The Dusk & Dawn Slouchy Hat: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Color-Blocked Beanie

Knit the Dusk & Dawn Slouchy Hat: A Free, Textured, Color-Blocked Beanie Pattern

Are you ready to knit a hat that’s as beautiful as a sunset? The Dusk & Dawn Slouchy Hat is a modern, textured beanie that combines the magic of two-color brioche with slipped stitches. This free pattern creates a stunning gradient effect—from deep purple/blue (Dusk) to warm gold/orange (Dawn)—that mimics the colors of twilight. The result is a plush, dimensional fabric that’s incredibly cozy and stylish. Whether you’re an adventurous beginner or an intermediate knitter, this pattern is designed to be clear, detailed, and easy to follow. Let’s get started!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. This pattern uses worsted weight yarn and a few essential tools.

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) yarn in two colors:
  • Color A (Dusk): Deep purple/blue – approximately 150 yards
  • Color B (Dawn): Warm gold/orange – approximately 150 yards
• Needles:
  • US 8 (5.0 mm) 16-inch circular needle
  • Set of US 8 (5.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) for crown shaping
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, blocked. (Gauge is important for fit; check your gauge before starting.)
• Other: Stitch marker, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed steps carefully. The hat is worked in the round from the bottom up. The main body uses a two-color brioche stitch with slipped stitches to create a striped, textured fabric. The crown is shaped with simple decreases. Read through all instructions before beginning.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• sl1 = slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in back (wyib)
• brk = brioche knit (knit the stitch together with its yarnover from the previous row)
• brp = brioche purl (purl the stitch together with its yarnover from the previous row)
• yo = yarn over
• k2tog = knit two together
• ssk = slip slip knit
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker

Setup Round (with Color A)

Using the long-tail method, CO 88 stitches with Color A. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.

Ribbing (Rounds 1-8)

Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 8 rounds. This creates a stretchy, classic brim.

Body Pattern (Rounds 9-32)

Now you’ll begin the two-color brioche pattern. Follow each round exactly, switching colors as indicated. The pattern creates a beautiful, textured fabric.

• Round 9 (Color A): *K1, sl1 wyib, repeat from * to end.
• Round 10 (Color B): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, k1, repeat from * to end.
• Round 11 (Color B): *Brk (knit the yo and slipped stitch together), yo, sl1 purlwise, repeat from * to end. (Note: The last repeat will end with a brk, then yo, sl1. The final sl1 will be worked with the first brk of the next round.)
• Round 12 (Color A): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, brp (purl the yo and slipped stitch together), repeat from * to end.
• Round 13 (Color A): *Brk, yo, sl1 purlwise, repeat from * to end.
• Round 14 (Color B): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, brp, repeat from * to end.
• Round 15 (Color B): *Brk, yo, sl1 purlwise, repeat from * to end.
• Round 16 (Color A): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, brp, repeat from * to end.
• Round 17 (Color A): *Brk, yo, sl1 purlwise, repeat from * to end.
• Round 18 (Color B): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, brp, repeat from * to end.
• Round 19 (Color B): *Brk, yo, sl1 purlwise, repeat from * to end.
• Round 20 (Color A): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, brp, repeat from * to end.
• Round 21 (Color A): *Brk, yo, sl1 purlwise, repeat from * to end.
• Round 22 (Color B): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, brp, repeat from * to end.
• Round 23 (Color B): *Brk, yo, sl1 purlwise, repeat from * to end.
• Round 24 (Color A): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, brp, repeat from * to end.
• Round 25 (Color A): *Brk, yo, sl1 purlwise, repeat from * to end.
• Round 26 (Color B): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, brp, repeat from * to end.
• Round 27 (Color B): *Brk, yo, sl1 purlwise, repeat from * to end.
• Round 28 (Color A): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, brp, repeat from * to end.
• Round 29 (Color A): *Brk, yo, sl1 purlwise, repeat from * to end.
• Round 30 (Color B): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, brp, repeat from * to end.
• Round 31 (Color B): *Brk, yo, sl1 purlwise, repeat from * to end.
• Round 32 (Color A): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, brp, repeat from * to end.

Crown Shaping (switch to DPNs when needed)

As the stitches decrease, switch from the circular needle to DPNs when the stitches become too few to comfortably work on the circular needle. Distribute stitches evenly across 3 or 4 DPNs.

• Round 33 (Color A): *Brk, k2tog (knit the yo and slipped stitch together with the next stitch), repeat from * to end. (66 stitches remain)
• Round 34 (Color B): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, k1, repeat from * to end.
• Round 35 (Color B): *Brk, yo, sl1 purlwise, repeat from * to end.
• Round 36 (Color A): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, brp, repeat from * to end.
• Round 37 (Color A): *Brk, ssk (slip the yo and slipped stitch together knitwise, knit the next stitch, pass the slipped stitches over), repeat from * to end. (44 stitches remain)
• Round 38 (Color B): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, k1, repeat from * to end.
• Round 39 (Color B): *Brk, yo, sl1 purlwise, repeat from * to end.
• Round 40 (Color A): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, brp, repeat from * to end.
• Round 41 (Color A): *Brk, k2tog, repeat from * to end. (22 stitches remain)
• Round 42 (Color B): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, k1, repeat from * to end.
• Round 43 (Color B): *Brk, yo, sl1 purlwise, repeat from * to end.
• Round 44 (Color A): *Yo, sl1 purlwise, brp, repeat from * to end.
• Round 45 (Color A): *Brk, ssk, repeat from * to end. (11 stitches remain)

Finishing

Cut yarn, leaving a 10-inch tail. Thread tail through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure. Weave in all ends. Block gently to open up the brioche texture—this will make the stitches pop and the hat lie beautifully.

Your Dusk & Dawn Slouchy Hat is complete! Enjoy the cozy, textured warmth and the stunning gradient effect. Happy knitting!