The Crossed Shells stitch is a really pretty variation of a shell stitch. It uses spike stitches to create the extra detail underneath each shell that gives this stitch that extra feeling. In this stitch guide I will show you how to crochet the Crossed Shells stitch with all the pictures that you need along with a video guide that you can follow along with too.

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I first used the Crossed Shells stitch as one of the pieces in the Wall Of Stitches Crochet Along – a sampler blanket pattern made up of 48 individual pieces, each made with a different crochet stitch. You can access the entire pattern for free here

The Crossed Shells is a tricky stitch as it’s not intuitive as to where your stitches need to be placed. This stitch needs some extra attention paying to your stitch placement, but once you get into it, it works up quickly. Once you’ve completed your pattern repeat you will need to add a finishing row to straighten off the top edge.

For the sample in the picture below I used Paintbox 100% cotton aran. A beautiful non mercerised 100% cotton yarn that comes in a good variety of colours that are amazingly saturated with pigment for wonderfully vibrant colours that will make your crochet grab every ones attention.

This how to guide is part of Froggity Frog’s Stitch Vault collection. Have you seen all the other stitches in there? You can take a look here all the guides are free to access and maybe you will discover some new stitches to create for yourself.

The yarn I used for the pictures in this stitch guide is Paintbox 100% cotton aran. A beautiful non mercerised 100% cotton yarn that comes in a good variety of colours that are amazingly saturated with pigment for wonderfully vibrant colours that will make your crochet grab every ones attention.

I also used my trusty Clover Amour hooks which are perfect if you are looking for a good value ergonomic crochet hook that won’t cause your hand to ache if you are crocheting for long periods of time. I’ve tried many different crochet hooks over the years, but I always end up coming back to my trusty Clovers. They just sit so well in my hand and never let me down.

How To Crochet The Crossed Shells Stitch

Click here for the left hand video

https://youtu.be/Dwde64Qz040

Abbreviations

• Ch = Chain
• St = Stitch
• Chsp = Chain Space
• Sk = Skip
• SlSt = Slip Stitch
• Sc = Single Crochet
• Dc = Double Crochet

Start by making a foundation chain in multiples of 8 plus 1 (plus 1 for your turning chain)

Row 1. In the 2nd ch from your hook make a sc. *Ch1 and then sk the next 3 ch. In the next ch make (3dc, ch2, 3dc) all in the same ch – this makes your shell. Make a ch1 and then sk the next 3 ch. Make a  sc in the next ch* repeat across the row.

Row 2. Turn and ch1. Make a dc turning ch in the first st (this counts as your first st of the row) then also make a dc in the first st. *Ch3 and make a sc in the chsp, then ch3. Sk the next ch1 sp and then make a dc in the ch1 sp after that.

Ch1 and then go back and make a dc spike st in the previous ch1 sp working around the other stitches.*

Repeat between *and* when you have 1 shell left, ch3 and make a sc in the chsp, then ch3 and finish the row by making 2dc in the last st.

Row 3. Turn and ch1. Make a dc turning ch in the first st and then ch 1 and still working into the first st of the row make 3dc. 

*Ch1 and make a sc in the sc in the previous row. Ch1, make a shell (3dc, ch2, 3dc) In the ch 1 sp in the middle of the crossed stitches.*

Repeat between *and* after working into the last ch sp, ch1 and make a sc in the sc in the previous row and then ch1. Make (3dc, ch1, dc) all in the last st.

Row 4. Turn, and ch1. Make a sc in the first chsp of the row (not the first st). 

*Ch3 and sk the first ch1 sp and make a dc in the next ch1 sp. Then ch1. Go back and make a dc spike st in the previous ch1 sp working around the other stitches 

Then ch3 and make a sc in the ch2sp.*

Repeat between *and* after the last ch3 finish the row with a sc in the last chsp.

Row 5. Turn and ch1. Make a sc in the first st. *Ch1 and make a shell (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in the ch 1 sp in the middle of the crossed stitches. Ch1 and make a sc in the sc that you made into the top of the shell in the row below* finish the row with a sc in the last st.

Repeat between *and* after the last ch1 finish the row with  a sc in the last st.

Repeat rows 2 – 5 until you have as many rows as you need before adding your finishing row.

Finishing row. Turn and ch1. Make a sc in the first st. *Ch3 and make a slst in the ch2sp, ch3 and then make a sc in the sc*

repeat between *and* make a sc in last st of the row.

How To Add A Border To The Crossed Shells Stitch

The Crossed Shells stitch is made up of both dc and sc rows, so to add a border you need to make 2 stitches into the side of each dc and 1 stitch into the side of every sc.

I always recommend that you make a round of single crochet stitches around your piece first before adding any border pattern that you have planned, as doing this just helps to even your stitches out and make a nice solid round to add any further stitches into.

You can find more free crochet stitch guides here in Froggity Frog’s stitch vault. Come on over to our Facebook group – Froggity Frog’s Ribbit And Stitch and show us what you made with the Crossed Shells stitch. I’d love to see what you created with this crochet stitch. 

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