Shell stitch

Hat made using shell stitch

SHELL STITCH

A Shell Stitch is a group of stitches worked into one base stitch. It is made of more than 3 longer stitches and also in combination with other stitches to form a pattern. Double crochet & treble crochet stitches are used to make a shell stitch.  It is also used to do Edgings.  It is worked with a base of chains in multiples of 4 + 1 (e.g.)

• multiples of 4 + 1 chains to start, ie. 12 + 1 = 13, or 28 + 1 = 29, etc.
• 5 double crochets in same stitch = 1 shell

Chain 17.

1. 1 shell into 4th chain from hook, *skip 3 chains, chain 1, 1 shell in next stitch, repeat from * to end working 1 double crochet into last stitch.
2. Chain 3, *1 shell in 3rd double crochet, chain 1, repeat from * to end working 1 double crochet in turning chain.
3. Repeat row 2 as necessary for your project.

This next crochet shell stitch pattern is a little more complex.

• Shell is 5 double crochets worked into 1 stitch as before.
• I also used single crochetfor this pattern option.
• Stitch numbers needed are multiples of 6 + 1, ie. 18 + 1 = 19, or 36 + 1 = 37, etc.

Here goes with these instructions...Chain 25.

1. 1 shell into 4th chain from hook, *skip 2 chains, single crochetin next stitch, skip 2 chains, 1 shell in next stitch, repeat from * toend working 1 single crochet into last stitch.
2. Chain 4, turn, *single crochet in top of 3rd double crochet, chain 2,skip 2 stitches, double crochet in top of single crochet, chain 2, skip 2 stitches, repeat from * to end working 1 double crochet in top of turning chain.
3. Chain 2, turn, 2 double crochet into top of double crochet at base ofturning chain, *skip 2 stitches, single crochet in top of single crochet,skip 2 stitches, 1 shell into top of double crochet, repeat from * to last single crochet, single crochet in last single crochet,skip 2 stitches, 3 double crochets in 3rd chain of turning chain.
4. Chain 3, turn, *skip 2 stitches, 1 double crochet in top of single crochet, chain 2, skip 2 stitches, single crochet in top of 3rd double crochet,chain 2,repeat from * to end ending with 1 single crochet intoturning chain.
5. Chain 1, turn, *skip 2 stitches, 1 shell in top of double crochet,skip 2 stitches, single crochet in top of single crochet, repeat from * to end.
6. Rows 2 - 5 form the pattern repeat. Repeat as necessary for yourproject.

Courtesy : http://www.woolcrafting.com/crochet-shell-stitch.html