The best trendy beanie for anyone who wants more than a basic winter hat. Scroll down for the FREE pattern!
Inspiration:
I love texture. I would much rather stick to solid, muted colors and play with interesting textures than go for a bright, punchy color with no texture. There’s definitely a time and place for smooth fabrics and bright colors, but, hey, I like what I like.
The Puff Stitch Slouch checks all of these boxes for me. I wanted to create an intricate, trendy looking beanie using a combination of stitches that had just a hint of slouch to it, and of course I can’t resist a faux fur pom and ribbed brim. I knew I wanted to incorporate puff stitches, and I chose a raised stitch to complement the softness of the puffs and to give a little bit of structure. I’m so pleased with how it turned out! Changing stitches every couple of rows makes this beanie so fun and quick to work up – you’ll only need around an hour and a half to make one.
Yarn:
The yarn I chose for this project is Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek – one of my new favorites. I first used this yarn for my Modern Christmas Throw Blanket last year, and I immediately loved how smooth it was to work with. This yarn has amazing stitch definition and an extensive color palette with plenty of soft, muted tones as well as some bright pops of color.
Even though this is technically a category 4 worsted weight yarn, I find it to be a little bit chunkier than other worsted weight yarns I’ve worked with. For this reason, I don’t recommend subbing it out for another yarn. If you do, be sure to check your gauge!
Techniques:
The Puff Stitch Slouch starts off by working double crochet in the round, increasing with each new round. After the increases, there is one round of regular half double crochet followed by 3rd loop half double crochet to create the raised stitches. After one more round of increases for shaping, you’ll begin the puff stitch section where you’ll switch to turned rounds to help create a slanted, braided effect. Repeat the raised stitch and puff stitch section once more before starting the brim, which is created using alternating front and back post double crochet.
How to work the puff stitch (hdc4tog):
Yarn over, insert hook into st, yarn over, pull up a loop, (3 loops on hook) yarn over, insert hook into same st, yarn over, pull up a loop, (5 loops on hook) yarn over, insert hook into same st, yarn over, pull up a loop, (7 loops on hook) yarn over, insert hook into same st, yarn over, pull up a loop, (9 loops on hook) yarn over, pull through all loops on hook.
For a tutorial on how to do 3rd loop half double crochet, see my pattern for the Banded Beanie where this stitch is the star of the show!
Pattern:
Get the ad-free, printable, PDF version of the pattern on Etsy here, or on Ravelry here.
Supplies:
- 6 mm (J) crochet hook (get my favorite hooks here)
- One skein Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek yarn (I used the color Clay)
- Faux fur pom pom (optional)
- Tapestry needle
Gauge:
- 12 sts x 8 rows of dc = 4″ square
Abbreviations:
- MC – magic circle
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- hdc – half double crochet
- sc – single crochet
- hdc4tog – half double crochet 4 together (puff stitch)
- fpdc – front post double crochet
- bpdc – back post double crochet
Notes:
- this pattern produces a one size fits most beanie
- this pattern uses the crochet in the round technique, but switches to turned rows for the puff stitches to allow for that slanted, braided look
- it is important to count your stitches after each puff section to ensure you have the correct number of stitches, as it can be confusing to work into puff stitches properly
- joining chains do NOT count as a stitch
Pattern:
Begin with a magic circle, ch 2
Round 1: 10 dc in mc, sl st to join, ch 2 (10)
Round 2: 2 dc in ea st around, sl st to join, ch 2 (20)
Round 3: *2 dc in 1st st, dc in next, repeat from * around, sl st to join, ch 2 (30)
Round 4: *2 dc in 1st st, dc in next 2, repeat from * around, sl st to join, ch 2 (40)
Round 5: *2 dc in 1st st, dc in next 3, repeat from * around, sl st to join, ch 1 (50)
Round 6: hdc in ea st around, sl st to join, ch 1 (50)
Round 7: 3rd loop hdc in ea st around, sl st to join, ch1 (50)
Round 8: *2 3rd loop sc in1st st, 3rd loop sc in next 9, repeat * around, sl st to join, ch 2 (55)
Round 9: *sk 1st st, hdc4tog in next, ch 1, repeat from * around, sl st to join, ch 1, turn (27 puffs)
Round 10: hdc4tog in 1st ch sp, *ch 1, hdc4tog in next ch sp, repeat from * around, sl st to join, ch 1, turn (28 puffs)
Round 11: hdc in ea st around, sl st to join, ch 1 (55) DOUBLE CHECK ST COUNT
Round 12: 3rd loop hdc in ea st around, sl st to join, ch 1 (55)
Round 13: 3rd loop sc in ea st around, sl st to join, ch 1 (55)
Rounds 14-17: Repeat rounds 9-12
Round 18: 3rd loop dc in ea st around, sl st to join, ch 2 (55)
Round 19: *fpdc around 1st st, bpdc around next, repeat from * around, sl st to join, ch 2
Rounds 20-21: Repeat round 19
Fasten off, weave in ends.
Attach pom pom to top of beanie using method of choice.
Enjoy your new Puff Stitch Slouch!
