Crochet stitch · 5 dc in one stitch
Shell stitch
A shell is a group of stitches worked into one stitch so they fan out like a seashell, here 5 double crochet. Between the shells, a single crochet anchors the fabric, and each new row puts its shells on the single crochet below, so the fans nest into each other. Shells make pretty blankets, edgings and borders.
- Shell
- 5 dc in one stitch
- Between
- Skip 2, sc, skip 2
- Foundation
- A multiple of 6 chains plus 2
- UK terms
- 5 tr in one stitch
How to
How to crochet shell stitch
- Chain 20 for 3 shells. Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, then [skip 2 ch, 5 dc in the next ch, skip 2 ch, sc in the next ch] 3 times.
- Row 2: ch 3 (counts as a dc) and turn. 2 dc in the same stitch for a half shell, then [skip 2, sc in the center dc of the shell, skip 2, 5 dc in the next sc] twice, skip 2, sc in the center dc of the last shell, skip 2, and 3 dc in the last sc.
- Row 3: ch 1 and turn. [Sc in the next stitch, skip 2, 5 dc in the next sc, skip 2] 3 times, and sc in the top of the beginning ch-3.
- Repeat rows 2 and 3.
Chart
Shell stitch chart
Reading this chart
- Start at the bottom. Each row begins at its number, beside its turning chain, and the rows turn back and forth.
- Rows alternate dark and blue so they read apart.
- The key under the chart names every symbol, following the Craft Yarn Council chart standard.
Drawn by Krowshea from the checked counts. New to charts? How to read crochet charts.
Written pattern
The swatch, row by row
Written in US crochet terms
Ch 20.
- 1
Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, [sc in next ch, sk next 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch, sk next 2 ch] 3 times, sc in next ch, turn.
4 sc, 15 dc - 2
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in same st, [sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, sk next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st] 2 times, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, sk next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st, turn.
16 dc, 3 sc - 3
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), [sc in next st, sk next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk next 2 sts] 3 times, sc in next st, turn.
4 sc, 15 dc - 4
Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in same st, [sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, sk next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st] 2 times, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, sk next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st, turn.
16 dc, 3 scFasten off and weave in ends.
Written in UK crochet terms
Ch 20.
- 1
Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, [dc in next ch, miss next 2 ch, 5 tr in next ch, miss next 2 ch] 3 times, dc in next ch, turn.
4 dc, 15 tr - 2
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), 2 tr in same st, [miss next 2 sts, dc in next st, miss next 2 sts, 5 tr in next st] 2 times, miss next 2 sts, dc in next st, miss next 2 sts, 3 tr in next st, turn.
16 tr, 3 dc - 3
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), [dc in next st, miss next 2 sts, 5 tr in next st, miss next 2 sts] 3 times, dc in next st, turn.
4 dc, 15 tr - 4
Ch 3 (counts as a tr), 2 tr in same st, [miss next 2 sts, dc in next st, miss next 2 sts, 5 tr in next st] 2 times, miss next 2 sts, dc in next st, miss next 2 sts, 3 tr in next st, turn.
16 tr, 3 dcFasten off and weave in ends.
Tips
Tips
Half shells
The 3 dc at the ends of row 2 keep the sides straight, since a full shell would stick out.
Center dc
On row 2, the sc between shells goes into the third, center dc of the shell below.
Edgings
One row of shells along an edge makes a simple scalloped border.
More stitches
Krowshea is in beta
Use it in your own pattern
In the Krowshea Studio, members will be able to:
- Add shells from the stitch group palette
- See it as a chart, in color and in 3D Yarn as you build
- Have every row counted and checked
- Read it in US or UK terms and print it