Now that we’ve learned how to crochet in the back loops, let’s put our skills to the test! Today, we’ll be crocheting a beginner ribbed hat with a fold-up brim. This beanie is tapered to minimize bunching at the top and can be worn with or without a pom. I crocheted mine with a fold-up brim, but the instructions also feature ideas for tweaks to make the hat slouchier or brim-less.
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Today is Day 17, which means we have less than two weeks left in the Newbie Series. This ribbed beanie is our largest project to date, but don’t worry — you can do it! I’ve worked in some buffer days just in case you need more time to finish up your crochet hats.
If you follow along with the “how to crochet in 30 days” series, you’ll have a full set of winter accessories including a twisted ear warmer, this ribbed hat, a color-blocked scarf, and fingerless gloves.
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The Tools
Today, we’re using our worsted weight acrylic yarn and a J 6.0 mm hook. I wanted the hat fabric to be a little bit stretchy, so it can fit snug on your head in the winter. A larger hook also means larger stitches, which means less time until you can wear your beanie!
I love Brava worsted from WeCrochet because it’s soft, durable, and washes well. Being washable is especially important for winter wearables, since they’ll be getting all sorts of snow and sleet on them. Unlike most wool yarns, acrylics like Brava can be washed AND dried.
Brava is inexpensive (just $2.49 for 100 grams / 218 yards!) and one ball is more than enough to crochet an adult-sized beanie, with enough leftover for a yarn pom. There are tons of colors of Brava — I used Cobblestone Heather, Dove Heather, and Tidepool for my samples.
Share your Beginner Ribbed Hats!
I love seeing what you’ve crocheted! Whether you’re participating in the 30-day Newbie Series or not, use #YSCNewbie to show off your WIPs and finished hats!
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Supplies / Materials
- 65 – 180 yards of Brava worsted (I used Cobblestone Heather, Dove Heather, and Tidepool)
- or ~ 65 – 200 yards of your favorite #4 worsted weight yarn
- J 6.0 mm crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Retractable tape measure (or any sewing tape measure)
- Optional: Pom pom
NOTE: My friends at WeCrochet provided the supplies for the Newbie Series.
Size / Gauge
4 x 4 inches = 15 stitches x 8 rows
Measure the circumference of your head (abbreviated “head circ.”) using your tape measure, then use the chart below to determine your size. Keep in mind that the hat sizes are designed to be ~1.5 inches smaller than your head circumference, to accommodate the stretch in the fabric.
All measurements are rounded up to the nearest 1/4 inch.
| Size | Head Circ. | Width (Flat) | Height (Flat) | Starting Ch | # of Rows |
| Adult – L | 23.5″ | 21″ | 11″ | 42 | 42 |
| Adult – M | 22.5″ | 20″ | 10.5″ | 40 | 40 |
| Adult – S / Teen | 21.5″ | 19″ | 10″ | 38 | 38 |
| Tween | 20.5″ | 18″ | 9.5″ | 36 | 36 |
| Child – L | 19.5″ | 17″ | 9″ | 34 | 34 |
| Child – S | 18.5″ | 16″ | 8.5″ | 32 | 32 |
| Toddler – L | 17.5″ | 15″ | 7.75″ | 30 | 30 |
| Toddler – S | 16.5″ | 14″ | 7.25″ | 28 | 28 |
| Baby | 14.5″ | 12″ | 6.5″ | 24 | 24 |
| Preemie | 10.5″ | 8″ | 4″ | 16 | 16 |
The starting chains above will result in a hat that is either slouchy, or has a 2 inch brim. If you want a fitted hat with no brim, remove ~8 chains. If you want a slouchier hat with a brim, add ~ 8 chains.
Abbreviations / Techniques
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- hdc – half-double crochet
- crocheting in the back loops
- weaving in ends
NOTE: This pattern uses US crochet terminology.
Ribbed Hat Video Tutorial
Pattern Notes
- This pattern is written with all the sizes in one. Reference the table above to determine your size and the length of your starting chain.
- Starting chain and row counts are written as Preemie (Baby, Toddler – S, Toddler – L, Child – S, Child – L, Tween, Adult – S, Adult – M, Adult – L)
- Stitch counts are written as (Preemie, Baby, Toddler – S, Toddler – L, Child – S, Child – L, Tween, Adult – S, Adult – M, Adult – L)
- Beginning at Row 2, all stitches are crocheted in the back loops (blo) except the last hdc in each row, which is worked into both loops
- If you don’t want to add the taper, replace the sl st with hdc on the even numbered rows
Ribbed Hat Written Pattern
ch 16 (24, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42)
ROW 1: hdc in second ch from hook, hdc across (15, 23, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41)
The remainder of the pattern will be worked in the back loops (blo), except for the last hdc in each row, which will be worked into both loops
ROW 2: ch 1 and turn, sl st in first 5 st, hdc across (15, 23, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41)
ROW 3: ch 1 and turn, hdc across (15, 23, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41)
ROWS 4 – 16 (24, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42): Repeat Rows 2-3
Seaming and Finishing Off
After finishing the rows, you should have a large trapezoid (see photo above). Fold the trapezoid in half so the first and last rows meet.
- a. / b.) Slip stitch the first and last rows together. You should have the same number of sl st as there were stitches in each row (15, 23, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41).
- Trim yarn, leaving a tail of ~ 12 inches
- c. / d.) Join tapestry needle and weave through the stitches at the ends of each row, pulling tight as you go. Once you’ve fully closed the gap at the top of the hat, weave in your ends.
- Flip hat inside-out and fold-up the brim if you’ve chosen to add one.
