2022 Drifter Hat Pattern

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This month for our Crochet Along, I am sharing my 2022 Drifter Hat Pattern. This pretty crochet hat is worked in joined rounds from the crown of the hat to the brim.

This softly textured hat uses a stitch pattern called Almond Ridges (Melissa Leapman’s Indispensable Stitch Guide). It reminds me a lot of the Double Wave stitch pattern I used for this afghan square.

The Drifter Hat is crocheted using half double crochet (hdc) stitches and slip stitches (sl st). It creates a fabric with a gentle, wave-like design and although it looks different on each side of the hat, each side is equally interesting. You can wear this hat either way, it is reversible.

To make my 2022 Drifter Hat you will need Medium (Aran) Weight Yarn [4] and a 5 mm (H) hook.

Get last week’s matching Crochet Scarf Pattern for free here: 2022 Drifter Scarf

My 2022 Drifter Hat is available in 8-sizes newborn, baby (3-6 months), toddler (1-2 years), small child (2-4 years), child (5-10 years), teen, adult (medium) and adult (large).

The links to the other two Hat of the Month CAL patterns are available here: January 2022 Hat of the Month CAL

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2022 Drifter Hat Pattern

Create your project page on Ravelry here.

PIN now, to make later ↓

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Get the PDF for FREE today (January 23 – January 24) from my Ravelry Shop as part of the 2022 Monthly Hat of the Month CAL.
No coupon required!

2022 Drifter Hat Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/2022-drifter-hat

Simply add this pattern to your cart before January 24, 2022 at 11:59 pm ET and check your cart total = $0.00 before you check out.

If you missed the free PDF sign up for next month’s email reminder to get notified for our future patterns. For the CAL details scroll to the end of my post. You will find links to the patterns, schedule and supplies lists.

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Disclaimer: The yarn used for this project was given to me by King Cole Yarns. If you’d like to try their yarns you can find your local King Cole Yarn Stockist here. Find all my free crochet patterns designed using King Cole Yarn here.

King Cole yarn is available from your local yarn shop, or online at the links in my post below.

I personally love King Cole Drifter Aran Yarn. It is beautifully soft and the colors in each ball look so pretty together. It creates a soft, breathable fabric that is perfect for crocheted hats and scarves.

King Cole Drifter Aran Yarn is available in 14-different colors. It is a blended yarn, made up of Premium Acrylic (79%), Cotton (17%) and Wool (4%). It is easy to work with and the colors are muted and soft.

If you are new to King Cole Yarns and you are interested in trying one of their products, I definitely recommend the Drifter line of yarns. They have Drifter available in 4ply, DK for Baby, DK, Drifter Aran and Chunky and they also have Drifter in Subtle for Chunky and DK. The Subtle Drifter line has a gentle two-tone appearance in a single shade; instead of the variegated appearance of the Drifter line.

See the other projects I designed using this yarn here:

• Sweet Serenity Triangle Scarf
• Sweet Serenity Hat
• Carolyn Slouch Hat
• Wendy Hat
• Drifter Scarf

2022 Drifter Hat Crochet Pattern

Supplies

• Yarn: King Cole Drifter Aran. (affiliate link) 3.5 oz (100 g), 218 yds (200 m). 79% Premium Acrylic, 17% Cotton, 4% Wool. Aran Weight Yarn [4]. Machine wash warm (permanent press cycle), Tumble dry cool (low heat).
• Colors: 1 skein in Rockies (Shade: 4181).
• Hook: 5 mm (H) Furls Streamline. (affiliate link)
• Yardage: Teen Hat: 2.8 oz (81 g), 177 yds (162 m)
• Scissors, Yarn Needle, Stitch Marker

Difficulty Level

Easy

Finished Sizes

• Hats will stretch 2-3 inches from the finished hat circumferences listed below. 
• The hat heights listed were measured before seaming the tops closed.

Newborn Drifter Hat height approximately 5-inches X 11.5-inches circumference

Baby (3-6 months) Drifter Hat height approximately 6.25-inches X 14-inches circumference

Toddler (1-2 years) Drifter Hat height approximately 7-inches X 16-inches circumference

Small Child (2-4 years) Drifter Hat height approximately 7.5-inches X 16-inches circumference

Child (5-10 years) Drifter Hat height approximately 8.25-inches X 18.25-inches circumference

Teen (Adult Small) Drifter Hat height approximately 9-inches X 18.25-inches circumference

Adult Medium Drifter Hat height approximately 9.5-inches X 20.5-inches circumference

Adult Large Drifter Hat height approximately 10-inches X 22.5-inches circumference

NOTE: The hat band measurements are included in the hat band section of the patterns for each size hat. The hat band length is shorter than hat circumferences because the band will stretch approximately 4-5 inches.

Gauge

Main Hat: Approximately 14 hdc stitches per 4 inches and 14 rows worked in pattern per 4 inches.

Hat Band: Approximately 4 sc per 1 inch and 16 rows per 4 inches

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

US Terminology used

Our Crochet Translation Project offers translations in many languages.
Check out the Basic Crochet Terms in 10 languages here.

BL – back loop

ch – chain 

g- grams

hdc – half double crochet

m – meters

oz – ounces

R – row

Rnd – round

RS – right side (front)

rem – remaining

sc – single crochet

sk – skip

sl st – slip stitch

st/sts – stitch/stitches

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

Helpful Tutorials

If you are new to crochet, you can always refer to my How to Crochet Guide and Crochet Stitches and Symbols for more information. For my crochet video tutorials, subscribe to my YouTube Channel here.

Stitch Anatomy

Quick Stitch Guide

Slip Knot and Starting Chain

How to join a new ball of yarn

Notes:

• Stitch multiple: 8
• TIP: Work under a single loop of the row-end stitches of the hat band when you are working Rnd 1 of the Main Hat pattern.
• The ch 2 does not count as a stitch and we do not work into it. We work into the actual first stitch of the row. This means you will see a chain 2 and 1 hdc stitch at the beginning of rounds 4 and 5 . If you usually work into the ch 2 as a stitch, please mark it with a stitch marker to remind yourself not to work into it. 
• To change the hat circumference, work the hat band to fit the head size you wish to make. You will need to make the first round where we work sc stitches into the row-ends divisible by 8. This means you may need to work more than 1 sc in each row end, or make a sc2tog over 2 row ends to make the total number of sc sts after this round a number that you can divide evenly by 8 stitches. Then follow the pattern as written to your desired hat height. See my hat size charts here. Learn how to make a beanie that fits here.
• To change the hat height (for a more slouchy hat) work the repeat rounds until you reach the height you’d like your hat to be before proceeding to the finishing instructions.
• Work slip stitches loosely to make it easier to work into them on subsequent rows.
• The sl st to join is not counted as a stitch and we do not work into it. Make the joining sl st tightly.
• The hat band lengths are shorter than hat circumferences because they will stretch more than the pattern stitches in the main hat section. Once you start working the hat pattern into the hat band edge, it will expand to meet the hat circumference measurement listed in the hat sizes at the top of the pattern. Once you begin wearing it, it will stretch an additional 2-3 inches to fit the specified head size. 
• Create your Ravelry Project Page here

2022 Drifter Hat Pattern

The hat is worked from the brim, to the crown, all in one piece.

Newborn Drifter Hat Pattern

Using your 5 mm (H) hook (or size required for gauge) and leaving a 6-inch tail of yarn for seaming the band closed:

Hat Band

Hat Band measures approximately 1-inch wide X 10-inches long.

R1: Ch 6, sk 1 ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across. Ch 1, turn. [5 sc]

R2-R40: 1 sc in the BL of each st across to the last st, 1 sc in the last st. Ch 1, turn. [5 sc]

Rotate your work to continue along the row edges of the hat band.

Main Hat 

Rnd 1: 1 sc in each row-end around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 1, do not turn. [40 sc]

You will be working in the back loop only for all stitches and all remaining rounds of this project.

Rnd 2: (RS) *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join.  Ch 1, turn. [20 sl st, 20 hdc]

Rnd 3: *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [20 sl st, 20 hdc]

Rnd 4: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [20 sl st, 20 hdc]

Rnd 5: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 1, turn. [20 sl st, 20 hdc]

Rnd 6-Rnd 14: Rep Rnd 2-Rnd 5. 

Rnd 15: Rep Rnd 2.  Finish off at the end of Rnd 15, leaving a 12-inch tail of yarn for closing the top of the hat. 

Proceed to finishing instructions.

Baby (3-6 months) Drifter Hat Pattern

Using your 5 mm (H) hook (or size required for gauge) and leaving a 6-inch tail of yarn for seaming the band closed:

Hat Band

Hat Band measures approximately 1-inch wide X 12-inches long.

R1: Ch 6, sk 1 ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across. Ch 1, turn. [5 sc]

R2-R48: 1 sc in the BL of each st across to the last st, 1 sc in the last st. Ch 1, turn. [5 sc]

Rotate your work to continue along the row edges of the hat band.

Main Hat 

Rnd 1: 1 sc in each row-end around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 1, do not turn. [48 sc]

You will be working in the back loop only for all stitches and all remaining rounds of this project.

Rnd 2: (RS) *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join.  Ch 1, turn. [24 sl st, 24 hdc]

Rnd 3: *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [24 sl st, 24 hdc]

Rnd 4: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [24 sl st, 24 hdc]

Rnd 5: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 1, turn. [24 sl st, 24 hdc]

Rnd 6-Rnd 17: Rep Rnd 2-Rnd 5. 

Rnd 18-Rnd 19: Rep Rnd 2-Rnd 3. Finish off at the end of Rnd 19, leaving a 12-inch tail of yarn for closing the top of the hat. 

Proceed to finishing instructions.

Toddler (1-2 years) Drifter Hat Pattern

Using your 5 mm (H) hook (or size required for gauge) and leaving a 6-inch tail of yarn for seaming the band closed:

Hat Band

Hat Band measures approximately 1-inch wide X 14-inches long.

R1: Ch 6, sk 1 ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across. Ch 1, turn. [5 sc]

R2-R56: 1 sc in the BL of each st across to the last st, 1 sc in the last st. Ch 1, turn. [5 sc]

Rotate your work to continue along the row edges of the hat band.

Main Hat 

Rnd 1: 1 sc in each row-end around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 1, do not turn. [56 sc]

You will be working in the back loop only for all stitches and all remaining rounds of this project.

Rnd 2: (RS) *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join.  Ch 1, turn. [28 sl st, 28 hdc]

Rnd 3: *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [28 sl st, 28 hdc]

Rnd 4: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [28 sl st, 28 hdc]

Rnd 5: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 1, turn. [28 sl st, 28 hdc]

Rnd 6-Rnd 21: Rep Rnd 2-Rnd 5. 

Rnd 22: Rep Rnd 2. Finish off at the end of Rnd 22, leaving a 12-inch tail of yarn for closing the top of the hat. 

Proceed to finishing instructions.

Small Child (2-4 years) Drifter Hat Pattern

Using your 5 mm (H) hook (or size required for gauge) and leaving a 6-inch tail of yarn for seaming the band closed:

Hat Band

Hat Band measures approximately 2-inches wide X 14-inches long.

R1: Ch 10, sk 1 ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across. Ch 1, turn. [9 sc]

R2-R56: 1 sc in the BL of each st across to the last st, 1 sc in the last st. Ch 1, turn. [9 sc]

Rotate your work to continue along the row edges of the hat band.

Main Hat 

Rnd 1: 1 sc in each row-end around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 1, do not turn. [56 sc]

You will be working in the back loop only for all stitches and all remaining rounds of this project.

Rnd 2: (RS) *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join.  Ch 1, turn. [28 sl st, 28 hdc]

Rnd 3: *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [28 sl st, 28 hdc]

Rnd 4: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [28 sl st, 28 hdc]

Rnd 5: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 1, turn. [28 sl st, 28 hdc]

Rnd 6-Rnd 17: Rep Rnd 2-Rnd 5. 

Rnd 18-Rnd 20: Rep Rnd 2-Rnd 3. Finish off at the end of Rnd 20, leaving a 12-inch tail of yarn for closing the top of the hat. 

Proceed to finishing instructions.

Child (5-10 years) Drifter Hat Pattern

Using your 5 mm (H) hook (or size required for gauge) and leaving a 6-inch tail of yarn for seaming the band closed:

Hat Band

Hat Band measures approximately 2-inches wide X 16-inches long.

R1: Ch 10, sk 1 ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across. Ch 1, turn. [9 sc]

R2-R64: 1 sc in the BL of each st across to the last st, 1 sc in the last st. Ch 1, turn. [9 sc]

Rotate your work to continue along the row edges of the hat band.

Main Hat 

Rnd 1: 1 sc in each row-end around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 1, do not turn. [64 sc]

You will be working in the back loop only for all stitches and all remaining rounds of this project.

Rnd 2: (RS) *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join.  Ch 1, turn. [32 sl st, 32 hdc]

Rnd 3: *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [32 sl st, 32 hdc]

Rnd 4: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [32 sl st, 32 hdc]

Rnd 5: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 1, turn. [32 sl st, 32 hdc]

Rnd 6-Rnd 21: Rep Rnd 2-Rnd 5. 

Rnd 22: Rep Rnd 2.

Finish off at the end of Rnd 22, leaving a 12-inch tail of yarn for closing the top of the hat. 

Proceed to finishing instructions.

Teen Drifter Hat Pattern

Using your 5 mm (H) hook (or size required for gauge) and leaving a 6-inch tail of yarn for seaming the band closed:

Hat Band

Hat Band measures approximately 2-inches wide X 16-inches long.

R1: Ch 10, sk 1 ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across. Ch 1, turn. [9 sc]

R2-R64: 1 sc in the BL of each st across to the last st, 1 sc in the last st. Ch 1, turn. [9 sc]

Rotate your work to continue along the row edges of the hat band.

Main Hat 

Rnd 1: 1 sc in each row-end around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 1, do not turn. [64 sc]

You will be working in the back loop only for all stitches and all remaining rounds of this project.

Rnd 2: (RS) *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join.  Ch 1, turn. [32 sl st, 32 hdc]

Rnd 3: *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [32 sl st, 32 hdc]

Rnd 4: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [32 sl st, 32 hdc]

Rnd 5: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 1, turn. [32 sl st, 32 hdc]

Rnd 6-Rnd 25: Rep Rnd 2-Rnd 5. Finish off at the end of Rnd 25, leaving a 12-inch tail of yarn for closing the top of the hat. 

Proceed to finishing instructions.

Adult Medium Drifter Hat Pattern

Using your 5 mm (H) hook (or size required for gauge) and leaving a 6-inch tail of yarn for seaming the band closed:

Hat Band

Hat Band measures approximately 2-inches wide X 18-inches long.

R1: Ch 10, sk 1 ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across. Ch 1, turn. [9 sc]

R2-R72: 1 sc in the BL of each st across to the last st, 1 sc in the last st. Ch 1, turn. [9 sc]

Rotate your work to continue along the row edges of the hat band.

Main Hat 

Rnd 1: 1 sc in each row-end around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 1, do not turn. [72 sc]

You will be working in the back loop only for all stitches and all remaining rounds of this project.

Rnd 2: (RS) *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join.  Ch 1, turn. [36 sl st, 36 hdc]

Rnd 3: *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [36 sl st, 36 hdc]

Rnd 4: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [36 sl st, 36 hdc]

Rnd 5: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 1, turn. [36 sl st, 36 hdc]

Rnd 6-Rnd 25: Rep Rnd 2-Rnd 5. 

Rnd 26-Rnd 27: Rep Rnd 2-Rnd 3. Finish off at the end of Rnd 27, leaving a 12-inch tail of yarn for closing the top of the hat. 

Proceed to finishing instructions.

Adult Large Drifter Hat Pattern

Using your 5 mm (H) hook (or size required for gauge) and leaving a 6-inch tail of yarn for seaming the band closed:

Hat Band

Hat Band measures approximately 2-inches wide X 20-inches long.

R1: Ch 10, sk 1 ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across. Ch 1, turn. [9 sc]

R2-R80: 1 sc in the BL of each st across to the last st, 1 sc in the last st. Ch 1, turn. [9 sc]

Rotate your work to continue along the row edges of the hat band.

Main Hat 

Rnd 1: 1 sc in each row-end around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 1, do not turn. [80 sc]

You will be working in the back loop only for all stitches and all remaining rounds of this project.

Rnd 2: (RS) *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join.  Ch 1, turn. [40 sl st, 40 hdc]

Rnd 3: *1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st to the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [40 sl st, 40 hdc]

Rnd 4: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 2, turn. [40 sl st, 40 hdc]

Rnd 5: *1 hdc in the BL of each of the next 4 sts, 1 sl st in the BL of each of the next 4 sts**. Work from * to ** around. Sl st the first st to join. Ch 1, turn. [40 sl st, 40 hdc]

Rnd 6-Rnd 25: Rep Rnd 2-Rnd 5. 

Rnd 26-Rnd 28: Rep Rnd 2-Rnd 4. Finish off at the end of Rnd 28, leaving a 12-inch tail of yarn for closing the top of the hat. 

Proceed to finishing instructions.

Finishing Instructions:

We will be closing the top of the hat using my simple closing method. 

This method is demonstrated here.

There may be a small hole remaining at the top of the hat for the larger sizes. 

I used the remaining yarn on my yarn needle to sew four stitches (across the diameter of the hole) to close the small gap that remained after closing the top. If you prefer, you may use a pom pom to hide the small hole, or weave through the loops a second time using the simple closing method.

Weave in any remaining ends securely.

Did you remember to make your Ravelry Project Page? (How to Make a Ravelry Project Page.)

Make your project page for the 2022 Drifter Hat Pattern

Crochet the 2022 Drifter Scarf Pattern too.

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2022 Monthly Hat of the Month CAL

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