Learn how to make a crochet hat for beginners with this easy Ribbed Beanie pattern. This crochet beanie is crafted with an easy-to-remember stitch pattern that resembles knit ribbing. The result is a textured, stretchy fabric that functions like knit but crochets like a dream! Made with just one skein of bulky-weight yarn, it’s a great project for beginners and advanced crocheters alike.
Whether you’re new to crochet, or just need an easy project to work on while you stream your favorite show, you’ll love this easy crochet hat pattern.
This Ribbed Beanie is an easy crochet project that’s super satisfying to make. I designed this simple unisex beanie pattern with basic stitches and simple techniques, so it’s very beginner-friendly. In my opinion, it’s the perfect crochet hat pattern for new crocheters.
You’ll love this!
How to Crochet for Beginners
If you’re brand new to crochet — or if you want a refresher — then be sure to check out our complete guide on how to crochet for beginners.
The chunky yarn and great texture make for a hat that’s warm and cozy — perfect during the cold winter months! You can make it with less than one skein of bulky yarn, so it’s very affordable, too.
This basic beanie is constructed with an easy stitch pattern that works up quickly. I’ll show you how to make it a large range of sizes, from Newborn to Adult Large.
And don’t forget, beanies make great gifts for the whole family! I love making this style of crochet hat for everyone on my holiday gift-giving list.
Related post: After this, why not crochet a simple scarf to go with your new beanie? Here is my favorite easy crochet scarf pattern – perfect for beginners and experienced crocheters alike.
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Design Notes
You’ll love how quick and easy this crochet hat is to make. No complicated stitch pattern here! Just simple chains, single crochet, and half double crochet.
I designed this modern crochet beanie with soft bulky-weight yarn, so you know it will be warm and cozy. And, it’s made with a stretchy ribbing stitch pattern for a nice snug fit.
This modern crochet hat works up as a flat rectangular shape. To finish the hat, you’ll stitch together the long sides and gather the opening to form a closed tube.
So, if you can crochet back and forth in rows, you can make this simple crochet beanie pattern!
Crochet Ribbing Stitch
The body of the hat is made with a half-double crochet ribbing stitch. Making the hdc through the back loop only makes a stretchy crochet ribbing that’s perfect for hats.
I added a few single crochet stitches near the crown of the hat to give it a natural tapered look. This will come in handy when it’s time to gather the opening and finish the hat.
Pattern Variations
Sizes: The pattern is easy to adjust to fit different head sizes, including Adult, Teen, Child, and Toddler sizes. I’ll show you a hat size chart and a simple formula to follow for a perfect fit each and every time
Brim: I designed the hat to be 12″ tall, which is long enough to fold over a nice thick brim. If you don’t want a fold-over brim on your hat, I will show you how to adapt the pattern.
Style: I wouldn’t say this beanie is a very slouchy hat – it’s more of a classic beanie shape.
Best Yarn for Chunky Beanies
I designed this pattern with one of my favorite yarns: Lion Brand Color Made Easy. It’s a nice chunky yarn that works up fast, so it’s a great choice for quick projects.
This particular yarn has a multi-plied construction for some really nice texture and stitch definition. It’s made from 100% acrylic, so it’s soft, affordable, and really easy to care for. Plus, this yarn comes in more than 20 gorgeous colors.
Note: This yarn has been discontinued. 🙁 Please feel free to substitute any other bulky-weight yarn you love. Keep in mind that you will need to make a gauge swatch and possibly go up or down a hook size depending on your yarn choice.
Here are some other yarns you can use to make this project.
- Lion Brand Hue + Me
- Wool of the Andes Superwash Bulky
- Patons Classic Wool in Bulky
- Lion Brand Woolspun
Crochet Hat Size Chart
Wondering what size hat to make? To correctly size a crochet hat, you’ll want to make a hat that’s just a bit smaller than your head size. This way, when the hat stretches, it will fit your head perfectly.
To find your perfect size, use a tape measure to measure the widest part of your head. This will give you your head circumference measurement.
Then, subtract about 3″ from this to get the finished hat size measurement. Since this stitch pattern is so stretchy, I find that 3″ of negative ease gives me a nice snug fit.
An example
For example, my head measurement is 23″, which puts me between the Adult Medium and Adult Large sizes. After I subtract 3″ of negative ease, I know I want to make the circumference of the hat 20″.
To make my beanie, I crocheted as many rows as it took to reach a finished hat size of 20″, which turned out to be 36 rows plus 1 seaming row.
What is Ease in Crochet Patterns?
In crochet patterns, “Ease” refers to the difference in size between your project and your body. “Negative ease” means that your project will come out smaller than your body, but don’t worry – it will stretch!)
In general, crochet hats are designed with 2-3″ (5-7 cm) of negative ease, depending on stitch pattern and stretchiness.
Size Chart for Ribbed Beanies
In the chart below, you can find average measurements for head sizes, according to the Craft Yarn Council. I’ve also included a column for finished hat size, accounting for that same 3″ of negative ease.
| Age | Head Circumference | Hat Circumference | Hat Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 12″-14″ | 9″-13″ | 5″ |
| Baby | 14″-16″ | 11″-13″ | 5.75″ |
| Toddler | 16″-18″ | 13″-15″ | 6.5″ |
| Child | 18″-20″ | 15″-17″ | 7″ |
| Teen | 20″-22″ | 17″-19″ | 7.5″ |
| Adult Small | 21″-22″ | 18″-19″ | 8.5″ |
| Adult Medium | 22″-23″ | 19″-20″ | 9″ |
| Adult Large | 23″-24″ | 20″-21″ | 9.5″ |
To make a well-fitting hat, crochet as many chains as you need to reach the appropriate hat length measurement. Add 2.5″ to this measurement to add a folded brim.
And then, crochet as many rows as you need to reach the appropriate hat circumference measurement.
Get the PDF!
ad-free, printable PDF pattern
Prefer the PDF version?
Grab the ad-free, printable PDF pattern. Download and print at home, or view on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Ribbed Beanie Crochet Pattern
Skill Level: Beginner/Easy
Finished Size: Newborn through Adult – See Chart (above) for more sizes
For the purposes of this pattern, I will be making an Adult Medium, or a hat length of 12″ and a circumference of 20″.
Gauge: 12 sts and 7.5 rows per 4″. Check your gauge, and factor this into your size calculation.
Materials
Yarn Weight: Bulky weight yarn (Category 5). I used about 200 yds for an Adult Medium.
Crochet Hook: K-10.5 (6.5mm) hook, or whichever size hook you need to meet gauge
You’ll also need:
- yarn needle
- stitch markers, if desired
- ruler or tape measure, if desired
Stitches and Abbreviations
- st/sts – stitch/stitches
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- BLO – back loops only
There aren’t any special stitches in this hat pattern. But, you should know that almost all stitches will be made in the Back Loops Only. You will see this abbreviated in the pattern as BLO.
Pattern Notes
- This pattern is written in US terminology.
- The hat is worked flat, back and forth in rows.
- Then, the finished flat piece is seamed to create a tube.
- After that, one end is gathered to create the hat shape.
Pattern Instructions
1
Getting Started
Here’s how to crochet a winter hat for beginners.
First, I took my measurements. I want a brimmed hat with a finished length of 12″ and a circumference of 20″.
Row 1: Chain 36. Starting in the second chain from the hook, make 30 hdc. 5 sc. Turn. (35 sts)
Row 2: Chain 1. Starting in the same (first) stitch, 5 sc blo, 30 hdc blo. Turn. (35 sts)
Row 3: Chain 1. Starting in the same (first) stitch, 30 hdc blo, 4 sc blo, 1 sc. Turn. (35 sts)
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until the crochet piece measures 20″ along the long edge – or your desired finished hat measurement that you calculated earlier.
For my hat, I crocheted 36 rows total.
Note: Take this measurement along the long edge of half-double crochet stitches, not the long edge with the single crochet stitches. A fabric measuring tape is useful here since it’s more flexible than a ruler.
2
Finishing: Seam the sides.
Hooray, you’re almost finished! Now that it’s time to seam the hat together, you have a choice between 2 seaming techniques.
Option 1: The first option is to seam the sides of the hat together with a simple slip-stitch seam. To make a slip-stitch seam, you’ll work a final row of slip-stitches through loops on both edges.
To do this: First, fold the crocheted rectangle in half, right sides out, with the working row in front. Make a final row of slip stitches – but insert your hook through both the back loop of the working row and the loop of the starting chain.
3
Finishing: Option 2
Option 2: Or, if you prefer, you can seam the sides together with a mattress stitch seam.
- Line up the two sides of the beanie, with the right sides facing outwards.
- Thread a yarn needle with the yarn tail that is about three times the length of the seam.
- Insert the needle under the first stitch on one side, then under the first stitch on the other side.
- Continue sewing the seam, moving back and forth. Try to match up the stitches as evenly as possible.
- Every few stitches, pull the yarn to close the seam. Try to keep an even tension, and don’t over-tighten.
- Once you reach the end of the seam, weave in the yarn ends.
4
Gather the top of the hat.
Pull yarn through the last loop and trim a long yarn tail. Use the yarn tail and a darning needle to make long-running stitches along the top edge of the hat.
Pull the yarn tail to gather the top edge of the hat, and pull it closed. You can knot the yarn tail to secure it. Weave in the ends.
How to Attach a Pom Pom to a Crochet Hat
I love to finish beanies with a big yarn pom pom! They are easy to make and even easier to attach to crochet hats.
Pom-pom maker tools are relatively inexpensive and make really nice round pom-poms. I like this set because it comes with tools to make both small and large pom poms.
But, there are many ways to make pom-poms without a pom-pom maker. You can make them with your hand, a toilet paper roll, or a cardboard cut-out template.
And, if you’d like to use one of those cute faux fur pom-poms, here are some I’ve tried and recommend. They come with a small elastic loop that you can use to attach them to your hats.
Chunky Ribbed Crochet Beanie
How to crochet a classic ribbed beanie with bulky weight yarn. You'll love this quick and easy pattern that will teach you everything you need to know to crochet a modern winter hat.
Materials
- Bulky weight yarn, such as Lion Brand Hue+Me
Tools
- K 6.5 crochet hook
- tapestry needle
- measuring tape
Instructions
- Row 1: Chain 36. Starting in the second chain from the hook, make 30 hdc. 5 sc. Turn. (35 sts)
- Row 2: Chain 1. Starting in the same (first) stitch, 5 sc blo, 30 hdc blo. Turn. (35 sts)
- Row 3: Chain 1. Starting in the same (first) stitch, 30 hdc blo, 4 sc blo, 1 sc. Turn. (35 sts)
- Repeat rows 2 and 3 until the crochet piece measures 19.5″ along the long edge – or about 1/2″ shorter than your desired finished hat measurement you calculated earlier.
- To seam: Fold the crocheted rectangle in half, right sides out. Work the last row of stitches, following the pattern, through loops on both edges.
- Gather the top of the hat: Fasten off and trim, leaving a long tail. Using the yarn tail and needle, sew long running stitches along the top edge of the hat. Pull yarn to gather and close the top edge. Make a knot to secure it, and weave in the remaining ends.
More Crochet Hats and Beanies
For even more crochet hat patterns, check out this collection of my favorite 25 Free Crochet Hat and Beanie Patterns. All of the patterns on that list are beautifully designed and suitable for both beginners and experienced crocheters.
Explore More Crochet Patterns
If you love to crochet as much as I do, I think you’ll love these other free crochet patterns.
- How to Crochet a Bandana
- How to Crochet a Scarf
- How to Crochet a Blanket
- How to Crochet Baby Booties
- Herringbone Crochet Cowl Pattern
- Reusable Cotton Crochet Face Scrubbies
- Twist-Front Crochet Ear Warmer Headband
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