This crochet 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. Enjoy the free crochet pattern!
I know.
It’s pretty late in the season for more crochet buffalo plaid, but I wanted to squeeze one more in before the official change of the season. I had several people in the Facebook group ask for a Top Down Crochet Plaid Hat, but I wasn’t sure if I could get it out before spring. I actually prefer bottom-up myself, and feel like top-down is less familiar to me. It took a bit of tweaking, but came together nicely!
Want more plaid?
The best part of making this hat top-down is that you can easily make it as slouchy as you want, or you can work less rows and make it a beanie. It really is quite easy to make, especially if you are already familiar with crochet plaid.
This is my attempt at a St. Patty’s hat. I am not sure I love my color choice!
It’s definitely green.
(affiliate–> Make with Knit Picks Brava in Grass, Dublin, Asphalt Heather, Cobblestone Heather).
Feeling intimidated by crochet plaid? You can do it! I made a course just for you! Learn plaid from start to finish, PLUS both my Plaid Collection ebooks are included in the course! Enroll here.
TOP-DOWN CROCHET HAT – FREE CROCHET PATTERN
Please remember: You are free to use this 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.
What you need: (affiliates)
–J Hook
-Worsted Weight Yarn (Knit Picks Brava)
– 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″
Get it on Ravelry
Get it on Etsy
—> Video for the Plaid Stitch
Magic Ring with 1st color.
1. Ch 2. Dc 12 into ring. Join with sl st. (12 sts)
2. Ch 2. 2 dc in each st around. (24 sts)
3. Ch 2. 2 dc in same st (Switch colors to 2nd color). Dc 2 in each st around, switching colors after each 2 st set. (48 sts) [For help switching colors, watch the plaid stitch video]
4. Continuting with 2nd color. Ch 2. Dc in same st. Dc 2 in next st (switch color to 3rd color).*Dc. 2 dc in next st (switch color) repeat all around. (72 sts) (Your piece should have an approx. 5.25″ diameter)
If it’s a bit ruffly that is normal and perfectly okay.
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.
Finish by adding a pom-pom. I make my own with fur fabric!
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Cheers!
Yvonne Parrett says
August 27, 2018 at 6:36 pmThank you for the free pattern. Where could I buy the the pompom
Bethany says
August 27, 2018 at 9:39 pmHello! 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/
Yvonne Parrett says
August 28, 2018 at 10:38 amThank you
Cathy Milson says
November 21, 2017 at 6:53 pmThanks 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!
Bethany says
November 21, 2017 at 9:02 pmSounds perfect! I am so glad it worked for you!
Lydia Carawan says
August 27, 2018 at 11:33 amThank you for letting me know where to start for the messy bun hat and to use a hair tie.
Lydia says
November 16, 2017 at 8:23 pmDo 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.
Bethany says
November 17, 2017 at 12:38 amNot yet! I tried to get it done this year, but ran out of time. It’s definitely on my list for next year.
Lydia says
November 17, 2017 at 11:09 amSo understandable!
This may seem a silly question but could I use a smaller hook and maybe less rows?
Bethany says
November 17, 2017 at 11:52 amYou could definitely give it a try! A smaller hook would make the hat smaller, for sure.
Britney Compton says
January 26, 2018 at 11:47 amI 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.
Lydia says
November 17, 2017 at 12:39 pmSo 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
Lydia says
November 17, 2017 at 12:41 pmSorry 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.
Deana Pressley says
August 27, 2017 at 7:06 pmThank 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.
Deana Pressley says
August 25, 2017 at 11:38 amI 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.
Kiyo says
February 23, 2017 at 2:21 pmI 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?
Kiyo says
February 18, 2017 at 6:36 pmHi 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!
Bethany says
February 18, 2017 at 7:45 pmHello!
You will need to size it down in multiples of 6, so go down to 66 sts.
Kiyo says
February 18, 2017 at 8:38 pmThanks 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 ;)
Bethany says
February 19, 2017 at 10:44 pmYou are very welcome! I hope it works for you!
Cindy says
February 15, 2017 at 3:52 pmThank you so much Bethany !!
Love your patterns !!
Greets Cindy erom Belgium
Bethany says
February 15, 2017 at 9:11 pmThank you so much!
Diane says
February 10, 2017 at 3:25 pm😘😘😘😘😘😘. 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.
Bethany says
February 10, 2017 at 11:44 pmYou are very welcome! I knew there was a need, I hope you enjoy making it!