This cap is based on the red cap from the movie “The Professional”. However, I have changed my original pattern a bit (added a row of shells) in order to make it longer. To obtain a more movie-consistent cap, omit one row of shells. In order to make the hat more like a beanie in length, add two rows of shells.

[Editor's Note: This pattern was originally published on Emily's website. She plans to take her web site down, and we're very happy to give her pattern a home here. This is a companion to the Shelly scarf.]

• About 150 yds worsted weight yarn
• Size K/10.5 hook (6.5 mm)
• Yarn needle

To fit 20-21” or an average adult woman

13 sc and 14 rows = 4” (10 cm)

To Begin

Ch 4, sl st in first ch to join (note:

The simple shell-stitch is one of my favorite crochet designs. The combination of dc and sc, plus a few slip-stitches here and there, make it the perfect next step for a beginner who wants something more elegant and interesting than your basic sc or dc rounds, but doesn’t have the skills or confidence yet to tackle a more elaborate pattern. Not only that, but shell-stitch certainly is not lost on the more advanced hooker: it provides a fast-finished, low-concentration alternative to the more pithy patterns available, and still turns out a really pleasing finished product. That is why, when I was busy turning out caps to sell at the Relay for Life, I turned to Google in search of a pretty shell-stitch hat. Surprisingly, I couldn’t find one, so I set forth to make my own. My goal was to create a fast hat pattern that was made of soft yarn with no seams, so I chose a simple worsted kitchen cotton and a large hook. I was so delighted with the finished results, I began experimenting with other yarns and slight alterations in the pattern and came up with two very satisfactory designs: a warm/cool-weather style and a cold-weather style.

Belliveau Cove (white):

• Brown Sheep Company, Lamb’s Pride Bulky (100% wool; 125 yds / per 4 oz.), Color M10, 1 skein
• US size K / 6.50mm hook
• Yarn needle

Gulf Shores (blue):

• Lily, Sugar and Cream (100% cotton; 125 yds / per 4 oz.), Color Delft Blue, 1 skein
• US size J / 6.00mm hook
• Yarn needle

Approx. 23" circumference.

Belliveau Cove: 12 sts x 5 1/3 rounds of dc = 4" (10 cm)

Gulf Shores: 16 sts x 8 rounds of dc = 4" (10 cm) 

I've been fond of ear-flap hats ever since I first saw one in an Alice Starmore knitting book. Although I've never gotten around to knitting one, I've crocheted loads. The hat band, which can be crocheted on its own if you're just after an ear-warmer/headband, is done in front-post double crochet to create a ribbed faux-fair isle-style. If you're like me and you have loads of partial skeins lying around, this is a great way to use them up.

• MC: 2 skeins Inca Cloud Artesano Alpaca (100% Alpaca, 131 yds/120m per 50g skein): color #002 (brown) or approximately 260 yards/240m of any DK weight alpaca.  
• CC1 and CC2: 1/2 skein each of Inca Cloud Artesano Alpaca (100% Alpaca, 131 yds/120m per 50g skein): color #402 (olive green) and color #71 (burnt orange) or approximately 131 yards/120m of any DK weight alpaca or scrap yarn.  
• US F /5 (3.75 mm) hook
• Stitch marker (I find a dangle earring works well in lieu of a proper stitch marker)
• Yarn needle

Wee Noggin - 17.5" (45 cm) circumference, 6.75" (17 cm) brim-to-top
Normal Noggin - 22" (56 cm) circumference, 8" (20 cm) brim-to-top
Big Noggin - 26.5" (67 cm) circumference, 9.25" (23 cm) brim-to-top

The pattern is written for Wee Noggin with changes for Normal Noggin and Big Noggin in parentheses.

Earflaps - 2.4" wide x 3.5" long (6 cm x 9 cm)
Pigtails - 8" (20 cm) long

19 sts x 24 rounds of sc = 4" (10 cm)

Brim

With MC, ch 80 [100, 120], sl st in first ch to form ring.  

Round 1.  Ch 2 (counts as first dc), dc in each st around, sl st in 2nd ch of ch-2 to close ring. - 80 (100, 120) dc total

Round 2.  Ch 1 (counts as first sc), *fpdc around next dc of previous row, sc in next st*, rep from * to * around, ending fpdc around last dc of previous row, sl st in first ch to close ring.  

Round 3. With CC1, ch 1 (counts as first sc), *fpdc around post of next fpdc, sc in next st,*  rep from * to * around, ending fpdc around post of next fpdc,  sl st in first ch to close ring.

Round 4.  Repeat Round 3 in MC.  

Round 5.  Repeat Round 3 in CC2.  

Round 6.  Repeat Round 3 in CC1.  

Round 7.  Repeat Round 3 in CC2.  

Round 8.  Repeat Round 3 in MC.  

Round 9.  Repeat Round 3 in CC1.  

Rounds 10-11.  Repeat Round 3 in MC.  

Fasten off.

Top O' the Hat

All sizes

With MC, ch 3, sl st in first ch to form ring.  

Round 1:  Ch 1, work 10 sc into ring.  (10 sts)

Ignoring ch-1, begin crocheting in a spiral. To help keep track of rounds, place a stitch marker in the first stitch of the round to mark the beginning of the round. Move the marker up as your work progresses.

Round 2:  Work 2 sc in each st around.  (20 sts)

Rounds 3-4:  Sc in each st around.  

Round 5:  Work 2 sc in each st around.  (40 sts)

Rounds 6-10:  Sc in each st around.  

Round 11:  Work 2 sc in each st around.  (80 sts)

Wee Noggin Only  

Rounds 12-27*:  Sc in each st around.  

Sl st in next st.  Fasten off.

Normal Noggin Only

Rounds 12-18:  Sc in each st around.  

Round 19:  *Work 2 sc in next st, sc in each of the next 3 sts,* rep from * to * around.  (100 sts)

Rounds 20-35*:  Sc in each st around.  

Sl st in next st.  Fasten off.

Big Noggin Only

Rounds 12-18:  Sc in each st around.  

Round 19:  *Work 2 sc in next st, sc in next st,* rep from * to * around.  (120 sts)

Rounds 20-43*:  Sc in each st around.  

Sl st in next st.  Fasten off.

* By all means feel free to adjust the number of rows to your preference if you want a taller or shorter hat!  

Earflaps

With CC1, ch 10.  Fasten off.  

Row 1:  Join CC2 in the blo, ch 1, sc in blo of each of first 9 ch, work 3 sc in last ch, sc in unworked loop of each ch along other side of ch to end.  Fasten off.  (21 sts)

Row 2:  Join MC in the blo, ch 1, sc-blo in each of the first 9 sts, work 2 sc-blo in each of the next 3 sts, sc-blo in each st to end.  Fasten off.  (24 sts)

Row 3:  Join CC1 in the blo, ch 1, sc-blo in each of the first 10 sts, work 2 sc-blo in each of the next 3 sts, sc-blo in each st to end.  Fasten off.  (27 sts)

Row 4:  Join MC in the blo, ch 1, sc-blo in each of the first 12 sts, work 2 sc-blo in each of the next 3 sts, sc-blo in each st to end, turn.  (30 sts)

Row 5:  Ch 1, sc-flo in each of first 11 sts, work 2 sc-flo in each of the next 2 sts, sc-flo in each of the next 4 sts, work 2 sc-flo in each of the next 2 sts, sc-flo in each st to end, turn.  (34 sts)

Row 6: Ch 1, sc-flo in each of the first 11 sts, work 2 sc-flo in each of the next 2 sts, sc-flo in each of next 8 sts, work 2 sc-flo in each of next 2 sts, sc-flo in each st to end.  Fasten off.  (38 sts)

Finishing

With MC, sew or sl st (I prefer the look of sl st done along the outside, or right side for this bit) the top o' the hat to the hat band.  Sew or sl st (I prefer the look of the sl st done along the inside, or wrong side, for this bit) the earflaps to the bottom of the hat band.  Fasten off. Weave in all ends.  

Pigtails (make two)

Cut (12) 24-inch strands of MC, CC1, and CC2.  With your finger or a large crochet hook, wiggle a hole/gap in the stitches between Rows 5 and 6 of the bottom of the earflap.  Stuff the strands through the gap and tie in a knot.  Braid the strands and tie at the bottom.

I learned to crochet because my college roommate returned from fall break one year with a really cute hat she'd just crocheted. I was jealous and told her I wanted the hat for myself. I begged. I pleaded. She refused, but offered to teach me to crochet so I could make my own hat. I've been making hats ever since.

I like making hats because it's a good way to try out a new kind of yarn, it only takes one or two skeins, it's a fast project, and if I don't want the hat for myself I can always give it to one of my friends.

This hat comes in two sizes: Regular head (will fit most women), and big head (for those of you with above-average sized craniums -- this size fits my husband nicely). The yarn is stretchy, too, so it will fit comfortably and you will have less of a chance of getting hat-head.

• Louisa Harding Fauve yarn, (100% Nylon, 127yds/116m per 50 g), 2 skeins, shade 06 (Note: I made the big head version with 2 skeins, but I had less than a meter of yarn left after making the hat; you might want to have a third skein on hand just in case.)
• 5.00mm (US H-8) hook
• Stitch marker (I find a dangle earring works well in lieu of a proper stitch marker)

Regular head: 7" (18cm) from top to brim, 24" (61cm) in diameter at the brim

Big head: 8.5" (22cm) from top to brim, 26" (66cm) in diameter at the brim.

18 sts x 16 rounds of sc (blo) = 4" x 4" (10cm x 10cm)

All stitches are worked through the blo (back loop only), except where noted.

The hat is crocheted in a spiral, so you will not make a join at the end of every round. To keep track of rounds, place a marker in the first stitch of the round; work in pattern, moving the marker with each round.

All Sizes

Ch 3, sl st in first ch to form ring.

Round 1:  Work 4 sc into ring. (4 sts)

Round 2:  Begin working through blo, 2 sc in each st around.  (8 sts)

Round 3:  Work 2 sc in each st around.  (16 sts)

Round 4: Work 2 sc in each st around.  (32 sts)

Rounds 5-6: Sc in each st around.

Regular Head Only 

Round 7: Work 2 sc in each st around ending with sc in last st.  (63 sts)

Rounds 8-12: Sc in each st around.  

Round 13:  *Sc in each of next 2 sts, work 2 sc in next st,* rep from * to * around.  (84 sts)

Rounds 14-19: Sc in each st around.  

Rounds 20-23: Working in both loops, sc in each st around.  

Rounds 24: Working in blo, sc in each st around.  

Round 25:  *Sc in each of next 3 sts, work 2 sc in next st,* rep from * to * around.  (105 sts)

Rounds 26-28: Sc in each st around.  

Round 29: Sl st in each st around.  

Fasten off. Weave in ends.  

Big Head Only

Round 7: Work 2 sc in each st around.  (64 sts)

Rounds 8-12: Sc in each st around.  

Round 13:  *Sc in next st, work 2 sc in next st,* rep from * to * around.  (96 sts)

Rounds 14-22: Sc in each st around.  

Rounds 23-27: Working in both loops, sc in each st around.  

Rounds 28-30: Working in blo, sc in each st around.  

Round 31:  *Sc in each of next 2 sts, work 2 sc in next st,* rep from * to * around.  (128 sts)

Rounds 32-33: Sc in each st around.  

Round 34: Sl st in each st around.  

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Designed with a gathered effect on top, this classic hat is more flattering (on the designer at least!) than the usual smooth-top beanie style. Cat ears lend a flair of feline fun, while the bottom ribbing adds warmth. Variations can be made by leaving off the ears and adding a pompom or tassel.

• 3oz. sport weight yarn, grey and a small amount of pink. Model uses Lion Brand Micro Spun.
• Size H/5mm hook, or any size so that you achieve the stated gauge.

Adult - one size fits all

8 sts and 6 rows equal 2 inches

Join each row with a slip stitch. In the ribbing rows, treat the ch 3 and the 1^st dc as one st, making the bpdc around both at once.