Duende, the Free Mosaic Crochet Hat That Makes Winter Better

Updated: 28 October 2026 by Sylwia (MyCrochetory)

This mosaic crochet hat is my Duende Hat, a warm beanie with plum and off-white zigzags all the way around. I’m a mathematician who has always loved geometric shapes, so a zigzag was never going to stay on paper. And yes, that’s me wearing it in the photos.

You can make it in three adult sizes, and the free pattern below includes the chart and the written rounds.

Scroll down to the free Duende Hat pattern, or get the ad-free, printable PDF HERE on Etsy or HERE on Ravelry.

Join my Facebook Group and Official Ravelry Group, where you can ask questions and share your finished projects. You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Where the Duende Mosaic Crochet Hat Came From

The idea for this mosaic crochet hat came from knitting, and not for the first time. A knitted hat by knitwear designer Andrea Mowry gave me the spark, and I wanted that look in crochet.

I was deep in my mosaic crochet phase back then, so I knew right away how to get there. Mosaic gives you crisp, clean lines, and I drew my own zigzag chart for the body.

Then I added a ribbed brim, just like the ones on knitted hats. The matching Duende Cowl followed almost two years later, so now you can make a set.

How the Mosaic Crochet Hat Gets Its Zigzags

If mosaic crochet is new to you, trust me, the idea is simpler than it looks. In each round you crochet with one color and skip some stitches with chains.

Two rounds later, you work a long double crochet down into those skipped stitches, and that’s where the zigzags come from. You never hold two strands at once, so it’s an easy way into colorwork, even if charts make you nervous.

Want to warm up first? Try my tutorials on mosaic crochet in rows with color changes every 2 rows and mosaic crochet with a color change every row.

Building the Mosaic Crochet Hat From Brim to Crown

The hat starts with the brim, and the brim is worked sideways. You crochet short rows of back loop single crochet ribbing, then join the first and last rows into a band. I always put that join at the back of the hat, where nobody will notice it.

Without cutting the yarn, you switch to the bigger hook and work single crochet into the row ends along one edge. From there the mosaic body grows in one continuous spiral, so you never join a round.

Once the hat is tall enough, you work six rounds of back loop decreases for the crown. Then you gather the last stitches with a tapestry needle, and the photo tutorial at the end of the pattern shows you how.

Yarn for Your Mosaic Crochet Hat

For my mosaic crochet hat I used DROPS Nord, and it’s still the yarn I’d pick today. It’s a soft, warm blend of alpaca, polyamide and wool, with about 186 yards in every 50 g ball.

My colors are off white (01) and plum (17). Any two shades with strong contrast work, because a mosaic pattern needs one light and one dark color to really show.

Going with a different yarn? Choose one that matches the gauge in the pattern, and wash and block your swatch before you measure it.

Mosaic Crochet Hat Sizes and Fit

The Duende Hat comes in Adult S, M and L. The brim measures 19, 20.75 and 22.5 inches around, and the hat is 9, 9.75 and 9.75 inches tall.

Like a slouchier hat? Add more repeats of Rounds 3 to 8 before the crown, and end on Round 3, 5 or 7 as the pattern says. For a snugger beanie, work fewer rounds instead.

The body is a multiple of 7 stitches, and every brim row gives you one stitch. So if you change the brim length, keep the number of rows a multiple of 7.

Is This Mosaic Crochet Hat Beginner Friendly?

This mosaic crochet hat is an adventurous beginner to intermediate pattern. If you know single crochet, double crochet and back loop stitches, you have all the basics.

The tricky part is keeping track of the skipped stitches. That’s why I photographed Rounds 1 to 9 step by step for the tutorial, and testers worked through the pattern before it went live.

Not ready to start yet? Save the mosaic crochet hat on Pinterest, so you can find it fast when it gets cold.

Duende Mosaic Crochet Hat Free Pattern

• Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here on ETSY or here on Ravelry.
• Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue HERE.
• Pin it for later.

Copyright 2020 – 2026 MyCrochetory. All rights reserved. This pattern is property of Sylwia Kawczyńska @MyCrochetory. Please DO NOT sell the pattern and claim this pattern as your own. The pattern is for personal use only and may not be translated or reproduced in another language. Please respect my rights, DO NOT share or publish this pattern anywhere without my permission.

The hat you make following this pattern is yours, and you are free to sell it, as long as you credit MyCrochetory as the original designer. For more information, please read the Terms Page.

Materials & Tools:

1. Yarn DROPS Nord 50 g = 170 m (186 yd), 45% Alpaca, 30% Polyamide, 25% Wool, in 2 different colors:

Yarn A off white (01)

Yarn B plum (17)

• Hook size 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm. Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.
• Tapestry needle (to weave and hide yarn ends)
• Scissors
• Stitch marker.

Level:

Adventurous beginner/Intermediate

Sizes:

Adult small (Adult medium, Adult large)

Finished brim circumference:

48(53, 57) cm

19(20.75, 22.5)”

Finished height:

23(25, 25) cm / 9(9.75, 9.75)”

Gauge after blocking:

16 sts and 18 rows to 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4”) using 3.5 mm hook with single crochet.

If necessary, adjust hook size to obtain the correct gauge.

Before you measure, please take the time to wash and block your swatch in the same manner that you will wash and block your hat.

General Notes:

• The pattern uses US crochet terminology.
• The hat, after the brim, is worked in one continuous spiral of single crochet and BLmosaicdc stitches.
• Pattern for mosaic body is multiple of 7 stitches. To increase the width of the brim, increase the number of rows. To decrease the width of the brim, decrease the number of rows.
• To increase the height of the hat, increase the number of mosaic rounds. To decrease the height of the hat, decrease the number of mosaic rounds.
• Stitch marker placement: When instructed to place your marker, place on the last st worked unless otherwise instructed. It should lie on a stitch, not between stitches.
• STITCHES: When in the instructions you have a stitch followed by a number, e.g. sc14, this means you have to work 1sc stitch into each of the next 14 sts. When in the instructions you have a number followed by a stitch, e.g. 2sc, this means you have to work 2 sc stitches into the next (same) stitch.
• When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.
• Instructions in square brackets […] are worked as many times as indicated.

Mosaic Pattern Notes:

• You can either follow the chart or written instructions.
• Color is changed after every one round.
• You can avoid weaving in all those ends by not cutting the yarn when you finish a round. Simply carry the other color along the inside and pick it back up with your hook when you need to use it again.

How to Read the Mosaic Chart:

• Chart is read from bottom to top and each row of squares represents 1 round.
• All rounds are read from right to left.
• Each square of the chart represents 1 stitch or 1 skipped stitch.
• Whenever you see a square of color dedicated to that round, work single crochet.
• Whenever you see a square of different color in that round, skip that stitch (make chain). To prevent puckering, make the same number of chains as the number of skipped sts plus ch1. For example, for 1 skipped st – make ch2, for 2 skipped sts – make ch3, for 3 skipped sts – make ch4, etc.
• Pay special attention to the number of skipped stitches.
• BLmosaicdc will be worked in these skipped sts from two rounds below. Remember, BLmosaicdc are always worked in front of chains of previous round.

Stitches & Abbreviations (US terms):

ch(s) – chain(s) stitch

st(s) – stitch(es)

BOR – beginning of the row/round

sc(s) – single crochet

dc(s) – double crochet

BLsc – back loop only single crochet

BLdc – back loop only double crochet

slst – slip stitch

yo – yarn over

BLmosaicdc (back loop only mosaic double crochet) – work regular BLdc in unworked/skipped st of the same color two rounds below in front of chain space (in front of work). These chains will stay behind BLmosaicdc and will stay unworked.

sc2tog (single crochet 2 together) – insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw up a loop, insert hook in next indicated st, yo, draw up a loop, pull through 3 loops on hook.

BLsc2tog – back loop only single crochet 2 together

M – marker

PM – place marker

sp – space

sk – skip

beg – beginning

prev – previous

RS – right side

WS – wrong side

Brim

With 2.5 mm hook and Yarn A, ch8(ch9, ch9).

Row 1: sc in second ch from hook, sc in each ch to end. Turn.

Row 2: ch1 (doesn’t count as a sc), sc in first st, BLsc across until last st remain, sc in last st. Turn.

You should have 7(8, 8) sc stitches in each row.

Repeat Row 2 75(82, 89) times for a total of 77(84, 91) rows.

After your last repeat of row 2 join the first and the last row together.

Don’t break the yarn.

With 3.5 mm hook:

Next row (RS): ch1 (doesn’t count as a st here and throughout), sc in first brim’s row, place BOR marker, sc in each brim’s rows until BOR. Don’t join the round.

HOW TO START YOUR CROCHET PROJECT WITH A CROCHET RIBBING

Mosaic Body

Mosaic body is worked in one continuous spiral. Don’t join the rounds.

With RS facing you.

Round 1 (yarn A): BLsc in BOR (mark this st as a new BOR), BLsc in each st around until BOR. Change to Yarn B in final st.

Round 2 (yarn B): BLsc in BOR (mark this st as a new BOR), BLsc3, ch2, sk 1st, BLsc1, [ch2, sk 1st, BLsc4, ch2, sk 1st, BLsc1] rep around until one st remain before BOR. Change to Yarn A in final st.

Round 3 (yarn A): BLsc in one st before BOR (mark this st as a new BOR), ch2, sk 1st, BLsc3, BLmosaicdc1 (in unworked st of same color two rounds below, in front of chains – here and throughout), BLsc1, [BLmosaicdc1, ch2, sk 1st, BLsc3, BLmosaicdc1, BLsc1] rep around until BOR. Change to Yarn B in final st.

Round 4 (yarn B): BLsc in BOR (mark this st as a new BOR), BLmosaicdc1, ch2, sk 1st, BLsc1, ch2, sk 1st, BLsc2, [BLsc1, BLmosaicdc1, ch2, sk 1st, BLsc1, ch2, sk 1st, BLsc2] rep around until BOR. Change to Yarn A in final st.

Round 5 (yarn A): BLsc in BOR (mark this st as a new BOR), BLsc1, BLmosaicdc1, BLsc1, BLmosaicdc1, ch2, sk 1st, BLsc1, [BLsc2, BLmosaicdc1, BLsc1, BLmosaicdc1, ch2, sk 1st, BLsc1] rep around until BOR. Change to Yarn B in final st.

Round 6 (yarn B): BLsc in BOR (mark this st as a new BOR), ch2, sk 1st, BLsc3, BLmosaicdc1, [ch2, sk 1st, BLsc1, ch2, sk 1st, BLsc3, BLmosaicdc1] rep around until one st remain before BOR. Change to Yarn A in final st.

Round 7 (yarn A): BLsc in one st before BOR (mark this st as a new BOR), BLsc1, BLmosaicdc1, ch2, sk 1st, BLsc3, [BLmosaicdc1, BLsc1, BLmosaicdc1, ch2, sk 1st, BLsc3] rep around until BOR. Change to Yarn B in final st.

Round 8 (yarn B): BLsc in BOR (mark this st as a new BOR), BLsc2, BLmosaicdc1, ch2, sk 1st, BLsc1, [ch2, sk 1st, BLsc3, BLmosaicdc1, ch2, sk 1st, BLsc1] rep around until one st remain before BOR. Change to Yarn A in final st.

Repeat Rounds 3 – 8 until round 27(31, 31) ending on repeat of Round 3 or Round 5 or Round 7 according to your size.

Next Round (with Yarn B): start this round as you would start your next round (after repeat of round 3 or round 5 or round 7) working BLsc in every st and BLmosaicdc in every unworked st two rounds below around until BOR.

Crown Decreases

Round 1: BLsc2tog (mark this st as a new BOR), BLsc5, [BLsc2tog, BLsc5] around until BOR. Don’t join the round here and throughout.

Round 2: BLsc2tog (mark this st as a new BOR), BLsc4, [BLsc2tog, BLsc4] around until BOR.

Round 3: BLsc2tog (mark this st as a new BOR), BLsc3, [BLsc2tog, BLsc3] around until BOR.

Round 4: BLsc2tog (mark this st as a new BOR), BLsc2, [BLsc2tog, BLsc2] around until BOR.

Round 5: BLsc2tog (mark this st as a new BOR), BLsc1, [BLsc2tog, BLsc1] around until BOR.

Round 6: BLsc2tog (mark this st as a new BOR), BLsc2tog around until BOR, slst in BOR.

Fasten off, leaving a long end for sewing. Close the hole at the top using your favorite method, or follow my tutorial below.

Mosaic Tutorial

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

Round 4:

Round 5:

Round 6:

Round 7:

Round 8:

Round 9:

Closing the Hat

Thread the long end through a tapestry needle, go up underneath the first stitch and pull it through.

Then, go back in under the next stitch and pull through. Don’t tighten up yet and keep working around until you get back where you started.

Now tighten up.

After that, turn your hat inside out and sew back and forth through the center a few times.

Fasten off the yarn, weave in all ends and block your hat to measurements.

Stuck on a round? Ask in my Facebook Group or Ravelry Group, or email me at mycrochetory@gmail.com.

Finished your Duende Hat? Share it on Instagram with #mycrochetory or #duendehat and tag @mycrochetory so I can see it.

More Duende and Mosaic Crochet Patterns

If the zigzags won you over, these mosaic patterns of mine use the same back loop technique.

• Duende Cowl, the matching cowl with the same zigzag, worked in a spiral with ribbing at both edges.
• Namari Mosaic Cowl, a two-color cowl with ribbed edges that you can pull up over your nose on frosty days.
• Carina Mosaic Shawl, a top-down triangle shawl where mosaic bands meet in a big V, finished with tassels.
• Thassos Mosaic Blanket, a black and white blanket with bold geometric shapes.

More Free Crochet Hat Patterns

Need more hats for the cold months? These are all my own designs, and each one has a different texture.

• Ombre Moss Stitch Beanie, a three-color ombre beanie in moss stitch, worked in the round without cutting the yarn.
• Siri Herringbone Hat, a herringbone stitch hat with a fold-up brim and a big pom-pom.
• Winterberry Chunky Hat, a quick chunky beanie with a knit-look texture, in sizes from toddler to adult.
• Fleur de Stripe Hat, a striped knit-look beanie in waistcoat stitch, with sizes from baby to adult.

Still new to hats and want an easier start? My roundup of free crochet beanie patterns for beginners has 33 simple hats to warm up with.

Mosaic Crochet Hat FAQ

Do I have to cut the yarn after every round?

No. Carry the color you are not using up the inside of the hat, and you end up with only a few ends to weave in at the finish.

Why does my mosaic fabric pucker?

Usually the chains over the skipped stitches are too tight. Make one chain more than the number of skipped stitches, as the chart notes explain, and keep those chains relaxed.

How do I block the mosaic crochet hat?

DROPS Nord has alpaca and wool, so wet blocking works best. Soak the hat in lukewarm water with a little wool wash, roll it in a towel to press out the water, and let it dry flat or over a balloon blown up to the right size.