If you love crochet stitches that have a little bit of texture and a lot of charm, the shell stitch is definitely one to try. It creates beautiful fan-shaped shells that give a blanket or other crochet project a soft, decorative look without making the pattern overly complicated.
I especially love the shell stitch for blankets because the finished fabric has such a pretty rhythm. Once you get into the repeat, the rows become quite relaxing to work, and alternating two colors makes those lovely shells stand out even more.
This stitch can also be used for scarves, shawls, baby blankets, wraps, and even garments. It’s one of those classic crochet stitches that you can come back to again and again.
Materials
- Crochet hook: 3 mm
- Yarn: Yarn suitable for a 3.5 mm crochet hook, according to the yarn label
- Two colors of yarn if you would like to recreate the alternating-color effect shown in the pattern
Before You Start
The foundation chain should be worked in a multiple of 8 stitches, with 2 additional chains added at the end for turning.
For example, if you’re making a baby blanket, you can adjust the foundation chain to suit the size you want. A finished blanket around 93 × 97 cm or 100 × 100 cm would make a lovely baby blanket.
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The important thing is to keep the foundation chain in the correct stitch multiple so that the shell pattern lines up properly.
Abbreviations
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- st – stitch
- yo – yarn over
Shell Stitch Crochet Pattern
Foundation Chain
Begin by making a foundation chain in a multiple of 8.
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Add 2 extra chains for turning.
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Make sure your chain isn’t too tight. A relaxed foundation chain will make the first row much easier to work into.
Row 1
Start in the 2nd chain from the hook and make 1 single crochet.
*Yarn over, skip the next 3 chains, then work 7 double crochets into the 4th chain.
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Skip the next 3 chains and make 1 single crochet in the following chain.*
Repeat the section between the asterisks across the row.
When you reach the end, finish with a single crochet.
You should now see the beginning of those pretty fan-shaped shell sections.
Row 2
For this row, change to your second color if you’re working the two-color version.
Chain 4 and turn.
Make 1 double crochet in the first single crochet from the previous row.
Chain 2, skip the next 3 double crochets, and make 1 single crochet in the next double crochet.
Chain 2.
In the center space between the two shell sections, work:
1 double crochet, chain 2, 1 double crochet.
This creates the small crossed or open space that will be used to build the shell in the next row.
Continue repeating this sequence across the row:
Chain 2, skip 3 double crochets, single crochet in the next double crochet, chain 2, then work 1 double crochet, chain 2, 1 double crochet in the center space.
At the end of the row, work 1 double crochet in the final single crochet, chain 1, and 1 more double crochet in the same space. This creates the small corner space.
Row 3
Chain 3 and turn.
Work 3 double crochets into the first corner space. This forms half of the shell at the edge of the blanket.
Make 1 single crochet into the top of the single crochet from the previous row.
Now work 7 double crochets into the center space created in Row 2. This forms a complete shell.
