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. Awesome pattern! Thanks heaps. Such a simple, but effective effect crocheting into the back loop. and the colour change is cool too.

    Glad someone asked about the stitch counts— I was having trouble reading the pattern too, but your answer clarified it perfectly (I’m a bit new to crochet).

  2. Hi Julie,
    Just found your website today and am so impressed with all that you are doing at such a young age! So talented. Question: Do you happen to have the pattern for the navy blue slouch you are wearing in the picture above under the caption that says Oh Hi!? Also, I live in Whittier and would love to bring my daughter with me to visit your shop. Would appreciate directions.

  3. Hello! I’ve just begun this pattern (I love it and can’t wait to have a new hat for fall), but I’m having trouble with my gauge. I’m using Premier Serenity Chunky Weight yarn (when I was yarn shopping, I couldn’t find the suggested yarns), but my gauge after round 3 is about 6 inches. It also feels a bit stiff. Do you have a suggestion as to where I could find the Shetland Chunky or how I could adjust my hook size to use the yarn I have?

      1. Thanks for the reply! I was at Joann’s when I was looking for yarn and didn’t see the Shetland chunky, but I’ll definitely try ordering some! Thanks again!

  4. What size head does the pattern for this hat fit? I am making one for a friend for birthday and his head measures 24inches. Thanks.

  5. I made it! It was so easy and it turned out so beautiful. I added a crochet flower to the side of the hat and it looks great! Thank you so much for this pattern.

  6. Thank you for this pattern and your website. I’ve completed round 4, but it has been wavy since the 2nd round, and is extremely wavy at this point. I checked my gauge and it was where it should be. I’m using Bernat Softee Chunky #5 with J10 hook. I’m one to pull snug my stitches, but have been concentrating on doing it loosely so the gauge will be right. I read through all of the questions others have posted and didn’t find my answer… Suggestions, please? And thank you! :-)

  7. hi i am working on a few of your hats right now could clarify row 15 for me, this part>>> ). 1 sc. sc2tog. [2 sc. sc2tog] does it mean.. 1sc then 2 sc together it just seems to be worded different in the other rows and I don’t want to mess it up after getting that far…thanks btw LOVE ur hats!!

    1. you’re going to be doing [2 sc. sc2tog] all the way around but in the beginning, the ch counts as one sc. That’s why it says 1 sc. sc2tog. the ch is 1 sc, then you make another sc, then two together.

  8. After completing 4 rows, my pattern is wavy. I checked my gauge (it’s correct) and I’m using #5 yarn and J hook. Am I doing something wrong?

    1. It hard to say. How bad is the waviness? If it’s not really bad, I would probably continue to see if it eventually flattens out.

  9. Hi. Round 4 confuses me D: I understand that it basically says 2 sc in the next stitches but the number at the end says 64. Does this mean that I end up with 64 sc in round 4? I’m doing 2 sc in every stitch and it’s pretty wavy and I’m way past 64 sc count. Help! D:

    1. Hi Pam, I got confused in the rows before that but with the same problem. Yes, you will end up with 64 stitches on that round. You single crochet 1 time ea for 2 stitches. Then you crochet 2 together. That way you are decreasing every 3rd stitch and you will have the 64 stitches. HTH(hope this helps), Mary

  10. I’m soo happy I came across your site in a google search! One, I have been trying to decide whether or not to learn to crochet and now that I’ve seen this I HAVE to! Thank you. And two, I’m loving all your projects and blog! I wish you had an etsy shop! I love all your fun creatures! Anyways, I’m a new follower and I wanted you to know I’m a fan! :)

    1. Same here with me- have always wanted to learn to crochet, but never did… now I MUST… great project to start with. Thank you for the FREE pattern-if I am successful I will be making purchases, thanks again

  11. Hi Julie,

    I skimmed through the comments, and did not see anything relating exactly to my issue, but forgive me if this is a repeat and I missed it.

    I started this pattern tonight,with the Bernat Softee Chunky yarn and a size J hook, however, when I checked my gauge before beginning round 4, it was about 6 inches. So I took it out, thinking I must have messed up somewhere along the way. However I was at 4 inches with just the two rounds, and at 3 inches after only the first round…I have racked my brain and I don’t know what is going wrong. I am definitely doing a double crochet and not a triple.

    Any thoughts? Thanks for the pattern by the way!

    1. Hi! It’s hard to say but I would guess that your tension is just a lot looser than mine. You could try crocheting tighter and maybe downsize your hook to help a bit. I hope that helps! :)

      1. I tightened up my stitches and that seemed to do the trick! I finished up the hat last night and it turned out really well. It’s a little big for my head, but I think its just my head is weird, so I will just have to bobby pin it on!

        Thanks so much for your help!

  12. Hi Julie,
    I found this pattern of yours on Ravelry and made the hat yesterday/today. I blogged about it on my blog. Thank you for the pattern – I do love it :)

  13. I am looking for your reply to Stacy, Sept. 4, about head size for this pattern. I have a large head and want to make one for myself. Thanks, in advance, for your help.

  14. I’ve done Round 1, but I’m confused as to round 2, you do the 3 chains and then you stitch it into the double stitch from round 1? I’m confused, sorry.

    1. I’m sorry, I meant after round 2. Can you clarify that for me please? Thanks! Your tips and things have been very helpful getting me thus far! :) (I’m a beginner and this is my first real project. I’d love to be successful with this)

  15. Found your pattern this weekend and couldn’t wait to make it. Used Angel hair to give it a plush look. Posted to Ravalry. Thanks for a fun and easy pattern…

  16. Okay, please disregard my last two comments. I got unstuck, but the circumference of the hat is just way too small. I think I need to redo this, but it was really fun making it! I’m going to give it to a friend for her daughter’s doll. Any ideas?

  17. This hat is so cute. I’ve spent weeks looking for just the right pattern for some special yarn I’ve acquired. This looks to be it! I can’t wait to see it finished!! I’m starting it right now. Will make a scarf and mittens to go with it.
    Thank you for providing the pattern for the hat!

  18. Hi Julie! I absolutely love this pattern simple and very easy to do :)

    Was wondering how I can turn it into a child’s hat?

    Thanks!

  19. hello! im still a beginner at crocheting and i’m having trouble with rnd 3. I am doing 1 dc in one stitch, then 2 dc in the next stitch, and when i count my stitches at the end, I have 50 instead of 48. Can i still continue with just a few extra stitches or am I doing something wrong?
    BTW thank you for posting this, it’s exactly what I’m looking for!

    1. oh i forgot to mention, i am using worsted weight yarn but my gauge is correct. do you think thats why my count is off?

    2. Usually when you’re just off by a stitch or two, it’s probably something to do with how you’re joining at the end of the round. You might accidentally be putting a stitch somewhere weird near the join.

      Was your stitch count correct before this round?

      1. turns out i had it wrong on the first round, so thats what messed me up. but i started over and i got it now. thank you!

  20. Pingback: Goals «
  21. Hey,
    this hat looks amazing i’m trying it now and cant wait to see how it turns out =), running into a little snag though. on Round 4 -ch 3. [2 dc. 2 dc in next st.] rep around. sl st to join. (64) but i’m getting a lot more than 64 stitches, Can you help please?
    Thank you!

  22. i dont understand how rd 14 is suppose to decrease into 64 stitches from 80 help… thank you

  23. I just finished making this, and I LOVE it!! This was my first “non-basic” scarf project, and I had re-read your directions and comments a few times, but I DID figure it out. Now, it was probably the yarn I used, but the following the directions as is, the hat was huge on me, so pulled out rnds 12 and 13, then completed rnds 14-17, and it fit perfectly. Thanks for the pattern, it was fun.

  24. Thank you so much! I love this hat and will be making one for me, my daughter, my daughter-in-law, my granddaughter, my… I really love it.

  25. I love this hat! That’s incredible that it is so easy to make. It took me 2 hours and I’m just a beginner. Thank you very much. Greetings from Poland!

    1. Karina, how did you do rnd 14? I can’t get my stitches to reduce from 80 to 64. please help. I suppose rnd 15 will be just as complicated. Any advice?

  26. I’m a fairly new crocheter and I found this hat so very cute for my daughter. Is it possible that rounds 4 and 5 have been mis-written? In order to get the rows to equal 64 and 80 stitches I had to do the following…
    round 4 2 DC, 1 DC in next 2 stitches
    round 5 2 DC, 1 DC in next 3 stitches

    Thank you for the cute pattern and I would sincerely appreciate your input.

    1. Rounds 4 and 5 were where i ran into a snag as well. I’m glad someone came up with the corrections for those two rounds. Hopefully the decreasing on Round 14 isn’t frogged up.

    2. Thanks so much Sharon. I’m sick trying to do this and can’t think but your suggestion did it for me , so wanted to thank you. Paula

  27. If I use an average size yarn will it mess up the hat? I have a yellow color that I absolutely love and want to use for this project but it isn’t a chunky yarn.

    1. Last night I made a test pattern with cheap old scratchy non chunky yarn (as I do with all my projects before digging on in) it turned out wonderful!!! I would suggest making at least two extra rows of 6-13 that way it will flop the way you’ll want it to. :)

  28. Thank you so much for this pattern! I just finished making a black one for myself using softee chunky bernat yarn. It’s sooooo cute and is the first thing I’ve made for myself.

    I think I crochet a little tight as it’s perfect for my narrow head (20.5 inches). I added a couple of single crochet rows so I could make it a little more floppy in the back. Love love love!

  29. Thank you so much for this pattern! I am making it right now, can’t wait to see ow it turns out!

  30. I am excited to finish this great hat so far it is looking great, but I am having trouble with row 14. Going from 80 to 64 is comfusing me, I know that will decrease the size, so do i skip any stitches. If I am reading the pattern right, I do 3 dc, then do 2 dc in the same stitch twice, I still can’t get just 64 stitches, would love some help please…

    1. Terri, I don’t know if this is right but it worked for me. Watch the decrease part of this video, it helped me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzOiRoCcvS0 The “dc2tog” doesn’t mean in the same hole. it is a different type of stich altogether. So watch the video to learn how to decrease and then do 3dc and dc2tog as a reduce stich. Hope this helps. If anyone else has a better idea I would love to hear it.

      1. Round 14? I am still confused. I have watched video over an over. Simple terms needed please. When I start round 14, I make 3 chain stiches, then put 3 dc into one loop, then dc 2 together so to me that sounds like an increase because the 3dc in one and 2 dc into one make 4 “V” ontop. Help, what am I missing.

  31. Is the number of stitches from rnd 4 correct. Because if I have 48 in rnd # 3 and the I do two dc in each should I not get 72 instead of 64. And so on for the rest of rounds.

    1. i was confused about that too suzanne!

      it’s actually 1dc in the next 2 stitches and then 2 dc in the 3rd stitch…so it’s dc,dc,2dc

      if you do it that way every 3rd stitch would be increased, so it should end up with 64….

  32. I <3 the hat…but when I get to round 3, I am either missing or going over…does it end with the 2 dc in the last stitch of that round? or do we just continue w/ the 1 dc and 2dc in next until we count out 48? do i start the 1dc in th same stitch as the ch 3?
    help please!!!

  33. I can’t figure out how to reduce to (64) on rnd 14 with so many dc’s. can you please help? I understand [3 dc and then 2 dc together] this totals 5 dc, but if you are putting those stitches on a round of 80 how does that reduce to 64? Please help!

  34. Can someone explain round 2 to me? What does it mean by 1 dc in same st as ch? In other words, which stitch am I supposed to dc into?

  35. Thanks so much for this pattern! I adjusted the final rounds to fit a little girl’s head, and made this in the same yarn I used to make a poncho for her. Her mother’s French, and said the hat makes her daughter look tres chic!

    I used a bulky yarn, and it didn’t seem to have the nice drape to it that I see pictured on you (mine seemed quite stiff and was too big using the J hook). Do you usually prefer a heavy worsted yarn?

  36. hey! so im really sorry if this question is somewhat stupid, but i’m having trouble understanding how if i (on rnd 4) do 2 DC’s in each of the previous 48 stitches that were created from rnd 3…how am i supposed to end up with only 64 stitches afterwards? wouldn’t it become double the stitches, 96, since i’m doing two new dc stitches in each of the 48 stitches? im so confused! sorry and thank you!

  37. A friend was making this pattern for her grandkids and i thought it would be a nice present to give for christamas presents

  38. This is probably a really stupid question, but I’m a total beginner. What do you mean by “work in back loops only”? Thanks! :)

  39. Just wondering if this pattern works with the Magic Ring? instead of chaining 4 and crocheting into the 4th and joining with a slip stitch?
    Just wondering…Love the hat and totally am going to attempt it!

    1. I don’t use the magic ring but I’m sure it’ll work as long as you make sure you have the right number of stitches at the end of the round :)

  40. do you have a crochet hat pattern that has a ponytail opening–also my granddaughter wants a mohawk hat–also looking for a elephant, monkey, etc pattern for a child in crochet of course
    thanks,
    judy

  41. Hi!

    A friend of mine sent me the link to this pattern. I LOVE this hat! I am VERY new to crocheting (But also very persistent, lol!) I’m getting a little confused with the directions… Have you ever considered doing a video tutorial? I seem to get on so much better when I can see someone doing it!

    I have had a nosey around your site and I love your work! Very talented :)

  42. I worked this pattern tonight to make a hat for a friend and having to search through 184 comments to get an explanation of stitches that many others have had trouble with makes me reconsider purchasing a pattern for fear of those having similar issues it would have been nice to see the explanation added in since so many others have stated having the same issue. Other than that it is a great pattern.

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