A few weeks ago, our family had the opportunity to go to one of my favorite little spots in Michigan for a week. South Haven, on Lake Michigan, is an adorable town full of good food, cute shops, and AMAZING views. I used to come here as a teen with my youth group, so I have a lot of memories of swimming at the beach and walking down to the lighthouse. Now, during our first real vacation as a family (and really, our first real vacation as a couple since our honeymoon 8 years ago), we were able to make tons of new memories. It was a great week!
This was my view…
…for pretty much the entire week.
When we weren’t hanging out at the beach, we were wandering around downtown (usually hunting for a new ice cream parlor or coffee shop to try). But I was super excited when I saw this yarn store, “Needle in a Haystack.” (Edit: This cute little store has closed its doors.) The owner was sweet and friendly, and we had a great conversation about selling online while I perused the shelves of gorgeous yarns.
After staring at yarn for an eternity, I finally settled on this skein of Longwood Sport 100% Superwash Extrafine Merino Wool.
I don’t know about you, but I tend to buy all of my yarn from the big craft stores in my town. It’s great to have them nearby, but it really limits you as far as yarn goes. That’s why I think it’s important as a crocheter, and especially as a designer, to visit out-of-town yarn shops when you get the chance. I’ve never worked with anything from Cascade Yarns before, but I think I might be in love now.
This particular yarn came in a range of stunning, natural colors (hence the eternity it took me to pick one). It’s SO soft, but it really holds its shape well. I took it down to the beach with me and stared at it for a little while, squished it in my hands (I love squishy yarn), and pretty soon I knew what it was going to become.
Prefer a PDF?
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!)
SOUTH HAVEN SLOUCH
Level: Easy
Size:
One Size Fist Most (Preteen – Adult Woman).
Hat measures 10” across at band, and is 9” tall. I like just a little bit of slouch in my slouch hats, but if you like more, you can add rounds to the body of the hat, or make the band of the hat wider, too.
Materials:
- H hook (5.00mm) and G hook (4.25mm)
- Yarn needle
- 260-270 yards of Cascade Yarns Longwood Sport (that’s a little less than one skein). The color in the photos is Midnight Blue.
*About Longwood Sport:
Weight: #3 light
Fiber: 100% Superwash Extrafine Merino Wool
Yardage: 100 g (3.5 oz) / 273 yds (250 m)
Gauge: 22-24 sts = 4″ (10 cm), US 5-6 (3.75-4.0mm) - Stitch marker (a bobby pin works great)
Gauge:
With H hook, 7 rows of 9HDC = 2″ square
Stitches Used:
MC (magic circle) – view my tutorial here
CH (chain)
SS (slip stitch)
SC (single crochet)
HDC (half double crochet)
SC2TOG (Single Crochet 2 Together)
RibHDC (also known as Camel Stitch or 3rd Loop HDC; see Special Stitch, below)
Special Stitch:
RibHDC – instead of putting your HDC in the top loops, reach your hook past the back loop where you’ll find a 3rd loop on the side of the stitch. Insert your hook there to create your HDC. This forces both of the top loops to rest on the front of your project, creating a ribbing effect. It is also referred to as a Camel Stitch or 3rd Loop HDC.
Notes:
(1) This hat is worked in a continuous spiral. Do not join at the end of each round and do not chain at the beginning of rounds unless instructed. Use a stitch marker to mark the last stitch of each round.
(2) This pattern is written in American Standard terms.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
To begin:
Using H Hook, make a magic circle.
Round 1: 10 HDC in MC (10)
Round 2: 2 HDC in each ST around (20)
Round 3: 2 HDC in each ST around (40)
Note: At this point you should have a floppy-looking circle. This is a good thing. It will continue to get floppier as we increase, and then it will smooth itself out on the body of the hat. That’s how we create the cinched look on the top.
Round 4: (2 HDC in next, 1 HDC in next) around (60)
Round 5: (2 HDC in next, 1 HDC in each of the next 2 STS) around (80)
Round 6: (2 HDC in next, 1 HDC in each of the next 3 STS) around (100)
Round 7: RibHDC around. (100)
Round 8: HDC around. (100)
Round 9: RibHDC around. (100)
Rounds 10-13: HDC around. (100)
Round 14: RibHDC around. (100)
Round 15: HDC around. (100)
Round 16: RibHDC around. (100)
Rounds 17-20: HDC around. (100)
Round 21: RibHDC around. (100)
Round 22: HDC around. (100)
Round 23: RibHDC around. (100)
Round 24: HDC around. (100)
Note: If you want a little more slouch in your hat, this would be a good place to add some extra rounds of HDC.
Round 25: (SC2TOG, SC in each of the next 8 STS) around. (90)
Round 26: SC around. (90)
Switch to G hook.
Rounds 27-35: SC around. (90)
Smooth out the round by slip stitching into the first 3 STS of the next round. Fasten off and weave in ends.
So are you using a 5.00 hook or a 4.25? You patter says to use the 5.00 (use H 5.00 to make magic ring) but your image shows you’re using a 4.25 hook. So which hook are you using for the body of the hat? Because using a 5.00 makes this huge. Your gauge check is a 5.00 hook too.
Hello, I just purchased your potholders patterns. Can’t wait to make them. I had the joy of visiting South Haven in November 2018. I loved it, even though it was a bit chilly. I just got back (May 2019) from Mackinaw City and stayed on Lake Huron. We got to see Huron, Michigan and Superior (I actually got to get in Huron and Superior!) Hopefully I’ll be able to go back up the and get into Lake Michigan. Anyway, I love your patterns. Looking forward to seeing more projects that I can do. Thank you!!
I love your slouch hats. Patterns are easy to follow for a beginner like myself! I can never find I like for myself. But I found this south haven and the ship lap slouch! Thank you for the patterns
This looks like a fabulous pattern, and I am about to start hookin’. The next time you are in South Haven take a little road trip to Dowagiac, where you will find my little local yarn shop 🙂 I don’t know if you are aware, but the Needle in a Haystack closed up not long after I opened (I opened 11/26/16) 🙁 🙁 Congrats on your newest addition!!
June
Yarn on Front
122 S. Front St.
Dowagiac, MI 49047
I will remember that! Yes, I was very sad to hear that Needle In a Haystack closed. 🙁
As someone relatively new to crochet, your patterns are so easy to follow! I’ve made this hat a couple times, and when I only had worsted yarn on hand I was able to easily modify the number of stitches by referencing one of your other amazing patterns. Your site has really helped give me the confidence to branch out and try new crochet projects, and I’m looking forward to exploring more. Thank you so much!
I am so glad you like my patterns. You absolutely SHOULD feel confident enough to branch out, because honestly, there are many people who have been crocheting for years who would not have been able to figure out what you did. Some people have to follow patterns their whole lives (which is totally fine!!), but others grasp the math behind them and are able to adapt as needed and even start designing their own patterns. I wouldn’t be surprised if that is you 😉
I love, love, love this pattern. Is it possible to adjust it to fit a child’s head? If so, how would I go about it?
I don’t have the numbers on hand for that adjustment, sorry!
Hi! I just wanted to come over and say I just made this South Haven slouch hat for myself, and I LOVE it! Is the South Haven the same one as the cream colored one on that first photo that comes up on your blog?
Thank you! Actually the one that comes up on my homepage is not yet released but will be in the next couple of weeks 🙂
Tried this hat 2x .. decreased hook to get gauge size, and can quite figure out round 25.. sc2tog, sc in each of the next 8 sts… explain please. And round 26- 35 have no stitch count…
Round 25: (SC2TOG, SC in each of the next 8 STS) around. (90)
…When instructions are in parentheses, it’s a repeat. So in this case, you will SC2TOG, then SC in each of the next 8 stitches, then SC2TOG, then SC in each of the next 8 stitches, etc., all the way around the hat.
Sorry about leaving off the stitch counts. Since those rows simply say “SC around”, it would be assumed that their stitch counts would be the same as the round before them (so 90).
I’m 14 rows in and it seems like it will be way too huge around to fit. Is this normal? #3 yarn, 100 stitches, but way too big around it seems so I am afraid to go further.
Assuming you’ve done a gauge check, you can trust the pattern. It does go down to a 90 stitch count on the brim, so that will help, but the floppiness is due to the faux-cinched look and it does look and feel a little strange if you’ve never started a hat that way before.
I must be doing something wrong….on round 4 already have 40 hdc from round 3 and following instructions (2hdc in next, 1hdc in next) around (60) —- I keep coming up with 67hdc. I even drew a diagram of 40 stitches with rnd 4’s instruction and still come up with 67hdc. Please help. Love this pattern and using Noro in a natural color but can’t continue past round 4 till I hear from you. Thanks. My math must be off somewhere!
Hmmm… I’m not sure how you’re getting 67. Because every two stitches are becoming 3, it’s like multiplying them by 1.5. (2×1.5=3.) If you keep that same ratio, 40×1.5=60. I don’t know where your extra 7 are coming from. If you want to send me a photo of your diagram, I might be able to identify your problem. You can send it to littlemonkeyscrochet(at)gmail.com.
Rebecca, so sorry – just figured what I was doing wrong (embarrassing). I was doing 2- 2hdc then 1hdc around — that accounts for my overage!! Sorry to waste your time but I want to thank you greatly for answering back so quick. I am so excited about the hat pattern and the yarn I bought at my favorite yarn shop in Rogers, Arkansas (Mockingbird Moon Yarns). Just moved to Fort Worth, Tx and I’m missing my local yarn shop. Went back to visit family and saved money for special trip to my safe haven, (Mockingbird)!!
Thanks again.
Me encantó. Todo el blog muy bueno!!
Hugs
I don’t have the yarn you mentioned here in Georgia that I know of. Is there another brand of yarn I can use? Maybe Caron or Red Heart Soft? I may try to buy on line but would rather just go and pick up some at the local store here when they have it on sale. Thanks. I’m a fairly new crocheter and to your emails. I just love your patterns. Thanks so much. Keep on hooking. Linda
Those yarns are #4, and this pattern calls for #3. They are lightweight #4s, so they are close, but I’ve had others try the pattern with Simply Soft who still had to adjust stitch counts to keep it from turning out too large (and that’s not something I would recommend to a newer crocheter). Do you have a Hobby Lobby nearby? They have a yarn called I Love This Yarn Sport that is a decent substitution.