How to Crochet Interlocking Shell Stitch

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I have a new crochet tutorial for you today – How to Crochet the Interlocking Shell Stitch. I have used this stitch before and loved it! It is especially visual when made in a 2-row colour repeat, as it gives the effect of a ripple pattern. Here is a sneak peek of a baby blanket I have been making, and I will have the pattern of the blanket for you next week!

I am crocheting the baby blanket as a gift and wanted a stitch that was striking – using 2 colours – and easy and quick to make, and I just love this result! The Crochet Interlocking Shell Stitch creates a substantial fabric with a lot of visual interest and loads of potential for colour play.  It is a very relaxing stitch to work. You can change colours every row, or every two rows as I did, which gives the illusion of a wavy pattern.

Here is a sample square I crocheted using the Interlocking Shell Stitch, and you can find the Instructions and a picture tutorial below.

You might like to check out my patterns for baby blankets using the Granny Spike Stitch

Poppy’s Blanket 

 

 Granny Spike Stitch Blanket

How to Crochet the Interlocking Shell Stitch

Materials

I used two colours of a DK weight yarn and a 4.5mm crochet hook for my sample square. You can use any yarn you like and matching hook.

Abbreviations

US Crochet terms

t-ch – turning chain

sc – single crochet

dc – double crochet

ch – chain

st – stitch

rep – repeat

UK Crochet terms

t-ch – turning chain

dc – double crochet

tr – treble crochet

ch – chain

st – stitch

rep – repeat

Special stitches

Double Crochet 5 together – Dc5tog (cluster): Yarn over, insert hook in next st, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops left on hook),  (yarn over, insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops) 4 times, yarn over and draw yarn through all 6 loops on hook.

Changing Colours – Work the last yarn over of the row with the next colour, for a neat colour change

Instructions (in US crochet terms)

Using Yarn A and 4.5mm hook, chain a multiple of 6 sts + 1, + 2 for the foundation row

Row 1: 2 dc in 3^rd ch from hook (counts as 3 dc), skip 2 ch, 1 sc in next ch, * skip 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch, skip 2 ch, 1 sc in next ch; rep from * to last 3 ch, skip 2 ch, 3 dc in last ch, turn. Fasten off yarn

Row 2: Using Yarn B, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 1 sc in 1^st st, * ch 2, dc5tog over next 5 sts, ch 2, 1 sc in next st; rep from * ending by working last sc in top of t-ch, turn

Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc here and throughout), 2 dc in 1^st st, skip 2 ch, * 1 sc in top of next cluster, skip 2 ch, 5 dc in next sc, skip 2 ch; rep from * to last cluster, 1 sc in top of cluster, skip 2 ch, 3 dc in last sc, turn. Fasten off yarn

Repeat rows 2 – 3, ending on a row 2, following colour sequence above. Fasten off.

Instructions with Picture Tutorial

Using Yarn A and 4.5mm hook, chain a multiple of 6 sts + 1, + 2 for the foundation row

Row 1: 2 dc in 3^rd ch from hook (counts as 3 dc), skip 2 ch, 1 sc in next ch, * skip 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch, skip 2 ch, 1 sc in next ch; rep from * to last 3 ch, skip 2 ch, 3 dc in last ch, turn. Fasten off yarn

Row 2: Using Yarn B, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 1 sc in 1^st st, * ch 2, dc5tog over next 5 sts,

ch 2, 1 sc in next st;

rep from * ending by working last sc in top of t-ch, turn.

Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc here and throughout), 2 dc in 1^st st, skip 2 ch, * 1 sc in top of next cluster,

skip 2 ch, 5 dc in next sc, skip 2 ch; rep from * to last cluster, 1 sc in top of cluster, skip 2 ch, 3 dc in last sc, turn. Fasten off yarn.

Repeat rows 2 – 3, ending on a row 2, following colour sequence above. Fasten off.

Now that you know how to Crochet the Interlocking Shell Stitch, you can use it for blankets, wash cloths and many accessories!

Check out some other Stitch Tutorials I have shared here

Find more Free patterns here

No unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part, or distribution of this pattern or content is permitted. If you make this pattern, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and be sure to tag me in your photos so I can see it too, @anniedesigncrochet or #anniedesigncrochet – I can’t wait to see what colours you use with this pattern!

The photographs and pattern contained on this page are the property of Annie Design Crochet.com.
This pattern is for personal use only. You are welcome to sell items made from this pattern. I would appreciate if you could link back to my blog. Thank you!