About This Reversible Octo Mood Hat Pattern
This pattern creates a reversible octopus mood hat with a fluted brim — two hat bases joined inside-out so you can wear either face. It uses worsted/8ply yarn and basic double crochet shaping, then a decorative front-loop ruffle to create the octopus skirt. The design is no-sew for the construction stage; only minimal embroidery is required for the facial details.
You will make two identical hat crowns, stitch facial details before joining, then join brims with a third colour. The result is a fun reversible hat you can customize with any colour combos and facial expressions.
Why You'll Love This Reversible Octo Mood Hat Pattern
I absolutely love this pattern because it delivers a huge personality in a small, quick project that makes people smile. I enjoy how easily the two hats transform into a reversible piece — it feels like a little magic when they join. The minimal sewing and the emphasis on embroidery let me add character with just a few stitches, which is very satisfying. It is playful and practical, and I always enjoy seeing how different colour combinations change the mood of the hat.
Switch Things Up
I love how simple it is to make this pattern your own by changing colours — switch to pastel shades for a soft look or bold brights for more impact.
Try bulky yarn and a larger hook to make a chunky, cosy version, or use finer yarn and a smaller hook for a mini keychain-sized hat.
I often add tiny crocheted accessories like a bow, a small star, or a tiny crown to give the hat extra personality.
Change the facial expression by moving the embroidered pupils and mouth to create happy, grumpy, sleepy or surprised faces.
Experiment with embroidery thread for finer face details or use a small felt applique if you prefer no embroidery.
Make matching sets by using the same brim-joining colour across multiple pairs so they stack neatly in a gift set.
For kids, reduce increase rounds between rows 6-8 to create a smaller crown rather than changing yarn weight.
Add a subtle shimmer by using a metallic or sparkly yarn for the brim edge to make the ruffle pop.
I sometimes use variegated yarn for one hat base to create an ombre effect when reversed — it looks playful and unique.
Don’t be afraid to mix texture: pair a soft acrylic crown with a slightly fuzzier brim yarn for contrast and tactile interest.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
✗ Skipping the ch2 start at the beginning of each row leads to uneven stitch counts and shifting joins; always start rows with ch2 and count that chain as your first stitch.
✗ Not making two identical hat bases can cause mismatched brims when joining; make sure both crowns are worked to the same row counts and tension before joining.
✗ Waiting to embroider the face until after joining can make placement difficult and messy; embroider eyes and mouth while the hat bases are separate so you can align faces exactly.
✗ Forgetting to tie the crown tails together securely will allow the hat insides to separate; tie the tails from each crown together with a triple knot with insides touching.
✗ Working with inconsistent tension will create a lumpy brim and uneven ruffle; use medium to tight tension and maintain it for the whole project to keep the ruffle consistent.
