Colorblock Slouch Beanie Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This Colorblock Slouch Beanie is the perfect first hat project for anyone who has just learned to crochet in the round. It's worked as one simple straight tube with no increasing, decreasing, or shaping, so the only skills you need are the chain, half double crochet, and slip stitch. The clean two-tone look comes from a single color change at mid-height: a teal lower half and a coral upper half, with a neat single crochet edging at the bottom and a gathered, puckered crown at the top. The finished hat is soft, smooth, and slightly ridged, with a relaxed slouch that looks preppy and polished without a pom-pom in sight.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (4) yarn, approximately 200 yards total: 100 yards teal (Color A) and 100 yards coral (Color B). Sample used Lion Brand Vanna's Choice (100% acrylic, 170 yd/100 g) in Teal (A) and Coral (B).
• Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker (optional, for the join), scissors
• Finished size: One size fits most adults: circumference 20–22 inches, length 11 inches (slouchy)

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• hdc — half double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all three loops on your hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook.
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• A / B — Color A (teal) / Color B (coral)

Gauge

14 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in half double crochet. To check, crochet a small flat swatch in hdc and measure a 4-inch section in both directions; if you have more stitches than 14, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Count your starting chain. The whole hat depends on 72 chains, so count twice before joining. A twisted ring cannot be fixed later.
• Mark the join. Place a stitch marker in the first hdc of each round so you always know where to slip stitch and where the next round begins.
• Keep the join line straight. Work the ch 1 at the start of each round loosely and always join to the first hdc, not the ch 1, so the seam stays tidy.
• Save your tail. Leave the full 24-inch coral tail at the end; it is what gathers the crown closed.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Hat Body (worked in joined rounds from the bottom up)

With Color A, ch 72. Join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring, being careful not to twist the chain.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, hdc in each ch around, join with sl st to first hdc (72 hdc).

Rnds 2–16: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join with sl st to first hdc (72 hdc). [16 rounds total in Color A]

Change to Color B.

Rnds 17–32: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join with sl st to first hdc (72 hdc). [16 rounds total in Color B]

Fasten off Color B, leaving a long tail (about 24 inches) for gathering.

Gathered Crown

Thread the 24-inch tail onto a tapestry needle. Weave the needle through the top edge of the final round, going through each stitch all the way around. Pull the tail tight to gather the top closed. Secure with a few stitches and a knot.

Bottom Edging

With Color A, join yarn at the bottom edge. Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc (72 sc). Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

There are no pieces to seam; the hat is complete once the crown is gathered and the edging is worked. Weave in all remaining ends on the inside of the hat, running each tail through several stitches in two directions so it stays put. Block lightly by misting the hat with water and smoothing it over a bowl or round form about 20–22 inches around; let it dry fully, which sets the slouch and evens out the half double crochet texture. Do not stretch the gathered crown while blocking.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Make it fitted: Work fewer rounds in Color B (for example, 8 instead of 16) for a shorter, beanie-style fit instead of a slouch.
• Change the palette: Swap in any two contrasting worsted colors, such as navy and mustard or cream and sage, for a different preppy look.
• Add a pom-pom: If you prefer a pom-pom, stitch one in Color A over the gathered crown to hide the closure.