Mosaic ZigZag Crochet Hat – Free Pattern
Show your support and crochet for a cause with the Mosaic ZigZag Hat, a striking overlay mosaic crochet pattern created for the Crochet Cancer Challenge. Featuring bold zigzag colorwork and a cozy fit, this pattern uses light blue to honor Prostate Cancer awareness, making it perfect for meaningful gift-giving or fundraising. With clear instructions and a beautiful texture that pops in contrasting colors, it’s a rewarding project for adventurous beginners and seasoned crocheters alike.
Raising Awareness for Prostate Cancer
Earlier this year, a close family member of mine was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The past several months have showed me firsthand the importance of screening & treatment, but also the value of supportive family and friends. So in his honor, I designed this hat in light blue, which symbolizes prostate cancer awareness.
A Mosaic Crochet Hat pattern Worked in the Round
The Mosaic ZigZag hat is made in overlay mosaic crochet. In this method, some stitches drop down over the row below to create intricate-looking designs, using only one color at a time. The overlapping stitches make a thick, layered fabric that’s super warm & cozy for hats.
The great thing about working mosaic crochet in rounds is you aren’t left with a bunch of ends to weave in. Even though you change colors each row, there’s no need to fasten off. You can simply drop the non-working yarn to the inside of the project and pick up the new color, carrying the two colors on the wrong side.
This is a fun and easy pattern that becomes relaxing and meditative once you memorize the repeat. It would make an excellent first mosaic crochet project. If you find you love this technique as much as I do, check out all my mosaic crochet patterns here.
More Cozy Crochet Hats & Ear Warmers
Don’t miss these other crochet hat and ear warmer patterns to keep you cozy and stylish during the cold-weather months—or to donate to your favorite cause!
Pattern Details for the Mosaic ZigZag Crochet Hat Pattern
This free mosaic crochet pattern includes written instructions and a chart for four sizes of hat. These range from toddler to adult, and will fit head circumferences of 18-24 inches—so everyone in the family can show their support.
This hat is worked from the top down, using mosaic crochet in rounds. Once you complete the body of the hat, you’ll make the ribbing in rows, working from side to side around the bottom of the hat. Then you’ll just gather the other end closed to create the top. Finally, add a pom pom if you like!
Yarn for the Mosaic Crochet Hat Pattern
For the Mosaic ZigZag Hat, I used WeCrochet Brava Worsted. This is a versatile worsted weight (#4) acrylic yarn that’s affordable, soft, and machine washable. It comes in dozens of beautiful colors, so you can choose one that’s meaningful to you or your recipient. I chose light blue to represent prostate cancer awareness.
You can substitute any equivalent worsted weight yarn. But if you’re going to crochet this hat as chemo cap, make sure to choose a soft yarn that will feel comforting against sensitive skin.
Purchase this yarn here
The Hook
The hook I used to work up this pattern was an H/5.0mm Furls Streamline Crochet Hook. I own several of these hooks and use them all the time. The ergonomic handle feels great in my hand and reduces strain, even when crocheting for hours. And they have a smooth finish, so yarn glides nicely over them as you stitch. I just can’t say enough good things about these hooks! I highly recommend you try one.
Everyone crochets a little differently. So you may find that an H hook doesn’t work for you. Definitely work up a gauge swatch using the yarn & hook of your choice. That will give you a better idea of your tension and the size of your hat. This takes a little time but it’s so worth it to make sure your hat fits correctly.
Purchase A Furls Hook Here
What is Overlay mosaic crochet?
To successfully complete this project, you’ll need to be familiar with mosaic crochet. If you’ve never heard of the technique before, that’s okay! Let me break it down for you.
Overlay Mosaic Crochet is a technique that requires you to work in the BLO (back loop only) and then drop down to pick up the front loop of stitches from lower rounds which creates textured stitches that lay over the stitches from previous rows and can be used to create wonderfully intricate patterns.
These patterns are worked in one direction only, dropping the working yarn at the end of each round, and picking up the new color—carrying the yarns up the inside of the project. Each new round consists of only ONE color, but with the use of the sc and drop down dc stitches, you get the mosaic design. Most overlay mosaic patterns come with a chart. The symbols on the chart tell you when to use a dc and when to use the special drop down dc.
It seems complicated, but I promise, it’s super easy (and addictive) as you go. Not only that, but once you master overlay mosaic crochet, you’ll be able to create many of the most popular designs on this blog.
Visit this blog post for a basic overview of the technique
Feel free to watch the video below to familiarize yourself a bit with the technique. **Note that the sample in this video is worked flat, whereas the Mosaic ZigZag Hat is worked in the round. The technique is the same, except for the beginning and end of the rounds.
When working in rounds, the ch-1 at the beginning of each round functions as the “beginning border stitch.” The sl st to the ch-1 from the beginning of the round replaces the “ending border stitch.”
Please SUBSCRIBE to my channel, comment that you joined in from the Mosaic in a Month CAL, and like the videos. Thank you so much!
Mosaic YouTube Playlist
I have created a playlist on YouTube with the videos about overlay mosaic crochet; more will be added as they are released. Click here to access.
Where to get the Crochet pattern for the Mosaic ZigZag Hat
You can purchase this pattern for just a few dollars from my Ravelry or Etsy shop.
OR
View the pattern below for free!
Free Crochet Pattern for the Mosaic ZigZag Hat
Skill Level: Adventurous Beginner/Intermediate
Materials
- Yarn: WeCrochet Brava Worsted, (100% Acrylic; 218 yds per 100g skein)
- or any Worsted weight #4 yarn
- Color A – 1 skein
- Color B – 1 skein
- Size H/5.0mm crochet hook (or hook to obtain gauge)
- Tapestry Needle
- Scissors
Gauge
16 stitches x 20 rounds = 4” square
Gauge obtained from swatch of pattern, measuring on the WS.
Sizing
Toddler (Child, Adult, Large Adult)
|
Size |
Hat Circ (in) |
Head Circ (in) |
Hat Length (in) |
|
Toddler |
14 |
18-19 |
6.5 |
|
Child |
16 |
20-21 |
7 |
|
Adult |
18 |
22-23 |
8 |
|
Large Adult |
20 |
24 |
8.5 |
Stitch Abbreviations (US Terminology)
- BLOsc – Back Loop Only Single Crochet
- ch – Chain
- dc – Double Crochet
- FLOdc – Front Loop Only Double Crochet
- Fsc – Foundation single crochet
- RS – Right Side
- sc – Single Crochet
Special Stitches & techniques
BLOsc: single crochet made in the back loop of the stitch in the row below
FLOdc: double crochet made in the front loop of the stitch 2 rows below
Notes
- Stitches between *asterisks* are repeated.
- Ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
- This pattern uses the overlay mosaic technique. If unfamiliar, be sure to watch my video tutorials.
- Every round is worked in a different color. Instead of fastening off after each round, I prefer to drop the yarn on the WS (inside) and pick it back up for next time.
- Every round begins with a ch 1 as the “beginning border stitch.”
- Every round ends with sl st to the ch 1 from the beginning of the round as the “ending border stitch.”
- Each round begins with 1 border stitch (ch 1) , has a repeat of 8 stitches, and 1 border stitch (sl st) at the end.
- You may choose to repeat the pattern as many times as you wish. Make sure your foundation row is made up of any multiple of 8 stitches.
- The chart included is for a base of 8 st (plus the ch 1 & sl st)
- If you prefer to make a different size:
- Wider/Narrower: Add/subtract FSC stitches
- Taller/shorter pot: Add/subtract rounds
- Be sure to just work more or less repeats as needed.
Chart
Written Instructions for the Mosaic ZigZag Hat
Make a slip knot, leaving a long tail.
Round 1: With Color A, FSC x56 (64, 72, 80), sl st to ch 1 to join in circle
Round 2: With Color B, ch 1, BLOsc around, sl st to ch 1 to join – 56 (64, 72, 80) sts.
Round 3: With Color A, ch 1, *FLOdc, BLOsc, [FLOdc, BLOsc x2] x 2*, repeat across, sl st to join.
Round 4: With Color B, ch 1, *BLOsc x3, FLOdc*, repeat across, sl st to join.
Round 5: With Color A, ch 1, *BLOsc, FLOdc, BLOsc x2, [FLOdc, BLOsc] x 2*, repeat across, sl st to join.
Round 6: With Color B, ch 1, *FLOdc, BLOsc, [FLOdc, BLOsc x2] x 2*, repeat across, sl st to join.
Round 7: With Color A, ch 1, *BLOsc x3, FLOdc*, repeat across, sl st to join.
Round 8: With Color B, ch 1, *BLOsc, FLOdc, BLOsc x2, [FLOdc, BLOsc] x 2, *, repeat across, sl st to join.
Round 9: With Color A, ch 1, *FLOdc, BLOsc, [FLOdc, BLOsc x2] x 2*, repeat across, sl st to join.
Toddler-Rounds 10-27: Repeat Rounds 4-9 x3
Child-Rounds 10-33: Repeat Rounds 4-9 x4
Adult-Rounds 10-39: Repeat Rounds 4-9 x5
Large Adult-Rounds 10-45: Repeat Rounds 4-9 x6
Fasten off Color A.
Ribbing
(click for the tutorial I used)
- With Color B, sc in each st around, sl st to join.
- Ch 6 (8, 10, 12), sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch – 5 (7, 9, 11) sts.
- Anchor the ribbing to the hat by sl st to the next 2 sts in base of hat
- Rotate hat to work back up the ribbing, sk 2 sl st, BLOsc in each sc – 5 (7, 9, 11) sts.
- Ch 1, rotate hat to work back down the ribbing, BLOsc in each st – 5 (7, 9, 11) sts.
- Repeat Steps 3-5 all the way around the hat
- Once all base sts have been worked into, sl st both sides of the ribbing together on the RS.
- Flip ribbing up at the seam to create a brim.
Fasten off.
Close Hat
- With yarn needle, weave tail in and our ot each stitch around the top of the hat.
- Pull the tail tight to close the hat.
- Sew yarn across the cinch in a couple different directions to reinforce closure.
Weave in all ends.
Optional: Add a Pom Pom or other embellishments
Ready, Set… CROCHET!
Action Items:
- Work up the Mosaic ZigZag Hat
- Donate at least one hat to a cancer patient or medical facility
- Post a picture of your finished hat in the J&O FB Group
- Visit the blog hop page every weekday in October, 2025 to find more beautiful crochet hat patterns to make for charity
- If you have any issues, questions, or tips, please post them on the J&O FB Group as well.
Definitely post pictures and share about your project on any social media you have. When you make this hat, be sure to tag me @juniperandoakes and use #juniperandoakes so we can see your progress!
The Fine Print
This pattern and its images are the property of Juniper and Oakes ©2024. The pattern is for your personal use only. Please do not copy/paste, distribute, or alter and claim as your own. You may sell products made by this pattern, but please credit @juniperandoakes and remember to link back to juniperandoakes.com or credit Juniper & Oakes on the craft fair tag.
You may post pictures on social media and tag @juniperandoakes and use the hashtag #juniperandoakes. If you make this pattern, please email a picture to [email protected] and I will include it in a gallery on my website. You can also post pictures on my Facebook Page, or in the Juniper + Oakes Crochet Community Facebook Group.
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Let me know if you run into a problem. I respond quickly and will help any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.
