Classic Heritage Hat Pattern
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The Classic Heritage Hat is an easy crochet hat with a simple, knit-like look made using the waistcoat stitch. It’s worked from the bottom up in one piece with Medium Worsted Weight Yarn and a 6 mm (J) hook. The pattern includes multiple sizes, so you can make one for anyone! This free pattern was designed for the International Crochet Blog Hop with Underground Crafter.
Classic Heritage Hat Crochet Pattern
It’s time for the 2025 International Crochet Month Blog Hop! Marie is hosting this fun event for the third year, and it’s packed with amazing crochet patterns from 31 talented designers. Every day in March, you’ll get access to a new free pattern, full of creativity and inspiration.
Each pattern highlights something special—whether it’s a stitch, technique, or type of project the designer loves. You can download the featured pattern’s PDF for free until 10 am Eastern the next day, so don’t forget to check in daily! Plus, all patterns will stay free on the designer’s blogs, so you can always go back and enjoy them.
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Premium PDF Crochet Pattern
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Classic Heritage Hat Pattern on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/classic-heritage-hat
Classic Heritage Beanie – Free Crochet Pattern
The Classic Heritage Hat highlights the simple beauty of the waistcoat stitch, giving it a knit-like look similar to classic handmade pieces. Its timeless design makes it a great addition to any wardrobe, combining traditional crochet with a modern touch.
This design is special to me because it uses the waistcoat stitch, a stitch that played an important role in my crochet journey.
When I started designing in 2013, I found instructions for the New Chain Stitch: Waistcoat Stitch in an old book. This stitch reminds me of how Oombawka Design began and how much I’ve grown since my first year of publishing patterns online.
Traditionally, the waistcoat stitch is worked on one side of the fabric, with the yarn fastened off at the end of each row. I wanted to simplify the process, so I worked it in rounds instead. This way, I could complete a project without cutting and rejoining the yarn for every row. My Is it Knit? Hat and Cowl patterns became very popular, helping more people discover my website.
By inserting your hook between the legs of each stitch and repeating this for every row, the stitches line up perfectly, creating a uniform fabric. Over time, the stitch has been adjusted so it can be worked on both sides of the fabric, and now it is often called the center single crochet stitch. However, when worked on both sides of the fabric, the stitches don’t align exactly.
For today’s pattern, I’ve designed a hat using the traditional Waistcoat Stitch along with single crochet stitches. The result is an easy-to-make hat with a classic, knit-like texture.
Visit my original An Old Crochet Stitch Done in a New Way post for more information.
Free Waistcoat Stitch Hat Crochet Pattern
Supplies
- Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Bitty Stripes. 10 oz (283 g) and 515 yds (471 m). 100% Acrylic. Medium Weight Yarn [4]. Machine wash warm, gentle cycle.
- Color: 1 skein Galaxy
- Crochet Hooks: 5 mm (H) and 6 mm (J)
- Finished Project: Child Hat: 2.4 oz (67 g) and 122 yds (111 m); Adult Hat: 3.42 oz (97 g) and 176.5 yds (161.4 m). Mannequin is wearing the Child Size Hat.
- Scissors, Tapestry Needle (yarn needle)
Difficulty Level
- Easy
Finished Sizes
Due to the nature of the waistcoat stitch these hats have very little stretch. The hat band can be rolled up for a more fitted beanie or left down for a slouchy hat.
- 6-12 months: 16.3 inches circumference X 7.1 inches height
- 12-24 months: 16.3 inches circumference X 7.6 inches height
- 3-5 years: 18 inches circumference X 8.2 inches height
- Child: 18 inches circumference X 8.8 inches height
- Teen: 19.6 inches circumference X 9.9 inches height
- Adult Medium: 21.3 inches circumference X 11.1 inches height
- Adult Large: 23 inches circumference X 12.2 inches height
Gauge
- Hat Band: Approximately 8 sc per 2 inches and 8 rows per 2 inches (top of the hat).
- Main Hat: Approximately 12 sts per 4 inches and 14 rounds per 4 inches worked in pattern stitch.
You can substitute any yarn and hook for this stitch pattern – just remember when you substitute if your gauge is different, the finished size, and amount of yarn used for your project will also be different.
Abbreviations
- bl – back loop
- ch(s) – chain(s)
- g – grams
- m – meters
- oz – ounces
- R – row
- RS – right side (outside of the hat)
- rem – remaining
- rep – repeat
- Rnd – round
- sc – single crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- sk – skip/skipped
- sl st – slip stitch
- st/sts – stitch/stitches
- WS – wrong side
- wst – waistcoat stitch
- yds – yards
- * to ** – Repeat the instructions between the asterisks the number of times indicated. This repeat will contain multiple instructions.
- [ ] – at the end of the row – the total number of stitches
- ( ) – important notes AND sets of stitches to be worked within one stitch, or space
Special Stitches
Waistcoat Stitch (wst)
The waistcoat stitch is basically a single crochet stitch that is worked between the 2 legs of the stitch, rather than under the top loops of the stitch.
A tutorial follows the pattern below.
Decrease Stitches
The decrease sts (sc2tog) will be worked like the stitch they are being worked into. This means if you are making a sc2tog and the 2 stitches are a wst and sc in the bl, the first part of the sc2tog will be worked as a wst (in the center of the stitch) and the second part of the sc2tog will be worked under the bl of the sc. Whatever the stitch you are making the decrease into is the way the stitch will be worked.
A tutorial follows the pattern.
Helpful Tutorial
Notes:
- Multiple of 5+4
- Initial ch 1 does not count as a stitch.
- You can make your slip stitches tightly as we will not be working into them.
- The decrease sts (sc2tog) will be worked like the stitch they are being worked into. This means if you are making a sc2tog and the 2 stitches are a wst and sc in the bl, the first part of the sc2tog will be worked as a wst (in the center of the stitch) and the second part of the sc2tog will be worked under the bl of the sc. Whatever the stitch you are making the decrease into is the way the stitch will be worked. If this is too confusing you can simply work sc2tog as you would normally – it will change the way the top of the hat looks.
- If you’d like to increase the hat height, work more repeat rounds.
- Photo tutorials for the stitches and techniques follow the pattern.
- Add the Classic Heritage Hat Pattern to your Ravelry library here.
Classic Heritage Hat Pattern
This project is crocheted from the bottom-up, beginning with the hat band. The main hat is worked into the hat band and in joined rounds.
Baby (6-12 months) Classic Heritage Hat
Hat Band
Leaving a 8-inch yarn tail, and your 5 mm (H) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
R1: Ch 11, sk the first ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across, ch 1, turn. [10 sc]
R2-R49: 1 sc in the bl of each of the first 9 sts, 1 sc in the last st, ch 1, turn. [10 sc]
Rotate your hat band to work across the row end.
Main Hat
Using your 6 mm (J) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
Rnd 1: 1 sc in each row end, sl st to join. [49 sc]
Rnd 2-Rnd 12: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around to the last 4 sts. 1 wst in the next st, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts. Sl st to join. [39 sc, 10 wst]
Hat Shaping – please see the notes section.
Rnd 13: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts**. Work from * to ** around to the last 4 sts. 1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of the last st. Sl st to join. [29 sc, 10 wst]
Rnd 14: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of the next st**. Work from * to ** around to the last 3 sts. 1 wst in the next st, sc2tog. Sl st to join. [19 sc, 10 wst]
Rnd 15: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog**. Work from * to ** around to the last 2 sts. Sc2tog. Sl st to join. [10 sc, 9 wst]
Rnd 16: Ch 1, sc2tog around to the last st, 1 wst in the last st. Sl st to join. [9 sc, 1 wst]
Proceed to Finishing Instructions.
Toddler (12-24 months) Classic Heritage Hat
Hat Band
Leaving a 8-inch yarn tail, and your 5 mm (H) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
R1: Ch 11, sk the first ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across, ch 1, turn. [10 sc]
R2-R49: 1 sc in the bl of each of the first 9 sts, 1 sc in the last st, ch 1, turn. [10 sc]
Rotate your hat band to work across the row end.
Main Hat
Using your 6 mm (J) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
Rnd 1: 1 sc in each row end, sl st to join. [49 sc]
Rnd 2-Rnd 14: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around to the last 4 sts. 1 wst in the next st, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts. Sl st to join. [39 sc, 10 wst]
Hat Shaping – please see the notes section.
Rnd 15: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts**. Work from * to ** around to the last 4 sts. 1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of the last st. Sl st to join. [29 sc, 10 wst]
Rnd 16: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of the next st**. Work from * to ** around to the last 3 sts. 1 wst in the next st, sc2tog. Sl st to join. [19 sc, 10 wst]
Rnd 17: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog**. Work from * to ** around to the last 2 sts. Sc2tog. Sl st to join. [10 sc, 9 wst]
Rnd 18: Ch 1, sc2tog around to the last st, 1 wst in the last st. Sl st to join. [9 sc, 1 wst]
Proceed to Finishing Instructions.
Small Child (3-5 years) Classic Heritage Hat
Hat Band
Leaving a 8-inch yarn tail, and your 5 mm (H) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
R1: Ch 11, sk the first ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across, ch 1, turn. [10 sc]
R2-R54: 1 sc in the bl of each of the first 9 sts, 1 sc in the last st, ch 1, turn. [10 sc]
Rotate your hat band to work across the row end.
Main Hat
Using your 6 mm (J) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
Rnd 1: 1 sc in each row end, sl st to join. [54 sc]
Rnd 2-Rnd 16: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around to the last 4 sts. 1 wst in the next st, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts. Sl st to join. [43 sc, 11 wst]
Hat Shaping – please see the notes section.
Rnd 17: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts**. Work from * to ** around to the last 4 sts. 1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of the last st. Sl st to join. [32 sc, 11 wst]
Rnd 18: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of the next st**. Work from * to ** around to the last 3 sts. 1 wst in the next st, sc2tog. Sl st to join. [21 sc, 11 wst]
Rnd 19: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog**. Work from * to ** around to the last 2 sts. Sc2tog. Sl st to join. [11 sc, 10 wst]
Rnd 20: Ch 1, sc2tog around to the last st, 1 wst in the last st. Sl st to join. [10 sc, 1 wst]
Proceed to Finishing Instructions.
Child (6-10 years) Classic Heritage Hat
Hat Band
Leaving a 8-inch yarn tail, and your 5 mm (H) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
R1: Ch 11, sk the first ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across, ch 1, turn. [10 sc]
R2-R54: 1 sc in the bl of each of the first 9 sts, 1 sc in the last st, ch 1, turn. [10 sc]
Rotate your hat band to work across the row end.
Main Hat
Using your 6 mm (J) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
Rnd 1: 1 sc in each row end, sl st to join. [54 sc]
Rnd 2-Rnd 18: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around to the last 4 sts. 1 wst in the next st, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts. Sl st to join. [43 sc, 11 wst]
Hat Shaping – please see the notes section.
Rnd 19: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts**. Work from * to ** around to the last 4 sts. 1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of the last st. Sl st to join. [32 sc, 11 wst]
Rnd 20: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of the next st**. Work from * to ** around to the last 3 sts. 1 wst in the next st, sc2tog. Sl st to join. [21 sc, 11 wst]
Rnd 21: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog**. Work from * to ** around to the last 2 sts. Sc2tog. Sl st to join. [11 sc, 10 wst]
Rnd 22: Ch 1, sc2tog around to the last st, 1 wst in the last st. Sl st to join. [10 sc, 1 wst]
Proceed to Finishing Instructions.
Teen / Adult Small Classic Heritage Hat
Hat Band
Leaving a 8-inch yarn tail, and your 5 mm (H) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
R1: Ch 11, sk the first ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across, ch 1, turn. [10 sc]
R2-R59: 1 sc in the bl of each of the first 9 sts, 1 sc in the last st, ch 1, turn. [10 sc]
Rotate your hat band to work across the row end.
Main Hat
Using your 6 mm (J) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
Rnd 1: 1 sc in each row end, sl st to join. [59 sc]
Rnd 2-Rnd 22: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around to the last 4 sts. 1 wst in the next st, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts. Sl st to join. [47 sc, 12 wst]
Hat Shaping – please see the notes section.
Rnd 23: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts**. Work from * to ** around to the last 4 sts. 1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of the last st. Sl st to join. [35 sc, 12 wst]
Rnd 24: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of the next st**. Work from * to ** around to the last 3 sts. 1 wst in the next st, sc2tog. Sl st to join. [23 sc, 12 wst]
Rnd 25: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog**. Work from * to ** around to the last 2 sts. Sc2tog. Sl st to join. [12 sc, 11 wst]
Rnd 26: Ch 1, sc2tog around to the last st, 1 sc in the last st. Sl st to join. [11 sc, 1 wst]
Proceed to Finishing Instructions.
Adult Medium Classic Heritage Hat
Hat Band
Leaving a 8-inch yarn tail, and your 5 mm (H) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
R1: Ch 11, sk the first ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across, ch 1, turn. [10 sc]
R2-R64: 1 sc in the bl of each of the first 9 sts, 1 sc in the last st, ch 1, turn. [10 sc]
Rotate your hat band to work across the row end.
Main Hat
Using your 6 mm (J) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
Rnd 1: 1 sc in each row end, sl st to join. [64 sc]
Rnd 2-Rnd 26: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around to the last 4 sts. 1 wst in the next st, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts. Sl st to join. [51 sc, 13 wst]
Hat Shaping – please see the notes section.
Rnd 27: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts**. Work from * to ** around to the last 4 sts. 1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of the last st. Sl st to join. [38 sc, 13 wst]
Rnd 28: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of the next st**. Work from * to ** around to the last 3 sts. 1 wst in the next st, sc2tog. Sl st to join. [25 sc, 13 wst]
Rnd 29: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog**. Work from * to ** around to the last 2 sts. Sc2tog. Sl st to join. [13 sc, 12 wst]
Rnd 30: Ch 1, sc2tog around to the last st, 1 wst in the last st. Sl st to join. [12 sc, 1 wst]
Proceed to Finishing Instructions.
Adult Large Classic Heritage Hat
Hat Band
Leaving a 8-inch yarn tail, and your 5 mm (H) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
R1: Ch 11, sk the first ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across, ch 1, turn. [10 sc]
R2-R69: 1 sc in the bl of each of the first 9 sts, 1 sc in the last st, ch 1, turn. [10 sc]
Rotate your hat band to work across the row end.
Main Hat
Using your 6 mm (J) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
Rnd 1: 1 sc in each row end, sl st to join. [69 sc]
Rnd 2-Rnd 30: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around to the last 4 sts. 1 wst in the next st, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts. Sl st to join. [55 sc, 14 wst]
Hat Shaping – please see the notes section.
Rnd 31: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts**. Work from * to ** around to the last 4 sts. 1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of the last st. Sl st to join. [41 sc, 14 wst]
Rnd 32: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog, 1 sc in the bl of the next st**. Work from * to ** around to the last 3 sts. 1 wst in the next st, sc2tog. Sl st to join. [27 sc, 14 wst]
Rnd 33: Ch 1, *1 wst in the next st, sc2tog**. Work from * to ** around to the last 2 sts. Sc2tog. Sl st to join. [14 sc, 13 wst]
Rnd 34: Ch 1, sc2tog around to the last st, 1 wst in the last st. Sl st to join. [13 sc, 1 wst]
Proceed to Finishing Instructions.
Finishing Instructions:
- Using the 8-inch tail of yarn you left before starting the hat band, sew the two edges of the hat band together using a whipstitch.
- Finish off and weave in your ends.
- We will be closing the top of the hat using this simple closing method (see tutorials below).
- Weave in any remaining ends securely.
Create your project page for the Classic Heritage Hat on Ravelry here.
Photo Tutorials for the Classic Heritage Hat Pattern
How to Crochet the Waistcoat Stitch
How to Decrease for the Classic Heritage Hat
The decrease sts (sc2tog) will be worked like the stitch they are being worked into. This means if you are making a sc2tog and the 2 stitches are a wst and sc in the bl, the first part of the sc2tog will be worked as a wst (in the center of the stitch) and the second part of the sc2tog will be worked under the bl of the sc. Whatever the stitch you are making the decrease into is the way the stitch will be worked. If this is too confusing you can simply work sc2tog as you would normally – it will change the way the top of the hat looks.
Simple Hat Closing Technique for the Classic Heritage Hat
The Classic Heritage Hat is a simple and classic design that looks great on everyone. Grab your hook and yarn to start crocheting today! Check out the International Crochet Blog Hop for more free patterns from talented designers.
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The Classic Heritage Hat is easy to make and has a simple, knit-like look! 🧶💙 Designed for the International Crochet Blog Hop, this free pattern comes in multiple sizes.
Happy crocheting!
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