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The Houndstooth Hat: A cozy crochet beanie hat pattern

ByDora Does Released Updated
Dora holds one hand to her head, wearing a blue and pink crochet houndstooth beanie hat.

The Houndstooth Hat is a bottom-up, fitted beanie hat with a fold up brim, that’s perfect for cold weather. It’s a simple crochet pattern, offered in 4 sizes, which uses basic stitches throughout, making it a quick and easy, beginner friendly project.

Keep reading for the free crochet pattern or purchase the ad-free Printable PDF version of the pattern from Etsy, Ravelry or Love Crafts.

A side view of a two tone striped crochet beanie hat being worn by Dora. A text overlay at the bottom reads ‘crochet houndstooth hat’

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click a link to a product and go on to make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. You can read my full affiliate disclosure here. 

Two houndstooth crochet hats, one in pink and blue and one two shades of pink.

It’s been a while since I created the Hound Hugs scarf and Houndstooth forever infinity scarf so I decided it was time to add a hat to the collection! I’ve had it in my mind for a while to design a really cosy hat that will keep your head warm in cold and windy weather (I’m talking British winter here rather than arctic climbs).

This houndstooth crochet hat pattern checks that box. It’s dense stitch pattern made in aran weight wool yarn using a relative small hook for the yarn weight, which adds to the density of the fabric.

I love this hat so much I now have it in two colour ways so I can play matchy matchy with my outfit of the day!

Read on for all the details and here’s to cozy heads forevermore!

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A landscape view of dora wearing a blue and pink beanie whose stripes make a dogtooth pattern, with a dark blue ribbed brim folded up.

Pattern Notes

General Notes

  • Please read through the pattern and all associated notes before starting your project
  • This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology (UK equivalents are given in brackets in the abbreviations list where applicable)
  • Numbers at the end of a row / round indicate the number of stitches in that row / round and are only given at the start of a section or where there is a change (if there is no stitch count, refer back to the last time it appeared)
  • The pattern is worked in rows and turned rounds
  • Turning chains do not count as stitches throughout
  • Unless otherwise indicated, stitches should be worked in consecutive stitches
  • The first stitch of each row / round should be worked into the top of the last stitch from the previous row / round, unless otherwise indicated
  • Instructions written after an *asterisk should be repeated as indicated
  • Instructions written between [square brackets] should be worked the specific number of times instructed
  • Right Sides and Wrong Sides are nominal with the exception of the brim which should be joined with Wrong Side facing

Construction

  • The hat is crocheted from the bottom up
  • You will start by working the ribbed brim in rows and join the two ends
  • Next you will work the first, set up, hat body round into the row ends of the brim and continue working the hounds tooth pattern in turned rounds
  • You will decrease towards the crown and have the option to add a pom pom if desired
  • The pattern uses a stitch multiple of 2 and a multiple of 12 for the decrease section
  • The pattern is designed so that the brim is worn folded up over the body of the hat for additional warmth
  • You can learn more about hat construction here

Skills Used

  • Knowledge of basic crochet stitches, techniques and terminology is assumed
  • Working in rows and turned rounds, changing colours alternate rounds
  • Basic decrease stitches
  • Yarn over slip stitches are used for the brim – see special stitches
  • A full youtube tutorial is also available for the pattern; right-handed tutorial here and left-handed tutorial here (links also just before the the beginning of the pattern)
  • A photo guide showing different aspects of construction is included throughout the pattern below in order to assist you with parts you may find tricker.
Two crochet houndstooth beanie hats lay flat on a white surface with a crochet hook, yarn needle and scissors surrounding them.

Materials

Crochet Hook

5mm/H crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.

I used my clover amour hook.

Yarn Requirements 

You will need approximately150(185, 205, 260)m of worsted or aran weight yarn in roughly a 2:1 ratio. This translates to approximately 100(125, 135, 175)m of Yarn A and 50(60, 70, 85)m of Yarn B.

The two tone pink hat pictured uses Drops Nepal, 65% Wool, 35% Alpaca, 50g ball = 75m.

  • 2(2, 2, 3) Balls Yarn A: Cerise (6273)
  • 1(1, 1, 2) Ballof Yarn B: Powder Pink (3112)

The pink and blue hat pictured uses Drops Alaska for Yarn A, 100% Wool, 50g = 70m and   Drops Nepal for Yarn B, 65% Wool, 35% Alpaca, 50g ball = 75m.

  • 2(2, 2, 3) Balls of Yarn A: Blue Denim (57)
  • 1(1, 1, 2) Ball Yarn B: Powder Pink (3112)

Yarn Substitution Options: 

A similar worsted weight yarn will create similar results. Wool, Alpaca, Acrylic and blends should work well for this project. I would not use plant based yarns such as cotton or bamboo for this hat. 

Different fibres and yarns will produce a different finished result. You may find this post useful when choosing yarn.

Other Materials & Notions

Yarn needle, scissors and a tape measure

You may wish to block this project, in which case I recommend a Blocking board and pins.

You can learn more about blocking your crochet projects here.

A view of the houndstooth crochet beanie had from behjnd, showing the back view.

How to purchase a Dora Does crochet pattern:

I sell my PDF crochet patterns in my Etsy, Ravelry and Love Crafts stores. You can purchase this pattern on any of these platforms, depending on your preference. Simply click the relevant links throughout this pattern page to be taken to the listing, or visit the store homepages in the links at the start of this paragraph.

Measurements & Finished Size

  • Approximate measurements of the finished hat are given below, to help you choose a suitable size
  • The hat is designed to a close fit and to be worn with the brim folded over.
  • The pattern is offered in 4 sizes: Toddler(Child / Small Adult, Adult, Large Adult)
  • Instructions for different sizes are written in increasing order, with the smallest size first and larger sizes following in brackets, i.e. Toddler(Child / Small Adult, Adult, Large Adult,) Stitches or Rows / Rounds
  • If you see a ‘0’ stitch or row/round count in the instruction for your size, it means that instruction does not apply to that size

Finished measurements:

Measurements given in cm for Toddler(Child/Small Adult, Adult, Large Adult) respectively. Ages are simply a guide. Remember that hats should be worn with about 5cm/2in negative ease. 

  • Finished Circumference: 40(44, 48, 54)cm
  • Height with brim folded over: 17.5(19, 20.5, 23)cm
  • Height with brim unfolded: 22(25, 26.5, 30)cm

The item shown in the pictures is the Adult size.

Learn more about hat sizing here.

A side view of a stripy crochet beanie with a dark pink ribbed brim.

Stitches & Abbreviations: US terms 

(UK Equivalent in Brackets)

  • BLO = back loop only
  • ch = chain
  • dc = double crochet (UK treble crochet)
  • dc2tog = double crochet 2 together (UK treble 2 together) – see special stitches
  • FLO = front loop only
  • rep = repeat
  • RS = right side
  • sc = single crochet (UK double crochet)
  • sc2tog = single crochet 2 together (UK double 2 together) – see special stitches
  • ss = slip stitch
  • st(s) = stitch(es)
  • WS = wrong side
  • yo = yarn over
  • YOss = yarn over slip stitch – see special stitches
  • YOss BLO = yarn over slip stitch in the back loop only

Special Stitches 

Yarn over Slip Stitch – YOss

Yo, insert hook, yo, pull a loop through the stitch/loop you inserted your hook into and continue to pull it through the other 2 loops on the hook.

It may help you to hold the base of the stitch when working the YOss. It may also help you to work it in two parts; first, pull your yarn through the stitch you inserted your hook into, second, pull it through the remaining loops. The video tutorial includes a clear demonstration of this stitch.

You can learn more about working crochet ribbing here.

Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

Insert hook, yo, pull up a loop, insert hook into next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 3 loops to complete the stitch.

Double Crochet 2 Together (dc2tog)

Yo, insert hook, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, insert hook into next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through 3 loops to complete the stitch.

Dora holds up a two tone houndstooth crochet hat whilst wearing a matching one in a different colour.

Pattern Repeat – Houndstooth Stitch

Houndstooth, the two colour stitch pattern used in the body of the hat, has a stitch multiple of 2. It’s worked in turned rounds, though for your swatch you can work it flat:

Starting with an even number of sts and Yarn A;

Row 1: Ch1, starting in first st, *1sc in next st, 1dc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn.

Change to Yarn B

Row 2: Ch1, starting in first st, *1sc in next st, 1dc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 

Change to Yarn A

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for pattern

A side view of dora wearing a blue and pink crochet hat.

Gauge

Brim gauge: 17 sts and 15 rows in 10cm of yarn over slip stitch (YOss) worked in the back loop only using a 5mm  crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

Hat Body Gauge: 14 sts and 14 rows in 10cm of houndstooth stitch (see above) using a 5mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

Variation in your gauge will lead to variations in the finished size of your project.

Learn how to make and measure a gauge swatch here.

Houndstooth Hat Video Tutorials

You can find a full tutorial to accompany this pattern (using the adult size) on Youtube. This is the first time I’ve made a complete, start to finish tutorial, so I’d love your feedback, either in the comments below or on the youtube video itself.

Right Handed Video Tutorial:

Right handed Tutorial

Left Handed Video Tutorial:

Left handed Tutorial

Purchase the PDF version of the pattern now from Ravelry, Etsy or Love Crafts.

The Houndstooth Hat Written Pattern

Folded Brim

Using Yarn A, Ch9(11, 11, 13)

Row 1 (RS): YOss in second ch from hook and each ch to end, turn. 8(10, 10, 12) sts

The steps in the yarn over slip stitch back loop only method are seen below:

1: Yarn over and insert hook into back loop

The second step in the yarn over slip stitch, back loop only stitch instruction. Yarn has been wrapped and the hook inserted into the back loop of the stitch on the previous row.

2: Yarn over and pull a loop through the loop into which you just inserted the hook

The final step before the last pull through of the yarn over slip stitch BLO ribbing. Yarned over, hook inserted in the back loop and a loop pulled through.

3: Continue to pull the same loop through the last two loops on hook to complete the stitch

A close up of 3 rows of yarn over slip stitch back loop only crochet ribbing made in blue yarn, the crochet hook still attached.

Row 2: Ch1 (does not count as a st here or throughout), YOss BLO in each st to end, turn.

Rows 3-59(65, 71, 77): As Row 2 (st count remains the same for all of brim)

A long pice of blue crochet ribbing ready to be joined to create the brim of a hat.

To increase the depth of the brim, you can increase the number of chains you start with.

You will now join the two ends to make the brim into a loop. With WS facing, fold the two ends together so that the starting chain is closest to you and the last row you worked behind it, the two ends lined up stitch to stitch;

Two ends of a length of blue crochet ribbing are lined up, the crochet hook still attached, ready to be joined to form a loop.

Row 60(66, 72, 78) – Joining Row (WS): Ch1, ss through the FLO of the starting chain and the BLO of the corresponding st in the last row you worked, repeat this in each st across to join the two ends. 8(10, 10, 12) ss

This creates the brim of your hat (see photo guide or video tutorial for additional support)

Do not fasten off

Below is a step by step look at how the ends are joined;

A crochet hook is inserted through the front loop of a row of chains at the beginning of a length of blue crochet rib.
Insert hook into front loop of starting chain.
A crochet hook is inserted through the front loop of a row of chains and the back loop of a correspondent row of yarn over slip stitches, in order to join two ends of crochet rib.
Then insert hook into back loop of corresponding stitch in the last row.
A close up of a yarn over step around a crochet hook which has been inserted between the front and back loops, respectively, of two rows of ribbing. The yarn over is the last step to join the ends.
Yarn over and pull through to complete the slip stitch join.

As you will see from the the respective wrong side and right side images below, this is a really discrete way to join back loop only ribbing. It works for other stitches too.

The wrong side of an almost invisible join in crochet ribbing worked in the back loops.
The ‘wrong side’ of the slip stitch ribbing join.
The Right Side of a a join in a length of yarn over slip stitch crochet ribbing, illustrating how to make an invisible join in back loop crochet ribbing.
The right side of the slip stitch ribbing join

Hat Body

You will now turn the brim at right angles and work the first round of the hat into the row-ends of the brim.

Continuing in Yarn A

Round 1 – Set-up Round (RS): Ch1 (does not count as a st here or throughout), 2sc in alternating row-ends around the brim, ss to top of first st to join, turn. 60(66, 72, 78) sts

Change to Yarn B

Round 2 (WS): Ch1, starting in first st, *1sc in next st, 1dc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn.

Change to Yarn A

Round 3: Ch1, starting in first st, *1sc in next st, 1dc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn.

Change to Yarn B

Rounds 4-17(17, 19, 21): Rep rounds 2 and 3, alternating colours each round.

Four and a half rounds of crochet houndstooth stitch had been worked into a rib brim. showing the start of a crochet hat body.
A progress shot after the first few rounds of houndstooth stitch.

Note that I carried the yarn up the WS of the beanie rather than fastening off after each round.

If you want to change the length of the hat, you can change the number of Round 2 and 3 repeats you work. Making sure to finish on a Round 3 repeat.

A progress shot of the houndstooth hat, shown just before the decreases for the crown begin.
The houndstooth hat before you begin to decrease for the crown.

Decreasing for the Crown

For All Sizes

In Yarn B

Round 1: Ch1, *sc2tog, dc2tog, [1sc, 1dc] 3(9, 4, 11) times; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 48(60, 60, 72) sts

Change to Yarn A

Round 2: Ch1, starting in first st, *1sc in next st, 1dc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn.

Change to Yarn B

A close up of the first two sets of crown decreases made in the houndstooth crochet hat.
A progress image after the first two sets of decrease rounds.

Round 3: Ch1, *[1sc, 1dc] 2(3, 3, 4) times, sc2tog, dc2tog; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 36(48, 48, 60) sts

Change to Yarn A

Round 4: Ch1, starting in first st, *1sc in next st, 1dc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn.

Change to Yarn B

A close up of a decrease repeat, make in Row 7 of the crown decrease instructions for a houndstooth crochet hat.
A close up of one of the repeats in the decrease section.

Round 5: Ch1, *sc2tog, dc2tog, [1sc, 1dc] 1(2, 2, 3) time(s); rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 24(36, 36, 48) sts

Change to Yarn A

Round 6: Ch1, starting in first st, *1sc in next st, 1dc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn.

Change to Yarn B

For Toddler Size Only

Round 7: Ch1, *sc2tog, dc2tog; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 12 (0, 0, 0) sts 

Change to Yarn A, fasten off Yarn B

Round 8: Ch1, starting in first st, *1sc in next st, 1dc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn.

Continue to closing the crown

For Child/ Small Adult, Adult and Large Adult Sizes

Round 7: Ch1, *[1sc, 1dc] 0(1, 1, 2) times, sc2tog, dc2tog; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 0(24, 24, 36) sts 

Change to Yarn A

Round 8: Ch1, starting in first st, *1sc in next st, 1dc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn.

For Child/ Small Adult and Adult Sizes

Round 9: Ch1, *sc2tog, dc2tog; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 0(12, 12, 0) sts 

Change to Yarn A, fasten off Yarn B

Round 10: Ch1, starting in first st, *1sc in next st, 1dc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn.

Continue to closing the crown

For Large Adult Size Only

Round 9: Ch1, *sc2tog, dc2tog, [1sc, 1dc] 0(0, 0, 1) time(s); rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 0(0, 0, 24) sts

Change to Yarn A

Round 10: Ch1, starting in first st, *1sc in next st, 1dc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn.

Change to Yarn B

Round 11: Ch1, *sc2tog, dc2tog; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn. 0(0, 0, 12) sts 

Change to Yarn A, fasten off Yarn B

Round 12: Ch1, starting in first st, *1sc in next st, 1dc in next st; rep from * to end, ss to top of first st, turn.

Continue to closing the crown

Closing the Crown

Fasten off Yarn A leaving a long tail.

The houndstooth hat seen from above after the last round has been crocheted, but before the hole in the crown is closed up. A yarn needle is attached to the tail ready to close the top.

Thread your tail onto a yarn needle and weave the yarn in and out of each of the 12 sts around the crown.

A close up of the last round of the houndstooth crochet hat before it is sewn closed at the top.
The top of the hat after the final round of houndstooth.
A needle in inserted from inside out in the first stitch of the last round of the houndstooth crochet hat, to begin the process of closing the crown.
Weave the yarn needle in and out of each stitch around the top, here shown inserted from inside out…
A yarn needle inserted through the top of the second stitch of the last round of the houndstooth hat, from the outside in, in order to close the crown.
The yarn needle is then threaded outside in all around the top.
A yarn needle has been woven in and out of the stitches in the last round of the hounds tooth hat and the yarn is held taught, ready to close the crown.
Once you have weaved the yarn all around, you can pull to close the hole.

Pull the yarn tight to close the hole at the top of the hat (like a drawstring)

The yarn woven through the last round of the crochet houndstooth hat has been pulled like a drawstring to begin to close the crown.
The yarn threaded through the top of the crochet houndstooth hat has been pulled tight to close the hole at the top of the hat.
Continue to pull the yarn until the hole is close.

Sew in ends to secure closure.

The final tail of the houndstooth hat is being sewn in to secure the closure. A yarn needle is seen inserted through the stitches on the top of the hat, from the wrong side.
Sew the tail in securely using the yarn needle.

Turn your hat the right way out and you will see the nice neat closure on the crown of the head.

A top down view of the right side of the crochet houndstooth hat closure. A neat closure with no holes.

Sew in all remaining ends.

You can add a pom pom if desired. Do not use pom poms for infants, toddlers or young children as small pieces of yarn can come loose and become a choking hazard.

I gave my hat a gentle stem blocking but found no more than that was needed.

Fold over the brim, pop it on your head and stay cozy!

A blue and pink crochet hat made using the dogtooth crochet pattern lays on a white surface.

How to find me and share your finished makes

Happy Hooking 

Dx

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Dora bends towards the camera wearing a two tone pink dogtooth crochet hat.

Copyright Dora Does Limited, Registered in England, Company Number 13992263. This pattern is for personal use only and may not be shared or reproduced in written, photo, video or any other form without prior written consent. All rights reserved. Terms of service.

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Dora wears a pink and blue striped crochet hat. A banner at the bottom reads: Crochet Houndstooth Hat

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2 Comments

  1. I love the precise explanations in this pattern and the fact you have a left handed version of the video. Excellent. Can’t wait to get started.

    Reply