Montmartre Striped Slouchy Beanie: Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

The Montmartre Striped Slouchy Beanie is a roomy, easygoing hat inspired by classic Breton stripes and a little Parisian flair. It is designed for advanced beginners who are comfortable with half double crochet and joined rounds, and it makes a wonderful first striped project. Worked as a simple straight tube, the hat has no shaping until the very top, so the only real skills you need are keeping your tension even and changing colors neatly. The finished beanie looks crisp and graphic in navy and cream with one bold crimson band, and it feels soft, dense, and warm, with a relaxed slouch that sits comfortably on the head.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Bulky (weight 5) acrylic or wool blend. Navy (A): 110 yd; Cream (B): 70 yd; Crimson (C): 30 yd.
• Hook: 6 mm (US J/10) crochet hook.
• Notions: Yarn needle, stitch marker (optional, for marking the join), scissors, measuring tape.
• Finished size: Circumference 22 inches (unstretched), height 11 inches.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain
• hdc – half double crochet
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• beg – beginning

Gauge

12 stitches and 12 rounds = 4 inches in half double crochet. To check, crochet a small swatch in hdc and measure a 4-inch section in both directions; adjust your hook size if needed to match.

Tips Before You Start

• Count your stitches at the end of every round. The hat stays at 66 stitches throughout, so any drift will show up quickly.
• Change colors on the final yarn-over of the last stitch of a round so the new color begins cleanly at the join.
• Keep your starting chain untwisted when you join it into a ring; a twist here cannot be fixed later.
• Work the beginning ch-2 loosely so the join stays flat and the seam does not pucker.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Hat Body (worked in joined rounds)

With A, ch 66, join with sl st to first ch to form a ring, being careful not to twist.

Rnd 1: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in each ch around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-2 (66 hdc).

Rnds 2-4: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join with sl st (66 sts).

Change to B.

Rnds 5-7: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (66 sts).

Change to A.

Rnds 8-10: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (66 sts).

Change to B.

Rnds 11-13: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (66 sts).

Change to A.

Rnds 14-16: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (66 sts).

Change to C.

Rnds 17-19: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (66 sts).

Change to A.

Rnds 20-22: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (66 sts).

Change to B.

Rnds 23-25: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (66 sts).

Change to A.

Rnds 26-28: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (66 sts).

Change to B.

Rnds 29-31: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (66 sts).

Change to A.

Rnds 32-33: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, join (66 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long tail (about 30 inches) for gathering.

Crown Gathering

Thread the tail onto a yarn needle. Weave through the top of each stitch of the last round, going in and out around the entire circumference. Pull tight to close the top, then secure with a few stitches and weave in the end.

Assembly and Finishing

There is no seaming to do: the hat is worked in one piece as a tube. Weave in all remaining ends on the inside of the hat, taking care not to pull the color changes tight. Block lightly to measurements (22 inches around and 11 inches tall), misting the hat and patting it flat to dry. The gathered crown closes the top; give it a gentle tug from the inside so it sits flat and even.

Pro Tips and Variations

• For a taller, slouchier hat, add extra rounds in A before the crown gathering; each round adds about 1/3 inch.
• Swap the crimson band for mustard or forest green for a different accent stripe.
• Make a matching child-size hat by chaining 54 and working fewer rounds, keeping the same stripe sequence.