A bohemian, Aztec-inspired earflap bonnet with braided straps and tassels – bold, cozy, and full of character!

There is something irresistibly joyful about a hat that refuses to be boring. The Funny AZTECA Bonnet is exactly that — a chunky, colorful earflap beanie built from eight perfectly matched granny squares, finished with braided straps and playful tassels that swing with every step.

Inspired by traditional Andean construction and colorwork, this design combines a classic technique with a fresh, wearable shape. It's the kind of hat that turns heads on a winter walk and makes you smile every time you put it on.

A Beginner-Friendly Pattern with a Bold Twist

At its heart, the Funny AZTECA Bonnet is built on a technique most crocheters already love:

Classic granny squares (8 in total)
Standard stitches, worked in the round and flat
A distinctive Aztec-inspired joining technique with decorative seams

It's rated easy / advanced beginner, so if you're comfortable with basic granny square crochet, you already have everything you need to get started.

But the real fun begins once the squares are joined !

From Squares to Bonnet: A Clever Joining Technique

Instead of simply seaming the squares together, this pattern uses a decorative joining method that becomes part of the design itself — turning plain seams into a graphic, eye-catching feature. The eight squares come together with a joining technique which is called Zig Zag Slip Stitch Join to form the shape of the bonnet, and from there, two 45 cm braided straps finished with 10 cm tassels bring the whole piece to life.

This part of the process is:

✨ Playful
✨ Texturally rich
✨ Deeply satisfying to finish
✨ A great way to practice a new joining technique

The braids and tassels aren't just decoration — they give the bonnet its signature bohemian, "funny" character, and they're a joy to swing around once the hat is blocked and ready to wear.

A Pattern Designed for Clarity & Confidence

The PDF pattern includes 22 richly illustrated pages with written text, guiding you step by step from your first granny square all the way to the finished, blocked bonnet.
Every single step is clearly explained and supported with detailed photographs so that you can follow along with ease.

You will find:

Step-by-step written stitch instructions in UK crochet terminology
Full stitch chart
Detailed photos for the Aztec-inspired joining technique
A short video showing the Zig Zag Slip Stitch Joining technique in detail - on my Instagram here
Guidance for the braided straps and tassels
Blocking instructions to help your bonnet hold its perfect shape

The finished hat measures 27 cm x 29 cm, made in one size that fits comfortably thanks to the structure of the granny squares and a very ease structure.

Where to Find the Pattern

The Funny AZTECA Bonnet Pattern is now available on:

Ravelry or directly
Etsy

You can also find it directly via my website under Patterns → Shawls, Beanies & Accessories

A Bonnet That Invites You to Play

This design is more than just a hat — it’s an invitation.

An invitation to:

Play with bold, contrasting colors
Practice a fresh joining technique
Create braided details you'll actually want to show off
Make a piece that feels handmade, unique, and full of personality

I cannot wait to see your versions. I can't wait to see your versions. Please tag me at #MaxineWonderCrochet and share your makes at #FunnyAztecaBonnet — your creativity is what makes this community so special and means a lot to me.