Mint Ribbed Cloche with Lavender Band: Free Crochet Pattern

Mint Ribbed Cloche with Lavender Band: Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This mint ribbed cloche is a calm, Japandi-inspired hat that pairs a soft mint dome with a wide lavender band for a look that feels both modern and timeless. It's written for confident beginners — if you can work half-double crochet and single crochet, you can make this hat. Working every stitch through the back loop gives the whole piece a gentle vertical rib that looks like fine knitwear and feels smooth and stretchy against the head. The finished cloche has a rounded, dome-shaped crown and a straight, close-fitting body that sits neatly over the ears — simple, quiet, and endlessly wearable.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK weight (category 3) yarn. Approximately 200 yards mint and 50 yards lavender. A smooth wool, wool-blend, or cotton-blend works well; choose something soft with a little elasticity.
• Hook: 3.5 mm (US E/4), or the size needed to match gauge.
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, measuring tape, scissors.
• Finished size: Fits a head circumference of 22 inches; hat height 8 inches.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• MR — magic ring: an adjustable loop you crochet into, then pull closed so there is no hole in the center.
• hdc — half-double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• inc — increase: work 2 stitches into the same stitch.
• blo — back loop only: work into the back loop of the stitch (the loop farther from you), leaving the front loop free to create the rib.
• sts — stitches.
• Rnd — round: one full circle of stitches worked continuously.

Gauge

16 stitches and 12 rows = 4 inches in hdc through the back loop. Work a small swatch in hdc blo, measure a 4-inch section in the middle, and change hook size if your count is off — a looser gauge makes the hat too big, a tighter one too small.

Tips Before You Start

• Work the crown increase rounds in plain hdc (through both loops), then switch to hdc blo from Round 17 onward — this keeps the dome smooth and the sides ribbed.
• Use a stitch marker at the start of each round; the hat is worked in a continuous spiral with no joining chains.
• Keep your tension even on the blo rounds — pulling too tight will make the rib stiff and shrink the fit.
• Check the crown diameter after Round 16: it should measure about 7½ inches across (roughly 24 inches around) before you begin the straight sides.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Crown and Body (Mint, then Lavender)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 hdc into the ring (6 sts).

Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [hdc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 4: [2 hdc, inc] x6 (24 sts).

Rnd 5: [3 hdc, inc] x6 (30 sts).

Rnd 6: [4 hdc, inc] x6 (36 sts).

Rnd 7: [5 hdc, inc] x6 (42 sts).

Rnd 8: [6 hdc, inc] x6 (48 sts).

Rnd 9: [7 hdc, inc] x6 (54 sts).

Rnd 10: [8 hdc, inc] x6 (60 sts).

Rnd 11: [9 hdc, inc] x6 (66 sts).

Rnd 12: [10 hdc, inc] x6 (72 sts).

Rnd 13: [11 hdc, inc] x6 (78 sts).

Rnd 14: [12 hdc, inc] x6 (84 sts).

Rnd 15: [13 hdc, inc] x6 (90 sts).

Rnd 16: [14 hdc, inc] x6 (96 sts).

Rnds 17–40: hdc blo in each st around (96 sts). Change to lavender at the end of Round 40.

Rnds 41–46: hdc blo in each st around (96 sts). Fasten off.

Band (Lavender)

Rnd 1: Join lavender to Round 40 (the mint/lavender junction) and sc in each st around (96 sts).

Rnds 2–4: sc blo in each st around (96 sts). Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

This hat is worked as one continuous piece, so there is no seaming. Weave in all ends on the inside of the hat, running each tail through a few stitches in two directions so it stays secure. Block lightly: mist the hat with water, ease it over a round object or a hat form about 22 inches around, and let it dry fully — this evens out the ribbing and softens the dome. Do not stretch the band while blocking, so it keeps its snug fit.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the colors: Try a cream crown with a sage band, or make the band the same color as the crown for a minimal monochrome look.
• Add a subtle brim: Work one extra round of sc blo in lavender after Round 4 of the band for a slightly deeper edge.
• Adjust the fit: For a smaller head, stop the crown increases at Round 15 (90 sts) and work the straight rounds at 90 sts; for a larger head, add Round 17 of increases (102 sts) before the straight sides.