This crochet plaid hat is a remix of my beloved crochet plaid slouchy, worked from the top down! This is for crocheters who loved the plaid hat, but prefect top down over bottom up. This hat is just as cozy, just worked in a different way.
This pattern was conceived almost 3 years ago, after I released my Plaid Hat. I had several readers wish to me that I could make a top-down version. I personally prefer bottom-up, but I do understand how crocheters would love top-down method.
My original hat took some working, but I got the color work to happen on a 3-dc plaid block hat. However, I wasn’t really ever satisfied with it.
To keep the color work consistent, I had to over-increase at the top so I had enough stitches to make the hat large enough for an adult, without making the whole top just black. I thought the result was passing, but I didn’t love it.
I decided to revisit the idea this season, and hopeful do you guys proud with an updated pattern.
The key, it turned out, is using a larger block of plaid! It still took me yucky amounts of math (oh math! It’s my worst subject 😭) but I am very pleased with how it turned out.
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As I think the small block plaid block hat has some value, I am leaving it up on this page! You can give it a try and tell me what you think. I am including the 2017 top-down version in the PDF pattern as well. (The pdf includes 5 sizes + the small block hat).
TOP-DOWN PLAID HAT – CROCHET PATTERN
What you need: (affiliates)
–5.5mm Hook
-Your Favorite Worsted Weight Yarn
– Faux Fur Pom-Pom (you can make your own!)
Abbreviations: (US Terms)
Ch – Chain
Sc – Single Crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Sl st – Slip Stitch
Sk – Skip
BLO – Back Loops Only
Gauge: 14 dc = 4″
READY TO MAKE YOUR TOP-DOWN PLAID HAT?
The downloadable pattern includes this adult-sized small plaid block crochet hat, and also the large plaid block hats in 5 sizes: 0-3 moths, 6-12 months, toddler, child, adult.
Top Down Small Block Plaid Hat (Adult Size)
Begin with a Magic Ring using Black.
1. Ch 2. Work 12 dc into ring. Join with a sl st. (12 sts)
2. Ch 2. Work 2 dc in each st around. (24 sts)
3. Ch 2. Work 2 dc in next st.
*Switch to wine. Work 2 dc in next st. Switch to black. Work 2 dc in next st* work 11 times. Switch to wine. Work 2 dc in last st. Join.
For help switching colors, watch the plaid stitch video]
(48 sts)
Drop Black.
4. With wine, Ch 2. Dc in same st. Dc 2 in next st.
Join red. Dc in next st. Work 2 dc in next st.
*Switch to wine. Dc in next st. Work 2 dc in next st. Switch to red. Dc in next st. Work 2 dc in next st.* work 11 times. Join. (72 sts)
(Your piece should have an approx. 5.25″ diameter) It may be a bit ruffly, this is okay!
5. With black. Ch 2. Dc in next 3 sts. *Switch to wine. Dc in next 3 sts. Switch to black. Dc in next 3 sts* work 11 times. Switch to wine. Dc in last 3 sts. Join. (72 sts)
6. (From here, you will work the 3-dc plaid st. Make less rows here for a beanie-style hat).
With Wine, Ch 2. Dc in next 3 sts.
*Switch to red. Dc in next 3 sts. Switch to wine. Dc in next 3 sts* work 11 times. Switch to red. Dc in last 3 sts. Join. (72 sts)
7. With black, Ch 2. Dc in next 3 sts.
*Switch to wine. Dc in next 3 sts. Switch to black. Dc in next 3 sts* work 11 times. Switch to wine. Dc in last 3 sts. Join. (72 sts)
8. – 17. Repeat rows 6 and 7 respectively until you reach 17 total rows. (72 sts)
Drop black, wine, red.
18. With gray, Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join with sl st. (72 sts)
19. – 20. Ch 1. Sc in each st, going through BLO. Join with sl st. (72 sts)
Tie off.
5. – 17. Ch 2. Work plaid stitch all around the hat. Join with sl st. (72 sts) (make less rows here for a beanie-style hat).
On last row, Join Color 4 with sl st.
18. Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join with sl st.
19. – 20. Ch 1. Sc in BLO all around. Join with sl st. (72 sts)
Tie off.
This is my attempt at a St. Paddy’s hat. I am not sure I love my color choice!
It’s definitely green! Plaid color work is fun that way, you can switch up the colors to completely change the feel of that piece!
Did you miss any of the Plaid Week 2020 patterns? Check them out here.
xoxo!
Thank you for sharing 💕💕💕💕
You’re welcome!
Oh!!! I LOVE THAT!!!! I had trouble with plaid before, maybe I’ll try this out!! Thank you!
Yay! Thank you!! I hope you do!
I want to make this top down pattern for a friend who is going through chemo. I wants use I Love This Cotton yarn because it’s soft and recommended for patients going through chemo. Question?
How many yards of each of 3 colors will I need? I cannot find he yards needed in your patterns.
Thank you!
That sounds wonderful! You will need less than one skein of each color.
Thank you! I love your patterns 🥰
Love this ! I made it a beanie , and did a front and back post double crochet for the brim ! My husband loves it
Wonderful!
Thank you for the free pattern. Where could I buy the the pompom
Hello! You can probably get some on Etsy, but I made this one. It’s quite easy to do!
https://www.whistleandivy.com/diy-fur-pom-poms/
Thank you
Thanks so much for this top down version of the plaid hat! This is the way I prefer to make a hat! I am thinking that if I wanted to make it a messy bun pony tail hat, that I would just skip to the 24 double crochet stitches and put them on a pony tail holder and continue from there. That’s what I plan on doing any way. Thanks so much!
Sounds perfect! I am so glad it worked for you!
Thank you for letting me know where to start for the messy bun hat and to use a hair tie.
Do you have a child version of this pattern? I love a top to bottom beanie! Thanks so much for the plaid stitch tutorial. I just finished a project and can’t believe how easy it was.
Not yet! I tried to get it done this year, but ran out of time. It’s definitely on my list for next year.
So understandable!
This may seem a silly question but could I use a smaller hook and maybe less rows?
You could definitely give it a try! A smaller hook would make the hat smaller, for sure.
I used a 4.5mm hook and turned out great for my 5 year old! He has a small head and the hat can also fit my almost-2 year old, lol.
So understandable!
This may seem like a silly question but could I use a smaller hook to get to the child size? I’ve never attempted something like that before. I have no problem doing my own thing with recipes but crochet patterns scare me hahaha
Sorry about the repeat post! I accidentally backed out of the page the first time and didn’t think it went through.
Thanks for getting back to me! I’ll try it out.
Thank You for the top down version, that is how I learned to make beanies. I am a self taught crocheter, so your pictures and videos are very helpful. Written patterns are very confusing to me. I love the look of the green beanie, what colors did you use? I also love “I Love This Yarn”. Keep up the great work, I appreciate it very much.
I love this pattern. Thanks so much for doing the work for a top down version. That is the way I learned to make beanies. I love the look of the green one, what colors did you use? Keep up the great work. I’m new to your channel, very impressed with your straight forward instructions and pictures (videos) are very helpful. I’m a self taught crocheter, so written patterns are confusing to me. Thanks again for this pattern. If I can master this pattern you will differently get credit.
I have another question. I want to do the hat again but this time with worsted weight yarn and was wondering if you think 180 yards of each color is enough?
Hi Bethany, I am absolutely loving making this hat so far! I just had a question.. I’m using bulky 5 weighted yarn so it’s definitely turning out bigger than needed with the 72 stitches. Do you happen to know how I would size this down? How many stitches I should do instead of 72? (I’m pretty new to crochet so any help would be amazing). Thank you!
Hello!
You will need to size it down in multiples of 6, so go down to 66 sts.
Thanks so much! I’ll take my current hat apart and try that! I really appreciate you responding. I tagged you on my IG earlier today when I started this project and I’ll make sure to credit you again when I’m done so that maybe you can see how it turns out ;)
You are very welcome! I hope it works for you!
Thank you so much Bethany !!
Love your patterns !!
Greets Cindy erom Belgium
Thank you so much!
😘😘😘😘😘😘. Thank you, Bethany. As much as I love all your patterns, I am glad for the top down version. I don’t know why, but I have more trouble with any bottom up pattern. I’m excited to give this one a try. Thanks again! I appreciate that you share your amazing patterns with us.
You are very welcome! I knew there was a need, I hope you enjoy making it!