Crochet Slouchy Hat

Have been struggling with this of late. Trying to ad lib from a pattern that started with band for forehead and as I completed row after row of slip stitches it got tighter and tighter cutting off blood flow! After unravelling and adding a few more chains and still ending up with a constricting band I have abandoned that pattern and have decided to crochet from the other direction - from the end/top of the hat. Going quite well but its more fitted than I'd imagined. Not slouchy. However the half double crochet stitch is pleasing so might be ok but not sure how I'll bury my up-do in it! Away for my big birthday tomorrow - a Landmark Trust property so no TV. Now which project will I take with me........ ?