How to Crochet the Shell Stitch: Step-by-Step Tutorial with Photos & Video

Lenka
Jul 4
4 min read

Looking for a crochet stitch that’s simple yet adds lovely texture? The shell stitch might just be your new favourite. This pretty, flowy pattern uses only basic stitches but creates a beautiful, lacy effect — perfect for projects like summer tops, lightweight shawls, baby blankets, or even decorative trims.

In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you exactly how to crochet the shell stitch using clear photos, written instructions, and a full video walkthrough to guide you from start to finish.

🧵 Brand new to crochet? I’ve got you!

Start with my beginner crochet tutorial here, where you’ll learn the foundational stitches — single crochet (SC) and double crochet (DC) — before diving into shells. Visit this link for the basic stitches tutorial.

Close-up of a swatch made with the Crochet Shell Stitch in orange yarn, shown with a blue-handled crochet hook resting on top.

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Before we get into the actual pattern, I also created the Ultimate Crochet Hack Sheet! It's 2 pages with basic crochet abbreviations and symbols, hook sizes in US and UK versions, all the yarn types (with recommended hooks and projects), etc. Feel free to click on the pic or a l ink to my shop where you can find more details.

Crochet Cheat Sheet

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Video Tutorial

Check out my YouTube video tutorial where I cover everything. It's a fantastic complement to any written pattern. You're welcome to leave feedback in the video comments.

Recommended Materials

In this tutorial, I use LionBrand Cotton24/7 cotton yarn. I find that the texture stands out more with cotton yarn, and its bright colours are beneficial during tutorials. For this yarn I use a 4mm/G-6 crochet hook.

However, if you're new to crocheting and just practicing, I highly recommend using any solid color acrylic yarn that works with a 5mm/H-8 hook size.

Promo for Crochet Course for Beginners, on the left side there's a text, on the right side three pictures. — **Learn to crochet with this self-paced beginner course, offering video tutorials, patterns, and personalized support to design your own blanket masterpiece.**

Crochet Abbreviations and Symbols for the Shell Stitch.

Below is the crochet chart for the Shell Stitch. It's an excellent method for learning to read crochet charts, and understanding written instructions can sometimes be beneficial.

Picture with Tote Bag of Happy Heartsy in front of the legs, promo text

100% Cotton Tote Bag

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Directions for Shell Stitch

Start with multiple of 6 + 2 chains

ROW 1 - Into the 2nd ch from the hook, make SC.

Then skip 2 chains, and into the following one, make 5 DC. After 5 DC in one chain, skip 2 chains again, and into the following one, make a SC. Repeat this until you have 3 chains left, and into the last one, make your SC. CH 2 (counts as the first stitch for the next row), and turn.

ROW 2 - Into the first stitch, make 2 DC (CH 2 counts as the first DC, so you’ll have 3 DC in total in the first stitch). Then skip the next 2 stitches and make a SC — you’ll be placing your SC into the middle DC from the shell below. Skip 2 stitches again and make 5 DC into the following stitch — this should be the SC from the previous row.

Continue the pattern until you have 3 stitches left. Into the last stitch, make 3 DC. CH 1 and turn.

ROW 3 - From now on, every odd-numbered row will start with a SC into the first stitch, then skip 2 stitches and make 5 DC into the next stitch. Repeat this sequence across the row. Your last stitch will be a SC. CH 2 and turn.

ROW 4 - Every even-numbered row will start with 2 DC into the first stitch (CH 2 counts as your first DC, so you’ll have 3 DC total in that stitch). Then repeat the pattern from Row 2.

II hope you loved learning the shell stitch as much as I enjoyed sharing it with you! 💛

If you found this tutorial helpful, please consider sharing it with a fellow crocheter, leaving a comment below, or liking this post — it truly means the world and helps support free content like this.

Tried the shell stitch? I’d LOVE to see what you make! Tag me on Instagram @happyheartsy so I can cheer you on and maybe even share your beautiful work!

Happy stitching,

Lenka