The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA has not only delivered drama on the pitch. In the stands, dancer and influencer Helen Spilling has sparked one of the year's absolute biggest DIY (do-it-yourself) trends with her custom-designed and crocheted Norway bucket hat.
She wore the distinctive red, white, and blue hat to cheer on her husband, national team captain Martin Ødegaard. It didn't take long for "bucket hat fever" to spread across social media.
"It was so fun to stand in the stands wearing my own hat. Several people recognized the hat and thought it was cool, so that was really fun!" – Helen Spilling to MinMote
Over 30,000 Downloads and Counting
Spilling shared the patterns for her popular designs for free on her official website helenespilling.com. Here, you can download patterns such as the "Vi som elsker Martin" (We Who Love Martin) hat, the "Ro det i land" (Bring it home) hat, and the "Flagget til topps" (Flag to the top) hat. The response was overwhelming. Shortly after release, 30,745 people had downloaded the patterns to crochet their own versions.
This has led to a massive wave of new crocheters. Many who have never held a crochet hook before have picked up the hobby to make this hat. Spilling herself revealed to the media that she has only been crocheting for about four months, demonstrating that this is a perfect project for beginners.
Crocheting for a Cause
Although the crochet patterns are shared for free on helenespilling.com, Spilling encourages everyone who downloads them to donate a voluntary amount to the Children's Cancer Association (Barnekreftforeningen) as a thank you. This creative fundraising campaign has been highly praised and has raised significant funds.
Under the title "Et mønster til etterfølgelse" (A Pattern to Follow), the Children's Cancer Association published a feature praising Spilling's initiative. The title is a heartwarming play on words, referring both to the crochet patterns she created and how her strong commitment serves as an excellent role model for others.
Yarn, Hook, and Crochet Techniques
What makes these bucket hats so popular is that they crochet quickly using thick yarn and a large crochet hook. In her patterns, Spilling recommends:
- Original Yarn: Wool and the Gang – Shiny Happy Cotton (crocheted with a 3.5 mm or 4.0 mm hook).
- Good Alternatives: Since the original yarn can be hard to source locally, you can use durable and affordable cotton yarn like Drops Paris, Rauma Tjukk bomull, or Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/8. Feel free to use our Yarn Substitute Calculator or Yarn Calculator to calculate the correct amount of alternative yarn needed for your hat!
- Crochet Techniques: The hat is crocheted in the round from the top down in single crochet (SC). You will need to know basic techniques like the magic ring (MR), chain stitch (CH), slip stitch (SL ST), and color change (CC) to create the classic red, white, and blue stripes.
- Customization: The patterns are designed to be easily adjustable. You can try the hat on as you go and add or remove rounds to get a perfect fit for your head.
"Ro det i land" (Bring it home) Hat
"Flagget til topps" (Flag to the top) Hat
"VM-sirkuset" and the Road Ahead
The success has earned her a new nickname in the family, where she is now affectionately called "Heklene" (The Crochet-er). She also revealed that she is working on new designs, including a model called "VM-sirkuset" (World Cup Circus) – a slightly more playful and non-traditional twist on the classic supporter hat.
Are you inspired to get started with crocheting or knitting? Check out our beginner guides or use our yarn substitute calculator to find the perfect yarn for your next summer project!