Introduction
A black cat hat is one of those crochet projects that feels playful, cozy, and instantly eye-catching. The little ears give it personality, while the slouchy shape keeps it wearable and relaxed instead of looking like a costume piece.
This Black Cat Slouch Hat is designed as a practical cold-weather crochet hat with a soft ribbed brim, a relaxed body, and two simple cat ears shaped naturally at the top. It is cute for teens and adults, fun for fall markets, Halloween outfits, cozy winter wear, or anyone who loves cat-inspired crochet accessories.
The pattern is realistic to make and uses simple crochet construction. You will crochet the hat body, add a stretchy brim, close the top in a way that helps form the ears, then shape and secure the corners so the finished hat has that sweet cat-ear look.
Description
This crochet cat hat has a soft black slouchy body with a slightly sparkly or textured look if you choose a yarn with subtle shine. The brim is ribbed and stretchy, making the hat comfortable around the head. The top corners are shaped into two little cat ears, giving the hat a fun handmade style without needing separate ear pieces.
The overall look is cozy, simple, and wearable. It can be made in classic black for a black cat style, charcoal gray for a softer everyday look, cream for a cute kitty version, or velvet yarn for a plush winter accessory.
This easy crochet pattern is a great beginner crochet project for makers who already know basic stitches and want something useful, giftable, and a little playful.
Materials
- Worsted weight yarn in black, charcoal, or your chosen cat color
- 5 mm crochet hook
- 4.5 mm crochet hook for the ribbed brim if you want a snugger fit
- Yarn needle
- Stitch marker
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
Finished Size
This pattern is written for an average adult size.
Approximate finished measurements:
- Hat circumference: 20–22 inches with stretch
- Hat height before shaping: about 10–11 inches
- Brim height: about 2 inches
For a teen size, make the brim slightly shorter in length before joining.
Gauge
Using 5 mm hook:
- 13 half double crochet stitches = 4 inches
- 10 half double crochet rows = 4 inches
The hat should feel soft and flexible, not stiff. If your stitches are very tight, go up half a hook size.
Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- st: stitch
- sts: stitches
- BLO: back loop only
- FO: fasten off
Pattern Notes
The brim is worked first as a ribbed strip.
The brim is joined into a ring.
The hat body is worked upward from the brim in rounds.
The top is closed flat, then the two corners are shaped into cat ears.
The ears are not made separately, which keeps the design simple and clean.
The ch 1 at the beginning of rounds does not count as a stitch.
Join each round with a sl st to the first stitch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ribbed Brim
Use black yarn and 4.5 mm hook.
Row 1
Ch 9.
Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (8)
Ch 1, turn.
Row 2
Sc in BLO of each st across. (8)
Ch 1, turn.
Rows 3–64
Repeat Row 2.
The ribbed strip should measure about 20 inches unstretched.
Wrap it around the head to check fit. It should stretch comfortably but not feel loose.
Join the Brim
Fold the ribbed strip so the first and last rows meet.
Sl st through both layers across to join the brim into a ring.
Do not fasten off.
Turn the brim so the seam is on the inside.
Hat Body
Switch to 5 mm hook.
You will now work around the top edge of the ribbed brim.
Round 1
Ch 1.
Work 64 hdc evenly around the top edge of the brim.
Join with sl st to first hdc. (64)
Round 2
Ch 1.
Hdc in each st around.
Join with sl st. (64)
Rounds 3–16
Repeat Round 2.
The hat should begin to form a soft tube above the brim.
Rounds 17–20
Ch 1.
Hdc in each st around.
Join with sl st. (64)
These extra rounds create the relaxed slouchy height.
If you want less slouch, stop after Round 17 or 18.
FO, leaving a long tail for closing the top.
Closing the Top
Turn the hat inside out.
Lay the top flat so the seam is centered at the back.
Use the long yarn tail and a yarn needle to sew the top edge closed in a straight line.
Sew through both layers from one side to the other.
Secure the end firmly, then weave it in.
Turn the hat right side out.
You should now have two natural top corners. These will become the cat ears.
Shaping the Cat Ears
Lay the hat flat with the front facing up.
Pinch the top left corner into a soft triangle shape.
Using matching black yarn and a yarn needle, sew a few small hidden stitches about 1–1.5 inches down from the corner to help define the ear shape.
Repeat on the top right corner.
Do not over-sew the ears. The shape should stay soft and natural.
Gently shape both ears with your hands so they stand up slightly when worn.
Optional Ear Definition
For sharper cat ears, add a short diagonal stitch line inside each top corner.
Starting about 1 inch below the corner, sew a small diagonal line toward the top seam.
Repeat on the other side.
Keep the stitches loose enough that the hat still stretches comfortably.
Finishing
Weave in all remaining ends.
Fold the brim upward once.
Try the hat on and adjust the ear shape by gently pinching the corners.
If the hat is too slouchy, fold the brim a little higher.
If the ears look too flat, add one or two extra hidden stitches at the base of each ear.
Tips & Variations
Use black yarn with a subtle sparkle for a fun nighttime or Halloween look.
Use charcoal gray for a softer everyday cat hat.
Use cream or white yarn for a cute winter kitty version.
Use velvet or chenille-style yarn for a plush look, but check gauge because bulky yarn will change the size.
For a warmer hat, use wool-blend yarn.
For a lighter hat, use acrylic or cotton-blend yarn.
To make the hat smaller, reduce the brim rows to 58–60 and work the same number of body stitches around.
To make the hat larger, add more brim rows and work more stitches evenly around the brim.
For a less slouchy version, work fewer body rounds before closing the top.
For a more dramatic slouch, add 2–4 extra body rounds.
FAQ
Is this black cat crochet hat beginner-friendly?
Yes. This pattern is good for confident beginners because it uses simple ribbing, half double crochet rounds, and basic seaming.
Are the cat ears made separately?
No. The ears are formed from the top corners after the hat is sewn closed. This makes the pattern easier and keeps the ears secure.
What yarn works best for this hat?
Worsted weight acrylic, wool-blend, or soft yarn with a little stretch works well. A slightly sparkly black yarn gives the hat a fun black cat look.
Can I make this for kids?
Yes. Make the ribbed brim shorter to fit the child’s head, then work fewer body rounds for a smaller height.
Can I add a face?
You can, but the clean cat-ear look is more wearable. For a playful version, you could embroider tiny whiskers or add a small nose to the folded brim.
Conclusion
The Black Cat Slouch Hat is a cozy, playful crochet hat pattern with a simple construction and a cute finished look. The ribbed brim makes it comfortable, the slouchy body keeps it stylish, and the shaped top corners create easy cat ears without extra pieces.
Make it in classic black for a bold cat-inspired accessory, or try soft gray, cream, or velvet yarn for a different mood. It is a fun handmade hat for gifting, fall outfits, cozy winter days, or anyone who loves a little cat charm in their crochet projects.
