Half Double Slouch Hat

A cozy, relaxed slouchy hat worked in half double crochet from the top down, beginning at a magic ring and finishing with a stretchy slip stitch ribbed brim. Sized for an average adult head.

One-skein wonder

Finished / weight

Approximately 20 in circumference × 11 in tall (unstretched)

Gauge

10 hdc × 8 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in half double crochet with K-10.5 (6.5 mm) hook

Yarn

Bulky weight, 120–160 yards; suggested fiber: wool or wool-blend for warmth and stitch definition

Needles / hooks

K-10.5 (6.5 mm) crochet hook

Notions

Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors

Abbreviations

ch = chainsl st = slip stitchhdc = half double crochethdc inc = 2 hdc in the same stitch (increase)MR = magic ringblo = back loop onlypm = place markersm = slip markerrnd = roundRS = right sidest = stitchsts = stitches

Crown — Magic Ring and Initial Increases

Rnd 1MR, ch 2 (does not count as a st here or throughout), work 8 hdc into MR, pull ring closed, sl st to first hdc to join. pm in first st of rnd. (8 sts)8 sts

Rnd 2Ch 2, hdc inc in each st around (8 hdc inc made), sl st to first hdc to join. sm. (16 sts)16 sts

Rnd 3Ch 2, *hdc in next st, hdc inc in next st; rep from * around (8 hdc inc made), sl st to first hdc to join. sm. (24 sts)24 sts

Rnd 4Ch 2, *hdc in next 2 sts, hdc inc in next st; rep from * around (8 hdc inc made), sl st to first hdc to join. sm. (32 sts)32 sts

Rnd 5Ch 2, *hdc in next 3 sts, hdc inc in next st; rep from * around (8 hdc inc made), sl st to first hdc to join. sm. (40 sts)40 sts

Rnd 6Ch 2, *hdc in next 4 sts, hdc inc in next st; rep from * around (8 hdc inc made), sl st to first hdc to join. sm. (48 sts)48 sts

Body — Even Rounds

Rnds 7–18Ch 2, hdc in each st around (48 hdc), sl st to first hdc to join. sm.(12 rows)

Brim — Slip Stitch Ribbing in Back Loops Only

Rnd 19Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sl st blo in each st around (48 sl sts), sl st to first sl st to join. sm.

Rnds 20–22Ch 1, sl st blo in each st around (48 sl sts), sl st to first sl st to join. sm.(3 rows)

Rnd 23Ch 1, sl st blo in each st around (48 sl sts), sl st to first sl st to join. Fasten off, leaving a 6-in tail for weaving in.

Finishing

Weave in all ends securely using a tapestry needle, taking care to hide tails within the hdc fabric at the crown and within the ribbing texture at the brim. Pull the magic ring tail firmly to close any hole at the crown and weave in. Block lightly by misting with water and reshaping on a hat form or balloon to full slouchy dimensions; allow to dry completely before wearing.

Notes

Count stitches at the end of every increase round (Rnds 1–6) to ensure accuracy before proceeding. The ch-2 at the beginning of each hdc round does NOT count as a stitch — always join to the first true hdc of the round to avoid a jog. For a tighter brim, switch to a J-10 (6.0 mm) hook for Rnds 19–23. To lengthen the body for extra slouch, simply add more even rounds between Rnd 18 and the brim section; each additional round uses approximately 3–4 yards. The hat fits a 21–23 in head circumference; the brim ribbing has natural stretch to accommodate variation.

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AI-drafted, human-run · this version drafted Oct 12, 2026. Always swatch and verify stitch counts before casting on.