Free Shell Stitch Beanie Pattern

Make this cozy shell stitch beanie that’s pretty, textured, and perfect for using up worsted-weight yarn from your stash! The shell stitch creates a unique scalloped finish, fan-like texture that looks fancy but works up fast!

Whether you’re gifting it or making one for yourself, this crochet hat pattern is great for beginners. Let’s get stitching!

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Supplies You’ll Need

• Worsted-weight yarn (approx. one skein). This is a great yarn stash buster project.
• Crochet hook: H/5.0 mm (or size recommended on your yarn label)
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends
• Optional: Pom pom for the top

Gauge isn’t crucial for a cozy fit, you can wear it as you make it and adjust to size needed.

Shell Stitch Beanie Photo Tutorial

Notes: The shell stitch is a cluster of stitches worked into the same space to make a fan-like shape.

The beginning few rounds are where the increases happen, you will need to keep count and make sure you have the right number of stitches at the end of each round.

COLOR CHANGES: I worked the first 4 rounds of this shell stitch beanie in a cream colored yarn and then every other color is worked for 2 rounds each. I love how the two pinks are similar in color but look so pretty together here

Once all the increases were done, this shell stitch beanie was a breeze to crochet. I carried along with me to the kids school classes and on long car drives. It is such a compact project to carry along with you anywhere. As you are crocheting you can wear the beanie and see how it fits you and if you need to make it smaller or larger.

Shell stitch beanie Written pattern:

Shell= 5 double crochets into a space

Helpful tutorials: How To Make A Slip Knot, How To Start A Crochet Chain, and How To Single Crochet For Beginners

Start with the below mentioned increase pattern.

Start with Ch 4. Insert hook into the fourth chain from hook and join with slip stitch to form a loop. or alternately create a magic ring 

Round 1: Ch 1, then repeat 4 times *1sc, shell into loop*  join with a slip stitch into first sc. 

Round 2: Slip stitch into first three dcs to reach the top of the shell, then repeat 4 times *into the sc from the previous round- 3dc, ch1, 3dc, sc into top of shell* – 4 Shells

Round 3: Slip stitch into first three dcs to reach the top of the shell, then repeat 4 times *shell into ch1 space, 1sc into the top of 3dc cluster, shell into sc, 1sc into the top of 3dc* (8 shells of 3 dc each)

Row 4 and 5- Repeat Round 3 (8 shells)

Row 6- Repeat Round 2 (16 shells of 3dc each)

This below portion will create the brim of the hat and no more increases are needed.

Row 7 to end: Repeat Round 2 (16 shells)

I ended up making a total of 18 rounds. If you want add a few inches height or a 2 inches brim, make a few more rounds of shells. If you need to make you shell stitch beanie snug, use one hook size smaller. Adjust the stitches according to the size of the hat needed.

This shell stitch beanie is a super easy crochet beanie hat with a beautiful stitch pattern! It’s great choice for cold weather, stash busting, gift giving, and relaxing crochet sessions. I absolutely love the lovely textured hat I created here.

After you make this shell stitch beanie here are a few more crochet hats to try Colorful Caron Cupcakes Crochet Hat Pattern and 1 Hour Crochet Beanie FREE Pattern

Let me know if this pattern works for you. Happy crafting!

Hi I’m Smitha! I live in Minnesota with my husband and two daughters. You’ll always find me painting florals in my sketchbook. And I love the sheer joy of making something with just my hands! But my bigger love is capturing it all on camera Read more.

Thanks for stopping by today! If you learnt something from this tutorial, do share this post with a friend or on social media! Tag me @smithakatti #smithakatti I’d love to see what you create!

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