There are winter hats you make once, and then there is the Andes Beanie — the kind you reach for on the coldest morning because it feels like it was made just for your head. Chunky and ribbed, with a folded brim, a textured body worked in super bulky yarn, and a big faux fur pom-pom crowning it all, this hat has the rugged-mountain charm of something bought in a ski lodge and the softness of something your grandmother would approve of. The free video tutorial walks you through every step, from the first stitch of the brim to the finished pom-pom — in six sizes, from newborn to adult.
What you’ll need
- Super bulky (size 6) yarn — a wool-acrylic blend gives warmth plus durability, and the ribbing needs a fiber with some give
- A 9 mm or 10 mm crochet hook (pick based on your tension)
- A yarn needle for weaving in ends
- A faux fur pom-pom for the crown
- Scissors
The Crochet Andes Beanie
Save1. The Classic Andes Beanie
The full-size Andes Beanie is everything a winter hat should be: warm, quick to make, and textured enough to look impressive. The ribbed brim is worked flat in tight single crochet rows, seamed at the short end, then picked up and worked in the round for the body — single crochet for the foundation, double crochet to build height fast, back-loop-only stitches for those raised elastic ridges, and slip stitches to keep the joins invisible. Once you find the rhythm, the rows fly by, which makes this a dangerously good gift pattern: finish one on a weekend and you’ll immediately want to start a second.
The creator paired olive green with mustard gold — a combination that feels like autumn light through trees — but this beanie works in practically anything: slate grey, cream, rust, deep burgundy, or classic black. Wear it with the brim folded once for a snug fitted look, or let it sit higher on your head with a slight slouch. It layers beautifully over a chunky scarf or tucked inside a coat collar.
Video tutorial: The Andes Beanie — crochet pattern, 6 sizes, by CJ Design (Danii’s Ways)
Tip: keep your tension even on the brim — tight, consistent single crochet rows are what give the fold its crisp, structured edge.
Save2. The Mini Andes Beanie (Baby & Toddler Version)
One hat is never enough when the pattern is this good. The same video tutorial covers a mini version of the Andes Beanie, sized for babies and toddlers, using the exact same construction — just a shorter starting chain and fewer rounds. The folded brim is especially sweet at small scale: it frames a little face beautifully, and the stretchy back-loop ribs sit comfortably on sensitive skin.
A mini Andes Beanie makes a wonderful handmade gift for a new parent, and it’s a smart stash-buster too — the whole thing uses only a small amount of yarn. Make matching sets in the same colorway, or crochet one in each shade for a grandchild who has everything.
Video tutorial: the same CJ Design tutorial covers all 6 sizes, including the baby and toddler sizes
Tip: for baby sizes, choose a soft, machine-washable yarn so the hat actually gets used instead of admired from a shelf.
Caring for your Andes Beanie
- Hand wash in cool water: use a wool-safe detergent and press out excess water — never wring or twist the ribs.
- Dry flat: lay the beanie on a clean towel and reshape the brim and crown by hand while damp.
- Remove the pom-pom before washing: detach it, wash the hat, and reattach once both pieces are fully dry.
- Store folded: keep it in a drawer or a breathable cotton bag in the off-season, away from direct sunlight that can fade rich colorways.
- Refresh the ribs: a gentle stretch and reshape after washing brings the back-loop-only ridges right back.
One cozy hat, endless colorways, and a tutorial that scales from newborn to adult — the Andes Beanie is winter crocheting at its best. Pick your yarn, pick your size, and press play.
Pattern concept and video tutorial by CJ Design (Danii’s Ways). Photos and written content here are original — created for this article.
