The Judah Hat: A Free Ribbed Hat Pattern You’ll Knit on Repeat

Looking for an easy ribbed hat pattern? Find all my free hat patterns here — this one’s at the bottom!

The Judah Hat: A Free Ribbed Hat Pattern You’ll Knit on Repeat

If you’re in the mood for something quick, squishy, and satisfying, this ribbed hat pattern might just be your next favorite knit. Meet the Judah Hat — a simple design that pairs perfectly with my Judah Scarf (link coming soon!) and knits up beautifully in KnitPicks Upcycle Alpaca (affiliate link) on size 7 (4.5mm) needles.

This ribbed hat pattern was designed for knitters who just want to relax. No complex charts, no wild stitches — just rhythmic knits and purls that build into a gorgeous broken rib texture. It’s perfect for gifting, wearing on frigid winter mornings, or tossing on for snowy photoshoots.

Why You’ll Love This Ribbed Hat Pattern

Let’s be honest — some hat patterns promise “quick and easy” but end up feeling like a chore. Not this one. This ribbed hat pattern truly flies off the needles. The brim starts in a snug 1×1 rib (so it holds shape beautifully), and then transitions into a broken 1×1 rib for the body of the hat — just enough texture to keep things interesting without slowing you down.

Plus, this pattern doesn’t eat up much yarn, making it a great stash buster for your softest skeins. The KnitPicks Upcycle Alpaca (affiliate link) gives it a gentle halo and warmth without being heavy, so your finished hat looks and feels like a luxury piece.

The Judah Hat: The Perfect Beginner Ribbed Hat Pattern

If you’ve mastered the knit and purl stitches, you’re ready for this ribbed hat pattern. Seriously — you’ll only need:

That’s it. No trickery. No complicated shaping. If you can knit and purl, you can make this.

It’s the perfect ribbed hat pattern for anyone who’s ready to knit their first hat, gift something handmade, or just relax with a mindless project while watching TV.

Texture That Looks Advanced (But Isn’t)

The beauty of this ribbed hat pattern is that it looks intricate, even though it’s simple enough to knit while chatting or binge-watching your favorite series. The broken rib stitch catches the light in the prettiest way, especially with KnitPicks Upcycle Alpaca (affiliate link).

I love how the yarn’s subtle flecks give the fabric a natural depth. You’ll find it’s soft enough for sensitive foreheads — no scratchiness here — and warm enough for those snowy Montana days when the wind finds every uncovered inch of skin.

The Perfect Pair: Judah Hat + Judah Scarf

Once you’ve finished this ribbed hat pattern, you’re definitely going to want to make the matching scarf. The Judah Scarf uses the same stitch pattern, and together they make such a classic winter set. Whether you’re gifting them or keeping them for yourself, the combination is timeless.

👉 Click here for the Judah Scarf pattern here — you’ll definitely want both!

How Fast Does It Knit Up?

Oh, fast. Like Netflix-movie-and-done fast. This ribbed hat pattern practically grows before your eyes, especially once you get into the rhythm of the broken rib stitch.

Using KnitPicks Upcycle Alpaca (affiliate link) on size 7 (4.5mm) needles gives you a nice balance — not too tight, not too loose. You get structure without losing drape. And because this pattern uses only basic stitches, you don’t need to constantly check a chart or pattern notes.

Why Broken Rib is My Go-To Stitch

There’s something so satisfying about the broken rib stitch. It adds interest to plain knitting but doesn’t require any extra thought. You’re just alternating knits and purls in a way that breaks the visual lines of standard ribbing, which gives your ribbed hat pattern a modern texture and stretch.

It’s a nice reminder that even simple stitches can create something stunning — a philosophy I bring into a lot of my designs.

A Few Knitting Tips

Here are some quick things I’ve learned while knitting this ribbed hat pattern:

  • Always cast on loosely so the brim doesn’t pinch.
  • Switch to circular needles after joining in the round to make it seamless.
  • If you’re gifting it, tie on a little handmade tag — it makes the hat feel extra special.
  • And don’t forget to block it lightly to help the stitches relax into that perfect texture.

This pattern makes a thoughtful gift for anyone on your list — especially since it’s unisex, stretchy, and suits any style.

So, if you’ve been searching for a beginner-friendly, quick-to-knit, and endlessly wearable ribbed hat pattern, the Judah Hat is your answer.

It’s one of those patterns you’ll knit more than once because it’s that satisfying. Whether you’re making it for yourself, a friend, or your entire family, you’ll love how simple and stylish it turns out.

👉 You can find the free Judah Hat pattern at the bottom of this post.

And don’t forget — all my other ribbed hat patterns are linked on my free hat knitting pattern page.

Judah Beanie Free Pattern

Materials Needed: 75-250yds KnitPicks Upcycle Alpaca 219y/100g, size 7 (4.5mm) dpn or circular, yarn needle, stitch marker

Gauge (tension): 20sts & 32 rows in garter stitch to make 10cm square, using size 7(US) 4.5mm needles in stockinette

Sizes (appx head circumference) [appx finished measurements laid flat]:

Newborn (33cms,13ins) [16.5x13cms, 6.5x5ins]

baby (38cms, 15ins) [19×16.5cms, 7.5×6.5ins]

child (46cms,18ins) [23x19cms, 9×7.5ins]

small adult (51cms, 20ins) [25.5x18cms, 10×8.5ins]

large adult (56cms, 22ins) [28x23cms, 11x9ins]

JUDAH BEANIE INSTRUCTIONS

Cast on 60 (72, 84, 96) 108. Join in the round.

Work 2.5cms or 1ins k1p1 ribbing.

Round 1 – Knit 1 around

Round 2 – k1p1 around

Work in rounds 1 and 2 until your work measures appx 9 (10, 14, 17) 19.5 cms or 3.5 (4, 5.5, 6.5) 7.5 ins from cast on edge ending after completing a round 2.

DECREASES

Round 1 – [ssk, k4] around (50 (60, 70, 80) 90sts)

Round 2 – [k2, p1, k1, p1] around

Round 3 – [ssk, k3] around (40 (48, 56, 64) 72sts)

Round 4 – [k1, p1] around

Round 5 – [ssk, k2] around (30 (36, 42, 48) 54sts)

Round 6 – [k2, p1] around

Round 7 – [ssk, k1] around (20 (24, 28, 32) 36sts)

Round 8 – [k1p1] around

Round 9 – [ssk] around (10 (12, 14, 16) 18sts)

Round 10 – knit around

Round 11 – [ssk] around (5 (6, 7, 8) 9sts)

Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving a long enough tail to weave in ends. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and cinch the top tight. Weave in ends. Block as desired.

Stitch Key:

cms -centimeters

ins – inches

K – knit                   

p – purl

ssk – slip slip knit – slip the next stitch as if to knit, slip the next stitch as if to knit, knit the 2 slipped stitches together

st(s) – stitch(es)      

Judah Beanie PDF Download

Judah beanieDownload

Affiliate Disclaimer:
This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase through one of my links. Thank you for supporting my designs and keeping my patterns free!

I’d love to hear from you — do you prefer ribbed hats with folded brims or fitted styles? Drop a comment below and tell me how you’d style your Judah Hat!

The post The Judah Hat: A Free Ribbed Hat Pattern You’ll Knit on Repeat appeared first on The Knit in the Womb Blog.



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