The Raven Ribbed Beanie is High Desert Yarn’s take on the classic ribbed crochet beanie. It is a beginner friendly crochet pattern — you only need to know two stitches. Want to crochet this beanie? Keep reading to learn about inspiration + get the free pattern.

Inspiration

The Raven Ribbed Crochet Beanie is directly inspired by the raven — a beautifully, jet black bird with intelligence to rival some humans. When I first moved out West, to Grand Canyon, I assumed the black birds were larger crows. Nope. These black birds were the size of small dogs, and acted differently than the standard crow pecking at the fallen pecans in my childhood front yard. Ravens are curious, and will hold a conversation with you… if you grab their attention.

Ribbed crochet beanies are staples in any crocheter’s arsenal. They’re quick to make, and classic in style. You will never go wrong with a ribbed winter hat no matter what decade you’re in. Just like the ever-enduring raven, the ribbed crochet beanie may seem basic, but it’s a timeless fashion accessory waiting to strike up a conversation with you.

raven ribbed crochet beanie pattern high desert yarn

Design of this Ribbed Crochet Beanie

Who doesn’t love a simple, beginner friendly crochet pattern? No matter our experience level, it’s lovely to take a break and work on something easy. Therefore, the Raven Ribbed Crochet Beanie is exactly the right project to work on this autumn.

This beanie is worked flat, and in a rectangle. Then, it’s seamed up along the short sides, and closed at the top. Easy peasy lemon squeezy (as my 6 year old would say). Since it’s worked in rows to build the circumference, it’s easy to try it on to gauge how it fits. If you’re worried about the height of the hat being too tall, I’ve got a plan for that, too.

The brim is where it’s at. There are two options to wear this hat — 1) no folded brim for a slouchy look 2) fold the bottom to create a wide brim, and fitted look. You can even change the starting chain to create a custom height.

Yarn + Substitutes

This crochet beanie features the Kaibab Worsted from my very own hand dyed yarn shop! You can browse current color ways at this link here. The Kaibab Worsted is a 100% Superwash Merino Wool. Each skein is 220yds/100g.

Prefer to use your stash? Substitute with any worsted weight (category 4) yarn. Be sure to check your gauge if you’re changing yarn!

Pssst.. you could even change the weight of the yarn, too! Endless options aren’t THAT bad, right?

Save the Raven Ribbed Crochet Beanie to your favorite board on Pinterest!

PATTERN

Buy an ad-free, printable PDF in either my Etsy or Ravelry Shop.

Materials

Yarn
- High Desert Yarn – Kaibab Worsted, worsted/category 4 (220yds/100g), 100% SW Merino Wool
- Substitutes : Any other worsted/category 4 yarn will work.
Crochet Hook
- H/8 (5.00mm) or correct hook to meet gauge
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Tape Measure
Stitch Markers

Skill Level

Level 1 – Beginner (You will need to know how to chain, double crochet, and slip stitch.)

Notes

Check your gauge! If you want your beanie to be the same size as the pattern, please check gauge prior to starting this pattern.

Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of Row 2 (slip stitch row) to keep track of where the row begins. It will help with knowing where to end Row 3, and not add extra stitches.

Chain 2 at the end of the starting chain DOES NOT count as a stitch.

Notes for Row 2 (slip stitches).

Keep your slip stitches a little looser than usual because you will be crocheting into them on Row 3. You may want to go up a hook size for the Slip Stitch rows.
Insert your hook under BOTH top loops of the Double Crochet Stitch to make the Slip Stitches pop away from the Double Crochets.

Right Side/Wrong Side. The Right Side (RS) of the beanie is the ribbing side, or where the Slip Stitches pop out from the fabric. The Wrong Side (WS) will be flat.

Don’t be nervous if the rectangle is a little slanted like a parallelogram. If your stitch count is correct, then the beanie is working up fine. Once the beanie is seamed, it won’t be slanted.

Gauge

15.5 STS x 14 Rows = 4″ x 4″ square in pattern below.

Gauge is measured after washing, and laying flat to dry.

Gauge Pattern

CH 18

Row 1 : DC in 3rd CH from hook. DC in each CH across. CH 1. Turn. (16 STS)

Row 2 : SL ST in each ST across. CH 2. Turn. (16 STS) Place a SM in the first ST to help you find the last ST of the next row.

Row 3 : DC in each ST across. CH 1. Turn (16 STS)

Repeat Rows 2-3 6 times.

The gauge swatch will have 15 rows total.

Finished Sizes + Fit

The Raven Ribbed Beanie is designed for a snug fit around the head, and to completely cover the ears, even with folding over the bottom to create a wide brim. There will be zero to a little room in the top of the hat with the brim folded. This beanie has 5″ of negative ease in head circumference due to the stretch in the stitch combination. It also has 4″ of positive ease in height to give the beanie the versatility to be slouchy or fitted by changing the width of the folded over brim.

Finished Size

Adult S (head circumference 21″)
- Finished circumference – 16″
- Finished hat height (without folding over brim) – 12″
- Approximate Yardage/Meters – 205yds/188m

The free version of the Raven Ribbed Crochet Beanie Pattern includes only the Adult Small. The premium PDF pattern includes sizes for Baby, Toddler, Child, Adult S, Adult M, and Adult L. You can purchase the premium PDF in my Etsy or Ravelry Shop.

Stitch Abbreviations

American (US) terms used throughout.

CH(S) – chain(s)
DC – double crochet
SL ST – slip stitch
SM – stitch marker
ST(S) – stitch(es)

Pattern Instructions

Adult Small (21″ head circumference)

CH 49.

Row 1 : DC in 3rd CH from hook. DC in each CH across. CH 1. Turn. (47 STS)

Row 2 : SL ST in each ST across. CH 2. Turn. (47 STS) Place a SM in the first ST to help you find the last ST of the next row.

Row 3 : DC in each ST across. CH 1. Turn (47 STS)

Repeat Rows 2-3 until hat completes Row 57 or reaches 16″ in length.

Seaming the Side + Closing the Top

Join the first and last row together with Right Side facing out. Seam the short sides together with either a) SL ST in each ST or b) the mattress stitch (sewing the hat together). The beanie will look like a long tube. Leave a long tail (about 2 times the circumference) to sew the top of the hat. Thread a tapestry needle, and weave through each stitch around the top of the hat. Pull tightly, and secure with a knot. Weave the yarn end back and forth through the closure to close the hole. Fasten off, and weave in all ends.

If you need help finishing the beanie, here is a video tutorial that walks through seaming the short sides and closing the top.