Short-Row Textured Ribbing Crochet Hat Pattern Free: Cloche Bucket Beanie with Corded Bow

If you have ever wished a side-to-side ribbed crochet hat could curve smoothly over the top of your head without a bulky bunched gather at the crown, short-row wedge shaping is the secret technique you will use forever. This free short-row textured ribbing crochet hat pattern combines lush horizontal-bar half double crochet columns across the body and softly flared brim with graduated back-loop single crochet short rows at the crown—finished with an adjustable off-white slip-stitch cord and two speckled mini pom-poms.

Pattern Terminology & Studio Notes: Written in standard US crochet terminology. This hat is worked flat sideways in seven 10-row wedges (71 rows total for the Adult sample). On every odd-numbered row (Rows 3, 5, 7, and 9 of each wedge), you stop 2 stitches earlier at the crown edge and turn, then on Row 11 you work all the way back up over those stepped stitches to close the wedge!

How the 10-Row Short-Row Crown Wedge Eliminates Crown Bulk

When you crochet a plain rectangle and cinch one edge shut, all 70 row-ends crowd into the very center of the crown. By contrast, this pattern divides the 35 stitches of each row into two smart zones:

• 25 Horizontal-Bar Half Double Crochet Stitches (Body & Flared Brim): Worked consistently at full length on every single row into the front horizontal bar (third loop) created by the `hdc` below, producing deep vertical knit-look ribs.
• 10 Back-Loop Single Crochet + Slip Stitch Stitches (Crown Wedge): Over Rows 2 to 10, each pair of rows leaves 2 more crown stitches unworked (stepping down from 10 crown stitches to 8, 6, 4, and 2), and every even row starts with a sl st in back loop to taper the step cleanly.
• Row 11 Full Recovery Pass: On the 11th row, you work `*(1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sl st) 5 times*` up the staircase of unworked stitches, restoring all 35 stitches for the next wedge!

Materials, Worsted Yarn Specs & 5-Size Hat Chart

The original sample is crocheted in Caron Simply Soft (Category #4 Medium Worsted, 100% acrylic; 6 oz / 170 g, 315 yds / 288 m per skein) using Main Color Country Blue (9710), Contrast A Dark Country Blue (9711), and Contrast B Off White (9702) with a U.S. Size G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook.

Materials & Tools Checklist

• Main Color (MC – Hat Body): Caron Simply Soft (6 oz / 170 g; 315 yds / 288 m) in Country Blue (9710) — 1 ball (approx. 210 yds used).
• Contrast A (Pom-Pom Accent): Caron Simply Soft in Dark Country Blue (9711) — 1 ball (or 25 yds from your stash).
• Contrast B (Corded Tie & Pom-Pom): Caron Simply Soft in Off White (9702) — 1 ball (approx. 45 yds used).
• Crochet Hook: Size U.S. G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Official Pattern Gauge: 14 single crochet and 15 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) with a 4.0 mm hook.

US Stitch Abbreviations & Special Techniques

• Ch = Chain(s)
• Hdc = Half double crochet
• Horizontal Bar Hdc = Work 1 hdc into the horizontal bar (third loop) at the front of your work created by the hdc in the row below.
• Rem = Remaining
• Scbl (Back Loop Single Crochet) = Work 1 sc in the back loop only of the next sc.
• Sl st = Slip stitch

Row-by-Row Short-Row Ribbed Hat, Cord & Pom-Pom Instructions

Stage 1: Short-Row Ribbed Hat Body

Foundation: With Main Color (MC – Country Blue) and U.S. G/6 (4.0 mm) hook, chain 37 loosely.

• Row 1: Work 1 hdc in the 3rd chain from hook, then 1 hdc in each chain to the last 10 chains (25 hdc total). Work 1 sc in each of the last 10 chains. Turn. (35 sts).
• Row 2: Chain 1. Work 1 sl st in the back loop of the first sc. Working in back loops only, work 1 sc in each of the next 9 sc. Working in the front horizontal bar only created by each hdc below, work 1 hdc in each stitch to the end of the row (25 hdc). Turn. (35 sts).
• Row 3: Chain 2. Working in the front horizontal bar only, work 1 hdc in each stitch to the last 9 sc (25 hdc). Working in back loops only, work 1 sc in each of the next 8 sc. Turn, leaving the remaining 2 stitches unworked! (33 sts worked).
• Row 4: Chain 1. Work 1 sl st in back loop of first sc. Working in back loops only, work 1 sc in each of the next 7 sc. Working in front horizontal bar only, work 1 hdc in each hdc to end of row. Turn.
• Row 5: Chain 2. Work 1 hdc in front horizontal bar of each hdc to the last 7 sc. Working in back loops only, work 1 sc in each of the next 6 sc. Turn, leaving remaining stitches unworked.
• Row 6: Chain 1. Work 1 sl st in back loop of first sc, then 1 sc in back loop of each of the next 5 sc. Work 1 hdc in front horizontal bar of each hdc to end of row. Turn.
• Row 7: Chain 2. Work 1 hdc in front horizontal bar of each hdc to the last 5 sc. Working in back loops only, work 1 sc in each of the next 4 sc. Turn, leaving remaining stitches unworked.
• Row 8: Chain 1. Work 1 sl st in back loop of first sc, then 1 sc in back loop of each of the next 3 sc. Work 1 hdc in front horizontal bar of each hdc to end of row. Turn.
• Row 9: Chain 2. Work 1 hdc in front horizontal bar of each hdc to the last 3 sc. Working in back loops only, work 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc. Turn, leaving remaining stitches unworked.
• Row 10: Chain 1. Work 1 sl st in back loop of first sc, then 1 sc in back loop of next 1 sc. Work 1 hdc in front horizontal bar of each hdc to end of row. Turn.
• Row 11 (Full Wedge Recovery Row): Chain 2. Work 1 hdc in front horizontal bar of each hdc to the last sc (25 hdc). Now working up the stepped crown edge to the end of the row: work *(1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sl st)* 5 times. Turn. (All 35 stitches restored!).

Wedges 2–7 (Rows 12–71): Repeat Rows 2 to 11 six more times (7 wedges / 71 rows total). Fasten off, leaving a long 20-inch tail for seaming.

Stage 2: Seaming, Slip-Stitch Cord & Speckled Pom-Poms

Step 1 (Back Seam & Crown Gather): Sew the foundation edge to Row 71 using a flat whipstitch. Thread a length of MC through the topmost slip stitches along the crown opening, pull tightly to close the tiny remaining hole, and secure on the Wrong Side.

Step 2 (35-Inch Off-White Slip-Stitch Cord): With Contrast B (Off White) and 4.0 mm hook, chain until the chain measures 35 inches (89 cm) long. For Row 1, work 1 sl st in the back bump of the 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across to the end. Fasten off. Weave this cord in and out through the vertical ribs 2 inches (5 cm) above the bottom brim edge, starting and ending at the side of the hat so it can tie into an adjustable bow.

Step 3 (Twin 2-Color Speckled Pom-Poms): Holding 1 strand of Contrast A (Dark Country Blue) and 1 strand of Contrast B (Off White) together, wrap the double strand 40 times around 2 fingers. Tie tightly around the center, cut the loops on both ends, trim into a neat 1.75-inch round ball, and sew one speckled pom-pom securely to each end of the Off-White cord.

Mary’s Studio Tips for Short-Row Crochet

1. Always Work into the Front Horizontal Bar on Both RS and WS Rows: Notice the pattern specifies working into the horizontal bar at the front of the work (the side facing you) on every row. That alternates the raised V-ribs on both sides of the fabric, giving the brim its fluted, accordion-like flare!
2. Keep Your Slip Stitches Loose on Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10: Each even row starts with 1 sl st in back loop of first sc. Make that slip stitch slightly relaxed so your hook glides effortlessly into it when you work the 5 recovery pairs on Row 11.

Care & Washing

• Gentle Cold Wash: Untie the corded bow slightly, hand wash in cool water with mild detergent, and dry flat on a towel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear this hat with the brim folded up like a classic beanie instead of flared like a cloche?

Yes! Simply omit the threaded cord (or tie it higher) and fold the bottom 2 inches of horizontal-bar ribbing upward for a classic cuffed beanie with a zero-bulk tailored crown.