When the cold winter winds start blowing, a warm, thick beanie is the first thing we grab before heading out. But instead of buying a mass-produced hat, why not make your own? A chunky ribbed beanie is a timeless winter accessory that is warm, stretchy, and incredibly stylish. And best of all, it is the absolute easiest crochet hat pattern you will ever find!
This pattern is designed with beginners in mind. There are no complicated rounds, no decreases, and no complex stitch patterns. The entire hat is worked flat as a simple rectangle using half double crochet stitches in the back loops only (BLO) to create a stretchy, knit-look ribbing. Once you finish the panel, you simply sew the sides together, gather the top closed, and attach a fluffy pom-pom. It works up in under 1.5 hours!
Materials and Tools Needed
- Yarn: 1 skein of Super Bulky weight (size 6) yarn, such as Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (approx. 100-110 yards) in Oatmeal, Cream, or Grey.
- Crochet Hook: Size 8.0mm (L/11) or 9.0mm (M/N) hook.
- Other Supplies: A large faux fur pom-pom (with an elastic loop) or a handmade yarn pom-pom, a tapestry needle, scissors, and a 1-inch flat button (optional, for making the pom-pom removable).
Stitch Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- BLO: back loops only
- st(s): stitch(es)
The Chunky Ribbed Beanie Pattern
This pattern makes a standard adult beanie (fitting a 21-23 inch head circumference) with a folded brim. To adjust the length/slouchiness, change your starting chain count. To adjust the width, add or subtract rows.
Step 1: Crocheting the Ribbed Rectangle
ch 28 (this will make a hat about 11.5 inches long, which is perfect for a folded brim. For a fitted beanie without a fold, ch 22).
- Row 1: hdc in the second ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (27 sts)
- Row 2: ch 1, working in BLO, hdc in each st across, turn. (27 sts)
- Rows 3-26: Repeat Row 2.
- Wrap the panel around your head to check the width. It should stretch slightly to fit snugly. Add more rows if it feels too tight, or remove rows if it is too loose.
- Fasten off, leaving a long 18-inch tail for seaming and gathering.
Step 2: Seaming the Sides
- Fold your ribbed panel in half, matching the short edges (Row 1 and Row 26) so that the ribbing runs vertically.
- Thread the long yarn tail into your tapestry needle.
- Starting at the bottom edge (the brim), sew the two sides together using the mattress stitch or slip-stitch them together on the wrong side. Seam all the way to the top edge. Do not cut the yarn!
Step 3: Gathering the Top Closed
- With the needle still threaded on your yarn tail, weave the needle in and out of the stitches along the very top edge of the tube (working in a running stitch around the circle).
- Once you have woven all the way around, pull the tail string firmly. The top of the tube will gather closed like a drawstring bag.
- Secure the opening by stitching back and forth across the gathered hole a few times to close any remaining gap. Tie a strong knot on the inside of the hat.
Step 4: Adding the Faux Fur Pom-Pom
To make the hat look extra premium, add a fluffy faux fur pom-pom. Here is a pro tip to make it removable for washing:
- Sew a small 1-inch button onto the inside of the hat, directly at the gathered top center.
- Thread a crochet hook from the inside of the hat through the top center to the outside, grab the elastic loop of the faux fur pom-pom, and pull it through to the inside of the hat.
- Loop the elastic over the button inside the hat to secure the pom-pom in place. Now, whenever you need to wash the beanie, you can easily unloop the pom-pom and remove it!