Mermaid Shell Stitch Beanie and Cowl Set

The Mermaid Shell Stitch Beanie + Cowl Set is a cozy crochet pattern inspired by the layered look of mermaid scales. This free crochet beanie and cowl pattern uses a textured shell stitch to create rich depth and visual interest while still being fun and approachable to make. Designed for both kids and adults, this matching crochet hat and cowl set is perfect for cooler weather and makes a great handmade gift for anyone who loves ocean-inspired crochet.

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Difficulty

This pattern is rated Easy. It features a simple stitch pattern with minimal shaping and includes a video tutorial.

Sizes

Baby (Toddler) Child (Teen/Adult Small) Adult Medium (Adult Large)

Finished Measurements (beanie)

Centimeters given as: baby (toddler) child (small) medium (large)

Band circumference: 33 (38) 44 (49) 55 (60)

Beanie height: 14 (16) 18 (20) 22 (24)

Inches given as: baby (toddler) child (adult) adult large

Band circumference: 13 (15) 17 (19) 21.5 (23.5)

Beanie height: 5.5 (6) 7 (8) 8.5 (9.5)

Finished Measurements (cowl)

Centimeters given as: baby (toddler) child (small) medium (large)

Cowl circumference: 40 (47) 53 (60) 63 (67)

Cowl height: 13 (15) 17 (19) 21 (25)

Inches given as: baby (toddler) child (small) medium (large)

Cowl circumference: 15.5 (18) 21 (23.5) 25 (26)

Cowl height: 5 (6) 6.5 (7.5) 8 (10)

Yarn

You will need the following amounts of a worsted (4) weight yarn given as: baby (toddler) child (small) medium (large)

Beanie

meters: 185 (230) 290 (350) 425 (470)

yards: 200 (250) 320 (380) 465 (520)

Cowl

meters: 125 (170) 220 (275) 320 (400)

yards: 135 (185) 240 (300) 350 (440)

Sample was made using Loops and threads Facets in the color “ocean jasper”. Facets is a 100% acrylic, worsted weight (4) yarn that contains 256 meters (279 yards) per 100 grams (3.5 ounces).

While I recommend Loops & Threads Facets for its subtle silver sparkle woven into the fiber, here are a few other great yarn options to try:

Knit Picks Brava Worsted Yarn

• Why it works: A classic premium acrylic worsted yarn that’s soft, machine washable, and versatile for textured crochet like shell stitches, great for hats and cowls.

• Price point: Bargain / budget‑friendly (very affordable skeins).

Jimmy Beans Wool Beanstalk Worsted Yarn

• Why it works: Reliable worsted acrylic with good stitch definition, soft hand, and easy care, perfect for accessories and everyday wearables.

• Price point: Mid‑range (solid value for quality and performance).

Knit Picks Chroma Worsted Yarn

• Why it works: A superwash wool blend option that provides great texture, warmth, and vibrant color, ideal if you want a slightly more natural fiber feel than acrylic.

• Price point: Mid‑range to splurge (higher quality wool blend).

Hook Size and Notions

• 5 mm crochet hook

• 4.5 mm crochet hook

• Tapestry needle

• Scissors

• Optional pom poms and buttons

Pattern Abbreviations

BLO - back loop only

ch(s) - chain(s)

dc - double crochet

dc2tog - double crochet 2 together

hdc - half double crochet

rep - repeat

rnd - round

sc - single crochet

sk - skip

sl st - slip stitch

st(s) - stitch(s)

yo - yarn over

** - repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed

(These are US crochet terms from the Craft Yarn Council)

Gauge

Beanie Band

The beanie band should measure approximately 7 (7.5) 8 (8.5) 9 cm {2.75" (3") 3.25" (3.5") 3.75"} in width and have 20 rows in 10 cm (4") using a 4.5 mm crochet hook.

Work several rows of the beanie band then measure to check gauge.

Cowl

For the cowl you should have 3 shells and 10 rows in a 10 cm (4") square using a 5 mm crochet hook.

The cowl is a relatively small project, work a few rounds of the cowl and then measure to check gauge.

Click HERE to learn more about gauge.

Video Tutorial

Notes

• The beanie is worked from the bottom up. Crochet ribbing is worked first in rows to form the hat band, then the beanie portion is worked in joined rounds on top of the ribbing.

• A chain 3 at the beginning of a round counts as a double crochet stitch.

• Pattern is written as follows: (baby) (toddler) child (small) medium (large)

• Stitch counts are given at the end of each row as follows: {baby, toddler, child, small, medium, large}

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Pattern

Hat Band

Using a 4.5 mm crochet hook and red yarn, ch 15 (16) 17 (18) 19 (20)

Row 1 sc in second ch from hook, sc in each ch across, ch 1, turn {14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19}

Row 2 sc in first st, BLO sc to last st, sc in last st, ch 1, turn {14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19}

Rows 3 – 72 (84) 96 (108) 120 (132) rep row 2, do not “ch 1, turn” on final row

Fasten off leaving approximately a 20 cm (8”) tail. Fold the band in half and whip stitch the open edges together.

Weave in ends.

Hat

Using a 5 mm crochet hook, join yarn on the outside of the hat band in the side of any row.

Rnd 1 ch 1, sc in the side of each row around, sl st to first st {72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132 sts}

Rnd 2 ch 3, dc 2 times in same st, *sk 2 sts, sc, sk 2 sts, dc 5 times in next st* rep around until 5 sts remain, sk 2 sts, sc, sk 2 sts, dc 2 times in next st, sl st in top of ch-3 {12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 dc clusters, now and throughout the pattern}

Rnd 3 ch 1, sc in same st, *sk 2 sts, dc 5 times in next st, sk 2 sts, sc* rep around until 5 sts remain, sk 2 sts, dc 5 times in next st, sk 2 sts, sl st in first sc of rnd

Rnds 4 - 10 (12) 14 (16) 18 (20) rep rnds 2 - 3, ending on rnd 2

Rnd 11 (13) 14 (15) 19 (21) ch 1, sc in same st, sc, hdc, *dc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, hdc* rep around, hdc, sc, sl st to first st of rnd {72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132 sts}

Rnd 12 (14) 16 (18) 20 (22) ch 3, dc, dc2tog, *dc, dc dc2tog* rep around, sl st in top of initial ch 3 {53, 62, 71, 80, 89, 98 sts}

Rnd 13 (15) 17 (19) 21 (23) ch 3, dc, dc2tog, *dc, dc2tog* rep around, sl st in top of initial ch 3 {36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66 sts}

Rnd 14 (16) 18 (20) 22 (24) ch 3, *dc2tog* around, dc in last st, sl st in top of initial ch 3 {19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34 sts}

Fasten off leaving a tail.

Using the tail, weave in and out through the front loops of each of the remaining stitches and pull to close.

Cowl

Using a 5 mm crochet hook, ch 72 (84) 96 (108) 114 (120), join with a sl st to the first ch to form a ring, being careful not to twist the chain.

Rnd 1 ch 1, sc in each ch around, sl st to first sc of rnd {72, 84, 96, 108, 114, 120 sts}

Rnd 2 ch 3, dc 2 times in same st, *sk 2 sts, sc, sk 2 sts, dc 5 times in next st* rep around until 5 sts remain, sk 2 sts, sc, sk 2 sts, dc 2 times in next st, sl st in top of ch-3 {12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20 dc clusters, now and throughout the pattern}

Rnd 3 ch 1, sc in same st, *sk 2 sts, dc 5 times in next st, sk 2 sts, sc* rep around until 5 sts remain, sk 2 sts, dc 5 times in next st, sk 2 sts, sl st in first sc of rnd

Rnds 4 - 13 (15) 17 (19) 21 (25) rep rnds 2 - 3

Rnd 14 (16) 18 (20) 22 (26) ch 3, hdc, sc in next 3 sts, hdc, *dc, hdc, sc in next 3 sts, hdc* rep around, sl st in top of initial ch 3 {72, 84, 96, 108, 114, 120 sts}

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

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Pattern Support

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