Free Pattern: Fantastic Ski Hat

We are big football fans (Go Broncos!) and I love seeing all of the striped ski hats the players wear on the sidelines. There are lots of knitting patterns for this style, but I couldn’t find a cute crochet one.

I LOVE seeing people get excited about a new hobby and wanting to learn. Many people learn to crochet by making scarves or wash cloths. I like beginners to make something for themselves or for their kids. It can be tricky starting a hat in the round so I came up with an alternative. I hope you will enjoy making this EZPZ ski hat.

EZPZ Ski Hat

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Materials and Details

Yarn: Worsted weight
Crochet Hooks: I (5.5mm)
Miscellaneous: yarn needle
Gauge: 4″ = 13 hdc and 9 rounds
Sizes: newborn – adult

Length: Please be aware this hat will be made longer than regular fitted beanies, to compensate for top closure plus this is a slouchy style hat. Additional length will be added if rolled bottom edge is desired. Please look over ENTIRE pattern before beginning.

Directions for plain hat (one color)
1. With I hook and worsted weight yarn, ch 37 for newborn (43 for baby, 49 for toddler, 55 for child/preteen, 61 for teen/adult). Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Sc in first st at opposite end to form a circle. See arrow in photo below.

Note: Usually, when working a pattern similar to this, it would have you join in the round after original chain. It can be a little tricky to do and since this starting edge won’t be seen, I made it easier.

2. Hdc in next st and in each st around. Continue working in hdc until hat measures:
5.5” Newborn, 6” Baby, 7.5” Toddler, 8” Child/preteen, 8.5” Teen/adult

At this point, decide how you would like to finish the bottom edge:

For ribbed edge: Sc in next st, sl st in next st. Ch 2, FPDC (front post double crochet) then, BPDC (back post double crochet), repeat to end of round. Ch 2, repeat from * one time. Finish off and weave in ends. Skip to “top”.

For rolled edge: Place a marker in current stitch. A scrap of yarn works great. Hdc in each stitch around for an additional 1.5-2” (measure from marker). When hat is desired length, sc in next st, sl st in next, finish off and weave in end.

Top: Turn hat inside out. Cut a long piece of matching yarn. Pinch top edge of hat (starting round) to form a “t” as shown in photo below.

With yarn needle and matching yarn piece, sew top edge closed. I started at one point, whipstitched layers together working towards center, then whipstitched layers together toward next point. Start at next point and repeat. Make sure center is sewn completely closed.

Turn hat right side out and attach pompom if desired.

Directions for striped hat

Note: See photos above as needed.
Instructions are written for striped samples, but colors could be changed at any point.
With I hook and bright color worsted weight yarn, ch 37 for newborn (43 for baby, 49 for toddler, 55 for child/preteen, 61 for teen/adult). Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Sl st in first st at opposite end form a circle.

1-2. Ch 2, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join.
3. Ch 2, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join.
Change to white yarn.
4-5. Ch 2, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join.
Change to bright colored yarn.
6-7. Ch 2, hdc in each st to end of round, sl st to join.
Change to white yarn.
Repeat steps 4-7 until hat measures:
5.5” Newborn, 6” Baby, 7.5” Toddler, 8” Child/preteen, 8.5” Teen/adult

At this point, decide how you would like to finish the bottom edge (continue working in stripe sequence):

For rolled edge: Place a marker in current stitch. A scrap of yarn works great. Hdc in each stitch around for an additional 1.5-2”, or longer for a wider band when turned up (measure from marker). When hat is desired length, sc in next st, sl st in next, finish off and weave in end.

Top: For sewing top closed, follow instructions above.

Pompom: Hold one strand of main color, and wrap 50-60 times around the palm of your hand (or a combination of colors for equivalent number of wraps). Carefully slide the yarn off your hand and wrap an 8” length of yarn around the center, pulling tight and knotting to hold in place. Do NOT cut this piece of yarn. Cut loops of pompom, then trim as desired. Pull through top of hat. Firmly tie a knot on inside of hat. A piece of cardboard or pompom maker may also be used.

Tips On Striping

One of the biggest challenges for crocheters it seems is changing colors without a jog. Many people have their own technique and some go to great lengths to create a perfect stripe. In your quest to change colors without being seen, just don’t create other problems like a heavy seam or puckering.

Here is how I change colors while working in the round. It is far from perfect, but it keeps a straight line, doesn’t add bulk and does not require 12 extra steps to complete.

At start of an hdc round, ch 2. Hdc in next st and in each st to end of round. Cut current color, leaving approximately 4”. Insert hook into BACK LOOP of top of ch 2. Grab new color with hook and pull through. During this change it all seems a little wobbly, but just be patient.

Working OVER the two short yarn ends (one from old yarn and one from new yarn), hdc in next 4 sts. This will help weave in those ends so you won’t have to later, plus it helps keep everything snug. At this point, tug on both short ends of yarn. This will pull closed the gap at the round intersection, where color change occurred.
Continue to hdc in each stitch, leaving approximately 1” of short yarn tails exposed. This way you will be able to give them another tug later on in the round.

Another option is to work first hdc of round in same st as ch, then sl st to top of hdc to join.