Shell Stitch Crochet Hat Pattern

This cozy shell stitch crochet hat has a pretty fan-like texture made with simple double crochets. It is a great project for using up worsted weight yarn and makes a lovely handmade gift.

The pattern is worked in the round, starting at the crown and working down toward the brim. Once the crown increases are complete, you simply repeat the same shell pattern until your hat reaches the height you like. If you have not made a circle before, start here with this How To Crochet Flat Circle tutorial.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn – approximately 1 skein. I pulled out colors from my stash, mainly leftovers from this Caron Simply Soft Yarn for Blanket
• H/5 mm crochet hook-size, or the size needed to get the fit you want
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Optional: pom-pom

Helpful tutorials:

Here are few technique tutorials that you will need to master before starting this shell stitch crochet hat – How To Make A Slip Knot, How To Start A Crochet Chain, How To Single Crochet and How To Double Crochet

Before You Begin

For this crochet pattern,

a 5dc shell means = 5 double crochets worked into the same stitch or space.

A 6dc fan means = 3 double crochets, chain 1, 3 double crochets worked into the same stitch or space.

The first few rounds form the crown of the hat and include the increases. After that, the remaining rounds are worked without increases to create the body of the beanie.

Tip: The easiest way to get the right fit is to try on the hat for width as you crochet. If you want a smaller, snugger hat, use a smaller crochet hook. For a larger hat, use a larger hook or continue the increase section for another round.

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

Starting the shell stitch crochet Hat

Ch 4. Insert hook into the fourth chain from hook and join with slip stitch to form a loop OR Make a magic ring

Round 1: Ch 1, *Sc into the ring, 5dc shell into the ring* repeat 4 times, join with a slip stitch to the first sc. You should now have 4 shells, with a single crochet between each shell.

Increase the Crown

Round 2: Slip stitch across the first 3 dc to reach the top of the shell, *3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in the sc from the previous round, then 1 sc into the top of the previous shell* repeat around, join with slip stitch. You now have 4 fan sections.

Round 3: Slip stitch across the first 3 dc to reach the ch1 space, *5dc shell in the ch1 space, 1 sc in the top of the next 3dc group, 5dc shell in the sc, 1 sc in the top of the next 3dc group.* repeat around, join with a slip stitch. You should now have 8 shell groups.

Round 4: Slip stitch across the first three dcs to reach the top of the shell, *5dc shell into sc, 1sc into the top of next shell*, repeat around, join with a slip stitch. You should now have 8 shell groups.

Round 5: Repeat the Round 2 increase pattern around the hat. You should now have 8 fan sections.

Crochet the Body of the Hat

Now the crown is complete, the increases stop.

Round 6: Slip stitch across the first 3 dc to reach the ch1 space, *5dc shell in the ch1 space, 1 sc in the top of the next 3dc group, 5dc shell in the sc, 1 sc in the top of the next 3dc group.* repeat around, join with a slip stitch. You should now have 16 shell groups.

Rounds 7 –18: Slip stitch across the first three dcs to reach the top of the shell, *5dc shell into sc, 1sc into the top of next shell*, repeat around, join with a slip stitch. You should have 16 shell groups at the end of each round.

Continue until the shell stitch crochet hat reaches the height you like.

I made a total of 18 rounds for my beanie.

Want a Taller Hat?

Simply crochet a few additional rounds before finishing.

Want a Fold Up Brim?

Add approximately 2 inches of additional rounds at the bottom of the hat.

Want a Snugger Hat?

Try using a crochet hook one size smaller.

Finishing

Fasten off and weave in all the loose ends with a yarn needle.

Add a pom-pom to the top if you like.

Your shell stitch crochet hat is ready to wear!

A Few Helpful Tips

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• The first few rounds of this shell stitch crochet hat pattern can feel a little tricky because this is where all the increases happen. Here is a breakdown of where the increases are – Round 1 clearly establishes 4 shells. Round 2 converts those into 4 fans. Round 3 creates 8 shells. Round 4 maintains 8 shells. Round 5 increases to 8 fans. Round 6 explicitly creates 16 shells. Rounds 7–18 maintain the 16 shell body.
• Try the shell stitch crochet hat on as you go rather than waiting until the end to check the fit.
• This is a great pattern for using leftover worsted-weight yarn.

If you love quick top-down hat free patterns that work great with leftover yarn scraps, check out my preemie crochet puff stitch hat pattern. It’s a sweet, fast project perfect for charity crafting. After you make this shell stitch beanie here are a few more crochet hats to try Colorful Caron Cupcakes Crochet Hat Pattern and Granny Stitch Beanie Pattern.

Let me know if this pattern works for you or leave a comment if you find any errors. Meanwhile, browse through all of my crochet wearable projects and hook your next project. Happy crafting!