what sequencer are you using? most have groove templates. i use cubase for composition and it has a lot of lovely grooves.

also the swing on the 909 sequencer gives lovely skippy hats. they implemented the same swing into the d16 909 vst.

depending on the type of hats i want ill use closed, foot closed, chokes, open hats.

a good trick is to put a closed hat directly after an open hat but at a very low velocity, this chokes the open hat and when used tastefully can add a bit of something extra to the usual open hat sound.