This slouchy shell stitch crochet hat pattern is soft and warm even though it is made with a lacy stitch! The best part is that this free hat pattern is quick and easy to crochet. Instructions for making your own snap-on pom-pom are included at the bottom of this post. It comes in 2 sizes to fit toddlers, and teens/adults. Find the free crochet pattern instructions below, or purchase a print-optimized, ad-free PDF by clicking here.
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Sometimes you just need quick and easy crochet hat projects that look much more complex than they reallly are. This slouchy hat fits that description perfectly!
I was looking through one of my crochet stitch directory books last month and found a stitch called the “Fantail” that is lacy without being too open. It is a quick stitch to crochet and it’s based on the idea of the more traditional shell stitch. You’ll have the repeat down in almost no time! Maintain relaxed, even tension to give this hat plenty of slouch.
The Paton’s 100% wool yarn I used is thick and cozy, so even though this stitch is more open than ones you typically find in winter hats it’s done a great job of keeping my head comfortable in the teen and 20-degree weather we’ve had up in my neck of the woods during the past few weeks. If you are allergic to wool you are welcome to try Caron Simply Soft as a substitute.
I had hoped to write up a child’s sized hat as well, but the multiple is such that it didn’t work out (this pattern works in multiples of 10, but the first round can be made in multiples of 8). You could try following the adult size hat pattern while still using the same size hook that you used to crochet the band for the rest of the body. I have not tested this myself, however.
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Difficulty:
Easy
Materials Needed:
170-210 yds #4 worsted weight Patons Classic Wool in Grey Mix, Dark Grey Mix, or Blush
3.25mm hook
5.5mm hook, or hook needed to obtain gauge
scissors
yarn needle
(Optional materials if you want to make a pom-pom):
¼ yd Fashion Faux Fox Fur Fabric -Silver
Heavy-duty button thread
Sharp, heavy duty sewing needle
Golf-ball sized piece of polyester stuffing
Size 4 snaps for pom-pom
Stitches Used:
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
Additional Terms:
hdc in the 3rd loop = Look at the top of the stitch, and locate the sideways “V”, bend the stitch to look at the back, and you should see another “V”. You’ll be working into the back loop of that “V”, this is called the 3rd loop.When working in rows this “3rd loop” will be facing you.
st/sts = stitch/stitches
sp/sps = space/spaces
prev =previous
Gauge:
Each repeat in round 3 of the hat body gives approximately 2 1/2″ of width.
Measurements:
Adult: 12″ wide at widest point, by 11″ tall excluding pom-pom
Toddler: 10″ wide at widest point, by 9″ tall excluding pom-pom
Additional Notes:
-ch-1 at begining of row or round does not count as a stitch.
-Pattern is worked in multiples of 10, but first round can be worked in multiples of 8 if you skip 2 stitches instead of 3 between shells.
Slouchy Shell Stitch Hat (US Terms):
Click here to purchase an ad-free, print-optimized PDF of this pattern on LoveCrafts
Adult Slouchy Hat:
Hat band:
Using 3.25mm (D) hook, or hook needed to obtain gauge,
Row 1: Row 1: Leaving a 10″ tail, ch 11, hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in each st across. (10)
Rows 2-70: ch 1, turn, working in 3rd loop of hdc from prev row, hdc in each st across. (10)
Your hat band should measure about 2 1/4” wide, by 20″ long and have plenty of stretch to it.
Sew ends of band together with 10″ tail.
Hat Body:
With 5.5mm (H) hook,
Round 1: ch 1, 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 6 sts, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 6 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first hdc. (80)
Round 2: ch 1, working in 3rd loop of hdc, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc.
Round 3: ch 1, *sc, ch 1, sk st, sc in next st, sk 2 sts, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next st, sk 2 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc. (20 sc, 60 dc, 20 ch-1 sps)
Round 4: ch 1, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch-1 sp, ch 3, sk 3 sts, sc in ch-1 sp at top of shell, ch 3, sk 3 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first hdc. (20 ch-3 sps, 10 ch-1 sps, 20 hdc)
Round 5 is the same thing as what you did in round 3, just with the order a little jumbled.
Round 5: ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in ch-1 sp, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, sk st, sc in next ch-3 sp; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (20 sc, 60 dc, 20 ch-1 sps)
Round 6 is the same thing as what you did in round 4, just with the order a little jumbled.
Round 6: sl st into next 2 dc, sl st into ch-1 sp, ch 1, sc in same ch-1 sp, ch 3, sk 4 sts, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch-1 sp, ch 3, sk 3 sts, sc in ch-1 sp at top of shell, ch 3, sk 4 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc. (20 ch-3 sps, 10 ch-1 sps, 20 hdc)
In the beginning of this next round you will be working your first sc stitch in the final ch-3 sp of the previous round. The reason I have done this is to avoid having to fasten off and reattach your working yarn each time this round comes up in the pattern.
Round 7: ch 1, sc in ch-3 sp just before join, ch 1, sk st, sc in next ch-3 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in ch-1 sp, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, sk st, sc in next ch-3 sp; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (20 sc, 60 dc, 20 ch-1 sps)
Repeat rounds 4-7 2 more times, or until your hat measures 8 1/2” long at shell tips, then begin decreases:
Round 16: ch 1, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch-1 sp, ch 2, sk 4 sts, sc in ch-1 sp at top of shell, ch 2, sk 4 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first hdc. (20 ch-2 sps, 10 ch-1 sps, 20 hdc)
Round 17: ch 1, *(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, sc in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, sk st, sc in next ch-2 sp; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (20 dc, 20 sc, 20 ch-1 sps)
Round 18: sl st into next dc, sl st into ch-1 sp, ch 1, sc in same ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 3 sts, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 3 sts, sc in ch-1 sp at top of shell, ch 1, sk 3 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc. (30 ch-1 sps, 20 hdc, 10 ch-1 sps)
Round 19: ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp just before join, ch 1, sk st, sc in next ch-1 sp, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk st, sc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (20 sc, 60 dc, 20 ch-1 sps)
Round 20: ch 1, sk st, *sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 3 sts, sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 3 sts; repeat from * around join with sl st to first sc.
Fasten off leaving 12” tail.
Use this length of yarn to sew around the top of the hat. Cinch shut and fasten off securely.
Weave in end.
Toddler Slouchy Hat:
Hat Band:
Using 3.25mm (D) hook, or hook needed to obtain gauge,
Row 1: Leaving a 10″ tail, ch 9, hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in each st across. (8)
Rows 2-60: ch 1, turn, working in 3rd loop of hdc from prev row, hdc in each st across. (8)
Your band should measure about 1 3/4” wide, by 18 long and have plenty of stretch to it.
Sew ends of band together with 10″ tail.
Hat Body:
With 5.5mm (H) hook,
Round 1: ch 1, 2 hdc in first st, hdc in next 4 sts *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first hdc. (72)
Round 2: ch 1, working in 3rd loop of hdc, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (72)
Round 3: ch 1, *sc, ch 1, sk st, sc in next st, sk 3 sts, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next st, sk 3 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc. (18 sc, 48 dc, 18 ch-1 sps)
Round 4: ch 1, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch-1 sp, ch 3, sk 3 sts, sc in ch-1 sp at top of shell, ch 3, sk 3 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first hdc. (18 ch-3 sps, 9 ch-1 sps, 9 sc, 18 hdc)
Round 5 is the same thing as what you did in round 3, just with the order a little jumbled.
Round 5: ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in ch-1 sp, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, sk st, sc in next ch-3 sp; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (18 sc, 48 dc, 18 ch-1 sps)
Round 6 is the same thing as what you did in round 4, just with the order a little jumbled.
Round 6: sl st into next 2 dc, sl st into ch-1 sp, ch 1, sc in same ch-1 sp, ch 3, sk 4 sts, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch-1 sp, ch 3, sk 3 sts, sc in ch-1 sp at top of shell, ch 3, sk 4 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc. (18 ch-3 sps, 9 ch-1 sps, 9 sc, 18 hdc)
In the beginning of this next round you will be working your first sc stitch in the final ch-3 sp of the previous round. The reason I have done this is to avoid having to fasten off and reattach your working yarn each time this round comes up in the pattern.
Round 7: ch 1, sc in ch-3 sp just before join, ch 1, sk st, sc in next ch-3 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in ch-1 sp, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, sk st, sc in next ch-3 sp; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (18 sc, 48 dc, 18 ch-1 sps)
Repeat rounds 4-7 1 more time, or until your hat measures 6 1/2” long at shell tips, then begin decreases.
Round 12: ch 1, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch-1 sp, ch 2, sk 4 sts, sc in ch-1 sp at top of shell, ch 2, sk 4 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first hdc. (18 ch-2 sps, 9 ch-1 sps, 9 sc, 18 hdc)
Round 13: ch 1, *(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, sc in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, sk st, sc in next ch-2 sp; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (36 dc, 18 sc, 18 ch-1 sps)
Round 14: sl st into next dc, sl st into ch-1 sp, ch 1, sc in same ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 3 sts, *(hdc, ch 1, hdc) in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 3 sts, sc in ch-1 sp at top of shell, ch 1, sk 3 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc. (27 ch-1 sps, 9 sc, 18 hdc)
Round 15: ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp just before join, ch 1, sk st, sc in next ch-1 sp, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk st, sc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (18 sc, 36 dc, 18 ch-1 sps)
Round 16: ch 1, sk st, *sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 3 sts, sc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk 3 sts; repeat from * around join with sl st to first sc. (18 sc, 18 ch-1 sps)
Round 17: ch 1, sc in first st, sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps skipping over the sc between them, *sc in next st, sc2tog in next 2 ch-1 sps skipping over the sc between them; repeat from *around, join with sl st to first sc. (18)
Fasten off leaving 12” tail.
Use this length of yarn to sew around the top of the hat. Cinch shut and fasten off securely.
Weave in end.
Assembling your Faux Fur Pom-pom:
- Trace a circle around a small bowl or cup using a marker, on the back side of the faux fur fabric. My circle for the adult hat was about 5″ across. Try a 4″ circle for the toddler size hat.
- Cut out the circle. Only cut the fabric backing–not the fur itself! I recommend an XACT-O or similar craft knife.
- With your needle and heavy-duty button thread, sew a loose running stitch all the way around near the edge of the circle.
- Take a small, golf-ball-sized amount of polyester stuffing and put it in the middle of the circle.
- Tug on the ends of the thread to cinch the circle into a ball. It should be snug so the fiber fill doesn’t come out.
- Tie off securely, and then sew one part of the snap over the tiny hole that is left. Make sure it is the right part, facing the right direction or you’ll have to sew it on again!
- Sew the other end of the snap over the very top of your hat where you cinched it shut.
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You are welcome to share the link to this pattern, using one image of your choice, on your site, but please do not share the written patterns themselves, this includes my Ravelry downloads or translations of these patterns, or use additional images. You do not have permission to use my images by themselves to create pinnable graphics for Pinterest, however they may be included in a roundup pin if there are 4 or more other patterns. If you sell finished items online, please do not use my pictures for your listings. I’m positive that your work is of high enough quality for you to sell the finished piece. Have confidence in your abilities! <3 Thank you!
This pattern was made to be used by individuals, and small business crocheters alike. Selling your finished pieces in boutiques, at farmer’s markets, craft shows, and other local events is encouraged! The only thing I require is that this pattern not be used commercially to produce hundreds of thousands of copies.
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