Stella Hat Crochet Pattern

The Stella Hat crochet pattern features the ever-lovely star stitch (hence the name). This hat is worked top-down in the round and uses a combination of regular star stitch, small star stitch, and half double crochet. I love ending with a star stitch row as it gives the finish a slightly rippled look. If you missed the tutorial on how to crochet the star stitch, you may want to check it out, as you’ll use the stitches for this hat! (the video is also linked below). The adult large size is free right here, or you can purchase a PDF copy that includes sizes toddler through adult large.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you click on them and make a purchase I may, at no additional cost to you, earn a commission. Read full disclosure here.

Stella Hat - Free Crochet Pattern using DK yarn with star stitch and hdc, made top down, including video tutorial

The free adult large size pattern is below, or you can purchase an ad-free PDF copy of this pattern on Etsy or Ravelry. The PDF includes sizes Toddler (17″), Child (19″), Adult Small (21″), and Adult Large (23″).

This pattern is also available for purchase as a set, which includes the hat, fingerless gloves, and scarf. – Available on Ravelry and Etsy at a discounted price.

Supplies

Stitch Abbreviations

  • ch chain
  • st(s) stitch(es)
  • ss slip stitch
  • star star stitch
  • s-star small star stitch
  • hdc half double crochet

Gauge/Sizing

In pattern, 10 stars or 20 hdc in 4” and 14 rows in 4”. When working in the round, after round 4 my hat measures approximately 3.25” across.

Head circumference for different sizes:

  • Adult Large 23”
  • Adult Small 21”
  • Child 19”
  • Toddler 17”

Pattern Notes

This hat is worked top down in the round with joined rows. For star stitch rows, you will use a combination of star stitch and a modified small star stitch. 

For my sample, the yarn I used was Herriot by Juniper Moon Farm. It’s a super soft 100% baby alpaca yarn.

The last star in the round will end in the same chain from which the first star began.

Special Stitches

See this post for a detailed tutorial about how to do the star stitch and small star stitch, or see the video linked below.

First star stitch in each round: ch2 (does not count as a stitch). Insert hook into front loop of 2nd ch from hook, yo and pull up a loop. Insert hook into back loop of same ch, yo and pull up a loop, in each of the first 3 stitches, yo and pull up a loop. You should have 6 loops on your hook. yo and pull through all 6 loops on your hook, then ch1 to close the star.

Regular Star Stitch: Pull up a loop in the eye of the previous star, the last loop of the previous star, the same stitch that the last loop of the previous star came out of and each of the next two stitches. You should have 6 loops on your hook. yo, pull through all loops on your hook, then ch1 to close the star.

Small Star Stitch: This stitch is worked the same as a regular star stitch, except you only pick up four extra loops (so you would pick up loops in the eye of the star, the last loop of the star, the stitch the last loop came out of, and one more stitch rather than two more stitches).

Star Stitch Video Tutorial

The Stella Hat Crochet Pattern Instructions

Stella Hat - Gray crocheted hat with white crochet hook
  • 1. Make a magic ring (or ch3 and join to form a ring). In ring, ch2 (counts as first hdc), work 10 more hdc in ring, then join with ss and tighten ring. (11sts)
  • 2. ch2, hdc in same st, 2hdc in each stitch around, join (22sts)
  • 3. s-star around, join (22stars)
  • 4. ch2 (counts as first hdc). hdc around, working one hdc in the eye of each star, and 1 hdc in the top ch of each star, join (44sts)
  • 5. ch2, hdc in same st, hdc 3, *2hdc, hdc 3, repeat from * around, join (55sts)
  • 6. *(s-star, star) 3 times, s-star, repeat from * four more times, s-star, star, s-star, hdc, join (38 stars, 1 hdc)
  • 7. ch2, hdc around, working one hdc in the eye of each star, 1 hdc in the top ch of each star, and 1 hdc in the final hdc, join (77sts)
  • 8. ch2, hdc in same st, hdc 6, *2hdc, hdc 6, repeat from * around, join (88sts)
  • 9. (star 7, s-star) twice, star 6, s-star, (star 7, s-star) three times, join (47 stars)
  • 10. ch2, hdc around (94sts)
  • 11. repeat row 10
  • 12. star around (47 stars)
  • 13. repeat rows 10-12 until hat reaches approximately 8.5” or desired length
  • 14. Finish off, weave in ends.
A smiling woman with brown hair wearing a gray crocheted hat made with star stitch

You’re Done!

I hope you enjoyed this pattern, and I’d love to see your finished products! You can use hashtag #kickin_crochet on instagram, and I’ll share your pics to my stories. If you’d like to purchase the PDF, it’s available on Ravelry and Etsy using the links below.

If you liked the Stella hat crochet pattern, you may also like the Pebble Hat or the Jasmine Ripple Blanket

This pattern and all associated images are copyrighted. If you would like to use this pattern in a roundup blog post, you may use 1 image and link to this blog post. You may not copy the pattern instructions. Thank you for supporting Kickin Crochet!