Free Pattern
Step-by-Step
Crochet
HatsCozy ribbed hat worked flat in back loop half double crochet
A ribbed crochet hat worked flat in back loops, then seamed into a tube.
- Level
- Easy
- Time
- 4-6 hours
- Hook
- 5.0 mm
- Yarn
- Worsted
Pattern highlights
- Chain a long foundation, then work hdc rows back and forth to build a ribbed rectangle.
- Every row after the first works into the back loop only, building the vertical rib.
- Keep working rows until the rectangle reaches the length noted for an adult hat.
- Fold the rectangle in half and slip stitch the short edges together into a tube.
- Thread the leftover tail and gather the top opening closed to shape the crown.
- Turn up the bottom edge to form a brim, and weave in any remaining ends.
About This Pattern
This one lives in the everyday-basics corner of my hat shelf. It sits next to the slouchy ones and the brimmed ones. It's the hat I reach for when I want texture but not fuss. No charts, no color changes, just a long rectangle built row by row. I like that a stitch this plain can carry so much structure once it's folded and seamed. It's the kind of pattern that teaches a technique without demanding much else from you.
The whole thing turns on one special stitch: half double crochet worked in the back loop only. That single tweak builds a ridge instead of a flat fabric, row after row. The rectangle grows row by row until it hits the length set out in the pattern. Then it gets folded and slip stitched along the short edge into a tube. The top is gathered shut to form the crown. Simple moves, repeated with intention.
What comes off the hook is a snug, ribbed hat sized for an adult medium head. It measures about 20 inches around and 9 inches tall once it's seamed and folded. The back-loop rib gives it stretch, so it hugs without feeling tight. The folded brim adds a little structure at the edge. That kind of detail keeps its shape through a season of wear. It's a plain hat, but a well-built one.
Worth knowing
There's something satisfying about a stitch this simple doing all the work. The hdc BLO rib is the whole trick, and it never gets old watching those ridges stack up. No shaping, no counting increases, just the same row repeated until the rectangle is long enough. Folding it into a tube and cinching the crown feels like a small magic trick. It turns flat fabric into a wearable shape. The brim fold at the end adds just enough polish without extra stitches. It's an easy make, but it doesn't feel like a throwaway one. The texture alone makes it worth the hook time.
Common mistakes
- Catching both loops It's easy to slip into a normal hdc. Check the back loop before each stitch to keep the rib crisp.
- Losing track of rows Rows stack up fast when every row looks the same from the front. Clip a stitch marker every so many rows to count by sight.
- Skipping the turning chain Forgetting the chain 1 before a row tightens the first stitch and skews the edge. Make it a habit before you turn.
- Rushing the seam A loose or crooked slip stitch seam leaves a gap at the tube join. Match row for row and keep tension even.
- Pulling the crown too tight Over-tightening the gathered tail can pucker the top oddly. Pull gradually and check the shape before fastening off.
Easy
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The kit
Worsted weight yarn
- approximately 180 yards (165 meters)
- 5.0 mm US H-8 crochet hook
- Yarn needle for sewing and weaving ends
- Scissors
- Stitch marker or removable clip
Main Pattern
Special Stitch - Half Double Crochet Back Loop Only (hdc BLO): Work a regular half double crochet by inserting the hook only into the back loop of the stitch from the previous row. This creates the raised rib texture.
The hat is worked flat from the bottom edge upward. The rectangle is folded so the short edges meet, then seamed. The top opening is gathered closed to create the crown.
Start: Chain 37.
Row 1Hdc in the second chain from hook and in each chain across. Turn. (36 sts)
Row 2Ch 1, hdc BLO in each stitch across. Turn. (36 sts)
Rows 3–72Repeat Row 2 until the rectangle measures approximately 20 inches (51 cm) long. Each row should contain 36 stitches.(36)
Assembly
Step 1Joining: Fold the rectangle so the first and last rows meet. Slip stitch through both layers across the short edge, creating a tube shape. Fasten off and leave a long yarn tail.
Step 2Crown Closing: Thread the yarn tail through a yarn needle. Weave the needle through the edge stitches around the top opening. Pull gently to close the opening. Secure with several stitches and weave in the remaining end.
Step 3Brim: Fold approximately 2 inches (5 cm) of the bottom edge upward to create a comfortable cuff.
Step 4Finishing: Weave in all yarn ends carefully. Lightly steam block or wet block the hat to relax the stitches and improve the shape. Allow the project to dry completely before wearing.
Finishing
- Weave in the starting tail once the rectangle is seamed into a tube.
- Gather the crown tail through the top edge stitches and pull closed, then tack it down.
- Fold the brim up and give the whole hat a light steam to set the ribbing flat.
- Blocking helps even out stitches and gives the hat a polished appearance. Wash the finished piece according to the yarn label instructions, and reshape it while damp if needed.
Why it works
The hat starts as a flat rectangle, worked back and forth instead of in continuous rounds.
Working every row in the back loop only leaves the front loops free, forming the horizontal rib ridges.
The slip stitch seam along the short edge turns the flat rectangle into a tube shape.
What it becomes
- An everyday hat for commutes or dog walks, worn with a plain wool scarf.
- A quick layer for yard work or errands in cool weather.
- A simple, giftable hat for someone who wants texture without a fussy brim.
Original pattern: https://duniarecipe.com/35-useful-crochet-projects-easy-free-patterns-for-beginners/
FAQ
Can I adjust the hat size?
Yes. The notes say to adjust the chain length to change the finished circumference. Just check your gauge first so the ribbing stays consistent.
Why does the hat start as a flat rectangle instead of rounds?
Working flat makes the back-loop-only rib easier to see and keep even. It also means no counting increases around a circle.
What does working in the back loop only actually do?
It leaves the front loop free, which is what creates the raised horizontal ribbing. That's the texture that gives the hat its stretch.
How do I know when the rectangle is long enough?
Measure as you go against the length given in the pattern. The gauge notes also tell you how many rows should fit in four inches.