Crochet Tartan Hat – Easy tweak from buffalo plaid to tartan – crochet pattern

This crochet tartan hat is worked with 2 strands, making it extra cozy and comfy is cold weather. It also features a stretchy, squishy brim that goes halfway around, making earflaps!
This post also includes affiliate links, which means I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support! 

5 years ago, I decided to mix up Plaid Week and make a new color work: tartan. I used gorgeous City Tweed , it’s soft and silky, all while still being wool! I highly recommend giving it a try if you haven’t before.

That being said, it’s a bit of a challenging weight to find. It’s a heavy worsted, and this weight is not readily available in local shops and stores.

So, this pattern got a glow up! It’s worked with 2 strands of worsted weight yarn. This makes it extra thick and cozy, but also makes it easier for a lot of makers to find the materials.

I also updated the brim. I was never overly pleased with the brim on the original hat, so I switched it out for a squishy, stretchy half-brim ribbing. This technique gives it a cozy, comfy stretch and also creates ear flaps!

Crochet tartan is just as easy as buffalo plaid. By simply switching up your color changes a bit, you can make a thick-and-thin tartan instead of blocked buffalo plaid.

Crochet tartan is so lovely. Just enough change to freshen everything up! The best part too, is that the count is multiples of 6, so you can convert many of my older buffalo plaid patterns to tartan!

This new glow-up pattern is available as a download in my shops, and includes sizing from Baby – Adult Large.

Below you can see the pattern for the original Tartan Hat from several years ago; it’s still a winner and available for free!
This new one has a brim that I prefer, and yarn weight that is more accessible to more makers.

CROCHET TARTAN HAT – FREE CROCHET PATTERN

What you need: (affiliate links)
– 7mm Hook
– City Tweed (Heavy Worsted) in Tahitian Pearl, Orca, Romance, Blue Blood
– Pom-Pom
– Darning Needle
– Tags (optional)

Abbreviations: US Terms
Ch – chain
Dc – Double Crochet
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Sl st – Slip Stitch
St – stitch
BLO – Back Loops Only

Gauge: 14 dc = 5″ long  (Gauge Pattern)

Click here for a step-by-step photo tutorial for working CROCHET TARTAN. 

Notes: apparently in the time between ordering my yarn to now, the lighter gray has been discontinued, so I suggest using Orca for the band and Obsidian for the black of the tartan. 
You can make your hat less slouchy by working fewer rows. Work the rest of the pattern the same. 

(ADULT SIZE) Ribbed Band:

Start with Gray. Begin with a long tail.
Ch 7.
1. Hdc in 2^nd ch from hook. Hdc 6. Turn. (7 sts)
2. Ch 1. Hdc in same st. In BLO, hdc in next 5 sts. Hdc in last st, going through both loops. Turn. (7 sts)
Repeat row 2 until your piece is 18″ – 19″ long. 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. Your band should be able to stretch an additional 2-3 inches.
Place a stitch marker.

Repeat row 2 for another 12 rows (this is the part that wraps around with the button hole at the end)

Tapered End of Band: Work these rows in BLO
1.  (This row makes a button hole) Ch 1. Hdc in same st. Ch 3. Sk 3 sts. Hd in next st. Hdc in last st. Turn.( 6 sts)
2. Ch 2. Sk same st. Hdc in next st.  Hdc in next 2 sts (be sure to work in each chain). Sk next st. Hdc in last st.  Turn. (4 sts)
3. Ch 2. Sk same st. Hdc in next 2 sts. Sk next st. Hdc in last st. Turn. (2 sts)

Fold the band over until the flat end lines up with the row you marked with a stitch marker. Using your long tail from the beginning, sew in place with a length of yarn and your darning needle.

HAT BODY: (crochet tartan)

I have a more in-depth explaining of the tartan here. Click over if you need some help! 

1. Flatten the band so the seam that connects the band is in the front. The flap will lay across the seam, like it’s wrapped around, not fold backward itself. Keeping in mind that the button/strap will be to the side when worn, find the where the back of the hat would be. Join Gray in the general area.
Working from the outside, ch 1. Sc around the top of the band, working 59 sts.  Join with first st. Work on either the top or the bottom of the band, depending on which direction you want the button and flap to lay. Be sure not to work through both the band and the flap, just work around the main band of the hat.

Join Romance. 
2. – 3. Ch 2. Dc in same st. Dc in next 2 sts. (counts as first 4-st block). *Switch to Blue Blood. Dc in next 2 sts. Switch to Romance. Dc in next 4 sts. * work all around the hat. Join with first st. (59 sts)

Join Blue Blood. Drop Romance. 

4. Ch 2. Dc in same st. Dc in next 3 sts. (Counts as first 4-st block). *Switch to Orca. Dc in next 2 sts. Switch to Blue Blood. Dc in next 4 sts.* repeat all around the hat. Join with the first st. (59 sts)

Drop Orca. Join Romance. 

5. – 13. Repeat rows 2 – 4 respectively.

CLOSING THE HAT:

Turn the hat inside-out. To close the top, sew a loose running stitch across the top and cinch shut. Tie the ends tightly and securely.

Sew a nice, chunky button on the brim, corresponding with the button hole.

Finish with a pom-pom. This one is a crocheted pom-pom with fur yarn! Check out 3 other ways in this round up and pick your favorite for your tartan hat!

xoxo,