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The ‘Off Piste’ Waffle Stitch Hat

A side close up view of the off piste crochet beanie hat.

‘Off Piste’ is an advanced beginner to intermediate crochet pattern for a cosy, crocheted waffle stitch beanie hat with a slight slouch.

Finished with a giant pom pom, the dense, textured crochet fabric will keep you warm whether you’re on or off the slopes this winter season.

In this post you will find the teen/small adult size hat pattern for free. You can purchase the full PDF pattern from Etsy, Ravelry or Love Crafts.

The ad-free, printable premium PDF version of this pattern includes four sizes; Toddler, Child, Teen / Adult and Large Adult.

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A woman looks into the camera wearing a blue waffle stitch crochet beanie hat and crochet sweater.

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This beanie was originally designed for Inside Crochet (issue 131), who have allowed the use of their beautiful images

Skills Used

  • Knowledge of basic crochet stitches and terminology
  • Working in rows and rounds
  • Post stitches (front post double crochet – see special stitches) 
  • Working in back loops
  • Because of the post stitch increases, I would class this as an intermediate level pattern

Materials

Crochet Hook

I recommend using a 5mm crochet hook or size needed to meet gauge. I used a Clover Amour Crochet Hook in this pattern

Yarn

You will need around 215m of light aran / worsted weight yarn for the adult size.

The yarn you see here is West Yorkshire Spinners, The Croft Aran, Shetland Colours, 100g = 166m 182yds, 100% Shetland Island Wool in Huxter 397

Two hanks of blue yarn lay on a pink background with a 5,, crochet hook and pair of scissors to one side

Yarn Substitution Options 

Although this is an Aran weight yarn, I found it to be quite a fine aran, so you may be able to meet gauge with a heavy dk or lighter worsted.

You may find this post useful in choosing a substitute yarn.

Other Materials

You can use a pre-mde pom pom or create your own (see pom pom safety notes).

You’ll also need a yarn needle to sew in the ends.

Pom pom safety warning

Pom poms can be a choking hazard, especially if the small pieces of yarn come loose.

I do not recommend adding pom poms to hats or other items intended for use by babies, infants, toddlers or children. Children, toddlers, infants and babies should never be left unattended with pom poms or whilst wearing this crocheted hat. The safety of babies, infants, toddlers and children is paramount. Please be cautious and use your own judgement.

Disclaimer: 

Information given on this page, website and in associated crochet patterns and products is for reference only. Any reliance on information given on this page, website and associated reference materials is at your own risk. (see Terms of Service)

When making items, especially for babies, infants, toddlers and children, take extra care to ensure pieces are securely sewn together and be mindful of choking hazards and health and safety risks. 

Sizing

Hats are made with negative ease, so the finished hat must be smaller than the head it is made to fit (though they should never be uncomfortable). This is so it can stretch to stay on. For this pattern, the hat should be around 5-8cm smaller than the head it is designed to fit

You can find a full guide to hat sizing here.

The teen / adult size hat has a finished circumference of 50cm and is 24cm tall. The brim measures around 3cm deep and is included in the hat height measurement

You can change the height of the hat by adding or removing a multiple of 2 rounds once the increase section has been completed.

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.

A close up of the waffle stitch beanie being worn.

Pattern Notes

General Notes

  • Please read all the pattern notes before starting your project
  • This pattern uses standard US crochet terms (UK equivalents are given in brackets in the abbreviations list)
  • 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
  • Turning chains do not count as stitches
  • 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 *asterisks should be repeated as indicated 
  • Instructions written between [square brackets] should be repeated the specific number of times stated
  • Instructions in (rounded brackets) should be worked in the same stitch

Construction

Stitches & Abbreviations: US terms 

(UK Equivalent in Brackets)
  • BLO = back loop only
  • ch = chain
  • dc = double crochet (UK treble crochet)
  • fpdc = front post double crochet (UK Raised Treble Front) – see special stitches
  • hdc = half double crochet (UK half treble crochet)
  • rep = repeat
  • RS = right side
  • ss = slip stitch
  • st(s) = stitch(es)
  • WS = wrong side
  • yo = yarn over
A woman wearing a blue crochet beanie with a dark red pom pom hugs herself.

Special Stitches 

Magic Ring (MR)

You can find a photo and video tutorial on how to create a magic ring here.  If you are not familiar with the magic ring for working in the round then you can ch4 and join to the first st with a ss and work the sts into this ring to start the pattern.

Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc)

Yo, insert hook behind the post of the stitch from the row below (from front to back, so the post is in front of the hook), yo, pull up a loop, [yo, pull through two loops] twice to complete the stitch. 

The post will pull towards you as you work to create the cable effect.

You can find a post stitch tutorial here.

During the increase part of this pattern you will work post stitches and non post stitches into the same stitch. So for example where you see the instruction (1fpdc, 1dc), you should work 1 fpdc around the post of the stitch and 1 dc into the top of that same stitch. Sometimes you will also work 2 fpdc in the same stitch – here, you work them both around the same post.

This is all described in the pattern, but it’s important you pay close attention to where you are placing your stitches in order to make the increases progress correctly.

Waffle Stitch

The pattern uses a combination of front post stitches and double crochet to create waffle stitch over the main body of the hat.

As you start the hat, the stitch pattern will change each round as you increase from the crown to the widest point.

From the widest point onwards, you will work traditional waffle stitch in the round for the body of the hat until you reach the brim.

You do not need to know waffle stitch before you start as it is explained as you work through the pattern. However, you can find a tutorial for waffle stitch here, which you may find useful for making your gauge swatch.

The waffle stitch pattern uses a stitch multiple of 3 and a row multiple of 2 –learn about stitch and row multiples here

Gauge / Tension

18 sts and 12 rows in 10cm of waffle stitch using a 5mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

Learn how to make and measure a gauge swatch here.

A side view of the off piste beanie, a blue crochet hat made with waffle stitch and a giant red alpaca pom pom.

The Off Piste Waffle Stitch Beanie Hat Pattern

You can purchase an ad free printable PDF version of this pattern in 4 sizes for a small fee from Etsy, Ravelry or Love Crafts Crochet

Hat Body

Make a MR;

Round 1 (RS): Ch2 (does not count as st throughout), 9dc in ring, ss to top of first st, turn. 9 sts

Round 2: Ch2, 2dc in each st around, ss to top of first st, turn. 18 sts

Round 3: Ch2, [(1fpdc, 1dc), 1dc] nine times, ss to top of first st, turn. 27 sts

Round 4: Ch2, [(1fpdc, 1dc), 1fpdc, 1dc] nine times, ss to top of first st, turn. 36 sts

Round 5: Ch2, [(1fpdc, 1dc), 1dc, 1fpdc, 1dc] nine times, ss to top of first st, turn.  45 sts

Round 6: Ch2, [2fpdc in next st, 1dc, 1fpdc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc] nine times, ss to top of first st, turn. 54 sts

Round 7: Ch2, *(1fpdc, 1dc), (1dc, 1fpdc), 2dc in next st, [1fpdc, 1dc in each of next 2 sts] eight times; rep from * once more, ss to top of first st, turn. 60 sts

Round 8: Ch2, [1fpdc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc] four times, 2fpdc in next st, (1dc, 1fpdc), (1fpdc, 1dc), [1fpdc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc] nine times, 2fpdc in next st, (1dc, 1fpdc), (1fpdc, 1dc), [1fpdc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc] five times, ss to top of first st, turn. 66 sts

Round 9: Ch2, *(1fpdc, 1dc), (1dc, 1fpdc), 2dc in next st, [1fpdc, 1dc in each of next 2 sts] ten times; rep from * once more, ss to top of first st, turn. 72 sts

Round 10: Ch2, [1fpdc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc] five times, 2fpdc in next st, (1dc, 1fpdc), (1fpdc, 1dc), [1fpdc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc] 11 times, 2fpdc in next st, (1dc, 1fpdc), (1fpdc, 1dc), [1fpdc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc] six times, ss to top of first st, turn. 78 sts

Round 11: Ch2, *(1fpdc, 1dc), (1dc, 1fpdc), 2dc in next st, [1fpdc, 1dc in each of next 2 sts] 12 times; rep from * once more, ss to top of first st, turn. 84 sts

Round 12: [1fpdc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc] six times, 2fpdc in next st, (1dc, 1fpdc), (1fpdc, 1dc), [1fpdc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc] 13 times, 2fpdc in next st, (1dc, 1fpdc), (1fpdc, 1dc), [1fpdc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc] seven times, ss to top of first st, turn. 90 sts

Round 13: Ch2, [1fpdc, 1dc in each of next 2 sts] around, ss to top of first st, turn

Round 14: Ch2, [1fpdc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc] around, ss to top of first st, turn

Rounds 15 – 28: Rep Rounds 13 and 14, ending with a WS (Round 14) rep

Do not fasten off, continue to brim

A woman sits in a wood cabin wearing a blue crochet waffle stitch beanie with an oversized red alpaca pompom on top.

Brim

Continue at right angles to the last round of hat, and work the brim in rows;

Row 1 (RS): Ch8, 1hdc in second ch from hook and each of next 6 ch, ss in each of next 3 sts on last round of hat, turn. 7 hdc, 3 ss

Row 2: Without chaining, miss 3 ss, 1hdc in BLO of next 6 sts, 1hdc through both loops of last st, turn. 7 hdc

Row 3: Ch1, 1hdc BLO in each of next 7 sts, ss in each of next 3 sts on last round of hat, turn. 7 hdc, 3 ss

Rep Rows 2 & 3 around the base of hat.

To join the sides of the brim, ss through the BLO of last row worked and corresponding starting chain used to begin the brim, matching st to st.

Fasten off and sew in ends

A colourful graphic with text reading: Crochet Calling Mystery Freebie. Click here on August 3rd 2024 only for a mystery freebie. Use code SHAPES at ravelry checkout to get the free pdf pattern.
Click here on August 3rd and use code SHAPES at ravelry checkout to get the pdf pattern free.

Finishing

Sew pom-pom to top of hat if desired / appropriate. Please ensure you heed the warning about the potential choking hazards posed by pom poms and never leave a baby, infant, toddler or child unattended with a pom pom.

The hat should not require blocking, but you can of course block it if desired.

Sharing your finished makes

I love seeing your finished makes – it gives me all the happy feels!

Here’s how you can share them on social media, if that’s your cup of tea!

  • On Instagram, you can use the hashtag #HookMeHappy or #OffPisteCrochetBeanie or just tag me @doradexplored
  • You can tweet me your pictures, or add them to my Facebook page
  • If you have the bug for creating garments, why not join my dedicated facebook group “My Crochet Wardrobe” and share them there?
  • If Pinterest is your happy place, you can add them there too – check out my Pinterest account for lots more crochet inspiration from makers across the web!

Happy Hooking 

Dx

More crochet hat patterns.

A woman infant of a wooden panelled wall holds her hands to her head to touch the brim of the blue crochet waffle stitch beanie she is wearing.

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.

Leave a Reply

4 Comments

    1. Thanks Susan, It’s not my sweater pattern, I think it will be available in the same issue of Inside Crochet as the Hat was originally crocheted for. If you follow the Ravelry link to the hat, it should also show you the Inside Crochet issue so you can find the sweater info that way 🙂
      Dora

  1. Hi, need assistance please. Can you explain how to do “[(1fpdc, 1dc), 1fpdc, 1dc]” more clearly?
    Thank you

    1. SO of you break it down this would read; make 1 front post double crochet and one double crochet in the same stitch (indicated by the instruction in the round brackets) – so the fpdc is made around the post of the stitch and the double crochet is made in the top of the same stitch – you need to know your stitch anatomy to not get confused with this. Then work 1 fpdc around the post of the next stitch and 1 dc in the top of the next stitch – so that’s 3 stitches you’re working into and making 4 stitches, so you’ve increased by one stitch. Then you repeat the process (as indicated by the square brackets) as instructed by the pattern. I hope that helps clarify it. Here is the link to a post on stitch anatomy which might help if you’re confused about the post and top of stitches; https://doradoes.co.uk/2020/11/21/the-anatomy-of-a-crochet-stitch/