Welcome to the 5X5 Stitch Challenge, Crochet Edition! For the first 5 months of the year, we are going to be expanding our stitching skills by learning new stitch patterns. Are you ready? This month's stitch is called Quick Shells.
Quick Shells is a two row pattern repeat made up of chains, single crochets, and double crochets. By combining these stitches, you get these beautiful clusters of stitches that resemble sea shells. I love the idea of getting a loose gauge and using this stitch to make a beautifully flowy fabric!
What You'll Need:
Some scrap yarn and a hook in a good size to go with it. Because this is just a swatch, you can use anything you like. I like to use worsted yarn and my favorite H/5 mm hook when swatching.
Abbreviations:
ch- Chain
dc- Double Crochet
R- Row
Rnd(s)- Round(s)
RS- Right Side
sc- Single Crochet
sk- skip
st(s)- Stitch(es)
WS- Wrong Side
Link To Full Video Tutorial:
Pattern:
Flat Swatch Instructions:
Chain a multiple of 3 + 2
Set Up:
Sc into second ch from hook, [ch 3, sk the next 2 chs, sc into next st] to end. Turn.
Pattern Repeat:
R1 (RS): ch 2 (counts as double crochet), dc 1, [sc into ch 3 space, 3dc into next st] to last sc, 2dc into last st
R2 (WS): ch 1, sc 1, [ch 3, sk 3 sts, sc into next dc] to end
Repeat Rows 1 & 2 for Quick Shells Pattern.
In The Round Instructions:
Chain a multiple of 3 + 1. Without twisting, slip st into the first ch st.
Set Up:
Ch 1, [ch 3, sk the next 2 chs, sc into next st] all the way around, ending with ch 3, sk the next 2 chs, slip st into first ch.
Rnd 1 (RS): ch 3 (counts as double crochet), dc 1 into same space, [sc into ch 3 space, 3dc into next st] all the way around, ending with sc 1 into ch 3 space, dc 1 into same space as first ch 3 of rnd. Slip st into top of ch 3.
Rnd 2 (RS): ch 1, [ch 3, sk 3 sts, sc into next dc] all the way around, ending with ch 3, sk 3 sts, slip st into first ch 1 of rnd.
Repeat Rnds 1 & 2 for Quick Shells Pattern in the Round.
Congratulations on learning a new stitch pattern! This stitch can be found in many patterns throughout the world of crochet, so feel free to incorporate it into anything and everything you can think of! If you use this stitch pattern in anything, be sure to tag me @thefreeformknitter on Instagram so I can see it too!
Happy Crocheting!