**Below you will find the story behind and the step-by-step picture tutorial for making the Sequoia Slouch Beanie, in addition to the video tutorial provided on this page and on our Youtube channel.  

If you are looking for the written pattern, you can purchase the inexpensive PDF from our Ravelry or Etsy shops, or you can find the free pattern on our blog here.**

As much as I find myself often day dreaming about living on an island, there is one thing that gets me excited for Winter year after year.  Beanies!

I realized last year just how much I enjoy designing them, and decided that moving forward they would need to become a pivotal part of my catalog of patterns.  But you guys don’t mind, do you?

So with that being said, I give you the Sequoia Slouch.  This beanie is designed as the name implies- slouchy.  I knew going into this design that I wanted to add a brimless beanie to our collection and tend to prefer slouchy-style beanies myself, so that is how the pattern is written.

Also, because of the construction of this pattern (a flat rectangle, seamed up), it is VERY easy to customize towards your own preferences and needs.  Want even more slouch factor?  Just add some stitches to each row.  Want a more fitted-style beanie?  Simply remove some stitches from each row.

Whats more, is that this pattern has been written for use of either Extra Bulky weight (6) yarn or Worsted Weight (4) yarn, giving you one more choice in how you will customize yours.

And while this beanie was designed to be brimless, you could even fold up the bottom portion for a more form fit and a brim look.

However you decide to make yours, I hope that you enjoy this knit-looking crochet beanie!

As stated above, this beanie is worked flat to make a rectangle that will be seamed up to form a cylinder and then closed at the top.  To start out, you will begin with a row of double crochets.

In the next row, you will start to work the knit-looking half double crochet slip stitches.

While these stitches can seem intimidating at first, they’re really quite simple once you get the hang of it.  You are simply working a slip stitch, that starts out as a half double crochet (with a yarn over before inserting your hook into the proper loop).

These stitches will be worked over the next 3 rows, with the only difference being where the stitches are located.  In the very first row, the half double crochet slip stitches will be worked as a normal stitch (under both loops of the double crochets in the row prior).

For the next row, these stitches will be worked into back loop (or the loop furthest away from you) only.

The row following will consist of the half double crochet slip stitches worked into the third loop of the [half double crochet] stitch only.

If you have worked camel stitches before, this may sound a bit familiar to you.  However, since the camel stitch is typically worked in the round, this third loop is usually located behind the “v” of your stitch.  Since we are working this piece flat, this loop will be located at the front of your work.

The next row will be another row of double crochet stitches, but again this row will be worked into the back loops only.

If you are working an Extra Bulky Weight size, then this will not be a complete row.  Meaning that you will skip the last 2-3 stitches (depending on the size you’re making).  I designed it so, because when I was originally making this beanie in the extra bulky weight yarn, it made the closure very bulky and difficult to completely close.

By skipping these ending stitches, it makes for less rows that you will need to work around while closing the top.  But please note that this method will also make for some divots around the closure.  While these can be noticeable while your beanie is laid flat, they are near impossible to see while wearing it.

From here on until you reach the required length of your rectangle for the size you are making, you will simply be repeating these last 4 rows.

The biggest difference between the Worsted Weight size and Extra Bulky Weight sizes is that for an Extra Bulky Weight size, when working the next row of half double crochet stitches into the back loops only, you will need to make sure that you continue on working into the skipped stitches from the last double crochet row.

This will help to make sure that your rectangle stays the same length throughout, rather than gradually getting smaller on each double crochet row.

After you repeat this process for several more row “repeats” you will end the repeats with a row of the half double crochet stitches worked into the back loops only.

For a Worsted Weight Size you will now move on to work a row of slip stitches across what will become the bottom of your beanie (or the long side of your rectangle).  This helps to give a cleaner look to your finished beanie, and if you prefer, you could even add an additional row of slip stitches across.

If you are making an Extra Bulky Weight size, you will work this process last- as part of the assembly process.

While working this row of slip stitches, you will want to place one slip stitch into each row worked (you may also choose to work 2 slip stitches into the double crochet rows, if this feels more natural for you).  It is important to work these slip stitches loosely, as they do not offer a lot of give.

If you would like, you can also block your rectangle before closing for an even cleaner edge.

To close the beanie, you will bring the ending row [of the hdc ss in blo] and the foundation row together and will be working a final row of half double crochet slip stitches, only these will be worked into the foundation chain as well as the 3rd & back loops of the half double crochets of your last row.

This will turn your rectangle into a cylinder.

Now that you have a cylinder with a clean edge of slip stitches on the bottom, all that’s left is to close up the top.  To do this, you will take your yarn and weave it in and out around the top of your cylinder, pulling the yarn tight to close the hole.

This is worked the same, regardless of which weight yarn you used, the only difference being that the Extra Bulky Weight pattern will have less rows to weave your yarn through (as the double crochet rows are shorter on this end).

If you prefer, you can repeat this process again and then weave in all ends, attaching a pom pom if preferred.

And that’s all there is to it!  I really hope you enjoy crocheting this beanie and find a use for making it in a variety of sizes and or yarn weights!