Slouchy Work Hat Free Crochet Pattern

You guys, it is cold out. Most of North America is engulfed in a #polarvortex at the moment and it.is.frigid. So, while hats are not the usual fare around these parts, it was high time I worked up a warm hat to add to my winter wardrobe. 

This Slouchy Work Hat fits the bill perfectly; I used Lion Brand’s Wool Ease Thick & Quick, which is a Size 6 – Super Bulky weight yarn and I paired it with the griddle stitch for the body of the hat, which creates a very thick, dense weave; perfect to protect against those wind chills!

I’ve been seeing a lot of garments and decor done in the “work” style (you know, based on the classic “work sock” colours?), and have really been loving it, so when I saw the perfect shades in the Thick & Quick, I went for it. A matching scarf or mittens would be perfect! They might be next on my list.

Let’s get started! (Or Pin/Shop for later!)

If you’d prefer a downloadable or printable version of this pattern, an inexpensive, formatted, and ad-free PDF can be purchased HERE or through the “Shop It” button above!

Materials:

Stitches and Special Terms (US Terminology):

Ch – Chain

Slst – Slip stitch

Sc – Single crochet

Dc – Double crochet

Fpdc – Front post double crochet

Bpdc – Back post double crochet

Colour Changing:

When switching to a new colour, insert your hook into the stitch for the last stitch of Colour A and pull up a loop, then, with Colour B, yarn over and complete the stitch by pulling through both loops with Colour B. Drop your working yarn in Colour A and continue with Colour B. This applies when switching colours at the end of a row before starting a new row in a different colour too. 

Slouchy Work Hat:

The hat is worked from the top down toward the brim. The hat is worked in a big tube (i.e. it will be open at the top) and then the top is closed at the end.

The hat is worked in *continuous rounds* unless stated otherwise throughout the pattern  (i.e. not joined rounds; you do not need to slst and chain at the end and beginning of each row; just keep working around) so you will definitely want to use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.

Start with grey yarn. 

To begin: Ch 45 (or until your chains measure approximately 21″ unstretched, making sure that you have an odd number of chains – or see notes below for customizing the size). Join to starting chain with a slst (so that you have a big circle). 

Row 1: Ch 2 (ch 2 does not count as st), dc into first ch (the one you slst’d into to join), sc into next ch, [Dc into next ch, sc into next], repeat [ ] around for a total of 45 sts (ending with a dc st).

Row 2: [Sc in first st, Dc in next], repeat [ ] around (45 sts total, ending with a sc st)

Row 3: [Dc into first st, sc into next], repeat [ ] around (45 sts, ending with a dc st)

Row 4: Repeat row 2 (45 sts)

Row 5: Repeat row 3 (45 sts)

Row 6: Repeat row 2 (45 sts)

Row 7: Repeat row 3 (45 sts)

Row 8: Repeat row 2 (45 sts)

Row 9: Repeat row 3 (45 sts)

Row 10: Repeat row 2 (45 sts)

Row 11: Repeat row 3 (45 sts)

Switch to cream yarn:

Row 12: Repeat row 2 (45 sts)

Now we will start the brim using fpdc and bpdc sts. Continue in cream yarn:

Row 13: Starting around the grey st (as shown in the photo below), [fpdc in the first st, bpdc in the next], repeat [ ] around (45 sts)

Row 14: [Bpdc into first st, fpdc into next], repeat [ ] around (45 sts) *All your fpdc stitches should line up and be on top of each other to create the ridges of the brim*

Switch to red yarn:

Row 15: Repeat row 13 (45 sts)

Switch to cream yarn:

Row 16: Repeat row 14 (45 sts)

Skip 1 st, slst into next, tie off.

Your hat will be about 24cm/9.5″ laid flat (before closing the top). 

Move on to assembly below!

Assembly:

First, weave in your ends. 

Next, cut off a length of grey yarn approximately 30cm/12″ long. Using your tapestry needle, weave the length of yarn in and out around the top of the hat (the grey end). Pull the ends down through the centre of the hat and pull tight so that the top of the hat closes. Tie some knots to secure. Feel free to stitch the ends back and forth through the stitches of the closed top for extra security. Weave in ends.

Make a pompom! I opted for a grey pompom but I think a cream or red (or a cream/red combo?!) would look fab. I make my pompoms by hand simply by wrapping yarn around my hand over and over and then tying a length of yarn around the middle, cutting the loops, then trimming and shaping the pompom until I’m happy with it. The Thick & Quick is great for pompom making because it’s so fluffy! A grey faux-fur pom would also look great!

That’s it! You’re done!

Notes on Customizing Size

If you’d rather have a non-slouchy hat, you can reduce the body of the hat (the grey part) by two rows; simply omit rows 10 and 11 for a form-fitting beanie.

If you’d like to customize the circumference of the hat for a smaller or bigger head (instead of the 21″ average I’ve provided for), simply reduce or increase the number of beginning chains as necessary; just make sure you always have an odd number of chains before joining with a slst. 

Keep in touch on the Spin a Yarn Crochet Facebook Page and feel free to post and share pictures of your finished items and/or links to your shops! Be sure to also follow us on Instagram and hashtag your creations using #spinayarncrochet!

The information and photos in this post are the sole copyrighted property of Spin a Yarn Crochet. You may not copy and paste or reproduce any part of the information contained herein electronically, verbally, written or otherwise, including translations.

You may make and sell products from our patterns but we ask that you please link back to this post.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means Spin a Yarn Crochet may receive some compensation if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. Clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, but it will help us keep this site up and running and keep the free content coming! Thank you for your support!