This crochet plaid hat is a classic. You need one in every color! You will love this fun and unique crochet plaid technique! Once you start crochet plaid, you can’t stop. The free pattern includes instruction for adults, but you can get additional sizing in the downloadable PDF!
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Growing up, we spent most of our holidays in the very tip-top of Utah at my Grandma’s house. She made delicious meals, personal-sized pies for each grandchild, and the most amazing cheeseball you ever tasted. It was always snowy and wonderful. My grandpa, a retired dairy farmer, also wore a plaid jacket around the house during the cold months, and I especially remember it during our Christmas get-together. Every time I see red and black checked plaid, it reminds me of those wonderful snowy Christmas’s surrounded by family and my beloved grandparents. I don’t incorporate a ton of plaid into my wardrobe (I don’t wear a lot of red), but it screams HOLIDAY to me, and I love how this crochet plaid hat turned out, perfect for this time of year!
This crochet plaid hat is almost ALL dc stitches (yay!), and works up pretty quickly. The color changes can slow you down a bit, but I made this hat in just a couple hours. My first plaid hat I put a yarn pom-pom on top which was okay, but when so many people suggested adding a fur pom-pom I decided I must give it a try! Quite a winning combination, I must say.
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CROCHET PLAID HAT – FREE CROCHET PATTERN
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Watch a video tutorial for how to make a women’s size crochet plaid hat:
What you need:
Medium Weight Yarn (Knit Picks Brava in Red, Wine and Black, plus Dove Heather for pom-pom)
I Hook
Darning Needle
Abbreviations: (click for videos)
St – Stitch
Sc – Single Crochet
Ch – Chain
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Gauge: 14 dc = 4″ (gauge pattern)
This free version includes one size: Women/Teen. You can get a downloadable PDF with all 6 sizes (Newborn, 6-12 months, Toddler, Child, Women, Men).
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WOMEN/TEEN SIZE:
Note: The height of the hat is a slouchy fit, to make it more fitted, simply work fewer rows.
Ribbed Band (use black)
Ch 7.
1. Hdc in 2nd ch from hook. Hdc 5. Turn. (6 sts)
2. Ch 1. Hdc in same st. Hdc 4 in BLO. Hdc in last st, going through both loops. Turn. (6 sts)
Repeat row two until your band reaches about 18″ – 19″ for adult.
You will get this measurement by gently stretching your band and measuring the length, not the pre-stretch length. You want the hat to be snug and due to differences in yarn stretchiness, I am not providing a row count. Instead, use your measuring tape. Don’t break yarn.
Note: You can make the hat band longer to make the hat larger ( or visa versa). When you begin the hat body, make sure your first round is worked in multiples of 6.
Fold long piece in half and sl st up the side, making a band. Turn so the seam is on the inside and your loop is at the top.
Hat Body:
1. Continuing where you left off from the band, Ch 1 and sc in same space. Sc all around the top of the band, achieving a total of 71 sts (multiples of 6 minus 1) . Join with a sl st.
Watch this video to see why the “minus 1” in the multiples:
Join Wine.
2. Ch 2. Dc in same st. Begin a 2nd dc, but finish the final pull through with black. Drop wine and carry it through the next 3 stitches. Work 2 dc with black. Finished 3rd dc with wine. Continue this pattern all around the hat. Join with a sl st. (71 sts)
Join Red.
3. Ch 2. Dc in same st. Begin a 2nd dc, but finish the final pull through with Wine. Drop Red and carry it through the next 3 stitches. Work 2 dc with Wine. Finished 3rd dc with Red. Continue this alternating pattern all around the hat. Join with a sl st. (71 sts)
4. – 15. Repeat rows 2 and 3 respectively until you reach 14 total rows.
Tie off your yarn and weave in ends.
(If you still need help, I have an extensive plaid course. You can enroll in Learn Crochet Plaid course here, OR you can join my all-access pass and get ALL my patterns, ALL downloads, ALL videos and MORE!
Alternately, to give your hat a bit more stretch, you can carry the yarn behind instead of working it inside. This gives you the strings on the inside of the hat, however, so you can decide which way you prefer.
You can also make the hat with larger-sized color blocks. To do this, just make sure your count will work with 72 sts (minus one). For the black and white hat, I made my blocks 8 sts wide, 3 rows tall. The multiple needs to be 16 (the width of two blocks) so you don’t end up with two blocks of the same color meeting up at the seam.
To close the hat, cut a length of yarn longer than the circumference of the hat and thread it through your darning needle. Turn your hat inside-out. Sew a running stitch all around the top of the hat.
Once you reach the beginning, pull the thread tight cinching the hat closed. Tie a firm and sturdy knot. Clip ends. Turn hat right-side out.
Make and attach a pom-pom, you can make it with yarn or fur or plush sherpa! Learn how here.
Are you mad about crochet plaid?!
I hope you love your new crochet plaid hat :)
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I just wanted to say thank you for the beautiful pattern. I choose to do it in greens, but I love this pattern.
You are very welcome!!! Green would be lovely :)
Hello, I want to make one of these hats for a man. What would the brim count be? I am going to use the colors black, white and gray.
It’s quite stretchy, I wouldn’t change the count (if you are getting the gauge right). Hats stretch out over time, so it’s best to make it small to begin with. What type of yarn are you planning on using? I have had some people struggle with the gauge using a stiff yarn like RHSS or similar yarn.
That was my problem it was too big using RHSS. So i had to take it apart and get a different yarn . Then i’m sure it will work. Your band was the easiest pattern to follow,it worked up pretty fast to . The only problem is working with black is hard on my eyes. Thank you for your patterns.
This seems to be my problem too. I’m using RHSS and hat seems monstrous! I still have to stretch it to get it on my head, but it’s for a teenage boy and I’m nervous about the size. Do I need to switch yarns? Or just change hooks?
Unfortunately, different yarns work up differently. It would be nice if all medium weight yarns were truly the same weight! I have found RHSS to be a bit thicker than other medium weights. If you are worried it’s too small, you can switch hook sizes. A hat for a teen boy should be similar to an adult hat in size.
Hmmm, I’m actually worried it’s going to be too big. And the other yarn I have on hand seems thicker than Red Heart. So I just try to go down one hook size and see how that goes. Thanks!
I’m trying to make this for a guy too. I’m using Deborah Norville everyday yarn. It doesn’t seem to have a ton of stretch in it, so what would I want the brim to be & have it still match up with your pattern? Thanks :)
It would unfortunately be a bit of trial and error on your part. If there isn’t must stretch then I would make it a bit bigger. Maybe 20-22″ inches.
Ashley, what colors are you using? I love Deborah Norville yarn and would prefer to use it.
Hi, I have looked all around this Blog for the Bum Hat pattern, and can’t seem to find it.
Hm, I don’t think that is my pattern, sorry!
Late reply but just google bun hat free pattern and you’ll find one!
Could you make a pattern for matching mittens please?
I’ll put it on my list! I will be doing another plaid week in the fall.
Brilliant pattern I love it thank you wish I could share my hat hee for you
😊
Thank you! Tag me on Instagram or share on my Whistle and Ivy Page, I would love to see!
I’ve left a message on your FB page xx
any chance you have a pattern for a blanket – that looks just like this. but obviously larger?
not sure how to do this when not working in the round!
I don’t yet! But I have had lots of suggestions, so I put it on my list! You can possibly work it the way I worked this wreath:
http://www.whistleandivy.com/2016/12/crochet-plaid-wreath.html
Hi, Bethany! I LOVE your pink plaid hat!! Can you list the brand of yarn AND the colors you used for it?
Thanks a bunch!
Joy
Thank you! I have it listed in the post :)
http://www.whistleandivy.com/2017/01/crochet-pink-plaid-slouchy.html
Love this pattern!! Super cute and will work up quick! but how come your plaid rows look so straight up and down and mine are slanted a bit?? does that make sense?
Thanks!
Thank you! I am not sure why is would slant, dc stitches are usually very straight. Are you working through both loops? Are you working a dc in the same st as the ch, or are you coming the ch as the first st?
Yes I am working in both loops, and no I am no including my chain 2 as a double crochet… I’m confused as to what I’m doing wrong… Thanks
Love it, really attractive. Pinned! Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you! You are welcome!
I am having trouble with your web site. I have now subscribed to your email, but am still having problems (not responding….) I’d love to have the pattern for the red/black plaid hat and the pink plaid hat. Where can the actual pattern be found without all the pictures? Thank you!
The pattern is on this page. It is currently the only version, sorry!
Hi. I am making crocheted things to sell at a booth thingy at a fair, can I sell these cute hats? I just love them and I want to sell them. I could give credit to this site if you want.
Yes you can! Credit would be much appreciated.
Thank you so much! I will definitely give credit. 😁
I am making this adorable hat for my daughter in law…….her head measures about 21″ in circumference…. I have completed the band of 46 rows = 15 inches……. just want to make sure it’s in the range of size and will stretch the right amount so it is not too snug, but like you said in an above comment, not to loose to slip off……, it just seems short to me !! haha…….thanks for you help!!
ps. also have the infinity scarf already done – just love the plaid patterns :)
wondering where you find your fur pom poms??
Bernat makes a faux fur one. http://www.yarnspirations.com/yarn/faux-fur-pompom.html
Any suggestions on how to keep your yarn from tangling? Mine is a mess!!
Yes! I explain it in the video :)
Love this pattern!! I have a question about carrying the two colors not being used. When I first started, I didn’t pull them tight, and I could see the colors in my stitches. It looked better when I pulled them a little bit, but the result was a very non-stretchy hat! :( What are your thoughts on this? Thank you!!
You want it somewhere in between. Pull them SNUG, not tight.
If your yarn is rather stiff like RHSS, that makes a difference too.
I’ve been thinking I need a new hat and was not sure what to try – thats all been decided now I’ve seen this. I love it – thanks so much, I’ll have to sort though my stash, see if I have everything I need or if I need to pop to the shops!
MY band measures 15 inches unstretched. And has only 39 rows. If I go by my # of rows, when I join and begin around how many chains around will I do? You had 46 rows and over 70 stitches after you joined
You can continue the same, or you can do 66 around the hat instead.
I had the same issue. I did a gauge swatch to start which is
14 DC =4″ and I still only get 39 rows for 15″. My swatch was bang on so how did you get 46 rows?
It could be a number of factors. Are you using the exact yarn that I suggested? I provide the 15″ measurement because so many people think they need inches, and since the band is so stretchy (but doesn’t snap back once stretched), it was the most accurate way I could think of. You can use your own head as a guide if all else fails.
Has anyone tried this in a different yarn brand? Like an I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby? Knit picks is sold out or low stock on some colors. If so, What shade did you use for the wine? Cranberry? Thanks! 😊
I am just about to start the project with I Love This Yarn – It looks like it is the same weight to me so it should work fine
I used I love this Yarn from Hobby Lobby as well as Red Heart yarn. I used black and red from Red Heart and I love this yarn in the color Aubergine. Turned out perfect. I used an I hook and only crochet 40 rows in the band because it measured 17 inches at that point. I still did 72 double crochet in first row after the band was done.
oh ya and I only did 10 rows after the headband and prob should have done 8 because I did a hat, not a slouchy
Love this project! I didn’t listen to your instructions on 15 inches unstretched for the band, so my hat came out a little more slouchy. Never fear, I’m gearing up to make 5 more, so I’ll follow the directions moving forward. Thanks for sharing this great pattern. Excited to play around with different poms.
Thank you! Onward and upward :) Glad you like the pattern!
Is there a way to make it a beanie. I don’t look so good in slouchy hats. :(
Yes, you can use my messy bun hat as a guide work one more row to close it.
http://www.whistleandivy.com/2016/12/messy-bun-plaid-hat.html
How much medium weight yarn. This doesn’t say how many balls I will need to buy of each color. Please advise cause I may be missing it somewhere.
Less than one (100 g) ball of each color.
Thanks so much for this great pattern and the supporting tutorial video on YouTube.
When I hadn’t quite finished it, I sent a photo to my daughter and she has claimed it. My daughter-in-law came over and it matches her coat, so I guess I’ll be making at least one more, a bit smaller. Probably there will be lots of these in my futures because the grandkids have buffalo plaid flannel shirts. Good thing it’s so fun to make.
You are so very welcome! I am so glad you (and others) like the pattern :)