Alpine Stitch Crochet Hat Pattern, Free and Ready for Cold Weather

Updated July 28th 2026

This one only looks complicated. The Ridgeline Beanie is built on the alpine stitch, two rounds worked over and over, front post double crochet in one, regular double crochet in the next.

I almost left it in one color, then added a round of dark brown near the brim because the plain beige felt unfinished on its own.

Are you with me? Let’s get into it.

Quick answer: The Ridgeline Beanie is a free crochet hat pattern worked in rounds using half double crochet and the alpine stitch, finished with worsted weight yarn and a 5mm hook

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• YouTube

This pattern is part of the 2025 Gift for Men CAL Scroll down for details 👇

There are 2  ways to get this pattern:

Option 1: You can purchase the individual pattern as an easy-to-read,ad free print-friendly PDF  from HERE

Option 2: Scroll down to get the written instructions for this pattern for free

Do you want to save this post for later? Go ahead and PIN IT!

You will find instructions in the free pattern below ⬇️

Why the Alpine Stitch Makes Such a Good Beanie

The alpine stitch is one of those patterns that looks like it took hours of planning. It didn’t. You’re working two rounds on repeat, front post double crochet in one round and regular double crochet in the next, and the texture builds itself.

It also happens to make a genuinely warm hat. The front post stitches add thickness, which means more trapped air and more warmth, without adding bulk from a heavier yarn. That makes it a good pick for anyone who wants a hat that holds its shape and doesn’t flatten out after a few wears.

I made this one in beige with a dark brown accent round, but it works just as well in one color if you’d rather keep it simple. It’s a good hat to make for yourself, and an easy one to make again in a different color for your husband, your son, or a friend once you’ve got the rhythm down.

If you’ve already made my Textured Crochet Beanie Pattern or The Bar Stitch Beanie, this one gives you a different texture to add to the same family of cozy, ridged hats.

Before you get started, check out my Favorite Crochet Tools (affiliate)

Yarn Winder – a perfect crochet accessories

Neck Stretcher – to keep you without neck and back pain

Gauge Ruler – so you always get the right size

Let’s get to the pattern, shall we? Making the Ridgeline Beanie

Materials I used

This is the yarn I had at hand – do not forget I make a sample for you to learn- so be creative and choose the yarn you love. Feel it before starting your project.

I know there are a million different yarn choices out there that also depend on where you live, so just be creative!

Ice Yarns Saver (aran #4), 100% Dralon Acrylic, 200gr, 330mt a skein, for this sample I used 75gr  in color beige and some dark brown ( optional)

Or any weight #4 yarn of your choice

Hook: US Size (5 mm) 

Yarn Needle, Scissors, Measuring Tape

Gauge

• 11 st X 10 rounds
  

Sizes

This sample is  8” in height X 23” in circumference

Stitch Key

• Ch = Chain
• Sc = Single Crochet
• St = Stitch
• Dc = Double Crochet
• Hdc = Half Double Crochet
• INC = Increase round
• Yo = Yarn over
• Slst = Slip stitch

Specialty Stitches

FpDc = Front Post Double Crochet [Yo, insert hook under the post of next st, yo, draw up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo, draw through 2 loops on hook (2 loops on hook), yo, draw through last 2 loops on hook]

Alpine st = Will be explained in the pattren

Watch the full video tutorial

Notes

• This pattern is worked in rounds
• This pattern uses rounds of repeat
• Ch1 does not count as 1st DC at the beginning of the round
• Ch 3 does count as stitch at the beginning of round
• You can work this pattern with one color or multiple as you wish. I used two colors

Instructions

Ch 4 and Sl st to first ch to form a circle (or use the magic circle)

Round 1:Ch1 hdc 12 in Ch space( the circle), Slst to 1st hdc (12 st)

Round 2:Inc Ch1, hdc 2 in 1st st from hook, hdc 2 in next and around to end of round, Slst to 1st hdc (24 st)

Round 3: Inc Ch1, hdc 1 in 1st st from hook, *[hdc 2 in next, hdc 1 in next st]* repeat from * to * to end or round,Slst to 1st hdc  (36 st)

Round 4: Inc Ch1, hdc 1 in 1st st from hook, *[hdc 1 in next st,  hdc 2 in next, hdc 1 in next]* repeat from * to * to end or round,Slst to 1st hdc  (48 st)

Round 5: Inc Ch1, hdc 1 in 1st from hook, *[hdc 1 in next st, hdc 1 in next st, hdc 2 in next st, hdc 1 in next]* repeat from * to * to end or round,Slst to 1st hdc  (60 st)

Round 6: Ch 1, sc 1 in 1st st from hook, sc 1 in next st and around to the end of the round, Slst to 1st st (60 st)

Round 7: Ch 1, dc 1 in 1st st from hook, dc 1 in next st and around to the end of the round, Slst to 1st st (60 st)

Now we start the Alpine stitch pattern

Round 8: Ch 1, dc 1 in 1st st from hook, Fpdc 1 in next st , *dc 1 in next, Fpdc 1 in next, repeat from * to the end of the round, Slst to 1st st (60 st)

Round 9: Ch 1, Fpdc 1 in 1st st from hook, dc 1 in next st, *Fpdc 1 in next, dc 1 in next, repeat from * to the end of the round, Slst to 1st st (60 st)

Rounds 10 13: Repeat rounds 8+9 

Round 14: Ch 1, dc 1 in 1st st from hook, Fpdc 1 in next st , *dc 1 in next, Fpdc 1 in next, repeat from * to the end of the round, Slst to 1st st (60 st)

Round 15: Ch 1, sc 1 in 1st st from hook, sc 1 in next st and around to the end of the round, Slst to 1st st (60 st)

Round 16: Ch 1, hdc 1 in 1st st from hook, hdc 1 in next st, and around to the end of the round, Slst to 1st st (60 st)

Here, I changed color to dark brown ( optional)

Round 17: Ch 1, sc 1 in 1st st from hook, sc 1 in next st and around to the end of the round, Slst to 1st st (60 st)

Changed back to color beige

Round 18: Ch 1, sc 1 in 1st st from hook, sc 1 in next st and around to the end of the round, Slst to 1st st (60 st)

Finishing

Secure the yarn, weave in the ends, and cut the yarn.

Pattern Designed By: Sandra Stitches This pattern is copyright protected; it is unlawful to distribute this pattern in any form (free, sale or trade).

The Ridgeline Beanie is part of the Gift For Men CAL hosted by me 🙂 Follow the main post HERE 

Frequently Asked Questions

What stitch does the Ridgeline Beanie use? It’s built on the alpine stitch, worked as two rounds on repeat: a round of front post double crochet paired with regular double crochet, and a round with the order flipped. That’s what creates the ridged, textured surface.

Do I need two colors to make this pattern? No. The sample uses beige with a dark brown accent round near the brim, but the pattern works just as well in a single color from start to finish.

What size hook and yarn does this pattern use? A 5mm (US H/8) hook and a worsted weight #4 yarn. The sample took about 75 grams of the main color.

Is the alpine stitch hard to learn? It looks more advanced than it is. Once you’ve worked through rounds 8 and 9 the first time, the repeat becomes easy to follow, and you can usually feel the pattern with your fingers rather than counting every stitch.

Can I make this hat bigger or smaller? The pattern is written for one adult size, 8 inches tall and 23 inches around. To adjust the fit, work rounds 6 and 7 (or the alpine repeat) a round or two shorter or longer before starting the brim rounds, keeping gauge in mind.

Do you want to save this post for later? Pin it!

Want more hat patterns?

Salt & Pepper

Granny Slouchy

A quiet place to keep crocheting

If projects like this one are your kind of calm, you might love the V-Stitch Club.

It is my little corner of the internet for women who crochet for the joy and the quiet of it, with new patterns, gentle company, and the steady rhythm of always having something beautiful on the hook.

Be Part of The Tribe!

Come share your finished Ridgeline Beanie in my free Facebook group. Join Crochet & Stories with Sandra Stitches.