Crochet Basics: Creative Textured Shell Stitch

Make this crochet textured shell stitch your new project. It is so versatile, you can use it to make any crochet item you want! Use the textured shell stitch to add character and elegance to blankets, pillows, or even shawls! Experienced beginners and intermediate crocheters will definitely find the textured shell stitch pattern useful. It’s the perfect project to work on weekend!

Instructions:

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

Chain stitch – ch

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

Front Post tr / dc – FPtr/dc

Back Post tr / dc – BPtr/dc

Stitch – st

Foundation Chain: Multiples of 19 + 3

Row 1: skip 2 ch, 1dc/sc in each of the next 7ch, * skip 2ch, 1tr/dc + 1c + 1tr/dc in next ch, skip 2ch, 1dc/sc in each of the next 14ch; rep from*, skip 2ch, 1tr/dc + 1c + 1tr/dc in next ch, skip 2ch, 1dc/sc in each of the next 8ch, turn.

Row 2: Make 2ch. * Making big shell: 1dc/sc in next st, 2ch, skip 2st, 1dc/sc in next, 2ch, skip 2st, dc/sc in next, 3ch, skip two tr/dc with 1ch between and work 1dc/sc in dc/sc below, turn. Work 7tr/dc in space of 1ch (between two tr/dc below), 1dc/sc in dc/sc below, 2ch, 1dc/sc in next dc/sc, turn.

Work 1BPtr/dc over first tr/dc and 1tr/dc between first and second tr/dc below. Repeat this step over the next stitches 5 times more and work 1BPtr/dc over last tr/dc below. Skip 2dc/sc an work 1dc/sc in next, 2ch, skip 2st, 1dc/sc in next, turn.

Work 1FPtr/dc over first st of the big shell, then make 1tr/dc between first and second st and 1tr/dc between second and third st below. Repeat this step over the next stitches 5 times more and work 1FPtr/dc over last st below. Work 1dc/sc in next dc/sc below, turn.

Make decrease dc/sc in back loops only: insert hook into 1st st , yarn over the hook and draw yarn through the 1st st, insert hook into 2nd st, yarn over the hook and draw yarn through the 2^nd st, yarn over the hook and draw yarn through all loops on your hook.

Insert hook into 2nd st, yarn over the hook and draw yarn through the 2nd st, insert hook into 3rd st, yarn over the hook and draw yarn through the 3rd st, yarn over the hook and draw yarn through all loops on your hook.

Insert hook into 3rd st, yarn over the hook and draw yarn through the st, insert hook into 4th st, yarn over the hook and draw yarn through the st, yarn over the hook and draw yarn through all loops on your hook. Continue in same manner until you get 18 decrease st and work 1dc/sc in dc/sc below.

Rep from *. Work 1dc/sc in 2nd ch, turn.

Row 3: 4ch, 1tr/dc in last dc/sc of row below, * skip 2 decrease st and work 1dc/sc in back loop of the each of the next 14 decrease st, work 1tr/dc + 1ch + 1tr/dc in 1st dc/sc below (see picture); rep from *. At the end of the row work 1tr/dc + 1ch + 1tr/dc in 2nd ch, turn.

Row 4:

First shell: 3ch, skip two tr/dc with 1ch between and work 1dc/sc in dc/sc below, turn. Work 4tr/dc in space of 1ch (between two tr/dc below), 1tr/dc in 3rd ch, turn.

Work 1BPtr/dc over first tr/dc and 1tr/dc between first and second tr/dc below. Repeat this step over the next stitches 2 times more and work 1BPtr/dc over last tr/dc below. Skip 2dc/sc an work 1dc/sc in next, 2ch, skip 2st, 1dc/sc in next, turn.

Work 1FPtr/dc over first st of the big shell, then make 1tr/dc between first and second st and 1tr/dc between second and third st below. Repeat this step over the next stitches 2 times more and work 1FPtr/dc over last st below. Work 1tr/dc in 3rd ch, turn.

Make 1ch, skip last st of row below and work decrease dc/sc in back loops only. Make decrease st like in row 2 until you get 9 decrease st and work 1dc/sc in dc/sc below (see picture below).

Work big shells. Repeat steps from * to * of row 2. Last shell:

1dc/sc in next st, 2ch, skip 2st, 1dc/sc in next, 2ch, skip 2st, dc/sc in next, 2ch, skip 1tr/dc + 1ch and work 1dc/sc in 3rd ch, turn.

Work 3ch and 4tr/dc in space of 4ch and tr/dc below, 1dc/sc in dc/sc below, 2ch, 1dc/sc in next dc/sc, turn.

Work 1BPtr/dc over first tr/dc and 1tr/dc between first and second tr/dc below. Repeat this step over the next stitches 2 times more and work 1BPtr/dc over last tr/dc below. 1tr/dc in 3rd ch, turn.

Work 1BPtr/dc over first tr/dc and 1tr/dc between first and second tr/dc below. Repeat this step over the next stitches 2 times more and work 1BPtr/dc over last tr/dc below. 1tr/dc in 3rd ch, turn.

Make decrease dc/sc in back loops only. Work decrease st like in row 2 until you get 9st. Work 1dc/sc in 3rd ch, turn.

Row 5: 2ch, work 1dc/sc in back loop of the each of the next 7 decrease st, * work 1tr/dc + 1ch + 1tr/dc in 1st dc/sc below (see picture), skip 2 decrease st and work 1dc/sc in back loop of the each of the next 14 decrease st; rep form *, work 1tr/dc + 1ch + 1tr/dc in 1st dc/sc below, skip 2 decrease st and work 1dc/sc in back loop of the each of the next 7 decrease st, 1dc/sc in ch, turn.

Repeat rows 2 - 5 until you have reached your desired length.