Crochet Apache Tears Hat the easy way. When I first saw the Apache Tears pattern many years ago I fell in love with it. My YouTube video tutorial for the Apache Tears pattern has been a viewer favorite. With so many crochet and knitting projecting it seems I always have tons of half-used yarn skeins. If you’ve been following my posts of videos for any time you will know how much I hate to waste yarn and God forbid throw away partial skeins.
While looking thru my stash I found some colors that I felt would make a nice colorway. I choose shades of teal, mint, blue/greens and white. This pattern looks best when using several colors. You can make the hat all in a solid color but that doesn’t really seem to do the stitch pattern justice. With the cold weather soon upon us I wanted to make a hat using that same great Crochet Apache Tears pattern.
For the Crochet Apache Tears hat you will need 5 colors of medium weight yarn. I used small amounts and it was probably only a couple ounces of each color. This hat is for a 19-24 inch head circumference since it does stretch. If you want to make it for a child I suggest using a smaller hook size perhaps a size H (5.0mm) hook. The rest of the instructions would remain the same.
For those who prefer a video tutorial, I have posted the links to my free YouTube videos on the last page of this post.
Supplies needed for the Crochet Apache Tears Hat
Size J Hook (6mm)
scissors
yarn needle
measuring tape
5 colors of medium weight yarn. (Approximately 2 ozs for each color. It may be a little more yarn needed the brim color )
Important Notes: This hat is worked from the brim up. This is a 5 stitch pattern repeat. You will have 4 single crochets and 1 double crochet (tear drops) that make up the pattern. In each row the pattern moves over one stitch to the left. This is what creates the diagonal pattern of this hat. This means that when you are closing (with a slip stitch) each row there will be different number of single crochets at the end of each round… BUT if you keep counting your pattern it remains the same. 4 single crochets followed by 1 double crochet teardrop which is worked 1 row below your current row into the Horizontal line. (See photos below). You can watch the free YouTube video if you are confused. I find that at times being able to see a video helps me to be able to better understand how to complete a project.
I did not cut my yarn but just carried it up at the beginning stitches. I find this helps to reduce the number of tails I have to weave in. If you prefer to cut the yarn after each color change that is ok. I just hate to sew in tails. (see photo below)
To begin Brim (with first color): Chain 7, single crochet in each stitch beginning on 2nd chain from the hook.
Row 2 – 65: ch 1, turn work, single crochet in each chain (BACK LOOP ONLY)
After row 65 you will be joining both edges together to form a circle. Put both edges together making sure NOT to twist brim.
Join: Slip stitch thru each stitch (Both layers). Without cutting yarn continue to the rows for your hat.
IMPORTANT: You will be working all of your stitches of the hat into the BACK LOOP only unless otherwise instructed.
Hat: (Change colors for each row).
Row 1: chain 1, 1 single crochet into each row or brim, (65 single crochet)
Row 2 : ch 1, single crochet in each stitch (65 single crochet)
Apache Tears Pattern begins:
Row 3: slip stitch into first stitch, chain 1, single crochet into same stitch, single crochet, Double crochet into the horizontal line one row below current row (See photo below) tear drop stitch made, *single crochet into the next 4 stitches, double crochet (tear drop ) into horizontal line one row below current row*, Repeat from * to *, single crochet in remaining stitches.
Row 4: slip stitch into the first stitch, chain 1, single crochet into same stitch, 1 single crochet in next 2 stitches, *double crochet (tear drop ) into horizontal line one row below current row, single crochet into the next 4 stiches*, repeat from * to *, single crochet in remaining stitches
Row 5: slip stitch into first stitch, chain 1, single crochet into same stitch, single crochet in next 3, *double crochet (tear drop ) into horizontal line one row below current row, single crochet into the next 4 stiches*, repeat from * to *, single crochet in remaining stitches
Row6: slip stitch into first stitch, chain 1, single crochet into same stitch, single crochet in next 4, *double crochet (tear drop ) into horizontal line one row below current row, single crochet into the next 4 stiches*, repeat from * to *, single crochet in remaining stitches
Row 7: slip stitch into first stitch, *double crochet (tear drop ) into horizontal line one row below current row, single crochet into the next 4 stiches*, repeat from * to *, single crochet in remaining stitches.
Continue pattern adding additional rows (Apache Tears Pattern Rows only) rows 3 – 7 until your piece measures approx. 10 inches. If you don’t want your hat this tall you can make it shorter. When my piece measured 10 inches I had just finished working on Row 3 of the pattern repeat. (Yours may be different depending on your gauge).
Decrease Rows (work thru both loops of stitches) All in same color.
Row 1: slip stitch in first stitch, chain 1, single crochet in the next 5 stitches, single crochet 2 together over next two stitches (sc2tog) Decrease made*, Repeat from * to *, single crochet in remaining stitches
Row 2: slip stitch into first stitch, chain 1, single crochet in the next 5 stitches, single crochet 2 together over next two stitches (sc2tog) Decrease made*, Repeat from * to *, single crochet in remaining stitches
Row 3: slip stitch into first stitch, ch 1, single crochet in the next 2 stitches, single crochet 2 together over next two stitches (sc2tog) Decrease made*, Repeat from * to *, single crochet in remaining stitches. Fasten off leaving a long tail to be able to double up yarn when weaving thru hat top edge.
Finishing: Thread the yarn thru a yarn needle. Now you will weave your needle in and out of the top edge stitches. Flip hat inside out. Pull opening shut. You can now slip the top opening shut if you need. Just work the yarn thru each edge of the top . Weave in yarn tails. Flip to the right side and enjoy. (see photos below)
If you prefer to watch a Video tutorial I have included links to those videos in the next page:
This looks great! I have seen this in a blanket, but have never tried doing it. Thank you for this pattern.
you are welcome
Beautiful, I’m definitely using your pattern thanks so much for sharing
Im wondering if using red heart ombre would work or would it still not show the tear drop look? I may just need to get more yarn. This is beautiful I cant wait to make it
Hello. I love this pattern. Is it possible to work this starting from the top working in rounds?
I have never tried it that way.
I don’t think this is possible because you need stitches below the row when you drop down to create the “tear”. If you started at the top, you’d end up with the “tear” reaching toward the top of the hat. Nothing wrong with that, but it wouldn’t look like the pattern.
Thanks so much for this pattern. I actually made one for me!! It turned out beautifully in black, grey tones and white.
That is great to hear. I really like the way these come out.
I have made numerous Apache Tear blankets although the patterns I used called it an Indian Blanket. I love the pattern and I’m now going to try the hat. Thank you so much for this pattern. Now let the Christmas gifts begin!!