Winter Rays Ribbed Crochet Hat – Free Pattern

This easy ribbed crochet hat is sure to become a staple in your winter wardrobe. It’s a perfect pattern for a confident beginner – not too difficult but with a couple of techniques to offer a challenge.

The pattern is written for 4 sizes: Baby, Toddler/Child, Adult Small, Adult Medium.

What you’ll need for this Ribbed Crochet Hat

Yarn

This hat pattern calls for between 125-200 yds/110-170m of #4/medium/worsted weight yarn, depending on the size you are making. I chose a gorgeous caramel color paired with classic white, but it would equally as good worked in just one color.

I used Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran which is available in over 50 shades so you are sure to find something that you like.

Hook

I used a 5mm/H-8 crochet hook for my hat. The ribbing is crocheted entirely with slip stitches, you might find it a little more comfortable to go up a hook size, just for this part. You can read a little more about finding the right hook size for your ribbing in the Notes below.

Crochet Hat Construction

This hat is crocheted from the bottom up.

First, you will crochet the ribbing in a long strip, then join the edges and work the rest of the hat in the round.

You start decreasing the circumference of the hat about half way up so when you reach the top of the crown the gap that needs to be closed up is quite small.

Notes

Please read through the entire pattern before beginning as this will give you a much clearer picture of how the hat is constructed

Construction

• This hat is crocheted from the bottom up
• The ribbing is first worked in a long strip, then joined at the edges
• Continue to work in rounds to crochet the body of the hat

Ribbing

• The sl st ribbing is very stretchy, so if your ribbing looks a little short don’t worry, it will stretch out a lot!
• Try to maintain a really loose tension when crocheting the ribbing – it should be very easy to work into each sl st. If you are finding it very difficult after a couple of rows then you are probably crocheting too tightly and might even need to go up a hook size (just for the ribbing)

Additional Notes

• Ch 1 at the start of each row/round does not count as a stitch
• Ch 3 at the start of the dc round does count as a stitch
• The stitch count for each row/round is given in [ ] at the end of the row/round
• Instructions are given for the smallest size, with all larger sizes given in ()

Finished Measurements

Toddler (to fit head cirumference: 18″-19″)

Hat Circumference: 17″, Hat Height: 7″

Child (to fit head cirumference: 19″-20″)

Hat Circumference: 19″, Hat Height: 7.5″

Adult Small (to fit head cirumference: 21″-22″)

Hat Circumference: 21″, Hat Height: 8.5″

Adult Medium (to fit head cirumference: 23″-24″)

Hat Circumference: 23″, Hat Height: 8.5″

Gauge

Ribbing: 5 stitches x 5 rows sl st ribbing = 1” x 1”

Body: 16 stitches x 13 rows = 4” x 4” in hdc

The body gauge is the one that you need to try to match as the ribbing will stretch

Materials

Hook: 5mm/H-8 crochet hook (or hook required to meet gauge)

Yarn: Any Aran/Worsted/#4 weight yarn

The amounts given here are for Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran (184m/201yds per 100g skein; Weight 4/Aran; 100% Acrylic)

Toddler: 125 yds/107m (58g)

Child: 147 yds/134m (73g)

Adult Small: 171 yds/156m (85g)

Adult Medium: 183 yds/167m (91g)

Misc: Yarn Needle and Stitch Marker

Special Stitches

Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc)

Instead of working into the top of the row below, insert hook from right to left around the post of the stitch below. Complete the stitch as normal.

If you would like more details, you can find a tutorial with pictures here: https://www.acrochetedsimplicity.com/how-to-crochet-front-post-double-crochet-stitch/

Half Double Crochet Third Loop

When working a half double crochet (hdc), an extra or “third” loop is created behind the usual front and back loops. When the pattern refers to the “third loop” you should work your stitch in this extra loop.

For more details on the third loop, you can find a tutorial with pictures here: https://www.mooglyblog.com/third-loop-half-double-crochet/

Half Double Crochet & Single Crochet together (hdc+sc2tog)

This stitch combination is used on the decrease rounds.

Step 1 (the ‘hdc’ part): Yarn over, insert hook into indicated stitch, pull up a loop (three loops on hook)

Step 2 (the ‘sc’ part): Insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop (four loops on hook)

Step 3: Yarn over and pull through all 4 loops

Decrease made.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• st = stitch
• sp = space
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• FPdc = front post double crochet
• blo = back loop only
• dec = decrease
• C1 = Color 1
• C2 = Color 2

Written Pattern

ALL SIZES (TODDLER, CHILD, ADULT-Small, ADULT-Med)

RIBBING

Foundation Chain: Using C1, ch 9  

ROW 1: Sl st (blo) in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn [8]

ROW 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), sl st (blo) in each st across [8]

ROWS 3 – 66 (77, 84, 91): Repeat ROW 2 [8]

Fold ribbing in half and seam edges (you can either use a yarn needle or a row of sl sts to do this).

Turn the ribbing the right way around so that your seam is on the inside of the hat.

BODY

You will continue working the rest of the hat in the round, starting at the ribbing row just to the left of your seam.

ROUND 1: Ch 3 (counts as one dc), dc in edge of ribbing (working one dc for every ribbing row), sl st to top of ch-3 [66 (77, 84, 91)

TODDLER SIZE ONLY

ROUND 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st, here and throughout), hdc (blo) in top of ch-3, hdc (blo) in each of next 3 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts, *hdc (blo) in each of next 4 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [66]

ROUND 3: Ch 1, *hdc (third loop) in each of next 4 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [66]

ROUNDS 4-8:      

Repeat ROUND 3 [66]

Change to C2.

ROUNDS 9-10: Using C2, repeat ROUND 3 [66]

DEC ROUND 11: Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (third loop) in next 2 sts, hdc (third loop) in each of next 2 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [55]

ROUND 12: Ch 1, *hdc (third loop) in each of next 3 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [55]

DEC ROUND 13:   

Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (third loop) in next 2 sts, hdc (third loop) in next hdc, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [44]

ROUND 14: Ch 1, *hdc (third loop) in each of next 2 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [44]

DEC ROUND 15: Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (third loop) in next 2 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [33]

ROUND 16: Ch 1, *hdc (third loop) in next st, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [33]

DEC ROUND 17: Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (work through third loop of hdc and both loops of FPdc) in next 2 sts, FPdc in next st; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [22]

DEC ROUND 18: Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (both loops) in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [11]

Cut yarn and fasten off but leave a long tail.

Go to FINISHING.

CHILD SIZE ONLY

ROUND 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st, here and throughout), hdc (blo) in top of ch-3, hdc (blo) in each of next 4 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts, *hdc (blo) in each of next 5 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [77]

ROUND 3: Ch 1, *hdc (third loop) in each of next 5 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [77]

ROUNDS 4-8: Repeat ROUND 3 [77]

Change to C2.

ROUNDS 9-10: Using C2, repeat ROUND 3 [77]

DEC ROUND 11: Using C2, ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (third loop) in next 2 sts, hdc (third loop) in each of next 3 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [66]

ROUND 12: Ch 1, *hdc (third loop) in each of next 4 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [66]

DEC ROUND 13: Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (third loop) in next 2 sts, hdc (third loop) in each of next 2 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [55]

ROUND 14: Ch 1, *hdc (third loop) in each of next 3 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [55]

DEC ROUND 15: Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (third loop) in next 2 sts, hdc (third loop) in next hdc, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [44]

ROUND 16: Ch 1, *hdc (third loop) in each of next 2 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [44]

DEC ROUND 17: Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (third loop) in next 2 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [33]

ROUND 18: Ch 1, *hdc (third loop) in next st, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [33]

DEC ROUND 19: Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (work through third loop of hdc and both loops of FPdc) in next 2 sts, FPdc in next st; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [22]

DEC ROUND 20: Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (both loops) in next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [11]

Cut yarn and fasten off but leave a long tail.

Go to FINISHING.

ADULT (S) and ADULT (M) ONLY

ROUND 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a st, here and throughout), hdc (blo) in top of ch-3, hdc (blo) in each of next 4 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts, *hdc (blo) in each of next 5 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [84 (91)]

ROUND 3: Ch 1, *hdc (third loop) in each of next 5 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [84 (91)]

ROUNDS 4-10: Repeat ROUND 3 [84 (91)]

Change to C2.

ROUNDS 11-13: Using C2, repeat ROUND 3 [84 (91)]

DEC ROUND 14: Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (third loop) in next 2 sts, hdc (third loop) in each of next 3 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [72 (78)]

ROUND 15: Ch 1, *hdc (third loop) in each of next 4 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [72 (78)]

DEC ROUND 16: Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (third loop) in next 2 sts, hdc (third loop) in each of next 2 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [60 (65)]

ROUND 17: Ch 1, *hdc (third loop) in each of next 3 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [60 (65)]

DEC ROUND 18: Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (third loop) in next 2 sts, hdc (third loop) in next hdc, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [48 (52)]

ROUND 19: Ch 1, *hdc (third loop) in each of next 2 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [48 (52)]

DEC ROUND 20: Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (third loop) in next 2 sts, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [36 (39)]

ROUND 21: Ch 1, *hdc (third loop) in next st, FPdc in each of next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [36 (39)]

DEC ROUND 22: Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (work through third loop of hdc and both loops of FPdc) in next 2 sts, FPdc in next st; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [24 (26)]

DEC ROUND 23: Ch 1, *hdc+sc2tog (both loops) in next 2 sts; repeat from * around, sl st to first hdc [12 (13)] 

Cut yarn and fasten off but leave a long tail.

Go to FINISHING.

FINISHING

• Turn the hat inside out.
• At the top of the hat, weave the tail in and out between the stitches of the last row to close up the gap.
• Pull tightly and secure the top with several more whip stitches. Weave in the remainder of the tail.
• Add a pom pom if you wish 🙂

All done!

If you wish, you can purchase an inexpensive, ad-free PDF version of this pattern through Ravelry, Etsy or LoveCrafts.

I hope you have enjoyed this pattern, if you have questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me. And be sure to tag your finished project on Instagram or Facebook using @nedandmimi or #nedandmimi!

Happy crocheting!

Sarah