One of the reasons why I prefer crochet to knitting is because there is such a variety of different stitches. The other reason is that I am the world’s slowest knitter and crochet just seems to be quicker.

I like shell stitch because it is pretty. That’s a good enough reason, right? It’s very easy to do and it looks lovely. If you would like a pattern for a little purse using shell stitch, please sign up for my mailing list 🙂

Here are three variations of shell stitch. The first is the simplest. The second is a spaced shell stitch with the shells in vertical rows. The third is a combination of the other two, a semi spaced shell with staggered rows.

Basic Shell Stitch

Make a row of chains in a multiple of 6, plus 1 extra chain.

1. Into 4th st from hook, work 2 tr, sk 2, dc into next st, *sk 2, 5 tr into next st, sk 2, dc into next st* to end of row.

2. 3 ch (to count as 1 tr), then 2 tr into last dc of previous row, *1 dc into 3rd tr of shell from previous row, *5 tr into next dc, dc into 3rd tr* repeat to the end of the row.

Row 2 forms the pattern, so you just keep repeating row 2. Because you finish each row with a whole shell followed by a dc, you start the next row with half a shell into the last dc from the previous row.

Spaced Shell Stitch

For this stitch, the shells are in vertical rows and the spaces are formed by an extra row in between the shell rows.

Make a row of chains in a multiple of 6, plus one extra.

1. Into the 4th ch from hook, work 5 tr, sk 2 ch, 1 dc into next ch, *sk 2 ch, 5 tr into next ch, sk 2 ch, dc into next ch* repeat to the end of the row.

2. 5 ch, then 1 dc into 3rd tr of previous row, 2 ch, 1 tr into dc of previous row, *2 ch, 1 dc into 3rd tr, 2 ch, 1 tr into dc* repeat to the end of the row.

3. 1 ch, then *5 tr into dc (on the top of the shell), dc into tr (stitch between the shells)*, repeat to the end of the row.

Rows 2 and 3 make the pattern, so just keep repeating those!

Staggered Spaced Shell Stitch

This one’s a little bit more complicated. There is a row of chains and dcs between the shell rows similar to the previous stitch. Because the shells are staggered, the shell rows alternate between starting with a whole shell and finishing with a half, and starting with half a shell.

Make a row of chains in a multiple of 6, plus one extra.

1. 2 tr into 4^th st from hook, sk 2, dc into next st, *sk 2, 5 tr into next st, sk 2, dc into next st* repeat to end.

2. 1 ch, then dc into dc from previous row, 2 ch, dc into 3^rd tr, *2 ch, dc into next dc (between the shells), 2 ch, dc into 3^rd tr* to end of row.

3. 1 ch, then dc into dc from previous row,* sk 2 ch, 5 tr into next dc, sk 2 ch, dc into next dc* to last but one dc, 3 tr into last dc.

4. As row 2.

5. 1 ch, then 3 tr into last dc of previous row, sk 2 ch, dc into next dc, *sk 2 ch, 5 tr into next dc, sk 2 ch, dc into next dc* to end.

With this version of the stitch, rows 2 -5 make the pattern.

If you like this stitch and are stuck for ideas of what you could make with it, sign up for my mailing list and I’ll send you a pdf pattern for a little purse and no spam ever!

 
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