Learn how to crochet the shell stitch with this handy photo tutorial!
Complete the first four rows of the Festive Fourth of July Shawl pattern for your foundation.
Yarn: Holst Garn Coast (55% Merino, 45% Cotton; 383 yards [350 meters]/50 grams): 8803 Tweed (A), 1 ball; C044 Redcurrant (B), 1 ball
Hook:Â US size E/4 (3.5 mm)
With A, ch 5.
Row 1 (RS):Â Dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 1, tr in same ch, tr in next ch, turn.
Row 2 (WS):Â Ch 4 (counts as tr), tr in next tr, ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-1 sp, turn.
Row 3:Â Ch 3 (counts as dc), (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, sk next (dc, 1 ch), sc in next ch, ch 1, sk next ch, (2 dc, ch 1, tr) in next tr, tr in next tr, turn.
Row 4:Â Ch 4 (counts as tr), tr in next tr, ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-1 sp, ch 3, sk next (2 dc, ch 1, sc, ch 1, 2 dc), (dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-1 sp, turn.
Then follow this stitch school article for a visual step-by-step of completing the stitch.
Special Stitches
Shell: (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same ch-1 sp.
Odd Numbered Rows
- Ch 3 (counts as dc),
- (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp,
- [ch 1, sk next (dc, 1 ch), sc in next ch,
- ch 1, sk next (ch, dc), Shell in next ch-1 sp]
- Repeat bracketed portion until last shell in the ch-1 sp: [ch 1, sk next (dc, 1 ch), sc in next ch, ch 1, sk next (ch, dc), Shell in next ch-1 sp]
- ch 1, sk next (dc, 1 ch), sc in next ch, ch 1, sk next ch,
- (2 dc, ch 1, tr) in next tr,
- tr in next tr, turn.
Even Numbered Rows
- Ch 4 (counts as tr),
- tr in next tr,
- ch 3, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-1 sp,
- [ch 3, sk next (2 dc, 1 ch, sc, 1 ch, 2 dc), (dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-1 sp]
- Repeat until end of row, turn.
Why not just give the whole pattern rather than telling us to go to a shawl pattern? Like what does ‘count as ( mean repeated in the first few lines of this article – thinking it is a repeat of the lines below……? Very confusing…… sigh…..
Hi Alice, I’ve updated the article to be more clear and included the first few rows from the pattern. Hope this helps. – Nicola, Editor