A shell stitch is basically a stitch pattern where multiple treble crochets are worked together. There are easy and difficult versions of this model. By trying different ones you will be able to find the one that's right for you.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Basic Shell Point
Step 1. Make a chain
For this version of the shell stitch you will need to make a chain with a number of stitches equal to a multiple of four.
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To find out how many shell stitches you made in a row, divide the total number of chains by 4.
For example, a chain of 12 stitches will have 3 shell stitches in each row, but a chain of 32 stitches will have 8 shell stitches in each row
Step 2. Work a shell stitch in the fourth chain stitch from the hook
Skip 3 chain stitches and work in the fourth. For this model, the shell stitch must consist of 2 double crochets, a chain stitch and 2 other double crochets. All these stitches are part of the same chain.
Step 3. Skip 3 chains and repeat
Start the next shell stitch in the next chain stitch number 4, using the same method as before.
- Make 2 double crochets.
- Then a chain.
- 2 more double crochets, in the same place.
Step 4. Follow this pattern to the end of the chain
Continue until you have finished the chain stitches in a row.
Consider that the first one you worked, the last one in the row, includes a shell stitch
Step 5. Chain 3
After completing the last shell stitch, make 3 chain stitches. Turn the work over, so that the left side is now the right and vice versa.
The additional 3 chain stitches will be the height of the next row. If you skip them, the shell stitches will eventually fold in on themselves
Step 6. Work a shell stitch in one of the previous chain stitches
Work in the stitch made in the last shell stitch of the previous row to create another one.
- Make 2 double crochets.
- Then a chain.
- 2 more treble crochets in the same place.
Step 7. Follow this pattern to the end of the row
For this second row there is no need to skip stitches. Simply repeat the shell stitch in each stitch from the previous row.
Step 8. Repeat rows as needed
You will have to make all those that follow the second, using the same technique adopted for the latter. Make sure you chain the 3 stitches at the end of each row and turn the piece over before starting the next one.
For each row, make the shell stitches in the stitches of the previous row
Method 2 of 3: First Variation of the Conchiglia Point
Step 1. Make a basic chain
For this, the number of stitches must be a multiple of 6 plus 1.
- For example, a chain of 19 stitches (18 + 1), a chain of 25 stitches (24 + 1), 31 stitches (30 + 1), and so on.
- A chain with 19 stitches will give 3 shell stitches. One with 25 stitches will give 4, one with 31 stitches will give 5 shell stitches and so on.
- The extra knit is necessary because it provides the right height for the shell stitch.
Step 2. Work a single crochet on the second chain stitch from the hook
Skip a chain in the row. In the second make a single crochet.
Step 3. Skip 2 chain stitches and double crochet in the following
Skip two chain stitches making 5 double crochets in the third one that follows.
Step 4. Skip 2 chain stitches and single crochet in the next one
Skip 2 more chain stitches and single crochet in the next third.
Note that these 2 steps require a total of 6 stitches. The first jump stitch is the "extra stitch" and with this you have completed a shell stitch on 6 stitches
Step 5. Repeat until the end of the row
Follow the same steps to create all the shell stitches you need to finish the row.
- Skip 2 chain stitches.
- Work 5 double crochets in the next step.
- Skip 2 chain stitches.
- Then a single crochet in the space of the next chain stitch.
Step 6. Make 3 chain stitches
Make them at the end of the row and turn the work so that the right side is now the left and vice versa.
For this second row, the first group of 3 chain stitches will be the double crochet
Step 7. Do a double crochet in the first
2 treble crochets in the first of the previous row.
Now that they are no longer plain chain stitches, stitches can be harder to spot, but keep in mind that visible stitches or a group of buttonholes on the edge of the shell stitch count as stitches
Step 8. Repeat the pattern
This shell stitch pattern is almost the same as the one used for the previous row, only the position of the stitches will be reversed.
- Skip 2 treble crochets from the previous row.
- Do a single crochet in the next double crochet on the previous row.
- Skip 2 more treble crochets.
- Do 5 treble crochets in the next treble crochet on the previous row.
- Repeat the process until the end of the round. Consider that the last rep will have 3 treble crochets in the last low.
Step 9. Make a chain stitch
Then, turn the piece over again, reversing the right and left sides.
Step 10. Make a stitch in the first stitch
A single crochet in the first of the previous row.
Step 11. Repeat the pattern
It will look practically identical to the pattern used in the first round.
- Skip 2 treble crochets from the previous row.
- Make 5 double crochets in the next single crochet.
- Skip 2 more treble crochets.
- Do a single crochet in the next double crochet on the previous row.
- Continue to the end of the round, finishing with a single stitch.
Step 12. Add more laps as needed
Repeat the pattern for the second and third rounds. Alternate the front and back until you get the desired length.
Method 3 of 3: Second Variation of the Shell Point
Step 1. Make a basic chain
For this, the number of stitches must be a multiple of 3 plus 1.
- For example, a chain of 16 stitches (15 + 1), a chain of 19 stitches (18 + 1), 22 stitches (21 + 1) and so on.
- The extra jersey will give you some height to work. If not, the pattern would be too tight and could fold in on itself.
Step 2. Work a double crochet in the fourth chain stitch from the hook
Skip 3 chains. In the fourth, make 3 double crochets.
Step 3. Work a single crochet in the fourth chain stitch that follows
Skip 3 more and single crochet in the chain stitch that follows.
Step 4. Make a chain stitch and 3 double crochets in the same place
Make 3 chain stitches and then 3 double crochets where you made a low one.
Step 5. Skip and do another single crochet
Skip 3 stitches. In the following, do a single crochet.
Keep in mind that by doing this you will complete a shell stitch of this pattern
Step 6. Repeat the pattern
The one you used for the first shell stitch, until the end of the round. Finish the round with a single crochet.
- Make 3 chain stitches.
- In the last performed, make 3 double crochets.
- Skip 3 stitches.
- Work a single crochet in the next stitch.
Step 7. Make 3 chain stitches
Then turn the work over by reversing the right and left sides.
The extra stitch will prevent the work from folding in on itself
Step 8. Do a double crochet in the first single
Then 3 double crochets in the low crochet you closed the round with.
This is the same point where you made the chain of 3 stitches
Step 9. Work a single crochet in the space of the third chain stitch
Follow the previous round to the point where you made the last chain of 3 stitches and make a low chain in the space.
This space must be on the opposite side of the last treble crochet from the previous round
Step 10. Finish the pattern and repeat
Use the same pattern to create shell stitches all the way around, continue to the end of the row.
- Make 3 chain stitches.
- Then 3 double crochets in the same space as the third chain stitch you worked on earlier.
- Single crochet in the space of the next third chain stitch along the row.
Step 11. Repeat as necessary
The remaining rows must follow the same pattern as the second row. Chain 3 and turn the work at the end of each row before continuing. Continue until you get the desired length.
Advice
- Consider making a slip knot on the hook before starting the chain stitches. To do this, create two buttonholes on the tail of your yarn, pass the buttonhole from the right to the left side and insert the hook. Pull the two buttonholes to secure them around the hook.
- For each of these methods you will need to review the instructions for making chain stitches, single stitches and double stitches, especially if you are new to these techniques.
