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1-Hour Easy Crochet Hat for Beginners (Free Pattern + Size Chart)

A free 1-hour crochet hat for beginners: one ribbed rectangle in bulky yarn, seamed and cinched at the top. Includes a size chart from baby to adult large.

By Yarvella Crochet · Updated October 22, 2026 · 4 min read
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Finished ribbed crochet beanie in soft natural light

The easiest crochet hat for a beginner is a ribbed rectangle in bulky yarn, sewn into a tube and gathered at the top. There are no rounds, no increases and no counting in a circle. With bulky yarn and an 8 mm hook, most people who already know half double crochet finish one in about an hour.

Easy crochet hat at a glance

  • Skill level: beginner
  • Time: about 1 hour for an adult size once you know hdc
  • Stitches: chain (ch), half double crochet (hdc), hdc in back loop only (hdc-blo). US terms.
  • Yarn: bulky (#5) or super bulky (#6), about 90–140 g (100–150 yd) for an adult hat
  • Hook: 8 mm (L-11), or the size on your yarn label
  • Also need: tape measure, blunt yarn needle, scissors, optional pom-pom

Crochet hat size chart

Measure around the head just above the ears. Make the hat 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) smaller than the head so it hugs without slipping.

Size Head circumference Finished hat circumference Hat height
Baby 0–6 months 14–17 in / 36–43 cm 13–15 in 5.5–6.5 in
Toddler 18 in / 46 cm 16–17 in 7 in
Child 19–20 in / 48–51 cm 17–18 in 7.5–8 in
Adult small / teen 20–21 in / 51–53 cm 18–19 in 8–8.5 in
Adult medium 21.5–22.5 in / 55–57 cm 19.5–20.5 in 8.5–9 in
Adult large 23–24 in / 58–61 cm 21–22 in 9–9.5 in

Add 2–3 in to the height if you want a folded brim or a slouchy fit.

How this hat is built

You crochet sideways. The foundation chain sets the hat’s height, from the brim to the crown. Every row adds width, and the rows go around the head. Working in the back loop makes ribs that stretch around the head and spring back.

Step 1: Chain the height

Chain until the chain, laid flat, matches the hat height for your size. Then ch 2 more. As a guide, bulky yarn on an 8 mm hook often gives about 2 chains per inch, so an adult medium is around 18 ch + 2.

Step 2: Work the ribbed rectangle

  1. Row 1: hdc in the 3rd ch from the hook and in each ch across. The skipped 2 ch do not count as a stitch. Count your stitches.
  2. Row 2: ch 1 and turn (the ch 1 does not count). Hdc-blo in each st across. Your count should match row 1.
  3. Repeat row 2 until the rectangle, measured flat across the rows, matches the finished hat circumference for your size.
Flat ribbed crochet rectangle beside a tape measure

Mark the first and last stitch of each row. A rectangle that slants means a stitch was missed at the edge.

Step 3: Seam the side

  1. Fold the rectangle so the first and last rows meet.
  2. With a yarn needle, whipstitch the two edges together through the back loops along the full height.
  3. Turn the tube right side out.

Step 4: Cinch the top

  1. Cut about 20 in of yarn and thread it on the needle.
  2. Weave it in and out around the top edge, about every 2 rows.
  3. Pull it tight so the top closes, then make a few stitches across the centre to lock it. Knot and weave in the end inside the hat.
  4. Add a pom-pom if you like.
Gathering the crown of a ribbed crochet hat with a yarn needle

Troubleshooting

  • Too tight: add rows until it matches the chart, or use a hook one size larger.
  • Too loose: remove rows. Ribbing stretches, so aim for 1–2 in less than the head.
  • Gap at the crown: weave the gathering yarn closer to the edge and pull firmer, then stitch across the hole.
  • New to hdc? Practise with our half double crochet guide or start with the beginner lesson.

Frequently asked questions

Can a beginner crochet a hat in an hour?

Yes, if you already know half double crochet and use bulky yarn with an 8 mm hook. Your first hat may take two hours; the second is usually faster.

What yarn is best for a beginner crochet hat?

A smooth bulky (#5) or super bulky (#6) yarn in a light colour. It works up fast and you can see your stitches clearly.

How do I know what size to make?

Measure around the head above the ears and make the hat 1–2 in smaller. Use the size chart above for height.

How much yarn do I need for a crochet hat?

About 90–140 g (100–150 yd) of bulky yarn for an adult hat, and roughly half that for a baby hat.

Want a matching set? Our simple crochet scarf pattern uses the same stitch.

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