If you want to learn to crochet, join us in making this cozy Afghan.  Each month, beginning in February, you will learn how to crochet three different blocks.  After 10 months (in November, you will have 30 different blocks in total that we will learn to stitch together in December to make a wonderful lap-sized afghan perfect for Christmas gift giving, although, you may be tempted to keep this for yourself to use for snuggling on the couch.

Our crochet along is finished, but you can start anytime and work at your own pace.

This is the eighth part of the twelve-month series.   Refer to Part 1 for links to all seven of the past posts.

Let’s start crocheting!

First, you will notice that I have started the third color, Cream.  I hope you like it!!

Shell stitch

In this part, we are going to learn an old classic stitch – the shell stitch. It is a vintage crochet stitch pattern that’s still popular with crocheters today.

Crochet shell stitch is not actually a specific stitch. Instead, it refers to a variety of different crochet stitch patterns. What they have in common is that they featured multiple stitches (typically basic crochet stitches such as double crochet) that are worked together into a single stitch to create a shape that resembles a shell. 

A shell stitch is a crochet motif that adds decorative appeal to projects when used as a border around other patterns or worked in staggered rows to create a distinctive fabric pattern. Shell stitches take the shape of arcs and semicircles, hence the name.

Crochet the shell stitch in a single color to create a beautiful texture or change colors from row to row for a more intricate design. Shell stitches are also used as edging for crocheted items such as dresses and sweaters

There are many shell stitch variations, including one that you have already mastered – the v-stitch!! 

BLOCK 19 – BASIC SHELL

Make your foundation chain. The starting chain should have of a series of chain stitches in a multiple of six stitches plus one. My starting chain is 37 (six multiples of six plus one extra stitch).  NOTE:  My finished square was slightly OVER 10 inches (pic) but one less shell would have made the square slightly less than 9”.  This will fix when we block the square (Part 12).

ROW 1 – Single crochet (SC) into the second chain stitch from your hook. Skip the next two chain stitches, then DC into the next chain stitch.  Make four more double crochet stitches into the same chain stitch, for a total of five double crochets.

This set of five double crochet stitches creates the shell.

Skip the next two chain stitches.WATCH:  There might be one hiding under the shell. SC into the next chain stitch.  Skip the next two chains. Make 5 DC into the next chain stitch. Repeat until the end of the row, ending with a single crochet in the final stitch. Turn

ROW 2 – CH 3 (turning chain) This counts as your first double crochet stitch in the new row.  Make 2 double crochet stitches into the first stitch (DC2). If you count your turning chain as a double crochet stitch, this gives you a total of 3 stitches at the beginning of the row also known as a half shell.

Skip the next 2 stitches, SC into the next double crochet. You should be working into the center stitch in the grouping of shell stitches in the row below.

Skip the next 2 stitches. Work a group of five double crochets (another shell) into the next stitch.  Repeat *skip 2, SC, skip 2, shell* to end of the row. DC 3 into the last single crochet, forming another half shell. Turn

ROW 3– chain (turning chain).  Single crochet (SC) into the first stitch.* Skip the next 2 stitches. Work a group of 5 double crochet stitches (shell) into the next stitch. Repeat across row working your last SC into the turning chain. Turn.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until your square measures 10 inches.

Before finishing off and working the edging, crochet one final row to straighten the edges To complete final row –  *CH 2, skip 2 stitches, SL ST on the next (this is the top of the shell) CH 2, skip 2 stitches, DC in next (the SC of previous row)* repeat  across row.

EDGING

Crochet 2 SC in each Chain 2 space across the top.  Work one DC into the chain one spaces and 2 SC into double crochet spaces down the sides.  Two SC in each space on either side of SC and one SC into middle of shell  across bottom ( maybe a pic)  SC3 in corners.

BLOCK 20 – Stacked Shells

When working with the shell stitch, you can either place the shells one on top of the other or stagger them.  When we made the previous block (Block 19), we staggered the shells.  In Block 20, we are going to stack the shells for a totally different look. 

To make the block

For this block a “SHELL” will again consist of 5 double crochets. 

Foundation chain – The starting chain will consist of a multiple of six stitches plus three. My starting chain is 39 (six multiples of six plus three). 

ROW 1:  Shell (5 double crochets) into the 4 th chain from your hook, skip 2 chains, DC in next chain, (skip 2 ch, shell, skip 2 ch, dc in next)* repeat across row ending with a DC. Turn

ROW 2 (wrong side):  Chain 3 (turning chain), skip 2 stitches, shell in the 3^rd DC of the shell in the previous row , skip 2 stitches, back post double crochet (BPDC) around DC of previous row.  (skip 2 sts, shell, skip 2 sts, bpdc)* repeat across row ending with a regular DC at the top of the chain 3 space at the end of the row.. Turn

ROW 3 (right side): Chain 3 (turning chain), skip 2 stitches, shell in the 3^rd DC of shell in previous row , skip 2 stitches, front post double crochet (FPDC) around BPDC of previous row.  (skip 2 sts, shell, skip 2 sts, fpdc)* repeat across row ending with a regular DC at the end of the row. Turn 

Repeat row 2 and 3 until your work measures 10 inches. Do not finish off.

Remember a BPDC works back to front and a FPDC is front to back

To straighten edges make one final row – CH 2, skip 2 sts, sl st on the next (top of the shell), CH 2, skip 2 sts, DC on next (post of previous row)* repeat across.

Edging

Crochet 2 SC in each Chain 2 space across the top.  Alternate one DC into one space and 2 SC into next space down sides.  Two SC in each space on either side of DC and one SC into middle of shell  across bottom.  SC3 in corners.

BLOCK 21 – Classic Granny square

Here it is, the granny of everything crochet.  The block you have been waiting for!!  There are hundreds of ways to make a granny square – with flowers, with different colors, with different patterns and stitches…….but we will use the shell stitch (a cluster) to learn the basic concept.

Granny squares are great to learn because they are take-along squares.  Most items that are made with granny squares consist of a number of squares sewn together to create all types of items – blankets, vests, sweaters, table linens – I have even seen tree skirts made from granny squares.

Ready to learn.  Here we go!

Making the block

We are going to be working in rounds – not rows for this square.  That is, we are starting in the middle of the square and working outward until the square measures 10 inches. 

Groups (shells) of double crochet stitches are the building blocks of granny squares. For the classic granny square, we will be using double crochet stitches. NOTE:  The chain 3 from the first step in each round will count as the first double crochet stitch of the first group.

Start with a magic ring!  Woohoo another newbie.  The magic ring.  Anytime you are crocheting in the round, knowing how to do a magic ring will make your work so much neater and easier.  No more big hole in the middle.  I have a tutorial on how to crochet a magic ring that was posted last week. 

You will complete Round 1 into the ring.

ROUND 1 –  Into the magic ring, Chain 3, make 2 double crochets, then crochet 3 double crochets (shell) followed by 2 chain stitches, THREE times. 

 Pull your magic ring tightly. Slip stitch (sl st) to top of first Double Crochet to close round.

NOTE:  You can choose not to use a magic ring. To do so, you will start with a chain 3 and complete Round 1 into the first chain space. Crochet only 2 DC’s for your first shell instead of 3 as the Chain 3 counts as your first DC. 

ROUND 2 – Chain 3 (CH3). This counts as your first double crochet in your “shell”, therefore make only 2 DC in same corner space to complete your shell. Chain 2 (CH2).  In the next 3 chain 2 corner spaces make  3 DC, CH 2, 3 DC, CH 2.  Next make 3 DC in starting corner, CH 2 and slip stitch to top of the beginning Chain 3.

ROUND 3 – CH 3. 2 DC in same corner space. Now you will see a side space.  *Make 3 DC in that chain 2 space. CH 2. 3 DC, CH 2, 3 DC, CH 2 into the corner space*.  Repeat ** two more times, then make 3 DC in starting corner, CH 2 and slip stitch to top of the beginning Chain 3.

Continue Round 3 until work measures 10 inches making 3 DC, CH 2 in ALL the chain 2 spaces along the sides.  Do NOT fasten off.

EDGING

CH 1, work one SC into all the DC and chain 2 spaces along sides, 3 SC into the Chain 2 space at corners. Slip Stitch into beginning Chain 1.  Fasten off.

Here are some new projects based on what you learned this month!!

Don’t forget, I am here to help.  Leave your questions in the comments below, PM me on Facebook or ask the Facebook Group for suggestions.  We are all learning together!  Enjoy the rest of summer. 

See you SEPTEMBER 2 – LABOR DAY when we will learn about foundations!  YES, there will be a post on Labor Day because I am off to China on September 4.