How to Crochet First Variation of Shell Stitch - with Pictures + Written Pattern - Criazal Blog

Author: Talha

I am a crochet designer, macramé maker and a crafter who also loves doing MATH.

In this tutorial, I will show you how to crochet the basic shell stitch in any number of rounds. Whether you are searching for an elegant border to finish a crochet blanket or a textured but lightweight stitch for your crochet top, the ease and beauty of the shell stitch make it a must-have.

In fact, with all of its variations, I found the shell stitch to be one of the most repeated stitches in crochet top patterns. The one we shall learn today is a solid two-row repeat shell stitch crocheted using double crochet and single crochet.

This variation is ideal for working with two colors of yarn, but it definitely looks beautiful in one. I will also briefly explain to you how to crochet the lacy, V, and Catherine wheel shell stitch here. So, you are good to go with me in this 10-minute read!

How is Shell Stitch crocheted?

Anatomy of a crochet shell stitch, which I think is enough to learn it!

Note: The standard shell stitch is not reversible, but it can be made reversible with a 4-row repeat pattern that uses two colors.

Shell stitch can be worked in foundation chains. However, with my experience, I recommend that if you are a beginner or do not have control over your tension, I recommend using single crochet as a foundation instead of chains. This will help you make a neater bottom edge. A solid shell stitch edging pattern is worked as follows (the swatch pattern is taught in detail in the next section):

Make a single crochet.
Skip the next two stitches.
Work five double crochet in the next stitch.
Skip the next two stitches.
Single crochet in the next stitch.

Crochet Shell Stitch: Step-by-Step Pattern

Difficulty: Beginner – Level 3

Stitch Multiple: 6x + 2 (8, 14, 20, … so on)

Stitches Needed: Single crochet, double crochet, and chain stitch.

Supplies:

materials — I don’t recommend using macramé yarn as it tightens and stiffens the stitches, and pretty difficult to work with. I only use it to make stitches clearer while you are learning. As a beginner, try cotton or acrylic.

3.5mm crochet hook or the one on your yarn label
2mm – 2.5mm thick yarn works fine.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

ch: Chain
sc: Single Crochet
dc: Double Crochet
hdc: Half Double Crochet
st(s): Stitch(es)
Shell: 5 Double Crochets in the same stitch

Foundation Row

Chain a multiple of 6 + 2 extra chains. If you want a small swatch, chain 20 (18 + 2). It will, however, only crochet six shell stitches.

Row 1: The Base Row

Skip the first chain and work one single crochet in the next.

Note: Be sure to work the stitch through both the top and bottom loops of the chain stitch for a neater bottom of the shell stitch.

Skip 2 chains, then work 1 dc in the next stitch.

Work 4 more dc in the same stitch to make a total of 5 dc. This is called the Shell Cluster.

Skip 2 chains.

Work 1 sc in the next chain. This will complete our first shell stitch.

Repeat across: Skip 2 chains, 5 dc (shell) in next, skip 2 chains, 1 sc in next. End the row with a single crochet in the very last chain. This is how you will crochet the first row.

Row 2: Working Above the Shell Stitch

Turn, then ch 3 (this counts as your first dc).
Work 2 dc in the same stitch (it will give you a “half shell” of 3 total dc).
Skip 2 stitches, then work 1 sc in the next stitch (this should be the center dc of the shell below).
Repeat across: Skip 2 stitches, 5 dc (shell) in the next stitch (which should be the sc from the row below), skip 2 stitches, 1 sc in the next stitch.
To Finish: When 3 stitches remain, skip 2 and place 3 dc in the last stitch.

Row 3: Reseting the Pattern

Turn, then ch 1 (does not count as a stitch).
Work 1 sc in the first stitch.
Repeat across: Skip 2 stitches, 5 dc (shell) in the next stitch, skip 2 stitches, 1 sc in the next stitch.
To Finish: Work your last sc into the top of the turning chain-3 from the previous row.

The Repeat

Repeat Row 2 and Row 3.

Optional: Straight Edge Row

If you are crocheting a blanket or pillow and want a straight top edge instead of scallops, follow this work this pattern for the last row:

Turn, then ch 3 (counts as dc).
dc in the next stitch, hdc in the next, and sc in the top of the shell.
Repeat across: hdc in next, dc in next 3 stitches, hdc in next, sc in next.
To Finish: When 3 stitches remain, finish with 1 hdc and 1 dc in each of the last two stitches.

That’s all for this tutorial!

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