Crochet Basics: Shell Picot Stitch

The crochet shell picot stitch is an advanced beginner crochet stitch that adds decorative appeal to projects. It makes a great border, or you can work it in rows. Crochet the shell picot stitch in a single color to create a beautiful texture or change colors from row to row for a more intricate design.

There are many shell stitch variations, as well as different ways to incorporate shell stitches into your projects. This version uses four colors, but if you'd rather work yours all in one color, skip the color changes. Of course, you can also use fewer or more than four colors. Ready to learn how to crochet shell picot stitch? Grab a hook in a size that matches your yarn weight and get started!

Instruction:

Techniques used in this stitch (British term / American term):

Chain stitch – ch

Double crochet / Single crochet – dc/sc Treble / Double crochet – tr / dc

Half tr/ half dc – h.tr / h.dc

Stitch – st

Foundation Chain: Multiples of 11 + 4

Row 1: Skip 1ch, 1dc/sc in next, * 1dc/sc in next ch, 3ch, skip 2ch, 1dc/sc in next, 5ch, skip 4ch, 1dc/sc in next, 3ch, skip 2ch; rep from*, 1dc/sc in each of the next 2 ch, turn.

Row 2: Make 2ch, 1h.tr/h.dc in next dc/sc below, 1ch, * 1dc/sc in space of 3ch, 9tr/dc In space of 5ch, 1dc/sc in space of 3ch, 3ch; rep from*, 1dc/sc in space of 3ch, 9tr/dc In space of 5ch, 1dc/sc in space of 3ch, 1ch, 1h.tr/h.dc in each of the next 2dc/sc below, turn.

Row 3: Make 1ch and 1dc/sc in each of the next 2st below, * 5ch, skip 3tr/dc, 1dc/sc in each of the next 3tr/dc, 5ch, 1dc/sc + 5ch + 1dc/sc in space of 3 ch; rep from*, 5ch, skip 3tr/dc, 1dc/sc in each of the next 3tr/dc, 5ch, 1dc/sc in h,tr/h.dc below, 1dc/sc in 2nd ch, turn.

Row 4: Make 3ch, 1tr/dc in next st, 3ch, * 1dc/sc in space of 5ch, 3ch, 1dc/sc in 2nd dc/sc below, 3ch, 1dc/sc in space of 5ch, 5ch; rep from *, 1dc/sc in space of 5ch, 3ch, 1dc/sc in 2nd dc/sc below, 3ch, 1dc/sc in space of 5ch, 3ch, 1tr/dc in each of the next 2dc/sc below, turn.

Row 5: Make 3ch, 1tr/dc in next st, 4tr/dc in space of 3ch, * 1dc/sc in space of 3ch, 3ch. 1dc/sc in next space of 3ch, 9tr/dc in space of 5ch; rep from*, 1dc/sc in space of 3ch, 3ch. 1dc/sc in next space of 3ch, 4tr/dc in space of 3ch, 1tr/dc in tr/dc below, 1tr/dc in 3rd ch, turn.

Row 6: Make 1ch, 1dc/sc in each of the next 3tr/dc below, * 5ch, 1dc/sc + 5ch + 1dc/sc in space of 3ch, 5ch, skip 3tr/dc, 1dc/sc in each of the next 3tr/dc below; rep from*, work last dc/sc in 3rd ch and turn.

Row 7: Make 1ch, 1dc/sc in each of the next 2st below, * 3ch, 1dc/sc in space of 5ch, 5ch, 1dc/sc in next space of 5ch, 3ch, 1dc/sc in 2nd dc/sc below; rep from*, 1dc/sc in last dc/sc, turn.

Repeat rows 2 – 7 until you have reached your desired length.