Welcome back to 30 stitches in 30 days. Today is Day 3 and we’re going to crochet shell stitch. See the calendar and Day 1 here.
![](https://purplerosecrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/image-3.png)
There are 2 different ways to make shell stitches, and we’re going to call them aligned, and offset. The image below shows the aligned shells, where they sit stacked on top of one another, but the offset ones are fun too because when paired with different colours, they look like little waves.
I have used shell stitches in so many places, like as scallops for a blanket border, to the body of a super cute baby hat. I’ve seen multiple options where they’ve been used for blankets, and so many little baby dresses with the body of the dress being done in shell stitches. So cute!
For this tutorial, I am using Bernat Baby yarn for each for each of the below stitch patterns and a 4mm crochet hook.
Aligned Shell stitches
Shell Cluster: 2dc ch, 2dc
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5c5b19_ae793756873d4e8cb8444ebd391b8a51~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_450,h_300,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5c5b19_ae793756873d4e8cb8444ebd391b8a51~mv2.jpg)
Multiples of 6 + 3 chains.
Row 1: Begin working in the 5th chain from your hook. Cluster: *2dc ch, 2dc, skip 4 stitches.* finish the row with a dc.
Row 2: chain 2, work clusters into the chain spaces in the middle of your clusters from the previous row. Finish row with dc.
Offset Shell Stitch
Multiples of 6 + 3 chains.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5c5b19_7955d95366f244209fa42f9bd2c9ee7e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_450,h_338,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5c5b19_7955d95366f244209fa42f9bd2c9ee7e~mv2.jpg)
In our offset shells, we are making this mini wave pattern shown best using our stripes of different colours.
Row 1: dc into the 3rd chain form your hook and each stitch across.
Row 2: ch, *skip 2 stitches, dc 5 skip 2 stitches, sc* you should end the row with a sc.
Row 3: ch2, dc2 into the base of the chains, *skip 2, sc, skip 2, 5 dc* (this row you should be working your 5dc cluster into the sc of the row below, and sc into the center of the cluster in the previous row.
Repeat rows 2 & 3.
Alright and here is the video to go along with this tutorial!
Thank you so much for joining us on this journey!!!!
Much Love,
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5c5b19_d00f752e3b5e47979b94bdbb2f447498~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_450,h_185,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5c5b19_d00f752e3b5e47979b94bdbb2f447498~mv2.png)