Russian Cloche Hat Size Guide


red haired amazona

One of my most commonly asked questions in relation to the Russian Cloche hat is about how to make smaller or larger sizes.
 
So I have worked up a size chart which I hope helps answer your questions.
The chart is for when as per instructions, you are using the 2.5mm crochet hooks and 4 ply cotton yarn, whether it's plain or mercerized. However normal cotton yarn has more stretch than the mercerized cotton.
The chart below gives the sizes from Premie up to Adult XXL. I have sourced the sizings from a variety of websites. It's funny because there is some slight variation on what is deemed to be the correct size and measurements for different ages, so I have averaged the results.
 
 
I would advise where possible to get a head measurement of the person who is going to be wearing the hats as I can say my 6 year old Sonofagun No.2 has a slightly smaller head than his female cousin who is 6 weeks younger than him!
 
The general rule of thumb with the Cloche hats is that they are made in slightly spiraling columns. Each column starts with one double crochet (US terms) which produces a column that is ultimately 3cm wide when the hat is worn. So a head that has a diameter of 48cm will need 16 dcs in the first round.
 
This chart can also be a good general guide for making any knitted or crocheted hat (just ignore the Double Crochet column!).
 
red haired amazona hat
 
If you intend on using other yarns that are smaller or larger such as 8ply cottons or acrylics, you may need to create a swatch or sample first to determine how wide each column will be and calculate accordingly.
For example, if you are using a DK acrylic and one double crochet results in a 4cm column, for someone with the 48cm head diameter, you would only need to crochet 12 double crochets in the first row. Because 48 divided by 4 = 12.

I don't actually know if DK does produce that 4cm result. You'll have to work it out yourself!

crochet hat size guide chart
 
I hope this chart helps answer all your sizing questions!

Comments

  1. Gogolok20 January 2016 at 03:24

    I love all your works.

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    1. Red Haired Amazona20 January 2016 at 07:05

      Thank you!

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    2. Unknown27 January 2018 at 00:16

      How can I get written patterns for the hats. I'm not good at watching and doin.

      Delete
  2. Unknown25 January 2016 at 06:22

    hello i love this hat im doing one now for my granddaughter she 2 years old i like to know when you say 16 double crochet is that how many rolls i do 16 roll then i do the brim thanks so much for your video i love your work

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    1. Anonymous27 September 2023 at 08:53

      So did you make for the 2year old how many rows did before you start brim?

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  3. Unknown5 February 2016 at 07:56

    Hello! I'm looking for a pattern on babybluebell hat but can Only find pattern on russia. They look much like your hats so maby you can help me?
    Love your work by The way!
    /Malin from Sweden

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  4. Unknown21 February 2016 at 08:38

    i am currently doing this hat with the yarnart begonia yarn. When it is finished, does it tend to look small? I noticed it has some stretch but just curious as its for a custom order I was requested to make.. Thanks! PS you make this so easy to follow! LOVE IT!

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  5. Anonymous20 March 2016 at 12:37

    Yarnart yarn in not easily available her in the US either. At least I have not found it. You say to use mercerized cotton, would that be the same as #10 crochet cotton thread, or is this to light?

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    1. alyne18 April 2016 at 13:01

      Did anyone ever reply to you about this yarn? I had the same question. I was thinking more of the #3
      Definitely working with the Peaches and Creme 4ply cotton with a 2.5 seems way to thick.
      I would love to know what you ended up using.
      Thanks in advance.

      Delete
    2. Red Haired Amazona18 April 2016 at 16:51

      Howdy! If the yarnart begonia is unavailable, you can use a great website called yarnsub.com to help find a comparable one. I'm not sure about the sizes of those other yarns...

      Delete
  6. Anonymous22 March 2016 at 13:57

    how many ball do you need to make yr old litte ladys hat

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  7. Anonymous22 March 2016 at 13:58

    3year old

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  8. Sweetpea15 April 2016 at 13:05

    I made one for my grand baby. It took some time making but I'm finally done. I would like to show you what it looks like. How can I do that? Thanks for sharing your videos.

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    1. Red Haired Amazona15 April 2016 at 13:24

      Hi there! I'd love to see your hat! You can post it to my Facebook page athttps://m.facebook.com/redhairedamazona/ or email me at balibelibear@gmail.com
      Xox

      Delete
  9. Unknown11 May 2016 at 02:33

    Hi I want to make this lovely Russian hat with the yarnart bergonia yarn that I've bought on line for a great price. I want to know if I'm doing a hat for a 8-9 month baby what size needle do I use?
    And for a 1 yr old?? Please please help thank you

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  10. Angela Brewer20 May 2016 at 18:55

    Hi thanks for the size comparison chart which I printed out for future use. However it is so indistinct that I cannot read it. I wonder if you could produce one that has larger text. I have now completed 4 hats and have adjusted the number of DCs to suit by trial and error. It would be useful to know how many rows to do for each size. If you do not have the person with you to try it for depth it's a bit hit and miss. Thanks once again.

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  11. Unknown22 June 2016 at 01:46

    I am in the middle of your cloche hat sized for a 2 year old. It looks great and I am using a 100% cotton yarn from Norway called Sandes Garn Mandarin Petit. I purchased it thru WEBS online. I couldn't find anywhere in your pattern as to how much yarn. The skein you used was 169m=50 grams. But you don't say how many skeins. Mine is 180m=50g. I only bought one and I am half done and it looks like I may run out. How many yards of yarn does it take to make a 16 round hat? Thanks

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    1. Red Haired Amazona22 June 2016 at 06:40

      Hi Debra! You usually need 2 skeins per hat. About 70- 90gm per hat.

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    2. Unknown22 June 2016 at 07:26

      Thanks! I'll send a photo when it's done if I do it right!

      Delete
  12. Cynde10 July 2016 at 04:10

    I just finished my first cloche hat and it's GORGEOUS! I used a bamboo/poly blend and a 3mm hook so instead of increasing to 4 hdc I stopped at 3 making the perfect size for my little miss 19 month old. I'm thrilled and I love your blog. Can't wait to start another, with lighter weight cotton. THANK YOU!

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  13. debbie allan20 September 2016 at 08:54

    I first stumbled across these beautiful hats ( the russian version) and had trouble understanding it. I have now found your website and although the first hat is smaller than I needed I would like to thankyou for all your hard work to make this webpage. I will be making many more of them and a huge thankyou for your size chart and extra information.THANK YOU THANK YO THANK YOU!!

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  14. Unknown25 January 2017 at 06:18

    Hi, I really need to know how you figure out that sizing. The way you're explaining this makes absolutely no sense to me. Make a swatch, okay, of how many double crochets? And one double crochet is one column? What?
    The actual pattern is easy to follow but of course when I got to row 8, I found it will be too small for my granddaughter, I knew I should have added that extra DC. But I work in all types of yarn and to switch from one to the next I need to understand your calculations.. Can you start with a swatch? How many DC in how many rows type of thing..I get it 53.5 divided by 3 would give me 18 stitches. But going up and down in sizes of yarn that will be different, no?

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    1. Kelley Sue Ritter15 March 2017 at 17:18

      You've probably figured this out already. But......

      Just go by a crown size chart. Just google search "the crochet crowd hat sizes reference guide" and it should be the first one to show up in the search. There's a nifty chart to go by. This is the one I use for all of my hats.

      I only use two yarns for this specific hat, as well as the non-spiral version. I use Artiste #8 crochet cotton (not thread). Or, I use Sinfonia cotton yarn. I always use a 2.5 hook. Both can be found at Hobby Lobby.

      The only issue is getting a fraction of an inch for the crown. Meaning, you follow the original pattern to get a whole number for the crown.....like a 5 inch crown, or 6 inch crown or 7 inch crown....etc. But, in order to get an odd crown size like a 5.5 inch, or 6.25 inch ...etc, then you need to do 17 or 18 double crochets in the starting ring. I use 17 to get the extra 0.25 or 18 to get the extra 0.5 inch.

      Depending on yarn size and everything else, including how tight you crochet, you might have to do another row for the crown, which puts 5 double crochets between the spirals. Just measure at row seven to see if you need to adjust something.

      You can't look at the hat on row 7 and say "it's not going to fit". You can't even look at it half way finished. lol ~ it looks odd and like it won't fit. But, as long as you have the crown the size you need, just keep going. It eventually turns into a hat that fits.

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  15. DiLina13 May 2017 at 20:54

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  16. Unknown22 February 2019 at 09:09

    This adorable hat pattern was forwarded to me. I love it and have just completed my 1st one. My brim is not standing out, it lies flat. What should I be doing to make it stand out

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  17. Stephanie in lockdown...9 July 2020 at 08:31

    Could you add a length column to your chart (maybe from the crown to the brim band)? I don't have the applicable heads in town for fittings :)

    ReplyDelete

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