Balanced Shell Stitch | Crochet Tutorial | The Unraveled Mitten

Here we are in week #4 of our National Crochet Month Celebration! I hope you have enjoyed all the stitches so far.

If you are new here, in celebration of National Crochet Month, every Friday in March I am sharing a new crochet stitch with you. What better way to advance our skills than to learn new stitches right?

Week 1: Offset V Stitch

Week 2: Back and Front Loop Half Double Crochet

Week 3: Trinity Stitch

This week we are going to learn the Balanced Shell Stitch. Shell Stitches are some of my favorite crochet stitches. Last year I shared how to do the Quick Shell Stitch and it has been one of the most popular posts here on the blog since. So I know you guys love them too.

It is called the balanced shell stitch because all the shells sit on top of each other instead of nestled between 2 shell groups. This gives your fabric a really good drape and also a pretty lace detailing between the shells. Another thing I really like about this is the ability to have put a border on your work because both ends of your work will be flat!

Balanced Shell Stitch | Crochet Tutorial | The Unraveled Mitten

The balanced Shell Stitch would be great for so many different projects. I immediately thought baby blanket! Worked in a light weight yarn it would be the perfect summer baby gift. It would also make a great winter scarf or summer shawl!

Materials

In today’s tutorial I am using a worsted weight yarn (Bernat Super Value) and a 6mm hook. As always feel free to use any yarn and hook combo your heart desires.

Abbreviations

-I use US Terminology

-ch(s): chain(s)

-sc: single crochet

-dc: double crochet

-st(s): stitch(es)

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Instructions

Ch a multiple of 6+2 to start (I chained 32 in today’s swatch)

balanced shell stitch tutorial

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *skip 2 chs, 5 dc in next, skip 2 chs, sc in next. Repeat form * across. Turn.

balanced shell stitch tutorial

Row 2: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 2), Skip 2 sts, dc in next, ch 2, skp 2 sts, dc in next. * ch 2, skip 2 sts, sc in next, ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc in next. Repeat from * across. Turn.

balanced shell stitch tutorial

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in same st as ch 1, *skip 2 chs, 5 dc in next sc, skip 2 chs, sc in next dc, repeat from * across. Turn.

Repeat rows 2 & 3 until piece is desired size.

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Balanced Shell Stitch | Crochet Tutorial | The Unraveled Mitten | Easy | Balnket | Scarf | Shawl

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3 Comments

  1. HI – love this pattern. In your row 2 instructions you say “Row 2: Ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch 2), Skip 2 sts, dc in next, ..…” in the picture it is a sc, not a dc after the Ch 5.
    I know you anchor into the top of the below shells with a single crochet, then do doubles between the shells. You may want to correct that. Thanks again for the pattern

  2. Im gonna practice this stitch and make a blanket for myself. I Love Any kind of shell stitch and this looks especially pretty. So Im gonna try to do this. Im a beginner so I hope when I do a Blanket it turns out as nice as tis looks

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