Shell Stitch Bucket Hat Crochet Pattern

Get ready for sunny days with the Shell Stitch Bucket Hat Crochet Pattern—a stylish and functional crochet accessory perfect for summer! This breezy hat features the classic shell stitch, adding a beautiful, lacy texture while still providing shade and structure. It’s an easy-to-follow pattern that works up quickly, making it a great weekend project for confident beginners and seasoned crocheters alike. Whether you’re heading to the beach, the farmers market, or just out for a walk, this charming bucket hat is the perfect handmade addition to your warm-weather wardrobe.

This hat is the 1st pattern in the Crochet Along for a Cause. We are making 1 hat per week to donate to a cancer center, school, or homeless shelter for 12 weeks. There’s always time to join! You can find all the details and hat patterns HERE.

Choosing Your Yarn

“I Love This Cotton!” from Hobby Lobby is a fantastic choice for summer hats. It’s incredibly soft and smooth to work with, making it comfortable to wear even on hot days. The 100% cotton fiber is breathable and lightweight, while still holding its shape well—ideal for bucket hats that need both structure and comfort. Plus, it comes in a wide range of vibrant colors perfect for warm-weather accessories.

The Shell Stitch

The shell stitch is a decorative crochet technique that creates a scalloped, fan-like pattern. It’s typically made by working multiple double crochets (usually 5 or 7) into the same stitch or space, forming a “shell.” This stitch adds a beautiful, lacy texture and is perfect for creating light, airy fabric—great for summer projects like hats and tops.

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Shell Stitch Bucket Hat Crochet Pattern

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Materials
80g worsted weight cotton yarn (I used I Love this Cotton in Warm Blush)
I/5.5 mm hook
yarn needle
scissors

Level
intermediate

Pattern notes & Stitches to Know
magic ring
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
dc – double crochet
shell – 7 dc in same stitch
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet

· Written in US terms

· ch 2 does not count as dc or hdc

· ch 1 does not count as sc

Approx Finished size (small adult) –
Length: 9”
Circumference (around base of head):  21”

SHELL STITCH BUCKET HAT CROCHET PATTERN

Make a magic ring

Round 1: ch 2, 12 dc in ring, join to first dc with sl st, pull ring closed tight (12 dc)

Round 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each stitch around, join to first dc with sl st (24 dc)

Round 3: ch 2, *dc in 1 stitch, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (36 dc)

Round 4: ch 2, *dc in 2 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (48 dc)

Round 5: ch 2, *dc in 3 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to the first dc with sl st (60 dc)

Crown diameter is approx. 6.5”.

Round 6 – 8: ch 2, dc in each stitch around, join to first dc with sl st (60 dc)

The shell stitch starts in the next round

Round 9: ch 1, sc in same stitch, skip 2 stitches, shell in next, skip 2 stitches, *sc in next, skip 2 stitches, shell in next, skip 2 stitches* repeat from * to * around, join to first sc with sl st (10 shells, 10 sc))

Round 10: ch 2, shell in same stitch, sc in the 4th dc of next shell, *shell in next sc, sc in 4th dc of next shell repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (10 shells, 10 sc)

Round 11: sl st over the next 3 dc so you are starting in the 4th dc of the shell, ch 1, sc in same stitch, shell in next sc, *sc in 4th dc of next shell, shell in next sc* repeat from * to * around, join to first sc with sl st (10 shells, 10 sc)

Round 12 – 14: repeat rounds 10 & 11, ending with round 10 repeat

The flared brim starts in the next round

Round 15: ch 2, hdc in first 2 stitches, sc in next 5, *hdc in next 3 stitches, sc in next 5* repeat from * to * around to last stitch, hdc in last stitch, join to first hdc with sl st (80 dc)

Round 16: ch 2, *dc in 7 stitches, 2 dc in next* repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with sl st (90 dc)

Round 17: ch 2, dc in each stitch around, join to first dc with sl st (90 dc)

Round 18: ch 1, sc in each stitch around, join to first sc with sl st (90 sc)

Fasten off.

Weave in the ends.

See you next week for the 2nd pattern for the CAL for a Cause!

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