Waffle Stitch Hat Free Crochet Pattern. The Sugarloaf hat
This waffle stitch hat works up very quickly and easily. The waffle stitch is most associated with blankets, and what better on a cold winters day than to feel you are wrapped up in a blanket? With a thick brim and a long stocking hat peak ending in a tassel, it looks fun and dramatic, as well as being quick and easy to crochet. You can create a matching set with the Sugarloaf cowl and Sugarloaf mittens. All three patterns are free here on my blog, or you can buy the ebook on Ravelry and get a convenient PDF download.
Hat sizes
Hat sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4)
To fit head circumference: 51 (56, 61, 66) cm / 20, (22, 24, 26) inches
A note on hat sizes: Size 1 as given is considered the standard large child/tween size, but worn by some adult women with smaller than average heads. Size 2, used in the sample photographed, is the standard lady’s size, size 3 is the standard men’s size, and size 4 is an inclusive size for those with larger than average heads.
Everybody is unique, and measuring your head is strongly recommended, as with any wearable.
Yarn requirements for waffle stitch hat
Any chunky weight yarn.
Note on yarn substitutions: Chunky weight yarn can vary even more than other yarn thicknesses. Check the yarn recommends knitting needles between 6 and 8 mm – even though this is a crochet pattern, that is still a good indication that the yarn you are substituting is about the right thickness.
Blue waffle stitch hat sample made with:
BC Garn Hamelton Tweed 2: 90% wool, 10% viscose, size 5, chunky, 60 meters per 50g ball. Shade 21 – aqua
4 balls needed to make hat, 10 balls needed to make full set of hat, cowl and mittens.
Cream waffle stitch hat sample made with:
Berroco Ultra Alpaca Chunky Natural: (50% Super fine Alpaca, 50% Peruvian wool), size 5/Chunky, 131yds/120m, 3.5oz/100g per skein. Jasmine Rice color 72500:
2 skeins used for hat, if making the full set with mittens and cowl, six will be needed in total.
Hook
8 mm (US size L/11) crochet hook (or size needed to match gauge)
Notions
• Removable Stitch Markers (2)
• Darning Needle
Construction
The Sugarloaf waffle stitch hat is crocheted in the round, from the brim up. The brim is worked, then the work is flipped inside out, to create a brim that folds back over the hat. Work continues straight to the top of the head, then decreases are made at the start and center of each round to form the stocking cap peak.
Abbreviations and crochet terms
This pattern is written in UK crochet terms, followed by US crochet terms.
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UK crochet terms and special stitches
beg: beginning
bptr: back post treble crochet
bptr2tog: back post treble crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
ch: chain
fptr: front post treble crochet
fptr2tog: front post treble crochet 2 stiches together (decrease)
fptr3tog: front post treble crochet 3 stitches together (decrease)
flo: front loop only
rep: repeat
rnd: round
sl st: slip stitch
tr: treble crochet
wtr: wide treble crochet
Special Stitches
Back post treble crochet 2 stitches together (bptr2tog):
Yarn over and insert hook from back to front around post of next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull
through 2, yarn over, insert hook from back to front to back of next post, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook) yarn over and pull through 2 (3 loops on hook) yarn over, pull through three.
Front post treble crochet 2 stitches together (fptr2tog):
Yarn over and insert hook from front to back around post of next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2, yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front of next post, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook) yarn over and pull through 2 (3 loops on hook) yarn over, pull through three.
Front post treble crochet 3 stitches together (fptr3tog):
Yarn over and insert hook from front to back to front around post of next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2, (2 loops on hook) yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front of next post, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook) yarn over and pull through 2 (3 loops on hook) yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front of next post, yarn over and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), yarn over pull through 2 (4 loops on hook) yarn over, pull through four.
Wide double crochet (wdc):
Insert hook into gap between posts of dc on previous round. Work dc as usual. This makes stitches slightly shorter and further apart than a typical dc stitch. On the top of the cowl, it will make threading the i-cord through the stitches easier.
US crochet terms and special stitches
beg: beginning
bpdc: back post double crochet
bpdc2tog: back post double crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
ch: chain
dc: double crochet
flo: front loop only
fpdc: front post double crochet
fpdc2tog: front post double crochet 2 stiches together (decrease)
fpdc3tog: front post double crochet 3 stitches together (decrease)
rep: repeat
rnd: round
sl st: slip stitch
wdc: wide double crochet
Special Stitches
Back post double crochet 2 stitches together (bpdc2tog):
Yarn over and insert hook from back to front around post of next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2, yarn over, insert hook from back to front to back of next post, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook) yarn over and pull through 2 (3 loops on hook) yarn over, pull through three.
Front post double crochet 2 stitches together (fpdc2tog):
Yarn over and insert hook from front to back around post of next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2, yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front of next post, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook) yarn over and pull through 2 (3 loops on hook) yarn over, pull through three.
Front post double crochet 3 stitches together (fpdc3tog):
Yarn over and insert hook from front to back to front around post of next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2, (2 loops on hook) yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front of next post, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook) yarn over and pull through 2 (3 loops on hook) yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front of next post, yarn over and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), yarn over pull through 2 (4 loops on hook) yarn over, pull through four.
Wide double crochet (wdc):
Insert hook into gap between posts of dc on previous round. Work dc as usual. This makes stitches slightly shorter and further apart than a typical dc stitch. On the top of the cowl, it will make threading the i-cord through the stitches easier.
UK terms Pattern: Sugarloaf Waffle stitch hat crochet pattern.
Brim
Rnd 1: Ch 42 (48, 54, 60), join in the round with sl st. (42 (48, 54, 60) chs)
Rnd 2: Ch 3, tr in each ch around, sl st to the top of beg tr to join. (42 (48, 54, 60) sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, fptr, *tr 2, fptr, rep from * to last 2 sts, tr 2, sl st to the top of begining fptr to join. (42 (48, 54, 60) sts, 14 (16, 18, 20) repeats)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, fptr, *bptr 2, dc, rep from * to last 2 sts, bptr 2, sl st to the top of beg fptr to join.
Rnds 5 – 6: Rep Rnds 3 and 4.
Turn work inside out so the stitch pattern is on the inside of the hat and the WS of the work is showing.
Body
Rnd 1: Ch 3, tr around, sl st to the top of beg tr to join. (42 (48, 54, 60) sts)
Rnds 2 – 5: Rep Rnd 1 four more times.
Rnd 6: Ch 3, tr flo around, sl st to the top of beg dc to join.
Rnd 7: Ch 2, fptr, *tr 2, fptr, rep from * to last 2 sts, tr 2, sl st to the top of beg fptr to join. (42 (48, 54, 60) sts, 14 (16, 18, 20) repeats)
Rnd 8: Ch 2, fptr, *bptr 2, tr, rep from * to last 2 sts, bptr 2, sl st to the top of beg fptr to join.
Rnds 9 – 18: Rep Rnd 7 and 8.
Rnd 19: Rep Rnd 7.
Before proceeding, place one stitch marker in first front post stitch of Rnd 19, and second stitch marker in middle tr stitch after 7 (8, 9, 10) blocks. Move marker up with each new rnd.
Rnds 9 – 18: Rep Rnd 7 and 8.
Rnd 19: Rep Rnd 7.
Hat peak
Before proceeding, place one stitch marker in first front post stitch of Rnd 19, and second stitch marker in middle dc stitch after 7 (8, 9, 10) blocks. Move marker up with each new rnd.
Rnd 1: Ch 2, fptr, bptr2tog, tr, *bptr 2, dc, rep from * to one block before marker, bptr2tog, tr, bptr2tog, tr, **bptr 2, tr, rep from ** to last 2 sts, bptr2tog, sl st to the top of beg fptr to join. (38 (44, 50, 56) sts, 10 (12, 14, 16) full repeats and 4 partial repeats)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, fptr, fptr2tog, *tr 2, fptr, rep from * to 2 sts before marker, fptr2tog, fptr, fptr2tog, tr, fptr, **dc 2, fptr, rep from **, to last 4 sts, tr 2, fptr2tog, sl st to the top of beg fptr to join. (34 (40, 46, 52) sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, working into last st of previous rnd and next 2 sts, fptr3tog, *bptr 2, tr, rep from * to 1 st before marker, fptr3tog, bptr, tr, **bptr 2, dc, rep from ** to last 2 sts, bptr 2, sl st to the top of beg fptr3tog to join (30 (36, 42, 48) sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, fptr, *tr 2, fptr, rep from * to last 2 sts, tr 2, sl st to the top of beg fptr to join. (30 (36, 42, 46) sts, 10 (12, 14, 16) complete repeats)
Repeat Rnds 1 – 4 until 10 (12, 10, 10) stitches remain. (10 (12, 10, 10) sts)
Tip of peak
Rnd 1: Ch 2, fptr, *bptr2tog, dc, bptr2tog, rep from *, sl st to the top of beg fptr to join. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, fptr2tog, fptr2tog to end, sl st to the top of beg fptr2tog to join. (4 sts)
Fasten off leaving a tail, thread on darning needle and cinch last 4 sts closed.
Finishing
Create tassel and sew to tip of hat, Weave in ends.
US terms Pattern: Sugarloaf Waffle stitch hat crochet pattern.
Brim
Rnd 1: Ch 42 (48, 54, 60), join in the round with sl st. (42 (48, 54, 60) chs)
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in each ch around, sl st to the top of beg dc to join. (42 (48, 54, 60) sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, fpdc, *dc 2, fpdc, rep from * to last 2 sts, dc 2, sl st to the top of begining fpdc to join. (42 (48, 54, 60) sts, 14 (16, 18, 20) repeats)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, fpdc, *bpdc 2, dc, rep from * to last 2 sts, bpdc 2, sl st to the top of beg fpdc to join.
Rnds 5 – 6: Rep Rnds 3 and 4.
Turn work inside out so the stitch pattern is on the inside of the hat and the WS of the work is showing.
Body
Rnd 1: Ch 3, dc around, sl st to the top of beg dc to join. (42 (48, 54, 60) sts)
Rnds 2 – 5: Rep Rnd 1 four more times.
Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc flo around, sl st to the top of beg dc to join.
Rnd 7: Ch 2, fpdc, *dc 2, fpdc, rep from * to last 2 sts, dc 2, sl st to the top of beg fpdc to join. (42 (48, 54, 60) sts, 14 (16, 18, 20) repeats)
Rnd 8: Ch 2, fpdc, *bpdc 2, dc, rep from * to last 2 sts, bpdc 2, sl st to the top of beg fpdc to join.
Rnds 9 – 18: Rep Rnd 7 and 8.
Rnd 19: Rep Rnd 7.
Hat peak
Before proceeding, place one stitch marker in first front post stitch of Rnd 19, and second stitch marker in middle dc stitch after 7 (8, 9, 10) blocks. Move marker up with each new rnd.
Rnd 1: Ch 2, fpdc, bpdc2tog, dc, *bpdc 2, dc, rep from * to one block before marker, bpdc2tog, dc, bpdc2tog, dc, **bpdc 2, dc, rep from ** to last 2 sts, bpdc2tog, sl st to the top of beg fpdc to join. (38 (44, 50, 56) sts, 10 (12, 14, 16) full repeats and 4 partial repeats)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, fpdc, fpdc2tog, *dc 2, fpdc, rep from * to 2 sts before marker, fpdc2tog, fpdc, fpdc2tog, dc, fpdc, **dc 2, fpdc, rep from **, to last 4 sts, dc 2, fpdc2tog, sl st to the top of beg fpdc to join. (34 (40, 46, 52) sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 2, working into last st of previous rnd and next 2 sts, fpdc3tog, *bpdc 2, dc, rep from * to 1 st before marker, fpdc3tog, bpdc, dc, **bpdc 2, dc, rep from ** to last 2 sts, bpdc 2, sl st to the top of beg fpdc3tog to join (30 (36, 42, 48) sts)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, fpdc, *dc 2, fpdc, rep from * to last 2 sts, dc 2, sl st to the top of beg fpdc to join. (30 (36, 42, 46) sts, 10 (12, 14, 16) complete repeats)
Repeat Rnds 1 – 4 until 10 (12, 10, 10) stitches remain. (10 (12, 10, 10) sts)
Tip of peak
Rnd 1: Ch 2, fpdc, *bpdc2tog, dc, bpdc2tog, rep from *, sl st to the top of beg fpdc to join. (8 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, fpdc2tog, fpdc2tog to end, sl st to the top of beg fpdc2tog to join. (4 sts)
Fasten off leaving a tail, thread on darning needle and cinch last 4 sts closed.
Finishing
Create tassel and sew to tip of hat, Weave in ends.
Copyright.
This pattern was written and developed by Ciara Doyle, and first published by Crochet Foundry Magazine, December 2024. This updated PDF document was produced in January 2026.
This pattern, including the wording and the pictures, are my work and copyright. You may not copy in any way, including by making your own videos, if they are directly based on my work.
This pattern is not intended for commercial use. You may sell finished items based on this pattern only if you have made them in your own home, with your own hands. However, selling your own makes from this pattern, especially for charity, is strongly encouraged. I would love to hear about your event, and how it went.
Thanks and Acknowledgements:
With thanks to Crochet Foundry magazine for first publishing my pattern, with photography and tech editing. Images of blue hat are copyright Ciara Doyle, images of the white hat are copyright Crochet Foundry.
This PDF version was proof read and formatted as a PDF by Dara Addams.