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 so excited to try this! I am hosting a Chinese international student.We recently rented “The Secret Garden”. The girl in the movie has a red slouchy beret with a pom pom in the back and since I’ve promised to make her something this will be perfect. My problem was that she picked the yarn before I found a pattern and it wasn’t easy to find a beret in bulky weight yarn. Thanks so much for this pattern. (BTW – you are beautiful!) ~ Kim from Michigan

  2. OMG, I am soooo excited! My husband and I are new chrocet beginners and just made our first scarves last week (turned out great!)and have been looking for beenie ideas. These are exactly the types I have been wanting to do. Thank you so much for sharing these…your information is thorough and clear, really appreciate the helpful hints, and the pictures are beautiful. And I agree, you wear your hats well :)

    1. Thank you! I’m so happy to hear that my hat will be your first! I hope you enjoy! And let me know if you have any questions. I’m happy to help! :)

  3. This hat is gorgeous! I’m making my first hat for ME in a lovely chunky Deborah Norville Serenity red yarn. The gauge is perfect — I’ve been looking for something like this! Thanks so much for the free pattern!

  4. ….and it doesn’t work on my head. :( I’ve found lately that I have a flattish head in the back, which makes things like headbands and, apparently, this type of hat, just slide right off. I guess this one will be a gift then! It worked up beautifully.

    1. oh no! :( I’ve had that problem with some slouchy hats that are too tight. If that’s the case, you could try making the hat without the last round of decreases. That might help. I’ve also heard of people securing them with bobby pins. :)

  5. I’m confused about the stitch count at the end of every round after #3. I’m a beginning crocheter, but it seems that putting 2 dc in every dc (round 4) should double the number of stitches from 48 to 96. Am I reading the pattern correctly? Thanks!

    1. You’re reading it incorrectly. Let me try to clarify :)

      [2 dc. 2 dc in next st.] means 1 dc in each of the next two stitches and then 2 dc in one stitch (that’s the increase). So on the next round, [3 dc. 2 dc in next st.], you’ll be doing 1 dc in 3 stitches and then an increase.

      I hope that helps! Let me know if it’s still confusing.

      1. I’m new to crochet on this level. I’m on the 4th round and it’s quite curly/wavy. Am I crocheting to tightly? I am using an H hook and 4 weight yarn could that be it?

        1. What yarn are you using specifically? I’m thinking that it may be too thin for this pattern. The yarn I used for this is a #5 weight and my hook was bigger. Did you check your gauge?

          1. It’s a super saver yarn, I’ve long since lost the band because it’s a partial skein but it’s 4, I do know that much.

            1. Yea, that’s too thin :( I designed the hat with a yarn that’s a bit bulkier than worsted weight. It’ll probably come out too small with that yarn. You could try increasing your hook size to a K maybe. Your stitches will be pretty loose but that might help you get the right gauge.

  6. Ok… I’m a beginner too, and I love the hat!!!! I have just completed round 2 and my diameter measures 4″, I am using Charisma bulky yarn… something is wrong and I’m too nervous to keep going, but I don’t want to stop either…. : ( Thoughts????

    1. I’m not familiar with the yarn that you’re using, but after looking it up online, I’m pretty sure that it’s a bit thicker than what I used for this pattern. My suggestion would be to start over with a smaller hook and see if your gauge is right after round 3. Or you could keep going as you are now and just skip the last round of increases (rnd 5) to see if it comes out a good size. I hope that helps :)

    2. Hi there! Not sure if you’re still wanting to use this yarn (it’s been a while!), but I just wanted to let you know that I finally saw it in person today and it is a bit bulkier than what I used. Not a lot but it will make it come out bigger. You could skip the last round of increases and I would guess that would get it to about the same size.

  7. I love this! I’ve made 2 today already! I have purchased a few patterns on etsy and none of them fit as well as this one does. I don’t even need bobbi pins! thank you so much you are fabulous!!

  8. Love this hat! Quick question: When you say dc, this is like every other pattern where that means double crochet, right? I only ask b/c in you list of abbreviations you do not indicate that dc stands for double crochet…

  9. On the rows where have rep. round. Does that mean that we should do that row twice? I am just a little confused.

  10. Hi, I am currently try to make this hat but I don’t have chunky yard, just worsted weight… I was curious about doubling the yard to make it thicker but didn’t want it too thick… my gauge at the end of round 3 is 3 3/4″… I was also considering just doing one more increased round but wanted your opinion first. Thanks in advance!

    1. Hi, is your gauge using just one strand of yarn? It sounds really small. Two strands of worsted are a bit thicker than the recommended yarn so it will likely come out too big. I would recommend just one strand and do an extra round of increases. You could also increase your hook size.

  11. I haven’t tried this pattern yet, but I’ve just recently taken up crochet and I love it! I am obsessed with the slouchy hat, and am trying different patterns until I find one that I like best. Yours is the first I’ve found which explains and has the OPTION of swiching colors! Thanks for that! I tried one pattern for my hubby but it turned out way too big. This one is pretty unisex looking so I think I’ll frog the original and rework it with your pattern. Either way you look at it, I’m learning and can only get better.

    Also, you are very beautiful and seem to have a beautiful soul to match your outward appearance! I had to put that out there! :)

    1. You’re so sweet! Thank you! :)

      I hope this pattern works out to the size you need. Let me know if you have any questions about it. I’m happy to help!

  12. Hi, Julie! I love the hat! I am also in love with this skein of Lion Brand yarn that I have. I really want to make a hat out of it because it is super soft and a great color, but it is # 6 weight. I tend to make my stitches much tighter than most, so I was thinking that if I were to follow your pattern it may just be a bit bulkier?
    I’m no psychic, but thought you may have a bit more experience than I do with yarn of this weight.
    Thanks for your help!

    1. Hi! The yarn that I used is a #5 so your’s is thicker. If you know the name of the yarn, let me know and I might be able to tell you what to do to make it work. :)

      1. Thanks, girl! It is Lion Brand Hometown USA. Its super thick, which makes it a little more difficult to find something to make with it, but it is my new favorite yarn.

  13. Hi! I love your pattern, but I think my yarn is too bulky. I’m using Lion Brand Hometown USA yarn. I’m also not sure what my hook size is. I got it in a potholder weaving set, and it was not labeled. Can you tell me how to figure out what size it is and how I can make your pattern the right gauge? Sorry if im asking too much, I’m just learning how to crochet. :(

    1. Hi! I’m flattered that you like my pattern! Unfortunately that yarn is much too bulky for this and won’t work.

      I’m not sure how to determine the size of your hook other than by comparing it to others. Sorry :(

      1. Its okay! I kind of knew before you answered that it was waaaayy to bulky. Its better for a scarf. I actually found some old yarn that was much thinner and just finnished your hat. Its incredibly beautiful!!!!!! Thanks so much, and I think it was tome for a new hook anyway:D

        1. I love the Hat but I can,t Crochet although I knit. Do you know of a simple instruction guide with which I could learn?
          I want to be a favourite Grandma!! My Grandaughter,s would love one.

  14. Hi! I love this pattern but unfortunately I am a TOTAL beginner at crochet and I’m stuck on the very first row! I’m using this video tutorial of how to double crochet:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1txJLRPfuE&feature=related
    but I’m not sure what you mean by 15 dc in 4th ch from hook. If I treat each dc as a row and turn it each time it comes out straight and if I don’t turn it and just keep doing dc’s from the same side it looks like a ruffle. Which way should I do it?

    Thanks so much for your help!

  15. Thank you for sharing this pattern. Beautiful pictures. :)

    I have a question about joining rounds with slip stitches. After rd 1, it says to work only in the back loop, but that excludes slip stitches, right? I noticed that whenever I join rounds through the back loop, there’s a weird gap.

    Thanks!

  16. Julie!

    I loved the Gumdrop so much….so I went and got the Ferris wheel and the Avenue C. I’m so excited to work them up! Thanks for sharing your talent!!

    <3

    Allison

    1. I’m so happy that this one made you want to try my others! I’m glad you liked it so much! And thank you for buying patterns from me! :D

  17. hi there!!!
    this message comes all the way from far europe :)!! came accross your FANTASTIC blog while looking for a beanie-pattern on the internet – which turned out to be a nightmare ;)))!
    but your pattern is just great and next on my list to try!! although i had to translate it to german first, ’cause i was a bit afraid that i’ll lose track in english… but it’s very easy explained and i hope hope hope it’ll turn out as pretty and neat as yours! :)

    anyway, just want to let you know that i really enjoy reading your blog and i like the way you see the world!!

    sending you greetings from the other end of the world!!
    jasmin

    ps: would you have any suggestions, how i could make the band (is it called “band”???) a bit wider?? so that it stays on my head easier – i learned that wooly hats slip off my hair quite easily… i hope you understand what i’m trying to ask?? ;)

    1. Thanks so much! I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog! I hope you like this hat when you try it! :)

      If you want the band to be thicker, just repeat rnd 17 over and over until you’re happy with the thickness :)

  18. Hi! I’m a beginner crocheter but I love this hat so I’m trying it out as my first project! I have a question about Round 3. Does my ch3 at the beginning count as the first DC… so the next thing that I would do would be 2 DC in one stitch?

    As in
    ch3, 2 dc in one stitch, dc, 2 dc in one stitch… etc.?

    or do I stick in a single dc after the ch3 and before the 2 dc in one stitch?

    I hope that was a half-coherent question :P

    Thanks for the pattern!

    1. Hi! I’m excited that you’ve chosen my pattern as your first project! :)

      The ch 3 does count as a dc. You’ll notice that patterns will usually say “counts as 1 dc now and throughout” in the second rnd and then never again. It’s just to keep the pattern short but it means that it counts as a dc right there and everywhere else that you’re doing a ch3.

      I hope that makes sense :)

  19. Hi! I made 2 of these hats for my aunt who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She is a big fan of slouchy hats, and she is very excited about having these to wear when she loses her hair during treatments. Thank you so much for sharing the pattern!
    Tara

  20. Just finished his hat! Loved making it but… it’s huge. Gigantic. There’s no way I can wear it. I’m not sure what went wrong- I followed the instructions exactly. I think I might have just crocheted it much too loose. But I’m determined that I WILL have this hat! Off to try again (with a smaller hook)…

      1. I confess I didn’t check the gauge before starting. Turns out it was pretty offf. I am using Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky. But I actually managed to get the hat the right size by using a size G hook instead of a J hook.

  21. My first successfully finished pattern! I love it! It took me two goes since I didn’t do the back loop on the first try and it wasn’t correct. I’m so excited that I did it!!

  22. Ooh that is SUPER cute! I jut found your site and free patterns. YAY! Thank you so much, I’m super excited. I would love to link to this as well if you didn’t mind.

  23. Hi! I am a new to crochet and I really want to make this cute hat!! But I am confused at the instructions. I know * and () mean to repeat, but when you just put (16) as for example “15 dc in 4th ch from hook. sl st to join. (16)
    *work in back loops only from here on*” Am I supposed to do this 16 times? Or do I just go to the next round? Right now I finished the 15dc in the 4th stitch and I made the sl st to connect. Im sorry for being clueless!

    Thank you for your time!

    1. Hi! Whenever you see a number in parentheses at the end of a round, in this case (16), it’s to indicate how many stitches you’ll have when you’ve finished that round. Brackets [] can also be used around the part you need to repeat. That’s what I like to use in my patterns so there’s no confusion. So to answer your question, you just go onto the next round after that. I hope that helps! :)

  24. Thank you so much for the pattern!! They have turned out beautiful!! I used 5 weight bulky and had to go down to a G hook, to make the gauge correct.
    Do you have any suggestions on altering the pattern for a three year old or know of a slouchy hat pattern for little girls? Thanks so much!

  25. Hey! Love the pattern… Had a question about the slip stitches, though – am a beginner… Are you using a slip stitch to join the top of the double chain, or the bottom, or … ?

    Thanks!

  26. hi julie. thanks a lot for the free pattern’s. will make up some for my family for christmas. again thank’s, hazel,

  27. I LOVE this pattern! I have made several free patterns I have found online and this is by far my favorite. I love the style and fit of this and it is the only one that truly holds all my hair without falling off. Thank you so much for this wonderful pattern!

  28. Hi Julie,
    I love this pattern, in the process of making it now, but having trouble with Rnd 14. If I count the ch 3, then do I do in next 2 sts, or next 3 sts, and then do the 2dctog? Somehow it is not coming out to be just (64)stitches.

    1. the ch3 counts as one dc. So you would do 2 more dc after that and then dc2tog. After that you’ll be doing 3 dc and then dc2tog all the way around.

  29. I am trying to make this hat and it looks so amazing in the pictures but I’m stuck at row 4 when it says [2dc. 2dc in next st] I’m not exactly sure what to do? Could you explain? Thnx :)

  30. Hi, I have a question about the diameter of the hat, mine right now is 5 inches across at round 3, should I skip rounds 11-13? Any suggestions would help alot!

    Thanks!

    1. Hi! It would be best to start over using a smaller hook or tighter tension until you’re able to get the proper gauge :)

  31. hello! I love this pattern and just made a hat! (like a mustard yellow color) I was wondering what people’s opinions were on wearing this kind of hat in summer? I thought it was okay but I’ve heard some opinions saying it was a winter kind of hat only. THanks!

  32. I loved this pattern. It’s so cute. But what would I have to do to make it “slouchier”?

    Thank you so much!!

    1. It’s pretty simple. Just add another round of increases after rnd 5. Then you’ll have to do another round of decreases too after rnd 14 so it will still be the right size to fit your head )

  33. I started this hat which I love by the way and am on round 10. I was wondering is there any increases on row 6 through 1. Mine seems like it looks like a newborn beanie as is and doesnt look like it will be getting big and slouchy like yours in the back..PLEASE HELP! haha

    1. There are no increases in rnds 6-13, so your hat won’t get any bigger at that point. Did you check your gauge in the beginning? What type of yarn are you using?

      1. I figured out what I did wrong…two kids running around while trying a new pattern is difficult thanks for responding though loved this hat.

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