I love the easy crochet pattern for a Shells Messy Bun Hat. I like to call it ‘My Mountain Lodge’ messy bun hat because it instantly makes me think of cozy days at a ski lodge. Picture this: bundled up in comfy clothing, rocking plaid slipper socks with flannel soles, and feeling cute as can be while staying warm and stylish!”
Sign Up For My Newsletter!
Not only is it easy to crochet this shells messy bun hat, but it’s fast to crochet as well.
Use worsted weight yarn in any color you think would create a rustic Mountain Lodge feel. I believe the single crochet stitch brim adds to the charm of this beanie.
Keep scrolling to find the free crochet pattern, or purchase the ad free pdf at RAVELRY.
I was really happy to find that with a change of colors, I could crochet this in team colors.
Adding a ribbed brim to the team colors hat is best. This is a great scrap busting design as it doesn’t take much yarn in either color. The vesatility of the Shells Messy bun beanie make this crochet pattern a winner.
Crochet Shells Messy Bun Hat Pattern
Worsted Weight Yarn from my stash was used. Please check gauge and measurements throughout the pattern, as some worsted weight yarns vary in size. The color options are endless.
Hook: J/10/6mm
Gauge for HDC swatch using J/10/6mm hook: HDC = 4” x 4” = 9 rows x 11 stitches
Gauge for Shells: 4” x 4” = 7 shells x 4 shells
Notes:
Beg. CH 1 does not count as a stitch, unless otherwise noted
Beg. CH 2 will count as a stitch during the ribbing rounds. It will recess and become a faux or mock BP HDC
Special Stitch
Shell Stitch (Shell): 5 DC in stitch indicated in the pattern
Stitch Guide
MC = Main Color
CC = Contrasting Color 1
CC2 = Contrasting Color 2
join w/ = join with
st = stitch
SLP ST = Slip Stitch
CH = Chain
SC = Single Crochet
HDC = Half Double Crochet
DC = Double Crochet
FP HDC = Front Post Half Double Crochet
BP HDC = Back Post Half Double Crochet
nxt = Next
* * = Repeat between the stars the number of times stated; x = Times; example Repeat 2 x or 2 times; 3 x or 3 times and so on;
in = example “in nxt st” means you will be inserting the hook under the top two loops of the next stitch to complete stitch or sequence of stitches stated.
beg. = beginning
Adult Tween/S
Using MC; CH 24 join in ring w/SLP ST in 1st CH, being careful not to twist the chain, CH 1
Round 1: HDC in joining st & in nxt st; 2 HDC in nxt st;
*HDC in nxt st 2x, 2 HDC in nxt st;* 7x; join w/SLP ST to beg. HDC; CH 1 (32 HDC)
Round 2: HDC in joining st; HDC in nxt st 2x; 2 HDC in nxt st; * HDC in nxt st 3x, 2 HDC in nxt st;* 7x; join w/SLP ST to beg. HDC; CH 1 (40 HDC)
Round 3: HDC in joining st; HDC in nxt st 3x; 2 HDC in nxt st; * HDC in nxt st 4x, 2 HDC in nxt ST;* 7x; join w/SLP ST to beg. HDC; CH 1 (48 HDC) Measurement across 5 ½”
Shell Rows follow
Round 4: SC in joining st; skp nxt st 2 st’s; Shell in nxt st; * skp nxt st 2x; SC in nxt st; skp nxt st 2x, Shell in nxt st;* 7x; join w/SLP ST to beg. SC; (8 SC 8 Shells)
Round 5: SLP ST in nxt ST 3x (Note, you should be at the peak stitch of the first shell of the previous round.) CH 1, *SC in peak st; Shell in nxt SC of previous round;* 8x; join w/SLP ST to beg. SC; (8 SC 8 Shells)
Round 6-10: Repeat Round 5 (Note: you may add more rows here, if you would like a taller slouchier hat)
Note: If you would like to change colors during the Shell Rows, you will be changing the color at the beginning of the round; SLP ST in nxt st 3x, and Drop MC and pull up CC at last pull through of 3rd SLP ST, you should be at the peak.
Brim option number 1 (Ribbed Brim)
Round 11: CH 1, SC in joining st and in each st around; join w/ SLP ST in beg. SC (48 SC)
Round 12 – 14: CH 2; FP HDC around 1st SC; *BP HDC around nxt SC, FP HDC around nxt SC;* complete sequence between * * around; join w/SLP ST in beg. 2nd CH of beg. CH 2; (48 ST) (At the end of Round 14, End off and weave in all ends)
Brim option number 2 (SC Striped Brim)
Round 11: CH 1, SC in joining st and in each st around; Drop MC and pull up CC1 at the last pull through of this round; join w/SLP ST to beg. SC (48 ST)
Round 12-13: CH 1, SC in joining st and in each st around; Drop CC1 and pull up CC2 at the last pull through of round13; join w/SLP ST to beg. SC (48 ST)
Round 14: CH 1, SC in joining st and in each st around; Drop CC2 and pull up CC1 at the last pull through of this round; join w/SLP ST to beg. SC (48 ST)
Round 15-16: CH 1, SC in joining st and in each st around; join w/SLP ST in beg. SC; End off and weave in ends (48 ST)
Ending Measurements (All measurements are approximate for you use as a guideline) Circumference =18-19” Height = 7”
Adult M/L
Using MC; CH 27 join in ring w/SLP ST in 1st CH, being careful not to twist the chain, CH 1
Round 1: HDC in joining st & in nxt st; 2 HDC in nxt st;
*HDC in nxt st 2x, 2 HDC in nxt st;* 8x; join w/SLP ST to beg. HDC; CH 1 (36 HDC)
Round 2: HDC in joining st; HDC in nxt st 2x; 2 HDC in nxt st; * HDC in nxt st 3x, 2 HDC in nxt st;* 8x; join w/SLP ST to beg. HDC; CH 1 (45 HDC)
Round 3: HDC in joining st; HDC in nxt st 3x; 2 HDC in nxt st; * HDC in nxt st 4x, 2 HDC in nxt ST;* 8x; join w/SLP ST to beg. HDC; CH 1 (54 HDC) Measurement across 6 ½”
Shell Rows follow
Round 4: SC in joining st; skp nxt st 2 st’s; Shell in nxt st; * skp nxt st 2x; SC in nxt st; skp nxt st 2x, Shell in nxt st;* 8x; join w/SLP ST to beg. SC; (9 SC 9 Shells)
Round 5: SLP ST in nxt ST 3x (Note, you should be at the peak stitch of the first shell of the previous round.) CH 1, *SC in peak st; Shell in nxt SC of previous round;* 9x; join w/SLP ST to beg. SC; (9 SC 9 Shells)
Round 6-10: Repeat Round 5 (Note: you may add more rows here, if you would like a taller slouchier hat)
Note: If you would like to change colors during the Shell Rows, you will be changing the color at the beginning of the round; SLP ST in nxt st 3x, and Drop MC and pull up CC at last pull through of 3rd SLP ST, you should be at the peak.
Brim option number 1 (Ribbed Brim)
Round 11: CH 1, SC in joining st and in each st around; join w/ SLP ST in beg. SC (54 SC)
Round 12 – 14: CH 2; FP HDC around 1st SC; *BP HDC around nxt SC, FP HDC around nxt SC;* complete sequence between * * around; join w/SLP ST in beg. 2nd CH of beg. CH 2; (54ST) (At the end of Round 14, End off and weave in all ends)
Brim option number 2 (SC Striped Brim)
Round 11: CH 1, SC in joining st and in each st around; Drop MC and pull up CC1 at the last pull through of this round; join w/SLP ST to beg. SC (54 ST)
Round 12-13: CH 1, SC in joining st and in each st around; Drop CC1 and pull up CC2 at the last pull through of round 13; join w/SLP ST to beg. SC (54 ST)
Round 14: CH 1, SC in joining st and in each st around; Drop CC2 and pull up CC1 at the last pull through of this round; join w/SLP ST to beg. SC (54 ST)
Round 15-16: CH 1, SC in joining st and in each st around; join w/SLP ST in beg. SC; End off and weave in ends (54 ST)
Ending Measurements (All measurements are approximate for you use as a guideline) Circumference =19-20” Height = 6 ½”
Adult X Large Messy Bun Hat
Using MC; CH 30 join in ring w/SLP ST in 1st CH, being careful not to twist the chain, CH 1
Round 1: HDC in joining st & in nxt st; 2 HDC in nxt st;
*HDC in nxt st 2x, 2 HDC in nxt st;* 9x; join w/SLP ST to beg. HDC; CH 1 (40 HDC)
Round 2: HDC in joining st; HDC in nxt st 2x; 2 HDC in nxt st; * HDC in nxt st 3x, 2 HDC in nxt st;* 9x; join w/SLP ST to beg. HDC; CH 1 (50 HDC)
Round 3: HDC in joining st; HDC in nxt st 3x; 2 HDC in nxt st; * HDC in nxt st 4x, 2 HDC in nxt ST;* 9x; join w/SLP ST to beg. HDC; CH 1 (60 HDC) Measurement across 7 ½”
Shell Rows follow
Round 4: SC in joining st; skp nxt st 2 st’s; Shell in nxt st; * skp nxt st 2x; SC in nxt st; skp nxt st 2x, Shell in nxt st;* 9x; join w/SLP ST to beg. SC; (10 SC 10 Shells)
Round 5: SLP ST in nxt ST 3x (Note, you should be at the peak stitch of the first shell of the previous round.) CH 1, *SC in peak st; Shell in nxt SC of previous round;* 10x; join w/SLP ST to beg. SC; (10 SC 10 Shells)
Round 6-11: Repeat Round 5 (Note: you may add more rows here, if you would like a taller slouchier hat)
Note: If you would like to change colors during the Shell Rows, you will be changing the color at the beginning of the round; SLP ST in nxt st 3x, and Drop MC and pull up CC at last pull through of 3rd SLP ST, you should be at the peak.
Brim option number 1 (Ribbed Brim)
Round 12: CH 1, SC in joining st and in each st around; join w/ SLP ST in beg. SC (60 SC)
Round 13 – 16: CH 2; FP HDC around 1st SC; *BP HDC around nxt SC, FP HDC around nxt SC;* complete sequence between * * around; join w/SLP ST in beg. 2nd CH of beg. CH 2; (60 ST) (At the end of Round 15, End off and weave in all ends)
Brim option number 2 (SC Striped Brim)
Round 12: CH 1, SC in joining st and in each st around; Drop MC and pull up CC1 at the last pull through of this round; join w/SLP ST to beg. SC (60 ST)
Round 13-14: CH 1, SC in joining st and in each st around; Drop CC1 and pull up CC2 at the last pull through of round 14; join w/SLP ST to beg. SC (60 ST)
Round 15: CH 1, SC in joining st and in each st around; Drop CC2 and pull up CC1 at the last pull through of this round; join w/SLP ST to beg. SC (60 ST)
Round 16-17: CH 1, SC in joining st and in each st around; join w/SLP ST in beg. SC; End off and weave in ends (60 ST)
Ending Measurements (All measurements are approximate for you use as a guideline) Circumference =20-21” Height = 7 ½”
I really love working with the Shell Stitch. I created a Shell Stitch Hat out of Velvet Yarn a few years back and then added a wide turned up brim, and a fluffy mop style Pom. Of course a fur ball is fun too, I have a tutorial on how to do that RIGHT HERE.
I have a different shells hat, that uses a chunky (6) yarn and a shell stitch makes a super quick and beautiful hat! So many different ways to style that hat too! Add a large button or brooch to the side. Or you can sew a leather tag or create a fabric tag, and then sew it in place. Add a sweet button to the fabric tag like what was done with the Snowflake Hat.
Pin this photo below and you will always have this free crochet pattern.
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
This pattern is protected by copyright Krissys Over The Mountain Crochet©2024. Do not sell, alter or redistribute this pattern in any way or form. You have my permission to sell your finished product, but you are responsible for the finished product. You may NOT use my photos to sell your product or promote your website.
FOLLOW ME
YOUTUBE
RAVELRY
PINTEREST
INSTAGRAM
This is one of my favorite crochet patterns and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. It was good to have you on my side of the mountain again. Leave me a note below in the comments and let me know what yarns you used when you make your messy bun hat.
God Bless,
Loved the hats so cute. Granddaughters would luv them. Thank you for them.