Free Slouchy Beanie Knitting Pattern | The Phoebe

This free slouchy beanie knitting pattern is a great beginner project for anyone who is learning how to knit in the round.

If you like your hat to be super slouchy, this is perfect and a really easy pattern to follow.

Plus the ribbed stitch adds a beautiful texture to your hat. 

Make this beanie for you or as a gift. 

Scroll down to view the free pattern, or you can grab the printer-friendly ad-free PDF here.

Why Knit A Hat? 

Hats are excellent projects for all makers, new and advanced. 

They are super fast to knit and make great gifts.

Plus, they are perfect for new knitters to practice their basic stitches, or new stitch patterns, like cables and more intricate designs. 

You can make one in a solid color or choose a pattern with color changes. 

There is a variety of hat patterns for each season you can try out, but if you want to wear your hat during the colder months, you need a hat made with worsted weight yarn or thicker yarn.

What Makes A Slouchy Hat Slouchy?    

A slouch hat, also known as a slouch beanie, gets its appearance from its design and construction. 

1. Slouchy hats are typically made with more fabric than a regular beanie. This extra fabric allows the hat to drape or slouch at the back of the head. The excess material gives it a loose and relaxed appearance.

2. The knit of this type of hat is typically looser than that of a regular beanie. This loose construction contributes to the hat’s relaxed and slouched look. The stitches are not as tight, allowing the hat to have a bit of stretch and flexibility.

3. Slouchy hats are often made from lightweight materials like cotton, lightweight wool, or acrylic blends. These materials are softer and more pliable, making it easier for the hat to drape and slouch naturally.

4. How you wear and style the knit hat also affects its slouchiness. Positioning the hat further back on your head and allowing it to fall backward naturally enhances the slouchy style. You can adjust the hat to your desired level of slouch by pushing it back or pulling it forward.

What Is The Difference Between A Slouchy Beanie And A Regular Beanie?

Slouchy beanies and regular beanies are two distinct styles of knit hats, and they differ primarily in their shape and how they fit on the head. 

1. Shape and Fit:

•  A regular beanie is designed to fit snugly on the head without much excess fabric or slouch. It typically covers the entire head and may or may not have a folded brim. The fit is close to the head, providing warmth and a more traditional look.
•  A slouchy beanie, as the name suggests, has a looser, slouched or baggy appearance. It has extra fabric that creates a slouch or drape at the back of the head. Slouchy beanies are known for their relaxed, casual, and slightly oversized look. They often have a longer length, allowing for the slouch effect.

2. Styling:

• Regular beanies are more versatile and can be worn in various ways. Pull them down to cover your ears entirely for added warmth or wear them slightly higher on the head for a more classic look. 
• Slouchy beanies are typically associated with a more laid-back and casual style. They are often worn further back on the head to emphasize the slouch and give a relaxed, effortless appearance. Slouchy beanies are commonly worn with streetwear or urban fashion.

How To Wear A Slouchy Beanie?    

Wearing a slouchy beanie is a great way to add a casual look to your outfit, especially during colder months or a bad hair day. 

 Here are some tips on how to wear a slouchy beanie effectively:

1.  Ensure your slouchy beanie complements your style and fits comfortably on your head. Slouchy beanies come in various materials, colors, and patterns, so select one that matches your personal taste and the occasion.

2. The slouchy part of the beanie should be at the back of your head. Allow it to drape naturally, creating a casual and relaxed look. You can push it back slightly to increase the slouch or pull it forward for a more balanced appearance.

3. Slouchy beanies can be worn in different positions on your head:
   • Centered: Place it directly on your head with the slouch evenly distributed.
   • Tilted: Tilt the beanie slightly to one side for a more laid-back look.
   • Backward: Wear it further back on your head to emphasize the slouch at the back.

4.  Leave a few strands of hair in the front for a stylish and effortless look. This can soften the appearance and add a touch of femininity to the beanie style.

5.  Ensure that your slouchy beanie complements the rest of your outfit. For a coordinated look, you can match it with your coat, jacket, or other accessories like scarves and gloves.

More Hat Inspiration For Makers 

If you need more hat patterns, check out these simple patterns. 

• How To Knit A Hat For Complete Beginners (+ Video Tutorial)
• How To Knit A Hat With Circular Needles
• Slouchy Beret Pattern {The Bordeaux}

Plus, you can find many slouchy beanie knitting patterns online on Ravelry and Pinterest.  

And if you love to crochet, grab your crochet hook and check out these crochet hats.

• Free Crochet Hat Patterns (Cozy and cute!)
• 5 Crochet Animal Hat Patterns For Kids
• 28 Baby Crochet Hat Patterns

Plus, you can find many free slouchy beanie crochet patterns online on Ravelry and Pinterest.  

An Easy Level Knitting Pattern

This is an easy pattern for those of you who are at the advanced beginner level, and the techniques you will need to know are knit, purl, k2tog, P2tog, and knitting in the round.

Using mainly knit and purl stitches, this pattern will introduce you to decreasing and shaping.

If you have never knit in the round before, you can watch my video tutorial here. – How to join knitting in the round with circular knitting needles

How To Knit The 2×2 Rib Stitch

Knitting the rib stitch creates ribbed raised vertical stripes.

The rib stitch is created by knitting columns of knit stitches alternating with columns of purl stitches.

2 x 2 ribbing is worked like this:

• Alternate 2 knit stitches with 2 purl stitches.
• To create 2 x 2 ribbing, cast on a multiple of 4 stitches.
• Then, work every row: *K2, p2; rep from * to end of row.
• Repeat this for the length of your piece.

Check out a video tutorial on my YouTube channel here. –  How To Knit 2×2 Ribbing

The Yarn I Used…

I made the knitted hat using a super bulky weight  (06) yarn – Lion Brand Hometown USA yarn in Dallas Grey.

This slouchy hat pattern is a quick knit and uses only one ball of yarn.

Any super chunky yarn 06 will be okay to use for this pattern.

Slouchy Beanie Pattern

Purchase the inexpensive ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.

Notes

The hat knits up quickly in super bulky yarn, and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.

Knit with simple ribbing, this pattern requires basic knowledge of knit and purl stitches, plus some shaping.

Copyright Info

• Please do not copy, sell, redistribute or republish this pattern. 
• If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
• You may sell items produced using this pattern.
• Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
• For the copyright T&C please read my Terms of Use.

Skill Level – Easy

Size –

• Adult
• To fit a head with a circumference size of around 22-26 inches.
• Length laying flat – without pom – 11 inches.

Gauge – 12 sts and 14 rounds in 4in/10cm measured in 2×2 ribbing.

The Supplies You Need…

Yarn

• 1 skein of Lion Brand Hometown USA yarn in Dallas Grey.
• Super bulky/super chunky/14 ply/ Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)

Needles

• Set of 10.00 mm (US 15) 16″ circulars

Notions

• Tape measure
• Darning needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers

Other Tools

• Faux Fur Pom Pom Set.
• Neon Pink Faux Fur Pom Pom.
• or pom pom maker Clover 2 – 1/2 inch Large.

Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK) List

• CO – Cast on
• Cont – Continue(ing)
• K – Knit
• K2tog – Knit the next 2 stitches together
• P – Purl
• PM – Place marker
• Rep – Repeat
• Rnd(s) – Round(s)
• St(s) – Stitch(es)

Pattern Instructions (In one color)

• With 10 mm circular needles cast on 40 sts.
• Join in the round and place marker, being careful not to twist the sts.
• Round 1: K2, P2 – rep to the end of the round.
• Cont to knit every round in 2×2 ribbing – repeating round 1 until the piece measures 10.5 inches from the cast-on edge.

Decrease

• Next Round: K2tog, P2tog – rep to the end of the round.
• Next Round: K2tog- rep to the end of the round.
• Cut a long tail of yarn and thread through the remaining stitches.
• Pull tight together and secure.
• The total length should be 11 inches.

Make a large pom with the clover pom maker (3 – 3/8in) out of coordinating yarn and stitch to the top of the hat or add a faux fur pom.

Pattern  – (In more than one color)

You can also make this hat in different colors – like the photo below.

By adding a different colored brim for 2-3 inches.

Yarn

• 1 skein of super bulky yarn in mustard (Lion Brand Hometown USA).
• 1 skein (or scraps) of super bulky yarn in grey.
• 1 skein (or scraps) of super bulky yarn in white.

(For the needles/notions and other supplies please see the list above)

Yarn A = Grey / Yarn B = Mustard / Yarn C = White

• With 10mm circular needles cast on 40 sts in Yarn A.
• Join in the round and place marker, being careful not to twist the sts.
• Round 1: K2, P2 – rep to the end of the round.
• Cont to knit every round in 2×2 ribbing – repeating round 1 until the piece measures 2 inches from the cast-on edge.
• Join in Yarn B, then continue to knit every round – K2, P2 ribbing (repeating round 1) until the piece measures 9 inches from the CO edge.
• Join in Yarn C and cont in the pattern (K2, P2 ribbing every round) for 1 inch.
• Next Round: K2tog, P2tog – rep to the end of the round.
• Next Round: K2tog – rep to the end of the round.
• Cut a long tail of yarn and thread through the remaining stitches.
• Pull tight together and secure.
• The total length should be 11 inches.

Make a large pom with the clover pom maker (3 – 3/8in) out of white/grey yarn and stitch it to the top of the hat.

Share your work with us…

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed making the beanie, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.

View our Facebook page here or share your work in the Facebook group here.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!