The solid shell stitch crochet hat pattern is given for a newborn, 6-12 months, and teen/adult XS sizes, but you can easily modify this to any other size you like. With each round of the crown it increases by about one inch; and each round gives you the stitch multiple needed for the stitch pattern along the side of hat.

Solid Shell Stitch Crochet Hat modeled on an XS adult mannequin. Bottom image shows a closeup of the solid shell stitch pattern.

I love the shell stitch in crochet and have found many variations that I like. This one is the solid shell, and it buckles slightly to give you a simple but a pretty texture. In my opinion, it’s a great stitch for women and girls, but in grey, black or other neutral colors you might get away with making this for men and boys as well.

I used a light #3 baby yarn, but any DK weight, or even a worsted weight, yarn will work just as well. For this hat I chose a cotton/acrylic blend, but if making it for winter weather you might want to stick with simply acrylic yarn to make it slightly warmer. This one, however, is perfect for transitional weather. Or, wear it under a hood when the weather gets cold.

It was my first time working with Bernat Softee Baby Cotton yarn. The yarn has a nice soft, yet solid feel to it. Combined with the shell stitch, it gives a lot of stretch to the crocheted hat. It’s comfortable to wear and makes for a great gift for anyone on your list.

Shell stitch hat in newborn size laid flat.

It’s shown in a solid color, but as always, feel free to experiment with different colors for a pretty striped hat. This way you could even use up your smallest amounts of scrap yarn in your stash. And use any yarn you have on hand as long as you stick with the same kind within one hat.

Other Patterns to Try:

Solid Shell Stitch Crochet Hat

This beautiful shell hat is perfect for spring and fall seasons.

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Skill Level

Easy

Materials

Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby Cotton (Light, #3; 60% Cotton, 40% Acrylic; 4.2oz/120g; 254yds/232m) Color: Granny Smith, 1 ball.
Crochet Hook: G 4.00mm
Other: Measuring Tape, Scissors, Yarn Needle.

Measurements:

Gauge: 2" over first 2 Rnds.
Finished Sizes: Newborn, 6-12m, Teen/Adult XS.

Abbreviations

Beg = Beginning
Blsc = Back Loop Single Crochet
Ch/Chs = Chain/Chains
Dc = Double Crochet
Rep = Repeat
Rnd/Rnds = Round/Rounds
Sc = Single Crochet
Sk = Skip
Sl St = Slip Stitch
St/Sts = Stitch/Stitches

Notes:

*Instructions are given for newborn size with larger sizes given in parenthesis.
*Use any yarn and hook size along with this hat size chart to adjust this hat as needed.

Special Stitch Instructions

Shell: 5 dc in st indicated.
Beg Shell: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 4 dc in same st.

Instructions

Rnd 1: Work 12 dc into a magic ring; join with sl st in first dc. [12 sts]
Rnd 2: Ch 2 (does not count as st, now and throughout), 2 dc into same st as join and into each st around; join with sl st in first dc. [24 sts]
Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in same st as join, 2 dc in next st, *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first dc. [36 sts]
Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in same st as join, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, *dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first dc. [48 sts] Newborn
Rnd 5: Ch 2, dc in same st as join, dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, *dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first dc. [60 sts] 6-12 Month
Rnd 6: Ch 2, dc in same st as join, dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st, *dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first dc. [72 sts] Teen/Adult XS.
For larger sizes continue to increase as established.
Side of Hat (Shell Rounds)
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, *sk next 2 sts, shell in next st, sk next 2 sts**, sc in next st; rep from * around ending last rep at **; join with sl st in first sc. [48, (60, 72) sts]
Rnd 2: Work beg shell, *sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, sk next 2 sts**, shell in next sc; rep from * around ending last rep at **; join with sl st in first dc (ch 3). [48, (60, 72) sts]
Rnd 3: Sl st into next 2 sts, ch 1, sc in same st as last sl st, *sk next 2 sts, shell in next sc, sk next 2 sts**, sc in next st; rep from * around ending last rep at **; join with sl st in first sc. [48, (60, 72) sts]
Rnds 4-6, (9, 11): Rep Rnds 2 and 3 until you are about 1" from desired height.
Next Rnd: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and into each st around; join with sl st in first sc. [48, (60, 72) sts]
Last 3 Rnds: Ch 1, blsc in same st as join and into each st around; join with sl st in first blsc. Fasten Off at last Rnd. [48, (60, 72) sts]