Cable USA Slouch

Cable USA Slouch Hat

What is Being Made

The Cable USA Slouch is a patriotic crochet hat featuring red, white, and blue colorwork, designed by Jennifer MacEwen from Creating Works Of Love. This slouch-style hat is worked from the bottom up, beginning with a ribbed band and progressing upward to create a relaxed, comfortable fit. The finished hat can be topped with a large pom pom for added visual interest and dimension.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level crochet project employs several advanced techniques that add texture and visual appeal. The hat utilizes post stitches to create the cabled effect that gives this design its distinctive character. Color changes are managed by dropping colors to be picked up later and carried up the sides of the work, rather than cutting and rejoining yarn, which creates a more seamless construction. The designer notes to avoid carrying yarn under stitches, maintaining clean edges throughout the project. The hat is constructed using the back loop only method for portions of the work, which creates additional texture and definition in the ribbed band section.

Stitches Used

• Chain (CH): Foundation stitch used to begin the project
• Slip Stitch (Sl St): Used to join rounds and create seamless transitions between color changes
• Single Crochet (SC): Creates a tight, dense fabric in the ribbed band section
• Double Crochet (DC): Primary stitch used throughout the main body of the hat
• Front Post Double Crochet (FPDC): Creates the cable texture by working around the post of stitches from previous rows
• Back Post Double Crochet (BPDC): Works in conjunction with front post stitches to build the cabled pattern
• Front Post Triple Crochet (FPTRC): Adds height and dimension to cable sections
• Decrease (DEC): Shapes the crown of the hat as stitches are reduced
• Increase (INC): Expands the fabric where needed for proper fit

Materials and Tools

This project is worked with worsted weight yarn in red, white, and blue colorways (the pattern specifies Red Heart Super Saver brand). A 4mm crochet hook is used throughout the construction. Additional materials include a needle for hiding yarn tails and creating decorative dot designs around the band, and an optional large pom pom maker for finishing the crown. The patriotic color scheme makes this hat perfect for holiday celebrations or everyday wear.

Construction Notes

The pattern begins with a foundation chain of 16 stitches worked in the back bump, followed by 82 rows of single crochet worked in back loops only to create the ribbed band. When joining rounds, the designer specifies slipping stitch into the first double crochet rather than into a chain space, ensuring a neat join. Color changes are completed by finishing the last stitch with the new color before slipping stitch to join, creating seamless transitions between the red, white, and blue sections.