Tweed Houndstooth Slouch: A Free Crochet Hat Pattern

Tweed Houndstooth Slouch: A Free Crochet Hat Pattern

If you have ever admired a cozy, professorial beanie in a shop window and thought, "I wish I could make that," this is the project for you. The Tweed Houndstooth Slouch is a warm, relaxed slouchy hat worked in alternating blocks of oat cream and slate grey, with raised post stitches that create a woven tweed texture. It is perfect for anyone who has mastered the basic single and double crochet and is ready for their next small challenge. The finished hat feels soft and substantial, fits heads 21–23 inches around, and looks like something you bought from a boutique. Best of all, you only need two colors of yarn and one hook.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) yarn, approximately 220 yards total — 120 yards oat (Color A) and 100 yards slate (Color B). The sample used a wool-blend tweed worsted.
• Hook: 5.0 mm (US H/8) crochet hook, or the size needed to match gauge.
• Stitch markers: At least 4, to mark the beginning of each round.
• Tapestry needle: A blunt-tipped needle with a large eye for weaving in ends.
• Scissors: Sharp craft scissors for cutting yarn.
• Finished size: Circumference (unstretched) 20 in (51 cm), fits head 21–23 in (53–58 cm). Height 10 in (25 cm) from brim to crown, slouched.

Abbreviations and Beginner Glossary

• ch — chain: yarn over the hook, pull the loop through the loop on your hook. This makes a small link.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops.
• hdc — half double crochet: yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.
• dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through last 2 loops.
• fpdc — front post double crochet: work a double crochet around the post (the vertical bar) of the stitch below, inserting the hook from front to back to front. This pushes the stitch forward.
• bpdc — back post double crochet: work a double crochet around the post of the stitch below, inserting the hook from back to front to back. This pushes the stitch backward.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull the loop through both the stitch and the loop on your hook at once.
• st(s) — stitch(es).
• sc2tog — single crochet two together (a decrease): insert hook into first stitch, pull up a loop, insert hook into next stitch, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 3 loops. This turns two stitches into one.
• A — oat (Color A). B — slate (Color B).
• Magic ring — an adjustable loop that you crochet into, then pull tight to close the center hole.

Gauge

16 sts x 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in houndstooth block pattern (sc and post-dc blocks), unblocked.

Gauge matters because it tells you whether your hat will actually fit. If your stitches are too loose, the hat will be too big; too tight, and it will be too small. To make a gauge swatch, chain 20, work 20 rows of the block pattern (alternating sc and post-dc rounds as in the body), then measure a 4-inch square in the middle. If you have more than 16 stitches in 4 inches, try a larger hook; if fewer, try a smaller hook.

Beginner Tips Before You Start

• Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round. It is easy to lose your place when working in the round.
• Do not pull your yarn too tight. Relaxed tension makes the post stitches easier to work and keeps the hat stretchy.
• Count your stitches at the end of each round. The numbers in parentheses tell you exactly how many you should have.
• Change colors at the end of the last stitch of a round by pulling the new color through the final loop, then join. This hides the change neatly.
• Keep your post stitches loose enough to slide your hook around the post easily. If they feel tight, wiggle the hook gently.
• Try on as you go. The hat is worked from the crown down, so you can slip it on to check the fit before the brim.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Crown (Increase Rounds)

With A, make a magic ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 8 sc into ring, join with sl st to first sc. (8 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join. (16 sc)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, *2 sc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (24 sc)

Rnd 4: Ch 1, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts; rep from * around, join. (32 sc)

Rnd 5: Ch 1, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * around, join. (40 sc)

Rnd 6: Ch 1, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts; rep from * around, join. (48 sc)

Rnd 7: Ch 1, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts; rep from * around, join. (56 sc)

Rnd 8: Ch 1, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts; rep from * around, join. (64 sc)

Rnd 9: Ch 1, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 7 sts; rep from * around, join. (72 sc)

Rnd 10: Ch 1, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 8 sts; rep from * around, join. (80 sc)

Rnd 11: Ch 1, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 9 sts; rep from * around, join. (88 sc)

Rnd 12: Ch 1, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 10 sts; rep from * around, join. (96 sc)

Do not fasten off. 96 sts = 24 in circumference at gauge; the fabric will relax and gather for a slouch fit.

Body — Houndstooth Blocks

Change to B at the end of Rnd 12.

Rnd 13 (B): Ch 2 (counts as first dc), dc in each st around, join with sl st to top of ch-2. (96 dc)

Rnd 14 (B): Ch 2, *fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st; rep from * around, join. (96 sts)

Change to A.

Rnd 15 (A): Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (96 sc)

Rnd 16 (A): Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, fpdc around next st, sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (96 sts)

Change to B.

Rnd 17 (B): Ch 2, dc in each st around, join. (96 dc)

Rnd 18 (B): Ch 2, *bpdc around next st, fpdc around next st; rep from * around, join. (96 sts)

Change to A.

Rnd 19 (A): Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (96 sc)

Rnd 20 (A): Ch 1, *sc in next st, fpdc around next st, sc in next 2 sts; rep from * around, join. (96 sts)

Repeat Rnds 13–20 two more times (Rnds 21–36), alternating A and B as established, ending after an A block.

Crown Gather

Change to B.

Rnd 37: Ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts; rep from * around, join. (84 sc)

Rnd 38: Ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in next 5 sts; rep from * around, join. (72 sc)

Rnd 39: Ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts; rep from * around, join. (60 sc)

Rnd 40: Ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * around, join. (48 sc)

Rnd 41: Ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts; rep from * around, join. (36 sc)

Rnd 42: Ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (24 sc)

Rnd 43: Ch 1, sc2tog around, join. (12 sc)

Fasten off B leaving a 6-in tail. Thread tail through remaining 12 sts, pull tight to close crown.

Brim

With A, join yarn at bottom edge (Rnd 12).

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around bottom edge, join. (96 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, *fpdc around next st, bpdc around next st; rep from * around, join. (96 sts)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (96 sc)

Fasten off A and weave in all ends.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in ends: Thread each yarn tail onto your tapestry needle and weave it back and forth through the inside of the fabric for about 2 inches, then trim close. Do not knot; weaving hides the tail securely.

Close the crown: After Rnd 43, use the 6-in tail to thread through the remaining 12 stitches, then pull tight like a drawstring and secure with a small stitch on the inside.

Blocking: Lightly steam-block the brim only to set the ribbing; do not flatten the slouch body. Hold a steam iron an inch above the brim for a few seconds, then let it dry flat. This helps the brim hold its shape without squashing the texture.

Wearing: Fold the brim up once and push the crown back for a relaxed slouch.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Color changes: Swap oat and slate for any two contrasting worsted colors — mustard and charcoal, or cream and rust — to change the mood of the hat.
• Size adjustments: For a smaller hat, stop the crown increases at Rnd 11 (88 sts) and adjust the body rounds to keep the stitch count consistent. For a larger hat, add one more increase round to reach 104 sts.
• Yarn substitution: Any worsted weight yarn works, but a wool or wool-blend gives the best tweed texture and warmth. Always check your gauge with the new yarn.
• Brim variation: Work the brim in Color B instead of A for a two-tone finish, or add one extra ribbing round for a deeper fold.