This was a great pattern with pictures to help, but I had trouble joining these pieces together. Suggestions:

Use a thicker worsted weight like red heart with love for the main color, and a thinner, softer worsted weight for the trim, such as the soft secret I used. This keeps the textured look of the joining from getting too fat looking, and keeps the “roundness” of the shell stiffer. (I took the majority of my pictures with a scarf stuffed underneath the shell, except in my last picture, as noted. Also, I made the “pointed” hexes verses the “rounded” ones. I think the rounded ones would have worked better for me because of the manner in which I crochet.

I think that joining in single crochet rather than the way suggested in the pattern might be better. It will be just about the same effect in HALF the time. I did post a question in regards to the joining, and here is the link:

http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/patterns/3123699/1-25#7

I found some videos in the post that will help; just keep in mind that in this pattern, you are dealing with sc and not hdc.

I did follow the instructions as they were for the last two rows on the shell. I MAY add another round of sc under the shell and see if that makes it any stiffer.

I made the hat exactly as the pattern calls for, with the last round done in the contrasting color. I decided to make my own flower, though.

For the tail, I tapered it down at the tips with a slight decrease.