Instructions for the crazy shell stitch were printed in A Treatise on Embroidery, Crochet and Knitting, published in the year 1899. This stitch has been given different names throughout the years and has remained a popular stitch for afghans. It is known as crazy shell, crazy stitch, brick stitch and box stitch.

If there are no closeup photos with a pattern, to refer to, the part that can be confusing is the making of a single crochet, chain-3 and 3 double crochet (which lean sideways in the row), made in a chain-3 that was made in the previous row. My photos showing this stitch in progress can make it easier to learn. Once a crocheter understands how it is done, it's a fun type of pattern to crochet.

• Crocheting the Crazy Shell - Free How-To

• More Free Crochet Tutorials

Photo of crocheted crazy stitch copyright 2001 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Per copyright law, do not use (republish) image on another web page, blog page or elsewhere. Instead, you may link to the how-to page.