© Photography by Kindred Photo & Design
Winter is coming! Even though I can still see bright red leaves on the tree in my front yard, I just know (especially living in Michigan) that any day now, I could wake up to a few inches of snow and single-digit temperatures. Snowdrifts are a common occurrence in my part of the country, and this hat reminds me of them.
This is a pretty simple slouchy hat pattern that’s worked in rows and cinched at the end. You might even learn a new stitch – the Double Crochet Cluster Stitch! (See pattern notes.)–
The Yarn
I used Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in “White” for my sample. Vanna’s Choice is one of those yarns that I’ve been using since I first learned to crochet. Most craft stores stock it well, and the color choices are really nice. Click here to view the color options.
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This pattern is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF! And if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my All Access Pass. It’s an awesome deal! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)
THE SNOWDRIFT SLOUCH HAT
Level: Easy
Size:
One Size Fist Most (Preteen – Adult Woman).
Hat measures 10” across at band, and is 9.5” tall.
Materials:
- I hook (5.50mm)
- About 200 yards (<2 skeins) of Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice* (Sample color: White)
*About Vanna’s Choice:
Fiber Content: 100% Premium Acrylic
Weight/Yardage: 100 g / 170 yds
Crochet Gauge: 12 sc + 15 rows = 4″ (10 cm) on size J-10 (6 mm) hook - Yarn Needle
Gauge:
With I hook, 7 HDC = 2″ square
Abbreviations Used:
CH (chain)
ST/STS (stitch/stitches)
SL ST (slip stitch)
SK (skip)
SC (single crochet)
2DCCL (2 Double Crochet Cluster Stitch – see Special Stitch, below)
SC+2DCCL (this just means to put 1 SC and 1 2DCCL in the same stitch)
Special Stitch
2DCCL – 2 Double Crochet Cluster Stitch. To complete:
(YO, insert hook, draw up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops) twice; YO, pull through remaining 3 loops.
Notes:
(1) This hat is worked in rows and cinched at the end.
(2) This pattern is written in American Standard terms.
(3) Starting chains do not count as stitches.
(4) The band of the hat is worked in seamless rounds. Do not join or turn at the end of rounds. Use a stitch marker if needed.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
To begin:
Using I Hook, and leaving a 12″ tail, CH23. Don’t weave in the tail until instructed (we’ll use it later to cinch the hat).
Row 1: In 3rd CH from hook, SC+2DCCL. (SK next ST, SC+2DCCL in next ST) across. (22)
Row 2: CH1, turn. SK first ST, SC+2DCCL in next ST. (SK next ST, SC+2DCCL in next ST) across. (22)
Rows 3-48: Repeat Row 2.
Next we’re going to seam the hat. Fasten off, leaving a 12″ tail. Lay the piece out flat, then fold the short sides in toward each other. Use the tail and a yarn needle to whip stitch the two short ends together, as shown.
Fasten off the tail you just used, and weave in its end.
Next, we’re going to cinch the top of the hat. Turn it inside out (whichever side has the most obvious seam should be exposed). Thread your starting tail through your yarn needle and weave it in and out around the very top of the hat. (The smaller your weave, the nicer finish the top of the hat will have.)
After cinching, it should look like this:
Pull the tail tight to draw the cinch closed, tie a couple of knots, and fasten off and weave in the end.
Band of the Hat
Now, we’re going to add a nice thick band to our slouch hat. Turn your hat right-side out and reattach your yarn at the base of the hat, at the seam. We’re doing this with the seamless method, which means we aren’t joining at the end of rounds. If you need to, you can use a stitch marker or bobby pin to mark the last SC of each round so you don’t get lost.
Round 1: CH1. SC evenly around, 3SC per ridge*. (Approx. 72, give or take a couple)
*We’re going to SC evenly around the hat, so let’s take a look at what we have to work with. The ridges on the hat will be how we keep track of our stitches. We want to put 3SC in each ridge. I chose to put the first SC in the “valley”, and the next 2 SC evenly spaced on the “hilltop”. Take a look at this photo for guidance on where your SCs should go:
Rounds 2-8: SC evenly around.
To finish, SL ST into the next 3 SCs to smooth out the round. Fasten off and weave in ends.
I absolutely love this hat, but I have a TON of thick hair! LOL! What would be the best way to increase the size large enough to fit like 22″?
You can add to your starting chain to make it taller, and add rows to make it wider 🙂
Okay so I finished the rows, how long is it supposed to be when laid flat. Because I cinched in together, and the top didn’t cinch together corrected ended up with a hole . Am thinking of taking some rows out as it looks really long. And as I hold up to my head I feel it being too big. I did use a thicker yarn. Help!
Yep – using a thicker yarn will make your project bigger every time 🙂 The piece should be about 20″ wide.
Congrats on your new baby. I have been looking for a new pattern to try. The hat is cute and your instruction seem well thought out. I am a hat kind of woman and hope to post a pic here soon, just for you…
Peace to you.
These hat patterns are very beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
I figured it out Rebecca. Must have been a brain toot. Thanks though
Hi Rebecca, hope all is well.
I’ve made several of your patterns and just love them, thank you so much. A question regarding this hat..
I’ve done the 23 chain, and the next 3 rows but it’s only 7.5″ long and it doesn’t seem like it will be big enough for a hat. Am I thinking to much into it ? Wish u could attach a photo.
I love a lot of had sometime I try to do as said , but I keep trying
I started this pattern only to realize that rows 1&2 are incorrect. If I ch 23 using an I hook my CH is only 7.5″ long. Fortunately I am an experienced crochet stitcher so I was able to adjust the pattern. Thanks for sharing!
Sharon, it should only be about 7.5″ long. At the end of the pattern you’re adding a 2″ band. Definitely be sure to read through the entire pattern before making adjustments, or you may end up frustrated at the end.
congrats on your little monkey #3!! 😉
this is a very nice pattern!! thank you for sharing your patterns with “the rest” of us who love to make beautiful crocheted goodies!! i make chemo caps for patients at a nearby cancer center, so i’m always looking for different patterns & interesting yarns & color combos! thanks & congratulations, again!!
Hi, congrats on birth of your bsby. I love your patterns. Recently made herringbone cowl. Want to make snowdrop slouch. How about if I use the band from the cowl on the snowdrift hat? I’ve made the rustic slouch, so want to try a different band. Think that would work okay? Thx so much.
Yes, it would work just fine. I would do a round of SC before you begin the band.
Thank you, I love making new and awesome useful things for my family.
I just finished the Snowdrift Slouch Hat. I love it! I used Debra Norville Everyday Soft Worsted in Snow White. It is so soft and pretty. I planned to make it for my daughter but I think I” going to have to keep it for myself! Thank you for another great pattern.