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Patterns & Tutorials

Free pattern: chunky ribbed beanie

This stretchy, knit-look beanie is worked flat in back-loop single crochet, then seamed and gathered. In super-bulky yarn it takes one evening — and it fits beautifully because the ribbing stretches.

Published · 15 min read
Skill
Intermediate
Time
2–3 hours
Sizes
Child, Teen, Adult
Yarn
Super bulky, ~120 m
Hook
8 mm
Terms
US (UK notes)
Jump to pattern
In this post
  1. What you'll need
  2. Abbreviations
  3. Step by step
  4. The pattern
  5. Common mistakes
  6. FAQ

Working only in the back loops creates deep, stretchy ribs that look like knitting. The hat is crocheted as a flat rectangle, seamed into a tube and gathered at the top — no increases or decreases to count.

What you'll need

Materials & tools
YarnSuper bulky (weight 6) wool blend, about 120 m
Hook8 mm
Pom-pomFaux-fur pom-pom with snap (optional)
Tapestry needleLarge-eye, for seaming
Gauge9 sts × 10 rows = 10 cm in BLO sc

Abbreviations

This pattern uses US crochet terms. UK equivalents are in brackets.

AbbreviationMeaning
chchain
scsingle crochet (UK: double crochet)
BLOback loop only
sl stslip stitch
st(s)stitch(es)

Step by step

  1. Step 1: Check your gauge

    Make a small swatch of 12 sts × 12 rows in BLO sc. Measure the middle 10 cm: you want 9 stitches. Adjust your hook size if needed.

    Step 1 photoPhoto placeholder — add your own

  2. Step 2: Chain the height

    Chain the number for your size (see the pattern below). This chain becomes the height of the hat, from brim to crown.

    Step 2 photoPhoto placeholder — add your own

  3. Step 3: Work the ribbing

    Sc in the second ch from the hook and in every chain. From Row 2, work every sc in the back loop only. Keep going until the piece fits around your head when slightly stretched.

    TipCount your stitches every few rows — it is easy to lose one at the row ends.
    Step 3 photoPhoto placeholder — add your own

  4. Step 4: Seam into a tube

    Fold the rectangle in half with the short edges together and slip-stitch them closed through both layers.

    Step 4 photoPhoto placeholder — add your own

  5. Step 5: Gather the crown

    Thread the tail through the end of every row along one edge, pull tight to close the top, and secure with a few stitches.

    Step 5 photoPhoto placeholder — add your own

  6. Step 6: Finish

    Fold up the brim, weave in the ends and add a pom-pom if you like.

    Step 6 photoPhoto placeholder — add your own

The pattern

Sizes: Child (Teen, Adult)

  1. Foundationch 21 (24, 27)
  2. Row 1sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn (20, 23, 26)
  3. Row 2ch 1, sc BLO in each st across, turn
  4. Rows 3–44 (48, 54)repeat Row 2
  5. Seamfold, sl st short edges together
  6. Crowngather top edge and secure

The hat should measure about 5 cm less than the head circumference before stretching. © 2026 Little Loop Finds — free for personal use; please link rather than copy.

Common mistakes

Watch out forWorking into both loops (no ribs), skipping the turning chain, and making the hat too long — the ribbing relaxes with wear, so err on the snug side.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I use thinner yarn?

Yes — hold two strands of bulky yarn together, or recalculate the stitch count using your own gauge swatch.

How do I make it slouchy?

Add 4–6 extra foundation chains for more height and gather the crown as usual.

Can I sell hats made from this pattern?

Yes, you can sell the finished hats. Please do not share or sell the pattern itself — link to this page instead.

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