I’m joining the eleventh annual Crochet Cancer Challenge with Sweet Potato 3 by sharing the Tri-Color Slouch Hat. This pattern uses basic stitches, making it perfect for new crocheters. The gender-neutral pattern is available in 10 sizes, so you can make matching hats for the whole family. This pattern uses less than one skein in each of the three yarns, so it is also great for using up yarn scraps.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Materials for this project were generously provided by Lion Brand.
My long time readers know that crocheting for a cause is important to me. Besides my crochet charity spotlight posts (with a featured charity that accepts handmade donations and a free crochet pattern ideal for donating), the Sectional Blanket Mystery Crochet Along (with 42 patterns for 7″ x 9″ blocks perfect for donating to Warm Up America), and my other charity crafting patterns and resources, I am honored to be participating in the Sweet Potato 3’s annual Crochet Cancer Challenge for the sixth year in a row. If you’re new to the Crochet Cancer Challenge, you can get all the details about this year’s event here.
For this year’s Crochet Cancer Challenge, I am using dark blue to commemorate my paternal grandfather. He had colon cancer (though he passed away due to another cause while recovering). I was very close to my grandpa as a kid, and I’ve missed not having him in my life as an adult. I’m so glad to know there are screenings such as colonoscopies that can help detect colon cancer at earlier stages.
I used Lion Brand Jeans for my design. It’s one of the approved yarns for chemo caps from Knots of Love, it’s super soft, and I love the range of blues.
Scroll down to get the free pattern for the Tri-Color Slouch Hat. This pattern is part of the eleventh annual Crochet Cancer Challenge with Sweet Potato 3. Get all the details about this year’s Crochet Cancer Challenge, including links to patterns you can download for free in exchange for your pledge to donate a hat, HERE.
Through 11:59 pm Eastern on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, use coupon code CCC23 to get 75% off my Ravelry patterns and ebooks that have been part of the the Crochet Cancer Challenge in previous years.
- Auntie Em Twister Hat – buy on Ravelry or get the free blog pattern
- 6 Hats for Healing ebook – buy on Ravelry or get links to all 6 free blog patterns
- Salvatore Slouch – buy on Ravelry or get the free blog pattern
- Triumphant Textures Beanie – buy on Ravelry or get the free blog pattern
- Herringbone Slouchy Beanie – available for free exclusively to my newsletter subscribers – sign up here
The Tri-Color Slouch Hat is the featured pattern for October 19, 2023 in the 2023 Crochet Cancer Challenge. Use coupon code CancerChallenge23 to get the Ravelry PDF version of the Tri-Color Slouch Hat pattern for free through October 31, 2023 at 11:59pm in exchange for your pledge to donate a hat, or click on the Crochet Cancer Challenge Download Pattern Here button below to add the pattern with the coupon code to your cart. Make sure the cart is set to $0 before checking out as there will be no refunds for accidental purchases.
Don’t forget to head back to the main Crochet Cancer Challenge blog hop post to get links to the rest of the patterns, and to scroll down for the forever free version of the Tri-Color Slouch Hat pattern on my blog.
If you make your own Tri-Color Slouch Hat, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter on 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!
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Tri-Color Slouch Hat
Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter
This cozy slouch hat is designed to combine three colors of yarn, but also works as a scrap buster. This pattern can be worn as a “chemo cap” and was designed for the 11th Annual Crochet Cancer Challenge with Sweet Potato 3.
Finished Sizes
- Newborn (0-3 Months, 3-6 Months, 6-12 Months, 1-2 Years, 3-5 Years, 6-12 Years, Teen/Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large). Photographed sample is Teen/Adult Small.
- Newborn: 13” (33 cm) hat circumference x 6” (15 cm) height.
- 0-3 Months: 15″ (38 cm) hat circumference x 6.5” (16.5 cm) height.
- 3-6 Months: 16” (40.5 cm) hat circumference x 7″ (18 cm) height.
- 6-12 Months: 17″ (43 cm) hat circumference x 7.25” (18.5 cm) height.
- 1-2 Years: 18” (45.5 cm) hat circumference x 7.5” (19 cm) height.
- 3-5 Years: 19″ (48.5 cm) hat circumference x 8″ (20.5 cm) height.
- 6-12 Years: 20” (51 cm) hat circumference x 8.5” (21.5 cm) height.
- Teen/Adult Small: 21” (53.5 cm) hat circumference x 9” (23 cm) height.
- Adult Medium: 22” (56 cm) hat circumference x 9.5” (24 cm) height.
- Adult Large: 23” (58.5 cm) hat circumference x 10” (25.5 cm) height.
Materials
- Lion Brand Jeans yarn (100% acrylic, 3.5 oz/100 g, 246 yd/225 m) – 1 skein each in 108R Brand New (CA), 110AF Classic (CB), and 105V Faded, or approximately 70 yd (90 yd, 105 yd, 115 yd, 125 yd, 140 yd, 155 yd, 175 yd, 195 yd, 215 yd)/64 m (82.5 m, 96 m, 105 m, 114.5 m, 128 m, 142 m, 160 m, 178.5 m, 196.5 m) in CA, 25 yd (30 yd, 35 yd, 40 yd, 40 yd, 45 yd, 50 yd, 60 yd, 65 yd, 70 yd)/23 m (27.5 m, 32 m, 36.5 m, 36.5 m, 41 m, 45.5 m, 55 m, 59.5 m, 64 m) in CB, and 12 yd (15 yd, 20 yd, 20 yd, 20 yd, 25 yd, 25 yd, 30 yd, 35 yd, 35 yd)/11 m (14 m, 18.5 m, 18.5 m, 18.5 m, 23 m, 23 m, 27.5 m, 32 m, 32 m) in any medium weight acrylic yarn.
- US Size H-8/5 mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
- US Size I-9/5.5 mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Yarn needle.
- I used the Ctcwsh ergonomic crochet hook set with stitch markers and yarn needles for my version.
Gauge
- 15 sts in pattern for Hat Band = 2.75” (7 cm) with smaller hook.
- 16 sts in pattern for Work Even = 4″ (10 cm) with larger hook.
- For best fit, always check your gauge.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
- 3L – third (back) loop – Moogly has a helpful tutorial for identifying the third loop on half double crochet stitches here.
- BL – back loop – Nana’s Crafty Home has a helpful video tutorial for identifying the back loop in crochet here.
- CA – Color A
- CB – Color B
- CC – Color C
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- Rnd(s) – Round(s)
- sc – single crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- [] Repeat instructions between brackets as indicated.
Pattern Notes
- The Hat Band is crocheted flat with the smaller hook until it reaches the hat circumference. Then, the Hat Band is seamed with a slip stitch join, and stitches are picked up along the edge of the Hat Band. The rest of the pattern is crocheted in joined rounds with the larger hook. Finally, the hat is cinched closed.
- Ch 1 at start of rows or rounds and sl st at end of rounds do not count as stitches.
- A helpful photo tutorial for using the “cinch method” to close a slouchy hat is available here.
- Like my mannequin? It’s handmade by CanvasHead/WELLDONE on Etsy.
Pattern Instructions
Hat Band – All sizes
- With smaller hook and CA, ch 9 (9, 9, 11, 11, 13, 13, 16, 16, 16) or any multiple of sts.
- Row 1: Turn, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch and in each ch across. – 8 (8, 8, 10, 10, 12, 12, 15, 15, 15) sts
- Row 2: Turn, ch 1, scBL in first st and each st across.
- Repeat Row 2 until Hat Band measures 13″ (15″, 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 21″, 22″, 23)/33 cm (38 cm, 40.5 cm, 43 cm, 45.5 cm, 48.5 cm, 51 cm, 53.5 cm, 56 cm). Do not fasten off.
- Fold Hat Band in half along long edge with short edges aligned, being careful not to twist. Join short edge with slip stitch seam (see video below) on right side. Do not fasten off.
- If you can’t see the video tutorial for the slip stitch seam above, click here to watch it on YouTube.
Pick Up Stitches
- Continuing with CA and smaller hook, and working along the top side of the long edge (see video below), evenly work 52 (60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92) sc (or any multiple of 4 sts) around long edge, join CB with slstBL to first sc. Fasten off CA.
- If you can’t see the video tutorial for crocheting around the side of your project above, click here to watch it on YouTube.
Work Even
- Switch to larger hook and begin working in the round.
- Rnd 1: Ch 1, hdcBL in first st and in each st around, join with sl st to first hdc.
- Rnd 2: Ch 1, starting in first st [hdc3L in next 3 sts, ch 1, skip 1 st] around, join CC with slst3L to first hdc. Drop CB to inside of hat.
- Rnd 3: Ch 1, starting in first st [sc3L in next 3 sts, hdc in skipped st in previous Rnd] around, join CB with slstBL to first sc. Drop CC to inside of hat.
- Rnds 4-6: Repeat Rnds 1-3, join CA with slstBL to first sc at end of Rnd 6. Drop CC to inside of hat.
- Rnd 7: Ch 1, dcBL in first st and in each st around, join with sl st to first dc.
- Rnd 8: Ch 1, dc in first st and in each st around, join with sl st to first dc.
- Rnds 9-11: Repeat Rnd 8, 3 times, join CB with slstBL to first dc. Drop CA to inside of hat.
- Repeat Rnds 1-11 until until hat measures approximately 6″ (6.5″, 7″, 7.25″, 7.5″, 8″, 8.5″, 9″, 9.5″, 10”)/15 cm (16.5 cm, 18 cm, 18.5 cm, 19 cm, 20.5 cm, 21.5 cm, 23 cm, 24 cm, 25.5 cm), ending after a repeat of Rnd 6 or Rnd 11. Fasten off yarn from final Rnd off with long yarn tail (approximately 24″/61 cm) for seaming, fasten off all other yarns.
Finishing
- Thread yarn needle with long yarn tail.
- With right side facing outwards and wrong sides together, cinch crown of hat closed (see Pattern Notes).
- With yarn needle, weave in ends on inside of hat.