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!  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 pattern.  I’m not even kidding.  If only you could see the Christmas hats here ready to be wrapped!

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 crochet rib.  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 or single crochet rib). I like the looks of half double worked in a rib 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.

For this easy crochet hat, you will be working 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.

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Ribbed Wonder: Easy Crochet Hat

Here is what you will need:

Materials:

• US L 11/8 mm crochet hook (these are my absolute favorite 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 and 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.

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.

Ribbed Hat:

Hat 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 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.

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 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 tapestry needle.  Work a running stitch around the open end to gather the top.  Pull 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 needle to make stitches to close up the hole.  When done, knot again and then weave in all the ends.

Turn the hat right side out and fold up the brim.  Put the cozy bit of goodness on your head and marvel at your amazingness!  Keep reading to learn how to adapt this to fit a toddler or child!

More Free Hat Patterns

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

1. Great Lakes Beanie //   2. Big Bay Beanie //   3. Salt of the Earth Men’s Beanie

 

Resizing Hat:

This hat is very stretchy and accommodates a variety of adult head sizes.  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:

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.

 

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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!

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