How to Crochet Shell Stitch (Easy Beginner Tutorial +VIDEO)

The shell stitch is a beginner-friendly crochet stitch that creates a fan-shaped pattern by working multiple double crochet stitches into a single stitch. It is commonly used for blankets, scarves, and decorative borders. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to crochet the basic shell stitch step-by-step, plus variations. See the Treasurie crochet stitches guide to learn more beginner crochet stitches. Shell stitch is one of the most popular beginner crochet stitches!

What is a Shell Stitch in Crochet?

A shell stitch in crochet is a type of crochet stitch that looks like a shell or fan shape. It makes beautiful borders and attractive baby blankets, full-sized blankets, beanies, and all kinds of clothing. It is a beautiful stitch, particularly when done in rows of contrasting colors. Shell stitch is one of the easiest crochet stitches because it uses basic stitches and creates a beautiful textured pattern.

If you’d like a more formal learning path, you can also take my crochet course for beginners, which teaches everything step-by-step.

How to Crochet Shell Stitch (Step by Step)

For those crocheters who don’t want all those ‘holes’ in their fabric, and prefer a more solid look to their crochet fabric, this is how to make a solid shell stitch. In this variation, you will skip that single double crochet between shells, and simply anchor each shell with single crochet. I think the shells look more defined with this version!

Here is the video to look through before you start. You can then refer to the written instructions below.

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until your item is the required length.

Shell Stitch Variations

It is also possible to use stitches of different heights to form the shell shape. Another choice to make is to decide whether you want open, lacy shells or a more solid-looking fabric. Let’s look at these variations in more detail.

1. Double Shell Stitch
2. Solid Shell Stitch Crochet
3. Shell Stitch Crochet with Chain Stitches
4. Shell Stitch with Double Crochets

The basic shell stitch has several other variations.

Double Shell Stitch Pattern

This is the double shell stitch pattern. These are the easiest and most commonly used types of shell stitch crochet. Each shell is made up of 5 double crochet stitches with skipped stitches in between to keep the stitch count and the width the same.

Because you are working 5 double crochet into 1 stitch, you need to balance that out by having 4 stitches between the base of each shell.

Row 1: Start with a foundation chain, of a multiple of 6+2 stitches. Chain 4 (This is a turning chain – 3 chains counts as 1 double crochet) 2 double crochet in the 4^th chain from hook. *Skip 2, 1 double crochet, skip 2, 5 double crochet into next stitch

Repeat from * to the last stitch. Do 3 double crochet into the last stitch

This will make a row of 5 double crochet shells, separated by individual double crochet posts. You start and finish the row with a smaller half shell of 3 double crochet stitches.

Row 2: Turn and chain 3, skip 3. * 5 double crochet in the next dc, skip 2, double crochet, skip 2. Repeat from * to the last stitch. End with 1 double crochet on top of the turning chain

In this row, the crochet shells are framed by just 1 double crochet on each side of the row. This creates a staggered pattern of shells. The shells are worked into the individual double crochet stitches of the row below.

 Row 3 : Turn and chain 3, 2 double crochet into the top of the first double crochet. *Skip 2, dc, sk2, 5 dc into next stitch. Repeat from * to end of row. 3 double crochet into the last stitch

This row is worked in the same way as row 1, but instead of working into chain stitches, you will be working into shells.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until your fabric is the required length.

Shell Stitch With Chain Spaces

This version of crochet shell stitch is also known as fan stitch. It is a kind of double V-stitch. Instead of placing a dc or sc between the shells, you will place a chain stitch.

You are not limited to just 1 chain stitch. If you want a light and lacy effect, you can use 2 or 3 chain stitches.

5. Repeat from * to last 3 stitches
6. Skip 2 stitches
7. Work 3 dc into the last ch stitch

You can see in this picture that my foundation chain was crocheted too tightly. I should have used a larger hook for it!

Repeat row 2 until you have reached the required length of your crochet fabric. This pattern will give you vertical rows of shells rather than the staggering effect that the others give.

Double Shell Stitch Crochet

Another very attractive pattern, using a variation on the V-stitch shell, is to alternate a shell and a band of double crochet stitches.

Experiment with a different number of double crochet stitches between each shell. You are not bound to the 3 double crochets mentioned here! Once again, you will have vertical rows of shells with this pattern, not staggered shells.

How Do You Do a Border?

Shell stitch can be used for borders to give a particularly attractive scalloped edge. Read my full tutorial on crochet borders and shell crochet borders to see how to add shell stitches along edges.

Shell Stitch FAQs

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In Conclusion

All of these shell stitch ideas are simple stitches that give decorative results. They are all useful as pretty borders for any crochet pattern or make distinctive designs when used for the entire fabric.

As usual, your color choices will definitely affect the final look of your item. The shell stitch is most effective (i.e. the shells stand out beautifully) when it is worked in two or three colors, one color for each row. The shell crochet stitch varieties are all excellent choices for any type or size of blanket or throw. They also make good scarves, shawls, wraps, and cowls.

If you would like to practice each variety to see which one you like best, find some cotton or bamboo yarn, (anything absorbent) make up a 10” (25cm) square of each variation, and use them as facecloths or dishcloths. It is so satisfying to make something useful out of your experiments! Check out the Treasurie shell scarf pattern.