Ribbed Wonder: An Easy Crochet Hat

Behold: The Ribbed Wonder.  Get ready because this easy crochet hat pattern is about to change your crochet life.  It just might be your next go-to crochet hat pattern!

Here’s what I love about this easy crochet hat.  It’s easy.  I know. I said that already. But I’m saying it again because it’s hard to believe that something this adorable, useful and warm could be so easy to make!

It’s a great project for beginners but a more experienced crocheter will love it too.

You need to know how to chain, slip stitch and how to make a half double crochet. The rest is just stitch placement and simple seaming.  PRESTO!  Your next favorite free crochet pattern.  It is the perfect first project for a crochet beginner! 

But first.. step into my crochet confessional.  Because I have things to tell you.

First up, let’s talk about the whole concept of a hat made out of a crochet rib stitch pattern.  There is basically two methods for crocheting ribbing:  using post stitches or working in the back loop to create a knit-look ribbing. You’ll find other crochet rib hats out there but I’m hoping this might be your new favorite!

The ribbed wonder uses a half double crochet (instead of the more common double crochet stitch or single crochet rib). I like the looks of half double worked in a rib stitch pattern.

It’s the perfect combination of closely worked stitches for warmth while taking advantage of the bulky weight yarn for a quick project.  

My seaming method is the easiest one out there and cinching the top together is a breeze.  This is the perfect beginner project!

Second, what does “working in the back loop mean”.  If you’ve read my Parts of a Stitch post you know that if you’ve just crocheted a stitch, the top of the stitch makes a “V’ and the back loop is the back of the “V” shape.

When you are working in the round, this is so easy to spot.  You work in the back loop and as you go, the front loop pops out.  BUT when you are working back and forth in row and CONTINUING to work in the back loop, this looks a little different.

What you need to remember is that working in the back loop REALLY means to identify the top of the stitch and THEN work in the top loop that is FURTHEREST from you as the work is facing you.  When you turn your work, the current back loop is really the front loop from the row before.  Does that make sense?

I’ve been crocheting for decades.  And I SERIOUSLY did NOT grasp this concept until recently.  Maybe some of you are not “getting” this either and hopefully this bit of explanation has helped.

Crochet Ribbing Stitch

For this easy crochet hat, you start with a foundation chain and then you will be making half double crochet stitches into the back loop on every row.  The back loop is the loop furtherest from you.  So when you work into the loop, you are sort of pushing a rib towards you and working ever so slightly behind where you’d normally work.

If you are working this hat and it does not seem to be forming ridges like the photos, re-think where you are putting your hook and make sure you are working into the correct spot.

Best Yarn for Chunky Beanies

I absolutely love this crochet hat in one of my favorite yarns: Lion Brand Color Made Easy.  It is a chunky yarn that works up quickly.  Perfect for fast, cozy projects!

Color Made Easy is a chunky weight 5 on S plied acrylic yarn.  It’s a joy to work with.  However if you can’t find it, you might want to try a different chunky weight yarn that works up similarly.

Here are some other ideas:

This is the same crochet hat worked in Lion Brand’s Hue + Me.  Hue + Me is a lovely chunky wool blend made in the style and vision of Two of Wands creator Alexi Tavel.  It works up warm and cozy and the neutral color tones in this line all go together perfectly. I’m using Color #134 Spicy and it’s a lovely rust color.

Hue + Me can be found in local yarn stores and a skein easily makes one crochet hat! My husband wants me to hurry up already with this post so he can put on this cozy rusty colored number.  So let’s move on with a crochet hat perfect for me!

If you’re looking for a yarn with a similar hand feel as Color Made Easy, you might want to try Scheepjes Chunky Monkey.  

Technically Chunky Monkey is an Aran Weight yarn which would put it in a different yarn category.  However, it crochets up perfectly with the same size hook.  I chose color #1302 Air Force Blue which will look amazing with my winter coat!

I would say Chunky Monkey yarn is slightly less thick and has a little more body than Color Made Easy.  But if you’re looking for a similar look and feel, this is my favorite.  I used every bit of a whole skein for this yarn with about 2-3 feet of yarn left over.

No one likes to run out of yarn at the end, so if you’re concerned about running out, you might want to pick up an extra skein.  Alternatively you could start with one less chain and that would probably work too.

Can I just say one more time, how much I love that even a beginner crocheter can use basic crochet stitches to make a new hat for the holiday season, her next hiking trip, or just walking the dog!

Let’s dive in and crochet a hat!

Ribbed Wonder: Easy Crochet Hat

Here is what you will need:

Materials:

• US L 11/8 mm crochet hook (these are my absolute favorite crochet hooks I recommend to everyone!)
• 4.25 oz #5 Bulky weight yarn (sample used Color Made Easy in Kombucha color)
• Tapestry needle and scissors

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Crochet Abbreviations, US to UK Crochet Conversion Chart.  Find links to stitches on the “Tutorial” menu: Getting Started will show basic stitches used in many patterns including single crochet stitches, chain stitches, half double crochet stitch and the slip stitch used in this crochet pattern.

Our Crochet Stitch Dictionary shows our growing collection of crochet stitch tutorials.  I really like to use the invisible seamless join when finishing pieces that get sewn together.

Crochet Hat Size:

Fits an adult size head that is 21″ – 23″ around.  Finished hat is approximately 20″ around by 13″ tall before folding over the cuffed edge.  Scroll down for resizing directions for smaller sizes!

Ribbed Crochet Hat:

This crochet beanie is worked in rows of half double crochet and then seamed into a tube at the end.  Then one end is cinched together to form the top..  Starting with row 2, the crochet stitches are worked in the back loop only–which means the stitch furthest from you as you are working the current row.

Chain 37

R1: Hdc in 3rd chain from hook and in each chain across row (35 st)

R2-30:  ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), hdc in the back loop across row (35 st).

At the end of row 30, the hat is a rectangle of ribbed crochet that measures approximately 13″ wide by 20″ tall.

Note that in the photo below, I’ve rotated the work so that the rectangle is positioned as it will be when the crochet hat is complete.  The crochet hook is positioned after finishing the last row of crochet stitches in preparation for the seaming the crochet hat.

Now for the finishing touches for our chunky crochet winter hat pattern!

How to Seam the Hat:

Chain 1 and turn work.  Take the bottom of work and fold up so that the starting edge is on top of the row to be worked.

The seam is worked by slip stitching the two ends together as follows:  Insert crochet hook into starting chain and then into the back loop of the next stitch to be worked.  Slip stitch together.

Continue to slip stitch both ends together across row, making sure to work the slip stitches loosely and not too tight so that the hat remains stretchy.  Note that this is the WRONG side of the work.

At the end of the row, cut yarn (leaving a long strand for cinching the top) and fasten off.

Now the work is in a tube with the wrong side facing out.  Rotate work and thread the fastened off yarn end on to a yarn needle.  Work a running stitch with the yarn around the open end to gather the top.

Pull yarn tight and tie a knot to secure.  The end from the start of the project should be there too and you can tie those 2 ends together too into a knot.

There will still be a small hole at the top, so continue to use the threaded yarn needle to make stitches to close up the hole.  When done, knot the yarn again and then weave in all the ends.

Turn the hat right side out and fold up the brim.  Or skip the fold up brim for a slouchy hat look instead! Put the cozy bit of goodness on your head and marvel at your amazingness!  

A perfect winter hat for cold days!

Need a different hat size? Keep reading to learn how to adapt this to fit a toddler or child!

More Free Patterns for Crochet Hats

If you love the Ribbed Wonder Easy Crochet Hat pattern, you might also like to check out these other crochet hat patterns:

1. Big Bay Beanie //   2. Salt of the Earth Men’s Crochet Beanie //   3. Buckeye Beanie

Crochet Hat Pattern Variations:

This hat is very stretchy and accommodates a variety of adult head sizes.  The hat height can be changed a bit depending on how you fold over the bottom edge or skip the fold up brim altogether for a slouchy hat look.

However, you might like to make the hat smaller for a toddler or child.  To do so, you will need a smaller rectangle.  Here are some suggestions so you can get to crochet hats for everyone:

Toddler Ribbed Wonder:

To make this easy crochet hat to fit a toddler’s head (head size of 18-20″), start with a chain of 28.  Each row will have 26 stitches.  Work 26 rows.  Finished rectangle will be approximately 10″ wide by 17.25″ long. 

Proceed to the seaming and finishing instructions to complete hat.

Child Ribbed Wonder:

To fit a child’s head (head size of 19-21″), start with a chain of 32.  Each row will have 30 stitches.  Work 28 rows.  Finished rectangle will be approximately 11″ wide by 18″ long.  Proceed to the seaming and finishing instructions to complete hat.

Frequently Asked Crochet Hat Questions:

This is such a fun crochet pattern for beginners to make that many of my readers have asked some great questions about crochet hats.

How Do You Attach A Pom Pom?  Attaching a pom pom is really fun addition to this hat!  I like a yarn pom pom with this style of hat, but you can also sew a fur pom pom or crochet a faux fur pom pom if you’d like.

I like to sew fur pom pom’s on the top of my simple beanie with a sewing needle and thread.  If I make a yarn pom pom, I use the leftover ends to sew to the top of the hat, making sure it is knotted off nice and tight on the inside.

Can This Beanie Pattern Be Made Using 4 Weight Yarn Instead of a 5?  This crochet hat pattern is easily adapted to other yarn weights, such as worsted weight yarn or super bulky weight if you can’t find or don’t want to use bulky yarn. Simply crochet a rectangle the same size as the desired size.  

When using a smaller weight yarn, this means you will need to have more stitches in the row and more rows. You might also need to buy an extra skein of yarn.

To determine the correct number of stitches to start, make a small gauge swatch of several rows, using the yarn and hook you desire.  Then measure and count the stitches to calculate the  number chains you need to start.  Here’s a great post on how to calculate gauge.

Is There a Right and Wrong Side For This Hat?  Technically, the simple rectangle is reversible.  However, once the rectangle is slip stitched together, THAT side becomes the wrong side.  It’s a good idea to be mindful of the right and wrong side when cinching the top of the hat for the nicest finish.

Can You Adjust the Hat to be Smaller?  Yes, this crochet hat pattern is really forgiving.  It is very stretchy and can fit a variety of head sizes.  However, you can use a smaller hook size with the same instructions to get a slightly smaller hat.  

You can make a different rectangle size as mentioned above to make a Toddler or Child size beanie. And this basic beanie is a unisex beanie pattern perfect for a beginner crocheter and experienced crocheters alike.

Purchase an ad-free printable version of Ribbed Wonder Crochet Hat Pattern Here

I love seeing your finished projects!  If you enjoyed making the Ribbed Wonder Easy Crochet Hat,  I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @crochet365knittoo.  If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Crochet 365 Knit Too Facebook page or pop over to the Crochet365KnitToo Club and share a photo!  I’d love to see your work!