Free pattern: Aqua Ridge Slouchy Hat in 5 sizes

I’m sharing a slouchy beanie crochet pattern in 5 sizes in today’s blog post. The Aqua Ridge Slouchy Hat uses a simple, repeating pattern of front post double crochet stitches for textured ridges and works up quickly in bulky yarn.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Yarn for the sample was generously provided by Yarnspirations.

I have mentioned before that I lack the ability to make my own pom poms. I’m not sure why this is, and, yes, I have tried all the tutorials. The only thing that allows me to enjoy pom poms is my Clover Pom Pom Maker. I dusted it off to make the pom pom for the Aqua Ridge Beanie, and personally, I think it really makes the hat (though, of course, it is completely optional).

This is a pretty straightforward pattern, and if you’re new to post stitches, you can find a video tutorial in the pattern. Most determined or adventurous beginners could tackle this pattern successfully.

The cotton blend yarn is very soft. It’s like wearing your favorite t-shirt on your head! I originally designed this pattern for AllFreeCrochet, but I’ve since added 4 more sizes.

This post is part of the third annual Countdown to Christmas I’m sharing with folks signed up for the Crochet Along updates and the Underground Crafter newsletter.

Each day through December 24, 2025, I’m sharing a 2-day free coupon code straight to your inbox for one of my crochet patterns that is perfect for winter or holiday crafting. The Aqua Ridge Slouchy Hat is the December 23 featured pattern. Sign up now to get access to the free PDF! (When you sign up for this list, you get regular updates from Underground Crafter, and an update email about every pattern for the CALs I host as those patterns are released. When you sign up, you’ll also get access to my subscriber vault which includes exclusive free PDF patterns, a coupon code for your choice of any crochet or knitting pattern or ebook from my Ravelry shop, and coupon codes from other indie designers and crafts businesses.)

If you make your own Aqua Ridge Slouchy Hat, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Bluesky as @UndergroundCrafter, Facebook as @UndergroundCrafter, or on Instagram as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and private access to my vault of subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

Add the Aqua Ridge Slouchy Hat to your Ravelry favorites or queue.

Aqua Ridge Slouchy Hat

Slouchy Beanie Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter

Updated 12/23/2025

This cozy slouchy hat uses a simple, repeating pattern featuring front post double crochet stitches for textured ridges. It works up quickly in bulky yarn.

Finished Sizes

• Newborn (3-6 months, Child/Teen, Adult Small, Adult Large). Photographed sample is size Adult Small.
  • Newborn: 11” (28 cm) hat circumference, 5” (13 cm) length.
  • 3-6 months: 14.25” (36 cm) hat circumference, 6” (15 cm) length.
  • Child/Teen: 17.25” (44 cm) hat circumference, 8” (18 cm) length.
  • Adult Small: 20.5” (52 cm) hat circumference, 8.5” (21.5 cm) length.
  • Adult Large: 23.5” (59.5 cm) hat circumference, 9” (23 cm) length.

Materials

• Bernat Maker Home Dec (72% cotton/28% nylon, 8.8 oz/250 g/317 yd/290 m) – 1 skein each in 11005 Aqua (CA) and 11008 Clay (CB), or approximately 160 yd (146 m) in each of 2 colors in any bulky weight, cotton blend yarn.
• US Size K-10.5/6.5 mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Yarn needle.
• Clover Pom-Pom Maker – Extra Large (optional).

Gauge

• Through Rnd 5 in pattern = 4.5” (11.5 cm) diameter. For best fit, always check your gauge.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

• CA – Color A
• CB – Color B
• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• FPdc – front post double crochet – Yo, insert hook from front around back to front of st in previous row, yo and draw up a loop, [yo and draw through 2 loops] twice. You can find a helpful video tutorial for this stitch below.

• If you can’t see the FPdc video above, watch it on YouTube.
• rep – repeat
• Rnd(s) – Round(s)
• sc – single crochet
• sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together – [Insert hook in next st, yo and draw up a loop] twice, yo and draw through 3 loops. You can find a helpful video tutorial for this decrease below.

• If you can’t see the sc2tog video above, watch it on YouTube.
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• yo – yarn over
• [] Repeat instructions within brackets as indicated.

Pattern Notes

• Hat is worked in the round with right (front) side facing.
• Use CA for starting chain through Rnd 5, then change to next color every 2 Rnds when joining with sl st at end of Rnd, carrying unworked color loosely on wrong side (inside of hat).
• Helpful tips for making pompoms without a pompom maker are available in this blog post.

Pattern Instructions

Hat

• Starting at crown, ch 4, skip 3 ch, join with slip st to first ch to form ring.
• Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc, here and throughout), 7 dc in ring, join with sl st to top of first ch 3. (8 sts)
• Rnd 2: 2 FPdc around each st from Rnd 1, join with sl st to top of first FPdc. (16 sts)
• Rnd 3: Starting in first st, [(Fpdc around next st, dc in same st), FPdc around next st] around, join with sl st to top of first FPdc. (24 sts)
• Rnd 4: Starting in first st, [FPdc around next st, 2 dc in next st, FPdc around next st] around, join with sl st to top of first FPdc. (32 sts)
• Rnd 5: Starting in first st, [FPdc around next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, FPdc around next st] around, join with sl st to top of first FPdc. (40 sts)
• Rnd 6: Starting in first st, [FPdc around next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, FPdc around next st] around, join with sl st to top of first FPdc. (48 sts) NEWBORN SIZE ONLY:  Continue to Rnd 11.
• Rnd 7: Starting in first st, [FPdc around next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts, FPdc around next st] around, join with sl st to top of first FPdc. (56 sts) 3-6 MONTHS SIZE ONLY:  Continue to Rnd 11.
• Rnd 8: Starting in first st, [FPdc around next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts, FPdc around next st] around, join with sl st to top of first FPdc. (64 sts) CHILD/TEEN SIZE ONLY:  Continue to Rnd 11.
• Rnd 9: Starting in first st, [FPdc around next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts, FPdc around next st] around, join with sl st to top of first FPdc. (72 sts) ADULT SMALL SIZE ONLY:  Continue to Rnd 11.
• Rnd 10: Starting in first st, [FPdc around next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 6 sts, FPdc around next st] around, join with sl st to top of first FPdc. (80 sts) ADULT LARGE SIZE ONLY:  Continue to Rnd 11.
• Rnd 11: [FPdc around next st, dc in next 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) sts, FPdc around next st] around, join with sl st to top of first FPdc.
• Rep Rnd 11 until hat measures approximately 4.5” (5.5”, 7.5”, 8”, 8.5”)/11.5  cm (14 cm, 19 cm, 20.5 cm, 21.5 cm) from crown, ending after color change.
• Rnd 12: Starting in first st, [FPdc around next st, sc2tog, sc in next 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) sts, FPdc around next st] around, join with sl st to top of first FPdc. – 40 (48, 56, 64, 72) sts
• Rnd 13: Starting in first st, [FPdc around next st, sc2tog, sc in next 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) sts, FPdc around next st] around, join with sl st to top of first FPdc. – 32 (40, 48, 56, 64) sts
• Fasten off.

 Finishing

• With yarn needle, weave in ends on wrong side (inside of hat).
• Using CB, make pompom following instructions on Clover Pom Pom Maker. Alternatively, see Pattern Notes for link to tutorial for making a pompom by hand.
• Trim pompom.
• Attach pompom to hat using yarn needle and yarn tail that tied pompom together.
• With yarn needle and yarn tails from tying pom pom, secure pom pom to hat by weaving yarn tails in on inside of hat.

© 2016, 2025 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: https://undergroundcrafter.com/2016/12/27/free-pattern-aqua-ridge-slouchy-hat. Thanks for supporting indie designers!