Take crochet plaid up a notch and make a crochet tartan hat! This new technique is only slightly different than the original plaid technique, but creates a whole new plaid look. By changing your color changes a bit you can create this tartan plaid effect.  This post also includes affiliate links, which means I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support! 

free crochet pattern tartan winter hat toque

October is one of my favorite months. The weather is so nice with warm afternoons and cool evenings. The apples are ripe and I get to pull out all my sweaters, scarves and hats that I forgot about. It’s also the start of (what I like to call) “Crochet Season”. There are lots of fun things to make in summer months, but crochet will always be for cooler weather!

I have been in love with City Tweed Yarn since I released my Cobblestone Faux Cable Hat last year. I wanted to try the tweed yarns for some plaid designs, they have a lovely red and Burgundy color and the tweed just sings to my heart. While brainstorming ideas several months ago, I wanted to add a fresh look to crochet plaid this year. With some trial and error, I found a simply way to make tartan plaid, which is still classic but adds some variety to the plaid technique I pioneered 3 years ago.

tweed yarn for plaid crochet pattern


Oh this yarn is so luscious. You will hardly believe its wool.

crochet tartan plaid slouchy hat toque free crochet pattern tweed


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 patterns to tartan!

aReady to give it a try?

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CROCHET TARTAN HAT – FREE CROCHET PATTERN

Please remember: You are free to use this crochet tartan hat pattern to make and sell, but do not republish or distribute this pattern in any way. DO NOT use my photos in your listings. Please do share my blog links! It’s a quick and FREE way of supporting Whistle and Ivy and more free crochet patterns in the future. 
PLEASE read my Disclaimer before working my free patterns! 

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 2nd 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.

crochet tartan plaid hat technique free crochet pattern toque slouchy


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!

tweed tartan plaid crochet hat slouchy hat free crochet pattern

Does this get you pumped for Plaid Week? Read more details of this year’s CAL!


xoxo,

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6 Comments

  1. This look’s so fun to make I think I have a few colors to use that will look nice together!! can’t wait to try it!! my kids will always have plenty of hat options, I guess I need to make matching mittens now to and scarves.

  2. Do you happen to have any other yarn choices that might be a little more inexpensive and readily available at a store? At $11.49 a skein and buying 4 skeins plus shipping it’s a little too expensive for me. But I love these these colors and they looks so soft. Thanks so much. Your patterns are beautiful

  3. I just HAD to stop and take the time to tell you that I’m your #1 fan of the plaid design. Haha…not im sure! I think it was 3 years ago when you introduced us to your plaids. I’ve made every color combo imaginable, boots cuffs, earwarmers, cowls, infinity, long scarves, hats. You name it I’ve made it. Even made a dark green, navy blue and royal blue set. But yes, the red is the fav. But this new one ….omg….you amazed again. I’ll be making this for my youngest neice. Thank you so much for you beautiful creativity and thx for sharing it with us. You’re certainly appreciated! God bless!💖