Slouchy Style {Crochet Hat Tutorial}

With winter officially here, I wanted to make a hat for myself that was warm (obviously), but also had an element of style that the basic toque (TOQUE, what?! That's what us fellow Canadians call a wool hat or beanie) just doesn't have. Luckily for me, I found this great hat on a cute little blog called Oodles for Noodles. The pattern for this hat just happened to be FREE, (just what I'm always looking for) and was really simple to make. Here is the link so you all can go and make it too. This would make a great gift for a loved one for the holidays. Homemade gifts are always extra special!

Things You Need to Know Before Starting:

(sc)- single crochet

(dc)- double crochet

(sl st)- slip stitch

(ch)-chain

&

how to work a (bl)- back loop

Can't Get Started Without:

~ 6.00mm (J) & 6.50mm (K) crochet hooks

~1 1/2-102 yds skeins of Yarn Bee Andes Alpaca in Pearl. (Any other 3oz, 4 ply yarn would work as well but may 'slouch' differently. I found this yarn at Hobby Lobby.)

~Stitch Marker
~ Yarn needle

Making this hat was a bit different from any other hat I've ever made as it starts from the brim and works its way to the back. I actually liked working it this way, but was worried about how the technique for finishing it was going to look. It turned out to be very cool. I will definately be using this closing technique again!!

I followed the pattern almost exactly, but did have to change the brim a little bit. The pattern called for 50 rows joined, but that was waaaay to small for me, (I obviously have a huge head, lol) so I ended up making 70 rows. The look of the brim was achieved by working in the back loops of each stitch and I love how it turned out!

Overall, I think this hat is great. It is a bit heavier than I expected, but a few bobby pins to hold it in place, work wonderfully. It is also incredibly warm. I was skiing in Canada this past weekend (temps of -5 celsius/23 fahrenheit) and wore it the whole day without having to worry about my ears freezing. I hope everyone enjoys making and wearing it as much as I did/do!! :)



Linking up with My Merry Messy Life, The Frugal Girls, & Artsy-fartsy mama