Orange & Navy Houndstooth Slouch Beanie – Free Crochet Pattern

About this pattern

The Orange & Navy Houndstooth Slouch Beanie has a thick gray cuff and a relaxed, rounded body worked in alternating copper-orange and midnight-navy rounds. A short back-loop-only strip becomes the folded double-layer brim; the houndstooth body begins through the aligned brim edges and continues upward to a gathered crown.

This is a complete, original HookElla child-size pattern based on standard SC/DC houndstooth crochet. It is not a transcription or rewrite of Kris Moore’s paid pattern. The intended child fit, dimensions, and yarn use below are calculated planning targets, not physically tested results.

Materials

• #4 worsted-weight yarn: approximately 220–300 yd (201–274 m) total estimated: 90–120 yd copper-orange, 90–120 yd midnight navy, and 40–60 yd medium gray for the cuff.
• 6 mm (J/10) crochet hook. The hook size is a starting point; use the hook that produces the target gauge in your yarn.
• Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers or removable clips, and flexible measuring tape.

The source listing identifies worsted yarn and a 6 mm hook; the quantities above are HookElla estimates for this different child-size construction. They have not been measured on a sample.

Finished size and gauge

One child size is intended for a head circumference of approximately 19.5–21 in (49.5–53.5 cm). The relaxed hat circumference target is about 20 in (50.8 cm), with stretch for comfortable wear. The cuff is about 4 in (10 cm) unfolded and 2 in (5 cm) when folded. The slouch body is planned at approximately 7.2 in (18.3 cm) from cuff attachment to crown; total visible depth after folding and gathering is estimated at about 8.5–9.25 in (21.5–23.5 cm). No finished HookElla sample has been measured.

Use 12 stitches × 10 rounds = 4 × 4 in (10 × 10 cm) in the joined-round houndstooth pattern as a provisional gauge target. The source listing reports 12 stitches × 10 rows per 4 inches in its houndstooth check, but that is not a measured HookElla swatch; working in joined rounds and the selected yarn can change the result. For the brim, aim for 12 sc across the strip and 12 BLO rows = 4 in (10 cm). Swatch both fabrics before relying on the size.

For a body swatch, ch 25, join without twisting, and work 24 stitches around in the two-round houndstooth sequence below for 10 rounds. At target stitch gauge the swatch circumference should measure about 8 in (20 cm); at target round gauge it should be about 4 in (10 cm) tall. For the brim swatch, ch 13 and work 12 sc across; after 15 rows of BLO sc, 12 rows should measure about 4 in along the row direction. Measure both samples relaxed, not stretched. The Yarnivo Gauge Calculator can help convert swatch measurements, but it cannot establish fit or replace checking brim stretch.

At the provisional target, 60 body stitches × 4 ÷ 12 = 20 in (50.8 cm) relaxed around. The brim’s 60 rows at 12 rows per 4 in also project to 20 in. Eighteen body rounds at 10 rounds per 4 in project to 7.2 in; the 12-stitch brim at 12 stitches per 4 in is 4 in unfolded, or about 2 in folded. These are gauge calculations only.

Abbreviations (US terms)

• BLO — back loop only
• ch — chain
• dc — double crochet
• MC — main color, copper-orange
• NC — contrast color, midnight navy
• rep — repeat
• sc — single crochet
• sl st — slip stitch
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• WS — wrong side

Special stitches and construction notes

SC: Insert hook in the indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through both loops.

DC: Yarn over, insert hook in the indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through two loops twice.

BLO SC: Work an SC under only the back loop of the stitch. The unused front loop forms the rib ridge.

Houndstooth A: Repeat sc in next stitch, dc in next stitch. It uses two stitches and returns to the starting stitch count.

Houndstooth B: Repeat dc in next stitch, sc in next stitch. It also uses two stitches. Alternating A and B reverses the stitch heights in the next color round.

All beginning ch 1s are for height only and do not count. Body rounds are joined, not turned. The 60-stitch count is even, so each 2-stitch houndstooth repeat fits exactly 30 times around. Keep the round join at the back of the hat.

Complete pattern instructions

Ribbed brim strip

With gray, ch 13.

• Row 1: Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each remaining ch across. 12 sts. Ch 1, turn.
• Rows 2–60: Sc BLO across. 12 sts each row. Ch 1, turn after every row. Do not count the turning chain.

There are 60 rows total. At the provisional brim row gauge, this strip measures about 20 in (50.8 cm) long and 4 in (10 cm) wide. The measured strip—not arithmetic alone—determines whether the child-size circumference is plausible. If your row gauge differs, choose an even number of rows that brings the relaxed strip near 19.5–20 in, then use that same number as the houndstooth stitch count; keep the body stitch count even.

Assembly instructions

Seam and fold the brim

Lay the strip flat without twisting it. Bring the short ends together, with the WS facing outward, and join Row 1 to Row 60 across all 12 stitch positions using mattress stitch or a neat whipstitch. This forms a gray tube whose circumference is the strip’s row length. Turn the WS inside. Fold the tube lengthwise so the foundation-chain edge and Row 60 edge meet evenly; the folded edge forms the bottom of the cuff and the paired open edges form its top. Clip or pin the two layers together at intervals. There are 60 aligned edge pairs around the opening.

Houndstooth body

The first body round passes through both layers of the folded cuff. Work one stitch into each aligned pair of edge positions, so the fold stays secured and the count remains 60. Later rounds are worked into the top loops of the preceding body round only. Do not turn.

• Round 1 (MC, Houndstooth A): Join copper-orange at the back through both layers of the first aligned edge pair; ch 1. Work 1 sc through that same edge pair, then 1 dc through the next edge pair. Repeat [sc through the next edge pair, dc through the next edge pair] 29 times. Change to NC on the final pull-through of the last dc, then join to the first sc. 60 sts.
• Round 2 (NC, Houndstooth B): Ch 1. Work 1 dc in the same first stitch that holds the joining sl st, then 1 sc in the next stitch. Repeat [dc in the next stitch, sc in the next stitch] 29 times. Change to MC on the final pull-through of the last sc, then join to the first dc. 60 sts.
• Round 3 (MC, Houndstooth A): Repeat Round 1’s A sequence into the 60 body stitches. 60 sts.
• Round 4 (NC, Houndstooth B): Repeat Round 2’s B sequence. 60 sts.
• Round 5 (MC, Houndstooth A): Repeat Round 1’s A sequence. 60 sts.
• Round 6 (NC, Houndstooth B): Repeat Round 2’s B sequence. 60 sts.
• Round 7 (MC, Houndstooth A): Repeat Round 1’s A sequence. 60 sts.
• Round 8 (NC, Houndstooth B): Repeat Round 2’s B sequence. 60 sts.
• Round 9 (MC, Houndstooth A): Repeat Round 1’s A sequence. 60 sts.
• Round 10 (NC, Houndstooth B): Repeat Round 2’s B sequence. 60 sts.
• Round 11 (MC, Houndstooth A): Repeat Round 1’s A sequence. 60 sts.
• Round 12 (NC, Houndstooth B): Repeat Round 2’s B sequence. 60 sts.
• Round 13 (MC, Houndstooth A): Repeat Round 1’s A sequence. 60 sts.
• Round 14 (NC, Houndstooth B): Repeat Round 2’s B sequence. 60 sts.
• Round 15 (MC, Houndstooth A): Repeat Round 1’s A sequence. 60 sts.
• Round 16 (NC, Houndstooth B): Repeat Round 2’s B sequence. 60 sts.
• Round 17 (MC, Houndstooth A): Repeat Round 1’s A sequence. 60 sts.
• Round 18 (NC, Houndstooth B): Repeat Round 2’s B sequence. 60 sts.

For clean color changes, finish the last stitch of each round with the next round’s color, join with that color, then ch 1. Carry the resting strand loosely up the inside at the back join only; do not carry it across the inside of the round. Keep the carried strand slack enough for the cuff and body to stretch. The two-round repeat is nine complete orange/navy pairs. The 60 stitches stay constant through all 18 rounds.

Gather the crown

After Round 18, fasten off navy, leaving a 20 in (50 cm) tail. Thread the tail through the top loops of all 60 stitches, alternating around the opening and avoiding the beginning chain and joining slip stitch. Pull the yarn gradually to close the top, distribute the gathers evenly, and pass the needle through the remaining opening in several directions. Secure firmly on the WS and weave in the tail. This gathering—not a separate crown piece—forms the softly rounded slouch crown shown in the finished photo.

Fold and finish the cuff

The band was folded before the first body round, and that first round secured both layers. Turn the hat right side out and smooth the gray cuff so the fold is even all the way around. Adjust the round join to the back and weave in the gray tail. No pom-pom or extra trim is used.

Fit adjustments and troubleshooting

• Check child fit before closing the crown: At target gauge, the relaxed circumference is about 20 in. Stretch it gently around the intended head; it should feel secure but not tight. The head-size range is an estimate, not tested grading.
• Brim too tight or loose: Measure the BLO swatch along its row direction. Change the even brim row count to target a relaxed 19.5–20 in circumference, then use that same count for the body stitches. Keep the count even so the 2-stitch houndstooth repeat fits.
• Body count does not match the brim: The number of brim rows, paired edge positions, and body stitches must match. If you change one, change all three together and keep an even count.
• Houndstooth columns drift: Count 30 A repeats in an A round and 30 B repeats in a B round. Each repeat uses exactly two stitches; do not add a stitch in the join or turning chain.
• Folded cuff separates: Confirm Round 1 passes through both aligned cuff edges at all 60 positions. The later body rounds work only into the body stitches.
• Color seam is bulky: Keep the join at the back, do not pull the carried strand tight, and use the next color for the final joining loop. A slight jog at a joined-round color change is normal.
• Crown gathers into a point: Catch every stitch top once and draw the tail in gradually, easing the gathers evenly before securing.
• Hat is too short or too slouchy: The 18 rounds project to 7.2 in at the target gauge. Add or remove only complete two-round color pairs and recheck height; changing rounds changes slouch depth, not circumference.
• Colors differ from the photo: Use a saturated copper-orange, deep navy, and medium gray in #4 yarn. Fiber, dye, and lighting alter the final appearance; exact matching is not guaranteed.

Frequently asked questions

Is the houndstooth worked flat or in the round?

The gray brim is worked flat in rows, seamed into a tube, and folded. The orange/navy body is worked in joined rounds above the folded brim.

What makes the texture look like houndstooth?

Each round alternates single and double crochet. On the next round, the stitch heights reverse and the yarn color changes, creating the small checked texture.

Does the six-stage infographic contain every instruction?

No. It shows selected milestones only. Use the written instructions for the exact 60-row brim, 60-stitch body count, 18 houndstooth rounds, crown gathering, and assembly.

Is this the paid One for the Boys pattern?

No. This HookElla version has its own child-size counts and brim/body assembly. Kris Moore’s pattern is credited below as broad inspiration, not republished.

Find more HookElla hats in the Wearables & Accessories collection.

Inspiration and photo credit

The broad houndstooth slouch-hat idea is credited to Kris Moore of Krissy’s OTM Crochet, designer of One for the Boys Slouch Hat. Alecia Rivers Goodman is acknowledged as the photographer credited by the source listing. This original HookElla pattern does not reproduce the paid instructions, charts, or source photographs; the HookElla images above are supplied project assets.