Gumdrop Slouchy Hat Free Crochet Pattern

Merry Christmas everyone! My gift to you is a free slouchy hat crochet pattern! :D

This is a really simple hat that even a beginner crocheter could handle! You can make it a solid color or change colors after every round to make stripes! I made a couple that are half and half. I’ve noted the color change in the pattern if you like that look and want to do it that way. :)

Scroll down for the free pattern!

 

● Size J crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
● Yarn needle
● “Chunky Yarn” in 1 or 2 colors
I recommend Paton’s Shetland Chunky. Any yarn that is just a bit thicker than worsted weight will work. You’ll need approximately 220 yards. I used a ball and a half of Shetland Chunky for each of these hats.

 

ch – chain
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
ea – each
st – stitch
rep – repeat
rnd – round
sc2tog – 2 single crochets together (decrease)
dc2tog – 2 double crochets together (decrease)
sl st – slip stitch
FO – finish/fasten off
CA – Color A
CB – Color B

 

 

This hat is crocheted in rounds. Join where the pattern says to at the end of each round. Ignore color changes if you’re making a solid colored hat. Don’t forget to check your gauge. :)

Gauge:
At the end of rnd 3, laying flat = 4 1/2 inches in diameter.

If you have any questions about this pattern, specifically rounds 3-5, please check out this post on how to read crochet patterns, where I explain those rounds.

 

rnd 1: With CA, ch 4 (3 count as 1 dc). 15 dc in 4th ch from hook. sl st to join. (16)
*work in back loops only from here on*
rnd 2: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc now and throughout). 1 dc in same st as ch. 2 dc in ea st. sl st to join. (32)
rnd 3: ch 3. [1 dc. 2 dc in next st.] rep around. sl st to join. (48)
*stop to check gauge*
rnd 4: ch 3. [2 dc. 2 dc in next st.] rep around. sl st to join. (64) *need help?
rnd 5: ch 3. [3 dc. 2 dc in next st.] rep around. sl st to join. (80)
rnds 6-13 (8 rnds): ch 3. 1 dc in ea st. sl st to join. (80)
*switch to CB after rnd 10 if you’re making a two color hat*
rnd 14: ch 3. [3 dc. dc2tog] rep around. sl st to join. (64)
rnd 15: ch 2 (counts as 1 sc now and throughout). 1 sc. sc2tog. [2 sc. sc2tog] rep around. sl st to join. (48)
rnds 16-17 (2 rnds): ch 2. 1 sc in ea. sl st to join. (48)
FO

 

If you use this free pattern, please consider supporting me by purchasing a pattern from my shop.  Your support will help ensure that I’m able to continue making new patterns to share. Thanks for considering! :)

 

You are welcome and encouraged to sell any items you make using this pattern! All I ask in return is that when selling online, please credit Julie King / Gleeful Things & provide a link to www.gleefulthings.com.

You may NOT sell the pattern, distribute it in any form, repost it online, or alter it to claim it as your own (this includes charts & translations to other languages). Copyright © 2010 Julie King / Gleeful Things. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

All of the hats pictured were made with Paton’s Shetland Chunky yarn in the following colors:

Top Left: Soft Teal. Top Right: Leaf Green & Dark Leaf Green.
Bottom Left: Frosted Rose. Bottom Right: Soft Teal & Rich Teal.

Before asking questions about this pattern, please read the FAQ to see if it’s already been answered. Thank you! :)

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358 Comments

  1. I am an experienced crocheter. I used Bernat Softee Chunky for this pattern. I had to adjust from a J hook up to a K (4.00mm) to obtain the gauge by row 3. I proceeded following directions, crocheting the tightest I have ever crocheted. I just finished the hat. It feels as stiff as a cardboard box. It does now lay flat. The softness is NOT there. Either Bernat Softee Chunky does not work with your directions or your directions are wrong. This was a waste of my time. Too bad.

  2. i love this slouchy hat cant wait to start , the only thing where is the rest of the instructions ? or does this hat finish at round 17, also would love to purchase other slouchy crotchet hat patterns ,do you have a book?.

  3. Hi, I’m trying this pattern for the first time. I’m using the Bernat Softee Chunky yarn and it seems to be stiff, is this natural for this type of yarn? I’ve always crocheted with Red Heart.

    1. Bernat recently made this yarn thicker than it was before, when I wrote the pattern. If you’re using the new thicker stuff, that could be the problem. I think the label says something like “thicker than before!” or something like that.

      1. The new Bernat Softee yarn is a 6 or extra bulky weight yarn vs the Patons Shetland Chunky which is a 5 or bulky weight yarn. That is probably causing the additional stiffness and difficulty. I haven’t made the hat yet, but will try it using a bulky weight yarn like Patons.

  4. I just wanted to say….I just found this site tonight and I like the way you write your pattern instructions out. They are easy to follow.I hope to explore your site more then get started making something. Thank you

  5. I LOVE this hat! I made it using the Lion Brand Tweed Stripes yarn. SOOOOO cool!!! LOVE it even more with the cool stripes caused by the special yarn! Thanks for sharing this one. :) Love it.

  6. this was just the pattern I was looking for. I have a pretty yarn but it’s not Bernat and I may try it. Based on other comments, I hope it works out. Will let you know. Thanks.

  7. I’ve tried to make this pattern four different times now and each time I cannot get the gauge right, now matter what adjustments I make (hook, yarn, etc). I finally adjusted by only doing three rounds of working even and one extra round of decrease and that seemed to work. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong…

  8. The pattern turned just as described. I even used different yarn than directed with a different sized crochet hook. Thank you so much for publishing an easy to read beautiful crochet piece. (I made it within a day as well.)

  9. just finished this pattern with acrylic yarn & a size “I” hook. only my second project, and first using double crochet. it came out really well! had to adjust the pattern a bit to make the band small enough for my head. just did a [2 sc. sc2tog. 1 sc. sc2tog] for row 15 instead & it worked out perfectly! did it 2 tone, & the final 2 single crochet rounds were in color A. i love how it lays! will probably make more.

  10. Hello I belong to a senior knitting group we knit and give away hats and mitts to underprivliged children.We also knit for our hospital we make premie hats and hats for people that are undergoing treatment for Cancer.How can I get copys of your free patterns hats and if you have any other free patterns that we could use.

  11. I want to know how to start this pattern. Did you make a chain ring or use the magic ring?

  12. Hi,

    Can you tell me what the diameter should be after round 5? I’m working with a different yarn, and I want to make sure I still end up with pretty much the same sized hat.

  13. Hi,
    I need some assistance. I am making the gumdrop slouchy hat and round 3 I keep coming up with the wrong number of stiches. I have looked at the directions posted but still keep coming up wrong. I chain 3 but then the 1 dc in the brackets if you do it in the next stitch it comes up wrong. I just want to confirm that first this is done in the next stitch or in the same stitch as the chain or is the chain counted as this dc and you then start with the 2 dc.
    thanks for your assistance
    Joanne

    1. Dear Joanne ,
      I did have the same problem at round 3 and it almost drove me mad LOL. But when I chained 3 and then 2 dc in the next stitch (and skipped the first [1 dc] step) I finally came up with the right number of stitches. So, that will mean , you make 3 chains (counts as the first dc) and then 2 dc in the next stitch and then 1 dc in the next and so on.
      Hope this was helpful.
      best wishes to all
      Enas

  14. I love your blog and I am now following by email! Thanks for the great hat patterns. I love to make all kinds and donate to children or adults that have lost their hair from cancer.

    Thanks for sharing!
    ~ Darlene
    Facebook = My Honey Bunch
    http://www.MyHoneyBunch.CO

  15. I am doing this pattern right now and it seems very shody. You have round 4 written as ch 3 then 2 dc. 2dc etc but then have a “help” link next to it. As that is written, it should be 2 dc in every st around, but the clarification says it’s sc in the next 2 THEN 2 dc in next st….why not just write that to begin with? I have started and restarted this pattern 7 times because I thought I was dropping/picking up stitches! It NEVER came to 64 sts as you have it written there. Maybe don’t take “short cuts” when putting the pattern on here? Other wise, those of us who are experienced crocheters aren’t going to be willing to utilize your site.

  16. I love this hat, but I keep getting a halo around the face… Is there a way to modify it so that it gets “skinny” earlier…?

  17. I used an I hook (for lack of having a J hook). Since I didn’t have any of the yarn you called for, I used two separate balls of worsted yarn and just worked them together. It actually turned out perfectly. Round 3 measured the way it should. The only downfall I ran into with using two separate balls of yarn was it was hard to pull through sometimes but other than that, I believe it worked just fine.
    By the way, I love the way you write your patterns. It was so easy to follow. I will definitely by using your patterns again.

  18. I am BRAND new to crochet and I am trying to get the center circle part correct? The chained 4, then went back to my first and followed instructions I think..?? I have a hole that is about 1/2 inch in my center. Which would mean I am doing something incorrectly. Can anyone offer assistance?? Or is the hole normal??

  19. I got the center, but again being brand new, I am having trouble with second row I chain 3, then in that same stitch put the hook through and do 1 dc. Then in the next stitch I do 2 dc (no more chaining..) and do that all of the way around for 32 stitches. Yes?

  20. i broke my arm and i was tha i couldnt do any thing but my best friend told me ’bout this and currently i love this pattern i use durring my free time which for now is all the time thank you my boardum is cured

  21. First, if anybody has trouble with Round 14, it’s certainly not due to the way the pattern is written. I suggest grabbing a copy of The Crochet Answer Book by Edie Eckman. She teaches you everything you could ever need to know to crochet anything, including how to increase or decrease, like in this pattern. Or you could find a tutorial on youtube.

    I made one of these hats for my cousin and loved it so much, I made my own! I used Lion Brand “Amazing” yarn for both of them. It’s a size 4 thickness, and I used slightly less than one full skein for each hat. The color changes in the yarn coincided with the rounds of the hat, so each round of the hat is a slightly different color, which I love the look of. This pattern is perfectly written, very easy to follow, and was simply a complete joy to make. I’ll certainly make more of these in the future!! Thanks so much for being so kind to share your pattern!!!

    By the way, I LOVE the pink hair in your profile’s greeting!)

    – Dru in Illinois

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