Crochet Shell Stitch Tutorials: 7 Clear Guides

Shell stitch can look very different depending on the row repeat and the number of stitches in each shell. These three tutorials give you a written-and-video option plus two video references before you use the stitch in a larger project.

Shell stitch shows up clearest in a smooth worsted-weight yarn while you’re first learning the repeat.

Shell stitch tutorials to explore

1. Crochet Solid Shell Stitch

Robin at Hooked by Robin presents a solid shell stitch with both a written pattern and video tutorial. Her version uses a two-row repeat, with five double crochets worked into one stitch for each shell. Having both a written pattern and video in one place makes it easier to check your stitch count against the visual repeat.

2. Shell Stitch Crochet Tutorial

Naztazia provides a dedicated shell-stitch video tutorial for makers who prefer to watch the repeat take shape. Video-only tutorials like this one are worth pairing with a written repeat from elsewhere on this list if you want exact stitch counts to reference.

3. Shell Stitch Tutorial

Bella Coco offers another video-based shell-stitch reference, useful for comparing hand position and row rhythm. Watching two different creators work the same stitch can help you spot small technique differences that a single written pattern wouldn’t show.

4. How to Crochet Shell Stitch

Sarah Stearns at Sarah Maker teaches the basic repeat: five double crochets into one stitch, skip two, single crochet, skip two, with half-shells at the row edges to keep the sides straight. Working half-shells at the row edges is what keeps the sides of the fabric straight instead of scalloped.

5. Shell Stitch Crochet Scarf Pattern

Treasurie applies the stitch to a finished project with a simple 2-row repeat (one row of single crochet and shell clusters, one row building the shells) in bulky yarn, so you can see the stitch worked at scale rather than just in a swatch.

6. Closed Scallops Shell Stitch Tutorial

Erin Toews at Juniper and Oakes teaches a “closed scallops” repeat: five double crochet into one stitch, skip two, single crochet, skip two. The written-and-video tutorial shows the stitch from an F/3.75mm hook up to a P/10mm hook.

7. Crochet Shell Stitch

Amanda Saladin at love. life. yarn. uses a repeat of single crochet plus a five-double-crochet shell, worked over a multiple of six stitches plus one, demonstrated in chunky yarn on a K/6.5mm hook. The six-plus-one stitch multiple makes it easy to check whether your foundation chain will divide evenly before you start.

Choosing a shell stitch

Start with a small swatch from one tutorial. If you want a project application, Robin specifically suggests the stitch for scarves or blankets; use the same designer’s repeat when you move beyond the swatch.