The crochet shell stitch is great fun and it’s so addictive! It looks great in a single or multiple colours. The shell stitch is reversible and looks identical on both sides. It’s a solid stitch with small gaps and it looks great on clothing, blankets, bags, pretty much everything! You might also like these other free stitch tutorials by Hookfully.

How to crochet the shell stitch
The shell stitch tutorial is easy to intermediate skill level. Its a pretty simple two row repeat and to complete the tutorial you will need to know the single crochet stitch and the double crochet stitch. You can use any yarn with its recommended crochet hook size to complete the tutorial.
Tutorial Notes
Supplies
- Any yarn
- Crochet hook recommended for your yarn.
Abbreviations
USA Terminology (UK translation)
- ch – Chain
- dc – Double crochet
- 2dc – 2 dc in 1 space (increase)
- 5dc – 5 dc in 1 space (shell)
- sc – Single crochet
Important Information
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This pattern in whole or in any part may not be copied, sold, distributed or altered in any way.
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Shell stitch tutorial Pattern
Row 1
- ch multiples of 6 for desired length
- ch 2 more then start in 2nd ch from the hook
- sc x 1, skip 2 chains, 5dc, skip 2 chains: repeat until 3 chains remaining
- sc x 1 in last chain
- ch x 2 & turn

Row 2
- 2dc in first sc, sc in third dc
- 5 dc in sc, sc in third dc: repeat until 3 stitches are remaining
- 2dc in last sc
- ch & turn

Row 3
- sc in first stitch, 5dc in sc
- sc in third dc, 5dc in sc: Repeat until 2 stitches remaining
- sc in last stitch
- ch x 2 & turn

Row 4+
- Repeat row 2 & 3 until you reach desired size
- Fasten off & weave in ends