by Lesley Yates

Created on: February 03, 2009

Crocheting a shell pattern is easier than it looks. The great thing about the shell pattern is that it can be used in many different ways. You can make blankets, hats, wash cloths, almost anything with this pattern. I especially love using the shell pattern for edging and borders. It makes any project have a very polished finish. This pattern is assuming that you have some knowledge of crocheting and there is an explanation of the abbreviations used, at the bottom of this article.

Shell Pattern:

The shell pattern uses different amounts of dcs depending on how big you want them to be and what you are using them for. This is just a basic pattern and is great for blankets, scarves and wash cloths. And you can use any size hook and yarn.

For a scarf size: Hook size: 6.50MM K

Ch 31

Row 1: SC in second ch from hook and in each ch across.

Row 2: Ch 1 turn, sc in first sc, *sk 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc; rep from * to the end of the row.

Row 3: Ch 3 turn, work 2 more dc in first sc, *sk 2 dc, sc in next dc (this will be at the peak of the shell), sk 2 dc, work 5 dc in next sc; rep from * to last sc, work 3 dc in last sc.

Row 4: Ch 1 turn, sc in first dc, * sk 2 dc, work 5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc; rep from * to end of row.

Repeat Row 3 and 4 until you achieve the desired length. Fasten off and weave in ends.

For other projects Ch in multiples of 10 + 1. For example: a baby blanket would be Ch 81, with hook size 6.50

For edging:

Rnd 1: with WS facing you, join at bottom right corner; sc evenly along right side edge, work 3 sc in top corner, sc across top, work 3 sc in left corner, sc evenly along left side edge, work 3 sc in corner, sc across bottom, sl st in first sc to join.

Rnd 2: with WS facing you, work sc around, working 3 sc in corners, sl st in first sc to join.

Rnd 3: with WS facing you, sc in first sc, *sk 2 sc, work 5 in next sc, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc; rep from *, sl st in first sc to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Edging can be used for blankets, wash cloths, and scarves. Using this edging for a hat would be a little different. At the end round of the hat, sc around. Next rnd, sc in first sc, *sk 2 sc, work 5 dc in next sc, sk 2 sc, sc, rep from * all the way around. Sl st in first sc to join. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Abbreviations:

Ch: chain

sc: single crochet

dc: double crochet

sk: skip

rep: repeat

Rnd: round

WS: wrong side

sl st: slip stitch

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