The Shell Stitch Beanie Crochet Pattern came out so beautiful and with an easy 2 row repeat pattern, it stitches up in no time. My daughter and I dyed our own yarn in the slow cooker (you can see the tutorial HERE) and as soon as I saw the results, I knew I needed a pretty stitch to match this gorgeous yarn!
I made this hat for my 5 year old, but it can easily be adjusted for any size. I’ll tell you how in the written pattern! It’s an easy stitch with a two row repeat. It’s a quick one to get the hand of! You’ll have this pretty beanie finished in no time.
More Homemade Happiness:
Color Pop Beanie // Pebble Beanie // Black and White Bobble Beanie
PATTERN
Materials
Worsted weight yarn (I used DIY dyed I Love this Wool! You can find the dyeing tutorial HERE)
H/5.0 mm hook
Yarn needle
Scissors
Level
intermediate
Pattern Notes & Stitches to Know
sl st – slip stitch
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
sc blo – single crochet back loop only (instead of inserting hook into both top loops, insert hook into the back loop and work a single crochet
dc – double crochet
Finished Size
Width: 8″
Length: 8.5″
SHELL STITCH BEANIE
This beanie is worked from the bottom up, starting with the brim
Ch 7
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from the hook and across (6 sc)
Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc blo in each stitch across (6 sc blo)
Repeat row 2 to row 54 (to make the hat larger, repeat to row 60 – can be made any width, make sure number of rows in a multiple of 6)
Bring both ends of the brim together, sew ends together with sc
Row 1: ch 1, turn, sc evenly around the top of the brim, join to the first sc with sl st (54 sc)
Row 2: ch 1, sc in same stitch, skip 2 stitches, *7 dc in next stitch, skip 2 stitches, sc, skip 2 stitches* repeat from * to * around, join to first sc with sl st (9 shells)
Row 3: ch 3 (counts as dc), 6 dc in same stitch, *sc in 4th dc in next shell, 7 dc in next sc* repeat from * to * around, join to top of first ch 3 (9 shells)
Row 4: sl st over to 4th dc in shell, ch 1, sc in same stitch, *7 dc in next sc, sc in 4th dc in next shell* repeat from * to * around, join to first sc with sl st (9 shells)
Repeat rows 3 & 4 to row 13 (to make larger, repeat rows 3 & 4 until beanie is 8.5 inches long, then continue to row 14)
Row 14: sl st over to 4th dc in shell, ch 1, sc in same stitch, *5 dc in next sc, sc in 4th dc in next shell* repeat from * to * around, join to first sc with sl st (9 shells)
Row 15: ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same stitch, *sc in 3rd dc in next shell, 3 dc in next sc* repeat from * to * around, join to top of first ch 3 (9 shells)
Row 16: sl st over to 2nd dc in shell, ch 1, sc in same stitch, *3 dc in next sc, sc in 2nd dc in next shell* repeat from * to * around, join to first sc with sl st (9 shells)
Leave a long tail for sewing
Weave the long tail in and out around the top loops of the last row
Pull the end tight to cinch the top closed
(how to sew the top closed photo tutorial HERE)
I think a pom pom would be a really cute addition to this beanie!
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How do I make this shell hat for an adult?
Hi 🙂 You can make the brim 60 or 66 rows – whichever is a good width to fit around the head (the number of rows has to be a multiple of 6) and then follow the pattern and repeat rows 3 & 4 until the beanie is about 8.5 inches tall. Follow the remainder of the pattern. Hope this helps!
Hi, a few questions: how much yarn do I need for this. Its for a 7 year old so will prob go up to 60 stitches.
Is it USA or UK terminology?
Is Worsted double knit or aran weight I usually work it out from the tension but you haven’t included it so need to ask
Many thanks for your help it’s a gorgeous pattern!
Hi! US terms and I used worsted weight
A quick way of telling if pattern is UK or USA terminology, is if it has sc in it then it;s definitely not UK, as sc’s are UK dc’s and sc’s are not used as a UK term at all. Otherwise a lot of patterns will say, but if not then yes best to check.
A worsted weight yarn is nearest an aran – not a dk unless the yarn used is described as a light worsted. Aran tends to be a little thicker than worsted though, so not an exact swap but in general the closest match.
I’m trying to make it larger, using 60 rows for my brim. You said to just follow the pattern after that, but won’t I have a stitch count of 60 instead of 54 after the first row of the hat, and then 10 shells on each row after that?
Yes, your first round of sc will have 60 and then 10 shells after that
How can I download it into my computer
Beautiful, Thank you! 🙂
This is beautiful. I wonder if you would consider adding it to an ongoing link up I have for lovely free crochet hat patterns? If you’d like to you can find it here: https://www.sumoftheirstories.com/blog//2017/11/my-favourite-free-crochet-hat-patterns.html
Would this hat pattern work using double strand yarn? If so, what size hook would you recommend?
Yes, it would be a little bigger. A 8mm or 10mm hook should work ?
Do you have this in a knit pattern?
And how would one make this for a 6 month old? New grandbaby should be that size by the time it gets cold here. Thank you, I love your creativity!!
Hi! This is a hat made from the bottom up. You can make the ribbed band smaller (the amount of rows must be a multiple of 6) Hope this helps! 🙂
THANK you so much. I just discovered your website. You have lovely patterns. Thanks for the free patterns. I subscribed to your newsletter too. I hope your day is glorious. Hugs.
Thank you! <3
I can not get this pattern to work out. I did 48 as my multiple. I’m using a heavier yarn and I have a small head and that number fits me. I’m fine until the end of row 3 and start of row 4. It just doesn’t look right.
Hi! Is row 4 starting at the top of a shell stitch?
How many yards needed for adult size?
I’m not sure. Less than a 100g skein
Well I just made this into a ear warmer and than I used the same patten for leg warmers… we’re not so lucky to live in AZ anymore and get to make all of your lovely summer stuff. I really appreciate your easy to adjust patterns. A lot like i do too. I’ll post pics on your Pinterest board
How did you modify the pattern to make an ear warmer? My daughter wants a messy bun beanie and in this pattern. I’m just not sure how to accomplish that.
Hi! I think you could repeat rounds 3 & 4 to round 9 or 10 (? I’m guessing here) and then skip to the decrease rounds 14 – 16
Hi Breann! this hat is gorgeous 🙂 is it a problem, if I make it with a size 4 hook? will it be smaller? or how will it change?
hope you could help me!
kind regards,
Csilla
It will come out smaller 🙂
This is a lovely pattern. Thanks for sharing! When I connect the ends of the band together with sc, should it create a bump/ridge? I think I must be doing it wrong.
Hi! It creates a bit of a ridge, but it should blend in with the ribbed bend.
Can u explain the cinching process a little more for me, the in, out and around? Thanks so much. This is a beautiful pattern ?
I have a photo tutorial for this beanie: https://www.hookedonhomemadehappiness.com/bubblegum-beanie-crochet-pattern-crochet-along-for-a-cause/
I did it the same for the Shell Stitch one 🙂
I loved making this!! What do you suggest if I were to make a messy bun hat out of it? Leave it un-cinched? Thanks!
Hi! Yes, you could leave it open (you might want to take out a couple rows)
This pattern is great, love the texture. And your daughter makes a super adorable model 🙂
How would I adjust the pattern for a baby? New to crochet
For the starting band the number of rows needs to be a multiple of 6. Make the ribbed band about 12″ – 13″ long. Then adjust the number of rows to be a multiple of 6. Then continue with the rest of the pattern making the hat about 5.5″ long before sewing.
I am having trouble with row 3. I keep ending up with 10 shells although I only have 9 shells on row 2. What am I doing wrong?
Hi! How many sc do you have in round 2?
8
I’m really struggling with row 3 has it’s leaving big caps in between
There will be gaps between the shells. Maybe your tension is too tight?
Hi how would I make this for an 18-24 month olds head? Like how long would the rib be and how high would u suggest making the hat? Thanks
Hi! The circumference should be about 16″ and the height about 6.5″
Thank you
This is so beautiful! I was just wondering instead of cinching the top could it be turned into a messy bun beanie? Thank you!!
Hi! You can just take out a few rounds to make it a messy bun 🙂
How big should I make the band for an 11 year old?
Hi! I think you can do the ribbed band to row 60 🙂
Thanks I’m making them for a family friend who wanted them for herself n her daughter and of course the sizes for her daughter’s I don’t have much experience with lol
What should the measured size of the band be for an 11 year old?
I would love to have this Shell Stitch Crochet pattern for an adult as well.
I have also been trying to get the Crochet Puff Stitch Pattern for adult in the written version, but cannot get or find it it in the written – printable version!
A friend and I are crocheting hats for cancer CHEMO patients, and would love to have a printed version of both these hats to use, if possible. My email info is below, and I will be happy to subscribe to your site. I would love to see more of what you have. Thank you, Breana, for these lovely patterns!
Hi! I have a sizing chart here: https://www.hookedonhomemadehappiness.com/how-to-crochet-a-basic-beanie-for-beginners/
Breann, I also have 13 grandchilren and 3 ggrands of all ages. I am very creative too, and would love to learn how write patterns. Now that I’m retired, thefe are always requests coming in ?
Linda (Carrice555@gmail..com)
Thank you are going to try your beanie pattern love to crocket new things, videos will also be nice to see how to do it.
Alta Beukman
Hello,
I’m new to crochet. I have only knitted, never crocheted. I am practicing this to make for my grand daughters. When the pattern states to sl st over to… a particular stitch, such as in Row 3 and 14 directions, does that mean to skip to that stitch for a sl st, or to sl st each stitch between the step completed and the next one referenced?
Slip stich in each each stitch to the next one 🙂