Fancy Shells Tutorial and Afghan Square
It’s time to learn a new crochet stitch! This week I am showing you the Fancy Shells Stitch! It is not only a beautiful stitch but it’s also really a nice, unique take on the regular shell stitch. For this tutorial, I made a 6″ x 6″ square but you can easily turn it into an 8″ x 8″ square by adding a double crochet or single crochet border. Happy Crocheting!
This post contains affiliate links. I do receive a commission if you make a purchase through my link(s), which helps support my blog and allows me to bring you more great posts!
Fancy Shells Stitch and Afghan Square
Materials:
- Category 4 Medium Weight Yarn; I used Lion Brand Cotton-Ease for this example.
- Size I 5.5 mm Crochet Hook*
- Yarn Needle* for weaving ends
- Scissors*
*affiliate link
Abbreviations:
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
dc5tog – double crochet five together
sc – single crochet
sk – skip
st(s) – stitch(es)
t-ch – turning chain
* – indicates instructions to be repeated
Gauge:
5 stitches and 1 row = 1″
Multiple:
8+4
Instructions:
Row 1: 2 dc into the 4th ch from hook,
Row 1 cont’d: sk the next 3 sts, 1 sc into the next st,
Row 1 cont’d: sk the next 3 sts, 5 dc into the next st,
Row 1 cont’d: sk the next 3 sts, 1 sc into the next st,
Row 1 cont’d: *sk the next 3 sts, 5 dc into the next st, sk the next 3 sts, 1 sc into the next st; Repeat from * across until until there are 4 sts remaining, sk the next 3 sts, 3 dc into the last st.
Row 1 cont’d: Join the next color by pulling it through the last st of Row 1, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1
Row 2 cont’d: 1 sc into the top of the first st,
Row 2 cont’d: ch 3,
Row 2 cont’d: (dc5tog: yarn over, insert the hook into the next st, yarn over, pull up a loop,
Row 2 cont’d: yarn over, draw through 2 loops,
Row 2 cont’d: Repeat 4 more times. You should have 6 loops on your hook.
Row 2 cont’d: Yarn over, draw through all 6 loops)
Row 2 cont’d: Ch 3
Row 2 cont’d: 1 sc into the next st
Row 2 cont’d: *ch 3, dc5tog, ch 3, 1 sc into the next st; Repeat from * across, working the last sc into the t-ch, turn.
Row 3: Ch 3
Row 3 cont’d: 2 dc into the first st,
Row 3 cont’d: sk the next ch-3, 1 sc into the top of the dc5tog,
Row 3 cont’d: sk the next ch-3, 5 dc into the next sc,
Row 3 cont’d: sk next ch-3, 1 sc into the next st, *sk the next ch-3, 5 dc into the next st, sk the next ch-3, 1 sc into the next st; Repeat from * across, sk the last ch-3, 3 dc into last st. Change colors by pulling new color through last st.
Repeat rows 2-3, alternating colors every 2 rows. Repeat for 8 more rows.
To even out the top, *1 dc into each of the first 5 sts, 1 sc into each of the next 3 sts (top of the shell), 1 dc into each of the next 3 sts, 1 sc into each of the next 3 sts, 1 dc into each of the last 5 sts; This will make the top even. Dc evenly down the side, repeat from * for the bottom of the square then dc evenly up the other side, joining in the beginning st. Work a round of sc or dc to make the square bigger.
Terms of Use:
Free patterns found on this site can be used to make finished items for the following purposes:
- For personal use
- As gifts for friends/family
- For charity donations
- For sale online
- For sale at craft fairs, outdoor markets, etc.
When using the free patterns found on this site, please be aware of the following:
- You are allowed sell finished items from the patterns found here. However, you may NOT, under any circumstances, use the photos found on this site for selling your items. If you are going to sell online, you should make your own items and photograph them to represent your own work.
- You may NOT copy and paste the pattern onto your own blog, Facebook, or anywhere else. If you would like to share a pattern, simply share the link to the page instead. You are welcome to copy and paste a pattern into a document for printing or saving for personal use only.
- You may NOT use the free patterns found on this site as teaching material and/or for online classes without expressed written consent from the designer/owner of this page.
- You may NOT use the free patterns found on this site to create video tutorials on YouTube or any other video platform, site, or blog.
- You may NOT post a translation of the patterns found on this site anywhere without expressed written consent from the designer/owner of this page.
- You may NOT create PDFs of the patterns found on this site, altered or in its original form, for intent to distribute to others or post on illegal pattern sharing sites. The revenue earned by ad traffic to this site is what allows for free patterns to be written and published. Without people visiting this site to view the patterns, there will be no traffic which means, no more free patterns.
- You may NOT copy any of the free patterns on this site, in part or as a whole, and claim them as your own pattern.
- You may NOT resell the free patterns found on this site, altered or in its original form.
If you have any questions regarding the terms of use of this page, please contact the designer/site owner.