text{sc}$ .
Round 9: (7 sc, 1 inc) repeat $\Rightarrow 72\,\text{sc}$ .
Round 10: (8 sc, 1 inc) repeat $\Rightarrow 80\,\text{sc}$ .
Round 11 (optional if you want a smaller crown): (9 sc, 1 inc) would give $88\,\text{sc}$ ; the instructor normally stops after Round 10.

Result: a large, flat circle—much wider than an ordinary beanie—to obtain the exaggerated “Mad-Hatter” taper later.

Round 12 (ridge): Work through the back loop AND the hidden third loop (two loops total) of each stitch—single crochet all the way around. This closes the daylight gap and forms a crisp 90° turn.
Visually, the seam line now shifts half a stitch; the instructor uses that mis-alignment to mark the back of the hat.
Rounds 13-14: Plain single crochet in both loops, no increases.

Try the piece on. It will be massive—deliberately so.
Begin symmetrical decreases to contract to head circumference.
- Example used: (6 sc, 1 dec) around.
- If still too large ⇒ do another decrease row such as (6 sc, 1 dec) again or (5 sc, 1 dec).
- If the row made it too small ⇒ rip back and try (8 sc, 1 dec), (9 sc, 1 dec), etc.
Rule of thumb: Every decrease removes $1$ stitch; keep decreases opposite each other (front/back & left/right) to avoid spiralling.

Work 15 rounds of plain single crochet—no increases, no decreases.
Purpose: build the tall, straight sidewalls characteristic of a top hat.
Instructor periodically tries the hat on, adding a strategic decrease line if still loose. She recommends doing at most $4$ decreases in one round to retain symmetry.

The brim is built by increasing every round, which forces the fabric to flare outward and sit flat.

Patterned sequence:

Row 31: (4 sc, 1 inc)
Row 32: (5 sc, 1 inc)
Row 33: (6 sc, 1 inc)
Row 34: (7 sc, 1 inc)
Row 35: (8 sc, 1 inc) ← last increase row in demo
Row 36: Plain single crochet all around to lock the brim.

Optional extension:

For a wider brim, keep following the arithmetic progression: next would be (9 sc, 1 inc), then (10 sc, 1 inc), etc., always finishing with one final plain row.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail to weave in securely.
Block or simply hand-shape: flatten the brim on a table, pinch the front and back to begin that classic curve.
Extra rigidity: spray starch or dilute white glue can be applied, but the doubled yarn usually gives enough stiffness.

Color: the demo uses white for visibility; the maker plans to frog it because “no one wants a white top hat.” Choose blacks, greys, or bright steampunk colors.
Decorations: gears, ribbons, goggles, Halloween ornaments—the rigid shape supports weight without sagging.
Ethical note: the presenter jokes “watch your manners!” when she says she hates “fracking” (frogging)—no harsh language.
Cosplay context: labelled as a “badass steampunk” / “Mad-Hatter” accessory, perfect for Halloween.

Increase Round Formula: $\text{Stitch repeat} = (n\,\text{sc}, 1\,\text{inc}),\; n = \text{round number} - 2.$ (E.g., Round 6 → $n = 4$ .)
Brim Formula: Start at $n=4$ and increment $n$ by $1$ each round until desired width, then finish with $n+1$ plain round.