If you loved crocheting the Waffle stitch, then the Waffle Shell should be your next crochet stitch to try. This is a decorative variant of the Waffle stitch using shells instead of plain double crochet but is just as easy to make. So let me show you how to crochet the Waffle Shell stitch with this step by step guide.

What Is The Waffle Shell Stitch?

The Waffle Shell stitch gives you a different look to the traditional plain Waffle stitch. It’s not a variant that looks identical, it is noticeably different yet is clearly made in a similar way to the Waffle. There are some big differences between the two stitches though.

The Waffle shell is one of the floating stitches, where the main part of the stitch is made into a row of chains and single crochet stitches to make it look like it’s floating above the stitches below. The traditional waffle stitch is made with just double crochet stitches made into the double crochet in the row below.

Both stitches are simple two row repeats though and it is easy to keep track of your stitches across the repeat without needing close attention to your stitch counts making it an ideal stitch for beginners ready to try out some new stitches after mastering the basics.

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What You’ll Need

The Waffle shell stitch works well with any weight yarn. But if you want a tighter finish for the stitches being worked around the chains, I recommend using a hook size smaller than what the yarn recommends. This will make a smaller gap between the stitches in each row.

For the swatch in the picture below I used Caron Simply Soft with a 5 mm Clover Amour hook and as you can see, the gaps between the stitches are nice and closed. But similarly, if you wanted a more open and breathable stitch you could use a hook size larger than the yarn recommends and this would open the rows up more.

The Video Tutorial

Keep reading for the written stitch guide with pictures, but if you prefer to crochet along with a video, the left and right hand videos are below.

You can find the left hand video here

How To Crochet The Waffle Shell Stitch

Abbreviations

All the abbreviations below are in US terms.

• ch = chain
• st = stitch
• sc = Single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• fpdc = front post double crochet

Start with a foundation chain in multiples of 3 plus 1 (plus 2 for your turning chain)

Row 1. In the 4th chain from your hook (the turning chain counts as your 1st stitch) make a dc. Make a dc in each stitch across – if you’re unsure on what type of turning chain to make, then check out this video here to see 5 different options including my personal favourite type of turning chain.

Row 2. Turn and chain 1. Make a sc in the first stitch *ch2, skip 2 stitches and then make a sc in the next stitch.* Repeat between *and* until you reach the end of the row.

Row 3. Turn and chain 1. Make a dc turning chain in the 1st stitch and then *in the chain space make 3dc, working around the chains. Then around the sc in the row below make a fpdc* repeat between *and* finishing the row by making a dc in the last stitch.

Row 4. Turn and chain 1. Make a sc in the 1st stitch, *chain 2. Skip the 3dc in the row below and then make a sc into the fpdc*. Repeat between *and* Finish the row by making a sc in the last stitch.

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until you have as many rows as you need. Then you can cut off your yarn and weave in your ends

Adding A Border Around The Waffle Shell Stitch

Adding a border to your project will give it a nice polished finished. But how do you crochet a border around the Waffle Shell stitch? My advice is that no matter what kind of border stitch you choose to add, you should always start with a simple round of single crochet stitches to continue working in.

To add this initial round of stitches: Join into any stitch across the top or bottom with a standing single crochet. Make a single crochet in each stitch across until you reach the corner. In the corner stitch make 3 single crochet – this will give you a nice rounded corner that sits flat.

To work into the sides of the Waffle Shell stitch, you will be making one single crochet into the side of every single crochet row, and two single crochet into the side of every double crochet row. This will then keep your border lying flat, and it even helps to gently pull out your stitches to give them a nice even look – it’s amazing how stitches can crumple together when they’re being made.

Continue working as above around each side and corner until you get back to your initial standing stitch. Slip stitch into this stitch. That’s your initial border round complete and from here you can either leave it as it is for a simple finish, or use this round to become the foundation for a fancier, more decorative border for your projects.

FAQs

How can I make the shells fan out more? You can make your double crochet stitches into one of the chains rather than around it. This would make your shells fan out from a single point and give them a more characteristic shell look.

I don’t like the gap underneath the shell, how can I make that go away? The tighter you make your chains, the smaller that gap will be. The gap tends to open up more if your tension is loose when making chains. Using a smaller hook size to make your chains will also make them turn out smaller.

Will this stitch work well with more than one colour of yarn? Yes, this stitch would look great if you work one row in one colour and a different colour for the next. Many floating stitches are made this way to emphasise the floating aspect.

Where can I try out other floating stitches? I have a list of 6 floating stitches, all with the stitch guides linked in this blog post here.

What Can I Make With The Waffle Shell Stitch?

The Waffle Shell Stitch is a great stitch for blankets, sweaters, scarves and so much more. It works up quickly and easily and isn’t much of a yarn eater while providing some texture to catch the eye. I first used this stitch during my Country Garden Sampler Blanket and it’s on my list of stitches that I would love to use again in the future for other designs.

Want More Crochet Stitches?

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 Waffle Shell stitch. I’d love to see what you created with this crochet stitch.

Interested in trying more crochet stitches? Download my free guide – 7 Overlooked Crochet Stitches Worth Trying, and discover some stitches with a difference.

Related Stitches

If you enjoyed the Waffle shell stitch, you may also enjoy trying out:

• The Waffle stitch – the stitch that inspired the Waffle Shell.
• The V Waffle – another variant of the Waffle stitch that is a bit more challenging to make.
• The Turtle Stitch – a solid shell stitch that uses only shells to create it but still has a texture running across the fabric.