Slouchy Hat Knitting Patterns

Like most knitters, I always have more than one project going at a time. For me, the more challenging projects, which take concentration, must be worked early in the day. By evening, the light is not great, and I am tired, but I still need something to keep my hands busy while watching television.

My daughter has mentioned that she likes those simple slouchy hats. For the most part, they are pretty boring to knit, and I guess that is why I have not made one for her. Knit one, purl one, endlessly round and round… snore. But that is the type of knitting I do at night anyway, so why not make something special while I’m at it?

I chose the pattern by Churchmouse, which I had knit once before only in a heavier yarn with different needles. This time I wanted to follow the pattern exactly.

Ribbed Watchcap and Beanie by Churchmouse Yarn and Teas

Knit in Camp Colors yarn which is Superwash. Wool and Company had closeout pricing, so I bought a 6 skeins in three colors. This is really nice yarn which is very soft. The hat did not stretch out like superwash tends to do. I would use it again, and plan to! I think I will pick a new slouchy hat pattern for my next hat.

knitting crown decreases — Knitting is done on the WS

unique decrease ridges on the slouchy watchcap — Knitting is done on the WS

For the blue watchcap – or slouchy hat as I call it – I used the needles suggested, with cast-on number and length as pattern called for. I did not do the pattern’s cast-on, but used the Old Norwegian cast-on.

Knitting a 1×1 ribbed hat is easy, BUT… any little mistake shows. Also, the top of this hat has some unqiue decreasing, and those decreases are knit on the wrong side. Actually, what you are doing is knitting the entire hat inside-out. Once complete, turn it to see the right side.

I used nearly all of two skeins of yarn for this hat. It is knit in a size 1US needle and that is a lot of stitches, let me tell you!

Because this hat is so long, it can be worn with a folded brim as well. Knit it shorter and make the beanie.

Free Slouchy Hat Patterns at Purl Soho

Who doesn’t love free things? Purl Soho is an excellent place to find free patterns, and very pretty yarn. They offer a few hat patterns – for free – that fit the slouchy category.

The Classic Ribbed Hat – Knit in DK weight yarn, ribbed
The Twisted Rib Hat and Mittens – also knit in DK, twisted rib
Timeless Hat + Hand Warmers – Fingering weight, stockinette

Slouchy Hat Patterns to Purchase $

These hats have patterning such as cables, brioche, and textured stitches. All links go to Ravelry product pages.

Greystone – simple cables, worsted
Musselburgh – top down hat
Everyday Slouchy Beanie – Fingering (two yarns held together) or Sport

Choosing Yarn for a Slouchy Hat

Often I will see a pattern knit up in a really awful choice of yarn. I’ve been guilty of that myself. It’s always worth knitting with the appropriate type of yarn to match the project.

In my opinion, a slouchy hat looks best when knit in a fingering or DK yarn. The smaller stitches will help make the hat fall nicely at the back without being bulky.

But nothing can help a hat look better when it has been knit in a cheap, ugly yarn! It’s a hat, so why not choose yarn that will be soft and warm and look nice – it will be front and center on your head after all! Sock yarn, which is superwash, works well for projects like this and especially if the hat is a gift to someone who will not hand wash. For extra warmth, a nice wool such as Jamieson & Smith or Rauma would work nicely (must hand wash wool). Cotton is not a good choice as it is not stretchy and tends to be stiff. Also it usually shrinks and looks worse after washing.

Hats I Have Knit

I love knitting hats. They can be simple and quick to finish or involved and challenging. The Winter Solstice aka “chicken hat” qualifies as slouchy as does the Skiff. Some of the photos below have a link (the text) to my post page where you will find a link to the pattern.