A tall, whimsical elf hat worked in plush worsted-weight yarn with candy-cane stripes and a curled spiral tip finished with a jingling gold bell. Features a scalloped brim with leaf-shaped edging and evenly spaced bells for a festive sound. Worked in continuous rounds with color changes for red and white stripes and an internal option for wire to hold the curl.
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— Notes & Gauge :
Info :
This hat is worked in continuous rounds (spiral) unless otherwise noted. I recommend 5.0 mm hook with worsted weight yarn to achieve a dense, plush fabric similar to the sample photos. Gauge is not critical for shape but influences final size — approximately 3.5 hdc = 1 inch in flat swatch.
Info :
Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch in the spiral and move it up every few rounds. Color change rounds are worked by finishing the last yarn over of the previous stitch with the new color to create clean joins.
— Main Cone (worked in green, HDC) :
Round 1 :
6 hdc in magic ring (6)
Round 3 :
(1 hdc, inc) x 6 (18)
Round 4 :
(2 hdc, inc) x 6 (24)
Round 5 :
(3 hdc, inc) x 6 (30)
Round 6 :
(4 hdc, inc) x 6 (36)
Round 7 :
(5 hdc, inc) x 6 (42)
Round 8 :
(6 hdc, inc) x 6 (48)
Round 9 :
(7 hdc, inc) x 6 (54)
Round 10 :
(8 hdc, inc) x 6 (60)
Round 11 :
(9 hdc, inc) x 6 (66)
Round 12 :
(10 hdc, inc) x 6 (72)
Info :
At round 12 your circumference should be 72 stitches. This is the circumference used for the sample adult-sized hat. If you need a smaller or larger hat, adjust by increasing or decreasing the number of increase rounds before moving to even rounds.
Round 13-16 :
1 hdc in each st around (72)
Info :
Start building height here. Keep even tension and use your stitch marker. If your yarn tends to stretch, work more even rounds now to reach desired slouch before stripes.
Info :
Color change sequence for candy stripes: we will work short stripe segments of red (1 round), white (1 round), red (1 round) spaced every 8-12 green rounds for the candy-cane look. Carry unused yarn loosely along the inside if you prefer fewer ends to weave later.
Round 17 :
Change to red: 1 hdc in each st around (72)
Round 18 :
Change to white: 1 hdc in each st around (72)
Round 19 :
Change to red: 1 hdc in each st around (72)
Round 20-24 :
Change to green: 1 hdc in each st around (72)
Info :
After the red-white-red trio, return to green for several rounds to create large green bands. Repeat stripe clusters as shown in the photos: a trio of narrow stripes followed by a longer green section. Continue until you reach the desired hat height before tapering.
Round 25 :
Change to red: 1 hdc in each st around (72)
Round 26 :
Change to white: 1 hdc in each st around (72)
Round 27 :
Change to red: 1 hdc in each st around (72)
Round 28-36 :
Green: 1 hdc in each st around (72)
Info :
Check height frequently. For an adult hat like the sample, you will work roughly 28-40 even rounds at 72 stitches before beginning tapering toward the tip. Stop when the hat reaches approximately 10-12 inches from brim to where the spiral will begin (adjust for desired droop).
Round 37-40 :
Green: 1 hdc in each st around (72)
Info :
Begin tapering to shape the cone - we will decrease gradually so the cone narrows smoothly. Keep color striping pattern consistent if a stripe lands on a decrease round; maintain stitch count math.
Round 41 :
(10 hdc, dec) x 6 (66)
Round 42 :
(9 hdc, dec) x 6 (60)
Round 43 :
(8 hdc, dec) x 6 (54)
Round 44 :
(7 hdc, dec) x 6 (48)
Round 45 :
(6 hdc, dec) x 6 (42)
Info :
Start reducing more aggressively to guide the cone toward a narrow starting point for the spiral tip. These decreases will keep the fabric smooth and avoid sudden pinches. Begin stuffing very lightly here if you want a slightly firm base at the top to anchor the spiral tip insertion later.
Round 46 :
(5 hdc, dec) x 6 (36)
Round 47 :
(4 hdc, dec) x 6 (30)
Round 48 :
(3 hdc, dec) x 6 (24)
Round 49 :
(2 hdc, dec) x 6 (18)
Round 50 :
(1 hdc, dec) x 6 (12)
Info :
At the end of Round 51 you will have a small opening of 6 stitches. This is an excellent point to either: A) continue to build a separate spiral tip worked in rounds and then sew it into this opening, or B) continue crocheting directly from this point to extend the tip. The sample uses a separately worked tapered spiral that is lightly stuffed and wired, then sewn into the cone opening to create a strong curl.
— Spiral Tip (worked in green, worked separately then attached) :
Tip Round 1 :
6 hdc in magic ring (6)
Tip Round 3 :
(1 hdc, inc) x 6 (18)
Tip Round 4 :
(2 hdc, inc) x 6 (24)
Tip Round 5 :
(3 hdc, inc) x 6 (30)
Info :
We have expanded to a 30-stitch tube — this width keeps the spiral plump and easy to curl. If you want a tighter, narrower spiral, stop at 24 sts (omit round 5).
Tip Round 6-15 :
1 hdc in each st around (30)
Info :
Lengthen the spiral tip by working 10 rounds at 30 stitches. This builds the tube that will be tapered to form the curl. Insert optional thin floral wire inside the tube after round 8-10 to allow poseable shaping; push the wire down into the center, leaving ends folded over and secured to avoid sharp points.
Tip Round 16 :
(3 hdc, dec) x 6 (24)
Tip Round 17 :
(2 hdc, dec) x 6 (18)
Tip Round 18 :
(1 hdc, dec) x 6 (12)
Info :
Stop decreasing when the tube still holds a bit of bulk — leaving a tiny hole is fine. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Insert a small amount of fiberfill to keep the spiral tip rounded but lightweight. If you have inserted wire, bend the tip to create a tight curl; otherwise coil the finished tip and sew it to the cone opening.
Tip Round 20 (optional curl reinforcement) :
Using a yarn needle, sew spiral tip base to cone opening using a ladder stitch, working evenly around the 6-stitch opening to create a seamless join. Repeat the seam and secure with a double knot inside. Weave in ends.
Info :
If you want the dramatic curl seen in the images, insert a short length of thin floral wire inside the last 6-10 rounds of the spiral tip before stuffing and finishing; bind the wire near the cone joint so the curl is stable.
— Brim: Scalloped Ruffle (worked in green, joined to main cone) :
Info :
We will make a deep scalloped brim worked around the single crochet/hdc base of the hat. The sample used 24 scallops around a 72-stitch base, so each scallop occupies 3 foundation stitches (72/24 = 3). Join yarn into bottom-most round of the cone and work scallops evenly.
Brim Round 1 :
Attach green at base edge. *Sk 1 st, 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sl st in next st;* rep from * to * around to make 24 shells (72 sts used, you will make 24 shells). Join with sl st and do not turn.
Brim Round 2 :
Ch 1, sl st into first dc, *ch 2, 3 sc over the 5-dc shell (work into the center of shell), ch 2, sl st in next sl st space;* rep around to form defined scallops (24 scallops). Fasten off and weave ends.
Info :
This rim forms the ruffle seen on the sample hat. If you want a fuller ruffle, make the shells larger (7 dc shells) or add a second row of shells offset from the first row. Blocking the brim slightly will even the scallops.
— Leaf Trim (worked separately, then sewn to brim) :
Leaf Motif - Row 1 :
With lighter green or same green, ch 8. Row along chain: sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next, dc in next 2, hdc in next, sc in next, sl st in last ch to form a single leaf. Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
Leaf Motif - Row 2 (optional extra texture) :
Edge each leaf with a round of sc around the entire leaf shape, placing 3 sc in tip to create a gentle point; fasten off and weave ends. Make 12-16 leaves to match brim scallops, spacing evenly.
Info :
Sew leaves over the tops of scallops with yarn needle using matching yarn tail. In the sample, leaves were attached to every other scallop leaving small valleys where bells were attached — arrange visually before sewing for best results.
— Bell Attachment Loops :
Bell Loop Round 1 :
Working from inside of brim, at chosen scallop points (12 placements recommended) attach a short cord: ch 8, secure with sl st to brim base. Fasten off leaving a 6" tail to tie on jump ring or sew ring in place.
Info :
Attach small gold bells to each cord using small jump rings or bell clips. If using jump rings, close them carefully and reinforce by sewing through the base of the loop a couple of times. For extra security, add a dot of fabric glue to each jump ring after placement.
— Decorative Candy Stripe Repeats (detailed placement) :
Info :
The sample has three clusters of candy stripes: near the lower cone, mid cone, and upper cone just before the taper. Each cluster is made of red (1 round), white (1 round), red (1 round) then several green rounds. Follow these placements strictly if you want the same visual balance: Rounds 17-19, Rounds 25-27, and a smaller trio beginning at Round 33 if your hat height allows.
Stripe Detail :
When changing colors for 1-round stripes, carry the unused yarn neatly along the inside and trap it every 4-6 stitches by crocheting over the carried yarn so you do not have many loose ends to stitch in later.
— Finishing & Securement :
Info :
Sew the spiral tip to the cone opening with a strong mattress or whip stitch using the long tail left from the tip. Stitch through both pieces evenly; avoid pulling too tight which can distort the cone shape. Reinforce the seam with a second pass of sewing and weave ends deeply into the brim area.
Info :
Once all bells are attached, check each one for secure fastening. If any bells rattle loose, remove and reattach with extra stitches and a dab of fabric glue if desired. Trim and weave in all ends. Block lightly to even the ruffle if needed.
Info :
Optional inner lining: If you prefer a neater inside or extra body, cut a fabric circle the size of the brim and hand-sew it to the underside of the brim before attaching leaves and bells. This is helpful if you carried yarns and want to hide tails or if the hat will be handled a lot.
Tip :
If gifting the hat, consider sewing a small loop inside the crown to hang it for storage, or add a soft label with care instructions (hand wash cold, reshape, dry flat).
This festive spiral elf hat brings together playful shape, bold candy stripes, and cheerful jingles for a handmade holiday statement. Each scallop, leaf and bell adds personality, and the curled tip is a joyful finishing touch. I hope this pattern brings a smile and becomes a seasonal favorite in your handmade collection. 🧶🎁✨
