How to Crochet a Shell Stitch
Chain a multiple of six plus five., Work a single crochet stitch into the second chain from the hook., Skip two and double crochet five times into same stitch., Skip two and single crochet., Repeat the sequence., Continue until you only have three...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Chain a multiple of six plus five.
To begin your foundation for the shell stitch, you will need to make a chain.
Your chain will need to be a multiple of six plus five additional stitches.For example, you could make a chain of 18 plus five, which would be
23.
This would be a great length for practicing the stitch.
Or, for a wider piece, you could make a chain of 60 plus five, which would be
65.
To chain, loop the yarn over your hook two times, then pull the first loop through the second one.
Then, loop your yarn over the hook again and pull it through the loop.
Keep doing this until your chain is the required length. -
Step 2: Work a single crochet stitch into the second chain from the hook.
Begin your first row by working a single crochet stitch into the second chain from your hook.To single crochet, insert the crochet hook into the chain and then loop your yarn over the hook.
Pull your yarn through the stitch to create a new loop.
Then, yarn over again and pull the loop through both of the loops on the hook to complete a single crochet stitch., Skip the next two stitches and then double crochet five times into the third stitch.
This will cause the stitches to fan out and create your first shell stitch.To double crochet, loop your yarn over the hook, and then insert the hook into the chain.
Loop the yarn over again.
Then, pull through the first stitch, and loop the yarn over the hook again.
Next, pull the yarn through the next two stitches on your hook, and then loop the yarn over again.
Pull this yarn through the last two stitches on your hook., After you finish your fifth double crochet stitch, skip two chains and then single crochet into the third stitch one time.
You will need to do this after you finish each shell., Continue to skip two, double crochet five times into the same stitch, skip two again, and then single crochet.
Do this all the way across the row until you reach the last three chains., Skip to the last chain in the row and then double crochet three times.
This will finish your first row., Your first row always needs to begin with a turning chain.
This is a small chain that will provide some slack for your new row to begin.
Always start your rows with a chain of one., Your first stitch will need to be worked into the top of the first double crochet stitch from the first row.
Locate this stitch and then single crochet into it one time., To make your first shell, you will need to locate the next single crochet stitch and then double crochet five times into it.
This will create a shell in the curved space between your first two shells., After you finish your first shell for the row, skip two stitches and then single crochet into the next double crochet stitch., Continue to repeat the sequence of skipping over to the next single crochet stitch, double crocheting into it five times, skipping two, and then single crocheting.
Keep doing this until you only have three stitches left., In your last stitch for the second row, double crochet into the stitch three times to make a half-shell.
This will complete your second row., To continue working in the shell stitch, you will just have to repeat the second row.
Keep repeating the row until your project is the size that you want it to be., Whenever you start a new row, you may also wish to switch colors.
This will help to ensure that your shells stand out.
However, you can also stick with one color if you like and your shell pattern will be a bit more subtle., It is important to use a hook that is appropriate for the type of yarn you are using.
If you do not, then your project may not turn out right.
Always check the yarn label to see what hook size is recommended for the yarn.
If you are using a pattern, then it is always a good idea to follow the recommendations for yarn type and hook size.
Otherwise, your finished product might not look how it is supposed to look. , The shell stitch works best when you use a straight, smooth yarn.
Fluffy or textured yarns may not result in a distinct shell pattern.
Steer clear of these types of yarns and opt for a straight, smooth yarn instead. -
Step 3: Skip two and double crochet five times into same stitch.
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Step 4: Skip two and single crochet.
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Step 5: Repeat the sequence.
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Step 6: Continue until you only have three chains left.
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Step 7: Chain one and turn your work.
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Step 8: Work a single crochet stitch into the first double crochet stitch.
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Step 9: Double crochet five times into the next single crochet stitch.
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Step 10: Skip two and single crochet into next double crochet stitch.
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Step 11: Repeat the sequence to the end of the row.
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Step 12: Double crochet three times into last single crochet stitch.
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Step 13: Keep repeating the second row to expand your work.
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Step 14: Switch colors if desired.
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Step 15: Make sure that your yarn and hook match up.
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Step 16: Use a smooth yarn type and avoid fluffy yarns.
Detailed Guide
To begin your foundation for the shell stitch, you will need to make a chain.
Your chain will need to be a multiple of six plus five additional stitches.For example, you could make a chain of 18 plus five, which would be
23.
This would be a great length for practicing the stitch.
Or, for a wider piece, you could make a chain of 60 plus five, which would be
65.
To chain, loop the yarn over your hook two times, then pull the first loop through the second one.
Then, loop your yarn over the hook again and pull it through the loop.
Keep doing this until your chain is the required length.
Begin your first row by working a single crochet stitch into the second chain from your hook.To single crochet, insert the crochet hook into the chain and then loop your yarn over the hook.
Pull your yarn through the stitch to create a new loop.
Then, yarn over again and pull the loop through both of the loops on the hook to complete a single crochet stitch., Skip the next two stitches and then double crochet five times into the third stitch.
This will cause the stitches to fan out and create your first shell stitch.To double crochet, loop your yarn over the hook, and then insert the hook into the chain.
Loop the yarn over again.
Then, pull through the first stitch, and loop the yarn over the hook again.
Next, pull the yarn through the next two stitches on your hook, and then loop the yarn over again.
Pull this yarn through the last two stitches on your hook., After you finish your fifth double crochet stitch, skip two chains and then single crochet into the third stitch one time.
You will need to do this after you finish each shell., Continue to skip two, double crochet five times into the same stitch, skip two again, and then single crochet.
Do this all the way across the row until you reach the last three chains., Skip to the last chain in the row and then double crochet three times.
This will finish your first row., Your first row always needs to begin with a turning chain.
This is a small chain that will provide some slack for your new row to begin.
Always start your rows with a chain of one., Your first stitch will need to be worked into the top of the first double crochet stitch from the first row.
Locate this stitch and then single crochet into it one time., To make your first shell, you will need to locate the next single crochet stitch and then double crochet five times into it.
This will create a shell in the curved space between your first two shells., After you finish your first shell for the row, skip two stitches and then single crochet into the next double crochet stitch., Continue to repeat the sequence of skipping over to the next single crochet stitch, double crocheting into it five times, skipping two, and then single crocheting.
Keep doing this until you only have three stitches left., In your last stitch for the second row, double crochet into the stitch three times to make a half-shell.
This will complete your second row., To continue working in the shell stitch, you will just have to repeat the second row.
Keep repeating the row until your project is the size that you want it to be., Whenever you start a new row, you may also wish to switch colors.
This will help to ensure that your shells stand out.
However, you can also stick with one color if you like and your shell pattern will be a bit more subtle., It is important to use a hook that is appropriate for the type of yarn you are using.
If you do not, then your project may not turn out right.
Always check the yarn label to see what hook size is recommended for the yarn.
If you are using a pattern, then it is always a good idea to follow the recommendations for yarn type and hook size.
Otherwise, your finished product might not look how it is supposed to look. , The shell stitch works best when you use a straight, smooth yarn.
Fluffy or textured yarns may not result in a distinct shell pattern.
Steer clear of these types of yarns and opt for a straight, smooth yarn instead.
About the Author
Linda Jimenez
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in lifestyle and beyond.
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