Crochet Shell Stitch Hat Pattern

This Crochet Shell Stitch Hat pattern is perfect for Spring or Fall. The shell lace is made with a 2-row repeat that gradually decreases without the bulky, bumpy fabric at the top.

“Shell Stitch Hat” free crochet pattern by Kim Guzman © Feb. 2023. All rights reserved.
Technique: Regular Crochet.
Skill Level: Intermediate.

Crochet Pattern At A Glance

This is a free crochet pattern and the written instructions are below. If you prefer a printable download, a PDF is also available for purchase.

My Crochet Pattern Notes

This hat is worked from the bottom to the top, starting with ribbing worked horizontally and the remainder built onto the long edge of the ribbing.

It took me about 2 1/2 hours to make the hat from start to finish. Being DK weight, the hat takes a little longer than a worsted weight hat, of course. But, it’s so worth it for a lacy hat, more suitable for weather transitioning like spring or fall.

Pin It For Later

Finished Size

Height: 9″, Circumference: 20″.

Yarn

Stylecraft “Special DK”, 100% acrylic, 322 yds/295m per 3.5 oz/100g per skein: 1 skein, 200 yards used, color Lincoln.

If you are unable to use Stylecraft Special DK, any acrylic or acrylic blend in size 3 lightweight yarn will be close enough.

Popular Free Crochet Patterns

Yarn Substitution

I‘ve used DK weight yarn (size 3) because I love this size. There’s a lot of yardage on a 100g skein of Stylecraft Special DK. I like that it’s so economical. You could use any yarn you like, using the hook size you prefer. You may need to make changes to the number of stitches and the amount of yarn required.

Other Materials

Suggested Crochet Hook Sizes H-8 (5mm) or hook needed to meet gauge (larger hook) and G-7 (4.5mm) for Ribbing only (smaller hook).
Yarn Needle for weaving ends.
Pom Pom, optional.

How to Fluff Faux Fur Pom Poms

The faux fur pom pom on the left is the goal. Of course, the pom pom on the right is the one that arrives most of the time. Not very fluffy, right?

Fortunately, it’s very easy to fluff the pom pom and it takes only a minute or two. Simply hold onto the little elastic band and use a blow dryer on it. You will be surprised at the difference it makes!

Special Stitches

Shell (sh): [2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc] in same st or sp.

V-Stitch (v-st): [Dc, ch 2, dc] in same st or sp.

Other Abbreviations

This crochet hat pattern is written in US crochet terminology.

beg=beginning; ch=chain; dc=double crochet; rep=repeat; sc=single crochet; sk=skip; sl=slip; sp(s)=space(s); st(s)=stitch(es)

All numbers after the colon at the end of an instruction are stitch counts. Use the stitch count to check your work.

Gauge

When completed, ribbing is 1.5″ wide and the length is 18″ unstretched, 20″ stretched. For hat body, in stitch pattern, 21 stitches=4″, 11 rounds=4″.

Matching Hat and Scarf Set

This Crochet Shell Hat has a matching scarf! You can find the Easy Crochet Lace Scarf here. Having a matching set works great for gifts.

Hat of the Month CAL 2023

I’m pleased to be participating in the Hat of the Month CAL 2023!

View the pattern from Amy of The Stitchin’ Mommy.

View the pattern from Rhondda of Oombawka Design Crochet.

Free Crochet Pattern Instructions

Ribbing

Row 1: Leaving 10″ strand (for seaming the ribbing later), with smaller hook (see Materials above), ch 9, sc in 2nd ch and in each remaining ch, turn.

Rows 2-90: Ch 1, working in back loops only, sc in 7 sc, sc in both loops of last sc (for greater stability), turn.

Begin working in rounds across long edge of Ribbing. Do not fasten off.

Ribbing measures 18″ unstretched, 20″ when stretched.

Hat

Round 1: With larger hook (see Materials above), ch 1, *sc in sides of 5 rows, 2 sc in side of next row, rep across long edge of Ribbing, without twisting the Ribbing, pull the first and last row of the Ribbing together and sl st to first sc: 105 sc.

Tip: Once you’ve joined round 1, you can seam those 8 stitches of the ribbing together, if you like, or wait until later.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *sk 2 sc, 2 dc in next sc, ch 3, 2 dc in next sc, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc, rep from * to last 6 sc, sk 2 sc, 2 dc in next sc, ch 3, 2 dc in next sc, sk 2, sl st to first sc.

Round 3: Ch 4, dc in same sc, *ch 1, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, v-st (see Special Stitches above) in next sc, rep from * to last ch-3 sp, ch 1, sc in last ch-3 sp, ch 1, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 4 and sl st into sp between beg ch 4 and dc.

Round 4: Ch 1, sc in same sp, *sh (see Special Stitches above) in next sc, sc in ch-2 sp of v-st, rep from * to last sc, sh in last sc, sl st to first sc. 15 sh.

Round 5: Ch 4, dc in same sc, *ch 1, sc in ch-3 sp of next sh, ch 1, v-st in next sc, rep from * to last sh, ch 1, sc in ch-3 sp of last sh, ch 1, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 4 and sl st into sp between beg ch 4 and dc: 14 v-st.

Rounds 6-15: Rep rounds 4-5.

Round 16: Ch 1, sc in same sp, sc in next sc and sc in ch-2 sp of next v-st, *[sh in next sc, sc in ch-2 sp of next v-st] 3 times, sh in next sc, sc in ch-2 sp of next v-st, sc in next sc, sc in ch-2 sp of next v-st, rep from * around, except omit the final 3 sc of the last repeat, sl st to first sc and sl st to next sc. 12 sh.

Round 17: Ch 4, dc in same sc, *[ch 1, sc in ch-3 sp of next sh, ch 1, v-st in next sc] 3 times, ch 1, sc in ch-3 sp of next sh, ch 1, sk sc, v-st in next sc, sk sc, rep from * around, except omit the final v-st of the last repeat, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 4 and sl st into sp between beg ch 4 and dc: 11 v-st.

Round 18: Ch 1, sc in same sp, sc in next sc and sc in ch-2 sp of next v-st, *[sh in next sc, sc in ch-2 sp of next v-st] 2 times, sh in next sc, sc in ch-2 sp of next v-st, sc in next sc, sc in ch-2 sp of next v-st, rep from * around, except omit the final 3 sc of the last repeat, sl st to first sc and sl st to next sc. 9 sh.

Round 19: Ch 4, dc in same sc, *[ch 1, sc in ch-3 sp of next sh, ch 1, v-st in next sc] 2 times, ch 1, sc in ch-3 sp of next sh, ch 1, sk sc, v-st in next sc, sk sc, rep from * around, except omit the final v-st of the last repeat, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 4 and sl st into sp between beg ch 4 and dc: 8 v-st.

Round 20: Ch 1, sc in same sp, sc in next sc and sc in ch-2 sp of next v-st, *sh in next sc, sc in ch-2 sp of next v-st, sh in next sc, sc in ch-2 sp of next v-st, sc in next sc, sc in ch-2 sp of next v-st, rep from * around, except omit the final 3 sc of the last repeat, sl st to first sc and sl st to next sc. 6 sh.

Round 21: Ch 4, dc in same sc, *sc in ch-3 sp of next sh, v-st in next sc, sc in ch-3 sp of next sh, sk sc, v-st in next sc, sk sc, rep from * around, except omit the final v-st of the last repeat, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 4, fasten off, leaving 15″ strand.

Finishing

With yarn needle, weave yarn through the tops of each shell on the final round. Carefully pull to cinch together the top and secure.

With yarn needle and first strand, seam the first and last rows of the ribbing together, if you haven’t done so already.

Weave in all ends securely. Attach pom pom, if desired.

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

TERMS: To my fellow crafters, you have my permission to use my patterns to make and sell your projects* anywhere you like. You cannot use my images to sell your projects, though. You must take photos of your own work. All patterns have been tested but mistakes can happen. If you find a mistake, please let me know. Everything at MakeItCrochet.com is protected by copyright to Kim Guzman. Other than the permissions previously given, no one other than Kim Guzman has permission to: reproduce, copy, publish or distribute this pattern, its parts or photos in any way or form, including, but not limited to, translations into foreign languages & video production.

*Not intended to be blanket permission for mass production.