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. trying to purchase your Avenue C hat pattern on ravelry and it won’t take my card- how else can I get it

    1. Dawn, since you were able to crochet the Gumdrop Slouchy Hat can you help me with the instructions that were written.

      In round (3) we are asked to ch 3 ( 1 dc. 3 dc in next st). Am I to consider the
      ch 3 as my first dc or an I to chain 3 and go into the next stitch and do 1 dc and in the next stitch and do 3 dc?

      I am very confused with this pattern, and I need some help please.

  2. Wow, I was actually able to make this! I am a self taught beginner and I was able to make this in a couple of hours, Thank you.
    Also, i love how you have all of the comments below, it really helped when I was stuck on some things.
    Thanks again

    1. Jennifer, you mentioned that the directions and the explantion of them were written, but for someone that’s a beginner we still need help.

      The instructions says that chain 3 is to be considered as the first (dc), but when I get to row 3 and do my slip stitch and chain 3 (1st dc) and do my 2 dc in the next stitch I am not coming out with the correct number of stitches.

      Ch 4 until the end is therefore presenting a problem for me. Can you please help me to understand more so I can complete this project.

  3. love the patterns and yes i will support you. but if you come across a pattern to make small or mini bows i would love to have. a friend of mine daughter is getting married next summer and i wanted to make these little bows for the bride and mom also to have something blue for the tradition. thanks for your help

    1. She explains that in another comment. (2dc, 2dc) means do 1 dc in the next two, and then 2 dc’s in the next.

    2. It would be helpful for many people if you would take time and correct your instructions for rows four and five.
      To get the numbers right of 48 stitches in row 3, to 64 stitches, in row 4 you need to increase by 16 stitches on this round and the next. Which would do the increase of 64 to 80, with 80 stitches you have the right size. then keep the stitches 80 for 8 rows, and start decreasing them.
      Hope this helps others.

  5. I love this hat I only wishe I could crochet like this. I can only hold a hook for 10 mins. This is an awesome hat.I woulod love to win it

    1. Have you tried to get one of those handle covers to make the handle of your crochet hook larger so it is easier to hang onto for long periods of time?

    2. I don’t think I know what your talking about. But I
      Don’t think it would helP. I have Pherifal neuroapthy in my
      Right side of neck all the way down to finger tips and left leg down
      To my toes. Thanks again

  6. When you say dc2tog, what exactly do you mean? I am a beginner, but have a made a few different hats, but I have not made a hat that gets smaller this this one does. It is looking good so far, I am just stuck here on this next step. Thanks for the awesome pattern :)

  8. I love the pattern but my hat came out way to big. I wish it would explain in detail when it say [2dc. 2dc in next stitch. I don’t know what that means, where do we put the first 2 dc?

  9. I followed the pattern REALLY closely and it’s at least three times smaller than it should be. :/
    No idea what went wrong.

  10. Thank you very much. I had been searching a lot for a slouchy hat pattern and then found yours.

  11. Pingback: Gumdrop Slouchy Hat « Dida's Crochet

  14. Hi, I just crocheted this hat for my daughter’s friend’s Birthday (want to keep it for myself)…anyhow, where I did the 3 ch st’s to make the first in a row of dbl’s there is gaps. Sorta’ like a seam down the back of it. Is there something I’m doing wrong, or is that normal?

  15. Hello :). I was wondering if theres anyway i could make the back longer. I’m trying to make my fiancee Link’s hat from Legend of Zelda and i was wondering if you could assist me.

  18. Hi Julie! This is the best pattern i have ever come across on the net! I have actually made 4 hats out of this pattern.. mixing and matching colors.. adding more stitches to fit my head.. i luv it.. Thank you! supportin!

  19. After having brain surgery, I made several of these. They covered the surgical site and still looked good.

  20. I made 10 of the Gumdrop slouchyhats at Christmas for my granddaughters and thier friends. They Loved them!!! Thanks for the pattern. :)

  21. Love the hat pattern. I have printed it off and know of two people I am going to make it for!

  22. I love your patterns! They’re so cute, and I get tons of compliments on the ones I’ve made for myself. :-)

    One question though, I haven’t tried this pattern yet, but I made the other one with the Lion Brand Homestyle bulky yarn (purple, waffle cone), and I have to pin it in my hair otherwise it won’t stay on… and it’s kind of heavy for bobby pins, so it eventually pulls on my hair. Am I doing something wrong?

    Thanks!

  23. Love your pattern but because I haven’t crocheted for so long I am having a difficult time with a few things. If you could help me out I would greatly appreciate it.
    Rnd 1: do I chain 3 for a dc x 5 going into the 4th ch? Or do I just chain 15 go back into the 4th ch and make a sl st–I don’t know???

  25. I love this hat. I have been trying to make it and have started over a couple of times. I get the 64 stitches in round 4. But then when I do round 5 I never get 80. I get 82. And from there it increases by two each round. I don’t know what I am doing wrong. If someone could help me that would be awesome. Thank you!

  26. This is a great pattern!! I am a self taught crocheter and this was perfect! Thank you! I also added a large, contrasting color flower to the back and it’s adorable! Thanks again!!

  30. I have a question that maybe you could help with. I made this hat tonight (it’s absolutely beautiful by the way). Every time I make a slouchy hat they always seem much smaller than what the picture shows, even though I follow the directions exactly. Have you or anyone ever had this problem. I just can’t seem to figure out why that’s the case. Any suggestions?

    1. I would guess that either your stitches are too tight or you’re using a yarn that’s thinner than what’s suggested. Did you check your gauge?

  31. I love this patern on the site (gumdrop). I have jsut started crocheting because my 23 year old neice is going through some treatment and is now loosing her hair and asked me nicely to try and make her one. thank you for the patern

  32. Quick question, to anyone who could answer for me soon..

    when using this pattern, when you join after each round, do you join using the back loop only or join with both loops?

    Thanks!

  33. I love this hat, but my seam is kind of an eye sore. Any suggestions on how to make it less noticeable. I don’t notice it at all in the pictures of your hats, but is that the angle of the picture or your experience with the pattern?

  34. awesome pattern! making a few for me and friends. There’s also a charity ‘Warmin Up America’ i think these hats would do great in.

  36. Hello, I love this pattern! I have been having a problem with the end result in hat to be too big for me. I have a small head (20-21″) and was wondering if you could create or change this pattern to fit my head size. Thank you so much. Warmly, Leah

    1. Hi Leah! You might try skipping the last round of increasing to make it a little smaller. I hope that helps! :)

  37. I just finished this hat and I love it!! The pattern is very easy to follow, and my hat turned out great! Thanks for sharing! :)

  38. I do not have a credit card, so I have to orde and send a check. I will try to look back in this letter and find something I can use/enjoy.
    I am not a good crocheter because of eyesight and arthritis, so I like the look of ease of how this pattern can be done and look.
    Please let me know how to order by regular mail.
    Thanking you in advance, Eileen Tubal in Southern California

  39. i’m a super duper beginner. i’m just sooo confused on the very 1st couple of steps. (1-3). please help!

  40. Love this pattern but I have a problem. I see that a couple others have had this same problem but I have not seen a response to it. (if there is one, my apologies!)
    When I get to the end of a round and join..there is a gap down the back of the hat…like little rows of gaps. I have the right gauge and the correct number of stitches. I can’t figure out what is causing this “seam” of holes.
    Anyone figure this out?

  41. Thanks for your response~! I am trying again. First of all I missed the very important “work in back loops only” part so that might have been what caused it. (too bad I finished a whole hat before i noticed LOL) I will send a picture if the next hat has the same problems…done correctly! lol

  42. hi julie! I learned to crochet a couple of days ago, and i am trying you pattern, but each time i get to the end of round 3 my circle seems very wavy instead of being flat, and my gauge seems 1/2-1″ short. Do you possibly know what i may be doing wrong?

  43. I would be pleased to be a pattern tester for you. I crochet constantly and am running out of patterns that challenge me.

    Please tell me how to find a pattern for an afghan I have seen and I MUST have it.

    BJ

  44. Hi I’m a beginner and this will be my first hat in fact it’ll be the first anything I’ve made… I just have a quick question for you, for round 4- it says to (2dc,2dc in next st)… does that mean that I have to dc twice in the ch 3 or… ????? can u please help me figure it out? thanks.

  47. Hi guys – for some of you I know this is a little confusing to follow the pattern as written out especially if you are a beginner. I have a different way of reading the patterns so if you need help especially for rows 3-5 keep reading. I’ve attached the way the pattern reads out in an easier way.

    rnd 3: ch 3. [1 dc. 2 dc in next st.] rep around. sl st to join. (48)
    –> In this row its a count of 3. So its chain 3, 2 double crochet in the next stitch.

    *stop to check gauge*

    rnd 4: ch 3. [2 dc. 2 dc in next st.] rep around. sl st to join. (64)
    –> This stitch is a count of 4. So its chain 3, 1 dc, 2 dc in the next stitch.

    rnd 5: ch 3. [3 dc. 2 dc in next st.] rep around. sl st to join. (80)
    –> This stitch is a count of 5. So its chain 3, 1 dc, 1 dc, 2 dc in the next stitch.

    I hope this helps the confused and beginners. :o)

  49. This pattern was amazing, made my hat in just a couple hours and turned out perfect! Thanks a lot. :]

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