Everyone needs a warm, classic hat that is both timeless and stylish. My free houndstooth crochet hat pattern will help you to create a beautiful, gender-neutral beanie that is super easy to achieve.
This easy project makes a wonderful gift that works up quickly. It has quickly become one of my favourite crochet hat patterns because it’s one of those projects that looks much harder than it is and I get tons of compliments when I wear it.
*This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.*
Want to add this pattern to your library or purchase an ad-free PDF version of this pattern? Find them in my Ravelry and Etsy shop.
Once you’re done making your Cozy Wool Houndstooth Beanie with this free pattern, you should check out the other two free crochet projects that are a part of the Hat of the Month Club this month! You can find the design by Oombawka Design Crochet and the design by The Stitchin Mommy.
How This Hat Is Constructed
The Cozy Wool Crochet Houndstooth Beanie free pattern is worked from the bottom up (from the brim of the hat to the top) and is a fitted beanie for an adult head with a 20-22 inch circumference.
We’ll create the brim with a series of stitches to make a knit-look brim and then we’ll create the body of our hat using the houndstooth stitch.
When we decrease at the top of the hat, we’ll use some special invisible decrease stitches so make sure to check out the special instructions given for those stitches before getting started.
How to Create the Houndstooth Crochet Stitch
This easy crochet pattern uses a fun twist on a beginner-friendly stitch called the Lemon Peel Stitch (click here to view my tutorial for this stitch).
The Lemon Peel Stitch alternates double crochet stitches and single crochet stitches to create a beautiful texture that is double-sided. Both sides look similar, though slightly different, but equally beautiful.
When we do the Lemon Peel Stitch by using two contrasting colors and changing them every row, it becomes the houndstooth stitch pattern as it looks very much like the classic houndstooth pattern fabric.
Choosing Yarn for This Crochet Beanie Pattern
I used King Cole Wool Aran for this crochet project because it’s a sturdy, recycled wool that is super cozy. I wanted a classic houndstooth beanie and to me, that meant a proper wool yarn, which makes for a sturdier and often warmer hat.
If you want to substitute a different yarn, I recommend picking worsted weight or aran weight yarn (regardless of fibre content) with a similar gauge (find it on the yarn label) that has 2 different colorways that are contrasting enough to let the houndstooth stitch shine.
Houndstooth Color Combinations
Whlie the most popular houndstooth color combo is the traditional black and white, there are lots of new fun color combos to consider using the crochet houndstooth stitch pattern.
I personally love the look of what some folks refer to as “peppermint houndstooth” which is the white and red combination that I’ve used in my sample. But some other great color combos that look great in houndstooth are:
- Cream and forest green
- Hot pink and baby pink
- Pink and white
- Red and black
- Orange and black
- Brown and cream or tan
- Blue and grey
- Cream and Navy Blue
- You could also try sports team yarn colors to turn this scarf into a fun game-day wearable.
If none of these color combos strike your fancy, I try starting with your favorite color for Color A and then picking a contrasting color for Color B.
Disclaimer
Feel free to sell the finished product created with this free crochet pattern but please provide pattern credit back to me when posting online, and please provide a link to my blog: https://theloopylamb.com. Please do not resell, distribute, duplicate, or share this pattern in any printed or digital form, or claim this pattern as your own patterns or design. Please do not use my photos when selling your finished items. This pattern is for personal use only.
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Skill Level:
- Easy
Terminology:
- U.S. Terminology
Supplies:
- I / 5.5 mm Crochet Hook (or whatever hook size needed to match gauge)
- King Cole Wool Aran (100% Superwash Wool, Aran (4), 100 g/3.5 oz, 196 yds/180 m)
– Available at LoveCrafts, Amazon and local yarn shops (check the stock at your local stores on King Cole’s website) in the following colors and amounts,- Color A: Cranberry, 1 ball (approx. 125 yds)
- Color B: Cream, 1 ball (approx. 83 yds)
- Tapestry Needle / Yarn Needle
- Scissors
- Stitch Marker (optional)
- 5” Faux Fur Pom Pom (optional)
Abbreviations:
(Click links to view a photo tutorial and free video tutorial for that stitch)
- BLO = Back Loop Only
- BDC3TOG = Back Loop Only Double Crochet Three Stitches Together (see special stitches)
- CH = Chain
- DC = Double Crochet
- FDC3TOG = Front Loop Only Double Crochet Three Stitches Together (see special stitches)
- FLO = Front Loop Only
- FO = Finish Off
- HDC = Half Double Crochet
- Rep = Repeat
- RS = Right Side
- SC = Single Crochet
- SL ST = Slip Stitch
- ST(s) = Stitch(es)
- WS = Wrong Side
- YO = Yarn Over
Special Stitches and Techniques:
- Back Loop Only Double Crochet Three Together (BDC3TOG): YO and insert hook into the BLO of the first, second and third stitches, YO and pull up a loop. YO and pull through the first two loops on the hook. YO and pull through the remaining two loops on hook.
- Front Loop Only Double Crochet Three Together (FDC3TOG): YO and insert hook into the FLO of the first, second and third stitches, YO and pull up a loop. YO and pull through the first two loops on the hook. YO and pull through the remaining two loops on hook.
Finished Size:
- Adult (20 – 22″ head circumference): Hat is approximately 9” tall x 10” wide when laid flat
Gauge:
- Approx. 14 STs x 14 rows = 4” in pattern stitch (houndstooth stitch)
Notes:
- Getting the correct gauge is vital for ensuring that your hat fits appropriately. Gauge is measured over the houndstooth pattern stitch worked in joined and turned rounds.
- Project is worked from the bottom of the hat to the top. Brim is created then the body of the hat.
- Placing a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round can help avoid losing or picking up extra stitches.
- Carry colours up the inside of the hat to minimize ends that need to be woven in. This means that you’ll drop the unused color and leave it attached to the inside of the project while you use the new color (do not crochet over it – just leave it hanging), picking it back up when you switch colors at the end of each row. Alternatively, you can cut the yarn for each color change and weave in the ends.
- Change color using the YO of the slip stitch join at the end of each round (rounds 2 – 26).
Want to add this pattern to your library or purchase an ad-free PDF version of this pattern? Find them in my Ravelry and Etsy shop.
Free Houndstooth Crochet Hat Pattern – Cozy Wool Houndstooth Beanie
Brim
Using Color A, CH 9.
Row 1 (RS): HDC in the 2nd CH from the hook and in each CH across. (8)
Row 2 (WS): CH 1 and turn. Working all STs of this row in the BLO, SL ST in the first ST and each ST across.
Row 3: CH 1 and turn. Working all STs of this row in the BLO, HDC in the first ST and each ST across.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until band is 18” long.
With RS of the band held together and working in the BLO, SL ST the two ends together to form a ring.
CH 1 and turn the piece so the RS faces you.
Hat Body
Round 1: SC 70 evenly along the top of the band. Join last ST to the first ST with a SL ST (from here on out referred to as “join”). (70)
Round 2: CH 1 and DO NOT turn. *SC in the first ST, DC in the next, repeat from * until the end of the Round. Join.
Change to Color B.
Round 3: CH 1 and turn. *SC in the first ST, DC in the next, repeat from * until the end of the Round. Join.
Change to Color A.
Round 4: CH 1 and turn. *SC in the first ST, DC in the next, repeat from * until the end of the Round. Join.
Change to Color B.
Round 5: CH 1 and turn. *SC in the first ST, DC in the next, repeat from * until the end of the Round. Join.
Change to Color A.
Rounds 6 – 17: Repeat Rounds 4 and 5 (including color changes listed at the end of each round).
Round 18: CH 1 and turn. *(SC in the first ST, DC in the next) x 15, SC, FDC3TOG, rep from * 1 more time, SC in the next ST, DC in the last. Join. Change to Color B. (66)
Round 19: CH 1 and turn. *(SC in the first ST, DC in the next) x 9, SC, BDC3TOG, rep from * 2 more times. Join. Change to Color A. (60)
Round 20: CH 1 and turn. (SC in the first ST, DC in the next) x 4, SC, FDC3TOG, *(SC in the first ST, DC in the next) x 8, SC, FDC3TOG, rep from * 1 more time, (SC in the first ST, DC in the next) x 4. Join. Change to Color B. (54)
Other Great Free Crochet Patterns to Check Out
- Lakeview Cabled Beanie Pattern
- Pinch Me Lobster Hat – available in sizes for the whole family
- Crochet Tartan Beanie
Round 21: CH 1 and turn. *(SC in the first ST, DC in the next) x 7, SC, BDC3TOG, rep from * 2 more times. Join. Change to Color A. (48)
Round 22: CH 1 and turn. (SC in the first ST, DC in the next) x 3, SC, FDC3TOG, *(SC in the first ST, DC in the next) x 6, SC, FDC3TOG, rep from * 1 more time, (SC in the first ST, DC in the next) x 3. Join. Change to Color B. (42)
Round 23: CH 1 and turn. *(SC in the first ST, DC in the next) x 5, SC, BDC3TOG, rep from * 2 more times. Join. Change to Color A. (36)
Round 24: CH 1 and turn. (SC in the first ST, DC in the next) x 2, SC, FDC3TOG, *(SC in the first ST, DC in the next) x 4, SC, FDC3TOG, rep from * 1 more time, (SC in the first ST, DC in the next) x 2. Join. Change to Color B. (30)
Round 25: CH 1 and turn. *(SC in the first ST, DC in the next) x 3, SC, BDC3TOG, rep from * 2 more times. Join. Change to Color A. (24)
Round 26: CH 1 and turn. *(SC in the first ST, DC in the next) x 2, SC, FDC3TOG, rep from * 2 more times. Join. Change to Color B. (18)
Round 27: CH 1 and turn. *SC in the first ST, DC in the next, SC, BDC3TOG, rep from * 2 more times. Join. (12)
FO leaving a long yarn tail. Thread the yarn tail onto the tapestry needle and weave the yarn tail through the FLO of the last round. Pull yarn tail to cinch hole closed.
If using a pom pom, use the yarn tail to sew the pom pom to the hat. Weave in the ends.
Want to make a scarf to match your hat? Check out my other free houndstooth crochet pattern, the Cozy Wool Crochet Houndstooth Scarf Pattern.
I’d love to see your crochet scarves made with my free houndstooth hat pattern! Share your Cozy Wool Houndstooth Beanie with me on social media by tagging me @theloopylamb or using #theloopylamb in your posts.
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