Grey Slouchie Beanie

Source: 16 Free Crochet Hat Patterns, Scarves, and Gloves (http://www.favecrafts.com/)

Sizes: Women’s S/M (L/XL)
Finished Measurements: Hat measures 21 (22)"/53.5 (56) cm circumference x 11 (12)"/28 (30.5 cm) deep

Materials: Caron International 'Simply Soft' (100% acrylic; 6oz/170g, 315yd/288m skein) 6 oz Shown in: #9742 Grey Heather One size US H-8 (5mm) crochet hook, or size to obtain gauge. Yarn Needle

Gauge: In ribbed band pattern, 18 sts and 12 rows = 4"/10 cm.

Stitches Used: Chain (ch), single crochet (sc), slip stitch (sl st)

Special Term: Puff: Puff stitch—Yarn over, insert hook in indicated stitch and draw up a loop (3 loops on hook), [yarn over, insert hook in same stitch and draw up a loop] 3 times (9 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through first 8 loops on hook, yarn over and draw through remaining 2 loops on hook.

Hat:
Ribbed Band Ch 10.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch across, turn—9 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1, working in front loops only, sc in each st across, turn.
Repeat last row until piece measures 21 (22)"/53.5 (56)cm. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use tail to sew short ends together to form band.

Body 

Join yarn with sl st in edge of band at seam.
Round 1: Ch 1, work 72 (76) sc evenly spaced around edge of band; join with sl st in first sc—72 (76) sc.
Round 2: Ch 3, sk first sc, Puff in next sc, ch 1, *sk next sc, Puff in next sc, ch 1; repeat from * around; join with sl st in top of beginning ch—36 (38) Puffs and 36 (38) ch-1 sps.
Round 3: Ch 3, Puff in first ch-1 sp, ch 1, *sk next Puff, Puff in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; repeat from * around; join with sl st in top of beginning ch.
Repeat last round until hat measures 11 (12)"/28 (30.5)cm from beginning. DO NOT FASTEN OFF.

Finishing: 

Close Top of Hat: Last round worked is top of hat. Hook is currently at top, back center of hat. Keeping loop on hook, insert hook into top, center front of hat, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook (sc complete). Pinch side edges to the same center point and sc the edges together (by inserting hook through both thicknesses and completing an sc). The top of the hat will now be in a star formation. Continue to pinch opposite edges and sc them together until top of hat is completely closed. Fasten off.
Weave in ends.