Crocheted Ribbed Beanie - Free Pattern

For the first day of our Winter Whites series, I made my sewn  ribbed beanie into a crochet pattern!

It's a beginner level pattern with some intermediate stitches that are really not too difficult to pick up.

I'll give you a little picture tutorial at the end to help you out. You can also search Youtube for a video on "front post double crochet and back post double crochet" for more clarification. There are a lot of videos to choose from.

Ribbed Beanie Pattern
Skill Level: Beginner +
Size:  9-12 months. Go down one hook size for 6-9 month sized hat and up one hook size for 12-18 month sized hat. *The sizing is approximate.
Hook size: H
Yarn: about 150 ounces of medium worsted weight
Gauge: 6.5 stitches to 2 inches

Abbreviations used in this pattern:
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
fpdc = front post double crochet
bpdc = back post double crochet

Make a magic ring: chain 4 and sl st into the first chain.

Round 1: ch 1, hdc 10 times into the ring, sl st into top of ch 1, pull tail to tighten ring (10 stitches)
R2: ch 1, 2 hdc in each stitch around, sl st in top of ch 1 (20) - crochet tail into your stitches so that you won't have to weave it in later
R3: ch 1, *2 hdc in one stitch, 1 hdc in one stitch* repeat from *to * all the way around, sl st in ch 1  (30)
R4: ch 1, *2 hdc in one stitch, 1 hdc in next two stitches* repeat from *to * all the way around, sl st in ch 1 (40)
R5:  ch 1, *2 hdc in one stitch, 1 hdc in next three stitches* repeat from *to * all the way around, sl st in ch 1 (50)
R6: ch 1, 1 hdc in each stitch around, sl st in ch 1 (50)
R7-R14: ch 1, 1 hdc in each stitch around, sl st in ch 1 (50)
R15: ch 2, *bpdc, fpdc* repeat from *to* all the way around, sl st in top of ch 2. (50)
R16 - R18: ch 2, *bpdc, fpdc* repeat from *to* all the way around, sl st in top of ch 2. (50)

R19: ch 1, sc around in each stitch, sl st into ch 1 (50) 

Fasten off and weave in ends. I like to use a tapestry needle so I can weave it in between the fibers of the yarn, making it even more secure and discreet.

I didn't jump right up to this spot. I started at the bottom and weaved my way up and over and all around until I ran out of a yarn tail.

Here are some pictures of the fpdc and bpdc that create the ribbed bottom or band in the hat:

See where I point to a "post" in the stitch, in the pictures? You need to weave your hook behind the post for a fpdc (so the bump or post pops out to the front) or in front of the post for a bpdc. Once your hook is weaved through, double crochet normally. 

The idea is simple, but it's an intermediate stitch because pulling it through without dropping the yarn from your hook and maintaining consistent tension while doing it, takes practice. The more you do it, the easier it gets, and once you get going it's not hard at all! :)

You can leave it as is, or put a nice big pom pom on the top. There are many methods for making a pom pom. You can use a store bought pom pom maker, two cardboard circles (harder to wind but produces less yarn waste), your hand, a fork, or a cardboard rectangle. I used the last method.

*Remember that the wider your cardboard is the bigger your pom pom will be. The more you wrap your yarn around, the denser it will be.

 And here is how I attached it to the hat:

I don't know about you, but I think the giant pom pom "makes" this hat.

Be sure to stop Kojodesigns for some snowy road fudge. Yum!