In essence, a shell stitch consists of any pattern that has multiple stitches made in the same stitch. There are simpler versions as well as more complicated ones. Trying out a few different types will give you the opportunity to find the look you like best.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Basic Scallop Skewer
Step 1. Make a chain stitch
For this basic version of the clam stitch, you'll need to make a chain stitch in multiples of four.
-
The number of seashell stitches you can make in a row will equal the number of chain stitches divided by four.
For example, a chain with 12 stitches will have three seams in each row, but a chain with 32 stitches will have eight seashells in each row
Step 2. Make a seam stitch into the fourth chain stitch of the hook
Skip three chain stitches from the hook and make a seashell stitch on the fourth stitch. For this pattern, your seashell stitch should consist of two double stitches, followed by one chain stitch, and finished with two more double stitches. All of these stitches must be made in the same chain stitch.
Step 3. Skip three chain stitches and repeat
Skip the next three chains. Begin to chain stitch on the fourth chain stitch, in the same pattern as before.
- Make two double stitches.
- Make one chain stitch.
- Make another two chain stitches into the same stitch.
Step 4. Follow the same pattern until the end of the chain stitch
Skip the three chain stitches and make another seashell stitch, in the same pattern, on the fourth chain stitch. Repeat this pattern until you have finished your row of chain stitches.
Keep in mind that the first chain stitch you made, which is now the last chain stitch, must have a seashell stitch
Step 5. Make three chain stitches
Make three chain stitches at the end of your row after completing the last seam stitch. Flip your work so that the side that was previously on the left is now on the right and vice versa.
These three additional chain stitches will give your pattern additional height to start a new row. If you don't make these additional chain stitches, your rows of seashell stitches will stack one on top of the other
Step 6. Make a scallop stitch on the previous chain stitch
On the chain stitch made in the last seam stitch in the previous row, create the stitch pattern needed to make the seashell stitch.
- Make two double stitches.
- Make one chain stitch.
- Make two more chain stitches at the same stitch.
Step 7. Follow this pattern to the end of the row
You don't need to go through the chain stitch or any stitches in this second row. Simply repeat the clam stitch pattern on each chain stitch from the center of the clam stitch you made in the previous row.
Step 8. Repeat the row as needed
All rows after the second row must be made in the same technique as the second row. Make sure you also make three chain stitches at the end of the row and turn your work over before starting the next row.
For each row. Continue making seashell stitches on each chain stitch made in the middle of the clam stitch from the previous row
Method 2 of 3: Skewer Full Scallop
Step 1. Make a basic chain stitch
For this series of chain stitches, the number of stitches must be a multiple of six, plus one.
- For example, you can make a chain stitch of 19 stitches (18+1), a series of 25 stitches (24+1), 31 stitches (30+1), and so on.
- A series of chain stitches totaling 19 stitches will make three seashell stitches. A sequence of 25 chain stitches will make four seashell stitches, and a series of 31 chain stitches will make five seashell stitches, and so on.
- This additional chain stitch is needed to give your row additional height to make a seashell stitch.
Step 2. Make a single crochet on the second chain stitch of the hook
Skip one stitch of the chain in the row. On the second chain of hooks, make a single crochet.
Step 3. Skip two chain stitches and double crochet the next chain stitch
Skip two chain stitches before making five double stitches in the next third chain stitch.
Step 4. Skip two chain stitches and make a single stitch on the next chain stitch
Skip the next two chain stitches before making a single crochet in the next third chain stitch.
Note that this step and the previous one use six chain stitches. The first chain stitch you go through is the "additional" stitch, so with this, you complete a seashell stitch with six stitches
Step 5. Repeat until the end of the row
Repeat the same steps you used earlier to make as many seashell stitches as you need until the end of this row.
- Skip two chain stitches.
- Make five single stitches in the next stitch.
- Skip two chain stitches.
- Make a single crochet on the next chain stitch.
Step 6. Make three chain stitches
Make three chain stitches at the end of the row and flip your piece so that the side that was on the right is now on the left, and vice versa.
For the second row, the three chain stitches made earlier will replace one double crochet
Step 7. Double crochet the first stitch
Double crochet the first stitch of the previous row.
This stitch can be harder to find because it's no longer a chain stitch, but keep in mind that any visible stitches or any pairs of loops that are above each seam stitch will count as stitches
Step 8. Repeat the seashell stitch pattern
This seashell stitch pattern will be very similar to the pattern used in the previous row, but the placement of each seam stitch will look reversed.
- Skip the two double stitches from the previous row.
- Make a single crochet over the double crochet from the previous row.
- Skip the other two double stitches.
- Make five double crochets into the next single crochet of the previous row.
- Repeat this pattern until you reach the end of the row. Keep in mind that the final loop will consist of three double stitches on one last single crochet.
Step 9. Make one chain stitch
Make one chain stitch and turn your piece over, again turning both the left and right sides.
Step 10. Make a single crochet on the first stitch
Make a single crochet on the first stitch of the previous row.
Step 11. Repeat the seashell stitch pattern
This pattern will look very similar to the pattern used in the first row.
- Skip two double stitches from the previous row.
- Make five double crochets on the single crochet afterwards.
- Repeat two double stitches.
- Make one single crochet into the next double crochet of the previous row.
- Continue until you reach the end of the row, ending with a single crochet at the top.
Step 12. Add rows as needed
Do it back and forth until you have a length that suits your wants or needs.
Method 3 of 3: Tricky Scallop Skewer
Step 1. Make a basic chain stitch
This sequence should have the number of stitches in multiples of three, plus one.
- For example, you can have a chain stitch with 16 stitches (15+1), 19 stitches (18+1), 22 stitches (21+1), and so on.
- This extra stitch is very important because it will give your initial stitch an additional height that you can work with. If you don't have these extra stitches, your pattern will look like it's stacked one on top of the other or may also curl.
Step 2. Double crochet the fourth chain stitch from the hook
Pass three chain stitches from the hook. On the fourth chain stitch, make three double stitches.
Step 3. Make a single crochet on the fourth chain stitch
Skip the other three chain stitches and make a single stitch in the next stitch.
Step 4. Chain stitch and make three double stitches on the same stitch
Make three chain stitches before making three double stitches on the same stitch as your single stitch.
Step 5. Skip and make another single crochet
Skip the next three stitches. In the next stitch, make a single stitch.
Keep in mind that this completes one seam stitch for this pattern
Step 6. Repeat this pattern
Repeat the same pattern you used to make the seashell stitch along the rows. Your row should be finished with a single crochet.
- Make three chain stitches.
- Make three double stitches on the last chain stitch.
- Skip three stitches.
- Make a single crochet in the next stitch.
Step 7. Make three chain stitches
Make three chain stitches and flip your piece so that the side that was on the right is now on the left and the side that was on the left is now on the right.
This extra chain stitch provides additional height to the new row to prevent it from folding
Step 8. Double crochet the first single crochet
Make three double crochets on a single crochet ending your last row.
This is the same stitch as the three chain stitch you just made
Step 9. Make a single crochet at a distance of three chain stitches
Go through the previous row until you find the point where you made the last three chain stitches for that row. Make a single stitch at that distance.
This triple stitch spacing can be found on the opposite side of the last group of double stitches in the previous row
Step 10. Make your seashell stitch and repeat
Use the same pattern to make seashell stitches along the rows. Continue making seashell stitches until you reach the end of the row.
- Make three chain stitches.
- Make three double crochets at the same “three chain stitch” distance from the previous row you worked on.
- Make a single crochet at “three chain stitch” distances along the row.
Step 11. Repeat on the same row as needed
The rest of the row will have the same shape as your second row. Make three chain stitches and turn them over at the end of each row before moving on to the next row. Continue until your work is a size that fits your needs or desires.
Tips
- For each of these methods, you will have to review how to make chain stitch, single crochet, and double crochet. If any of these three basic techniques are unfamiliar to you, do a review before you try to make a seashell stitch.
- Remember that you must make a live knot on your crochet hook before starting your chain stitch. To make a live knot, make two loops near the end of your yarn. Tuck the loop on the left into the loop on the right, and thread your crochet hook at the top of this inner circle. Pull the two loops firmly to close them around the hook.
