Pinstripe Hat

Pinstripe Hat by Stefanie Bold

What Is Being Made

The Pinstripe Hat is a versatile crochet design that can be worked as either a fitted beanie or a relaxed slouch style. This downloadable PDF pattern features a distinctive vertical striping effect created through thoughtful stitch and color work choices. The hat is constructed with a slip-stitch cuff, a braided-looking transition section, and a crown finished with strategic decreases that form six wedges meeting at the center point.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

This pattern explores two-color crochet brioche as its primary technique, offering a dense, textured fabric with pronounced vertical stripes. The designer notes that if you prefer a less dense fabric while maintaining the same striping effect, you can modify the brioche stitches to standard double crochets, working with only one color per round. This flexibility makes the pattern accessible to crocheters at different skill levels and with different aesthetic preferences.

The hat construction includes several distinct sections:

• A slip-stitch cuff that provides structure and definition at the base
• A braided-looking transition worked in a contrast color that bridges the cuff and the main striped pattern
• The main pinstripe body created through the two-color brioche or modified double crochet technique
• A crown with six wedge decreases that converge at the center for a polished finish

Stitches Used

The pattern employs slip stitches for the cuff and transition sections, creating a neat, finished edge. The primary fabric is constructed using either crochet brioche stitches for the original dense version or double crochet stitches for the modified, less dense variation. Strategic decreases are placed at the crown to shape the hat and form the six converging wedges.

Materials and Tools

This pattern is designed for 4-ply (fingering weight) sock yarn in two colors. You will need approximately 100 grams of yarn totaling 400–420 meters in your primary color, plus a small amount of contrasting yarn for the braided transition between the cuff and main pattern.

The pattern requires two crochet hooks: a 4mm (US size 6) hook and a 4.5mm (US size 7) hook, or sizes as needed to achieve proper gauge. Additional notions include two lockable stitch markers, a measuring device, a blunt sewing needle for weaving in ends, and scissors.

Gauge

The gauge for this pattern is 28 stitches and 44 rows over 10 centimeters (4 inches) when working back loop slip stitches in rows with the 4.5mm hook, or as needed to match your personal gauge. Checking gauge before beginning is essential for achieving the correct finished hat size.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for crocheters with foundational skills who are ready to explore color work and more advanced shaping techniques. The two-color brioche stitch requires attention and practice, though the designer's modification option using standard double crochets offers a more approachable alternative for those new to brioche crochet.

Pattern Details

The Pinstripe Hat pattern was designed by Stefanie Bold and last revised on October 22, 2023. It uses US crochet terminology throughout. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it convenient for digital reference while you work. The designer can be found on Ravelry as stebo79 and on Instagram as @stefaniebold.