Crocheted Cross-Over Shell Stitch Step by Step Photo How-to
& Formula to Make Any Size Square
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The cross-over shell is an interesting stitch ... and easier than it looks. |
Use the formula below to make any size square or a full afghan.
Starting Chain: Multiple of 6, plus 4.
Directions
Note: In this pattern a shell = 3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in same stitch and
a half shell = 3 dc in same stitch.
Make starting chain of length desired.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook. sc in ea ch across.
Row 2: ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch 1), 3 dc in next sc, *ch 1, skip 2 sc,
hdc in next sc,
ch 1, skip 2 sc (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in next sc)* repeat * to * across to last 7 sts;
ch 1, skip 2 sc, hdc in next sc, ch 1, skip 2 sc, 3 dc in next sc, ch 1, dc in last sc.
Row 3: ch2, *skip the 3 dc half shell,
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Yarn over (yo) hook twice, insert hook in space between 1st and 2nd dc of next shell, |
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yo, draw yarn through stitch, * yo, draw yarn through 2 loops on hook *, repeat * to * twice. (1 treble made) |
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Work two more treble stitches in this same space between the 1st and 2nd dc of this half shell. This picture shows the third treble in progress. |
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ch 1, then working over the 3 tr just made, make a treble between 1st and 2nd dc of half shell just skipped; (Note that you need to draw up an unusually long first loop for each treble worked over the 3 tr just made.) |
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This shows one treble stitch completed. Work two more treble stitches in this same space between the 1st and 2nd dc of half shell just skipped, |
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sc in next ch 1 sp*. |
Repeat * to * across
until there is one cross-over left to do, then follow these directions:
skip the 3 dc half shell, in sp between 1st and 2nd dc of next
shell, make 3 tr; ch 1, then working over the 3 tr just made, make 3 tr between
1st and 2nd dc of half shell just skipped; sc in last dc.
Row 4: ch 3, 2 dc in same st, * ch 1, hdc in ch 1 sp in center of shell
of previous row, ch 1; (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in sc of previous row)*, repeat * to *
across until one cross-over shell remains; ch 1, hdc in ch 1 sp in center of shell
of previous row, ch 1, 3 dc in last st.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 for pattern.
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This sample is made with worsted weight yarn. With this thickness, the cross-over stitches are bulky but that's just what you want for a warm afghan! |
With worsted weight yarn, with a size G crochet hook, a starting chain of 34 will make a piece that's 10" wide; a starting chain of 40 will make a piece that's 12" wide.
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This sample is made with size 20 thread. A starting chain of ch 34, with a size 8 steel crochet hook makes a square that is 2 3/4" wide. |
With sport weight yarn, with a size E crochet hook, a starting chain of 34 will make a piece that's 9" wide; a starting chain of 40 will make a piece that's 10 1/2" wide.
These examples give you a few ideas of the widths you'll get using different thicknesses of yarn or thread with different starting chains. Experiment with the starting chain formula of any multiple of 6, plus 4 to come up with the size you need for the item you'd like to make with this stitch.
Here are the directions again, all together:
Starting Chain: Multiple of 6, plus 4.
Directions
Make starting chain of length desired.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook. sc in ea ch across.
Row 2: ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch 1), 3 dc in next sc, *ch 1, skip 2 sc,
hdc in next sc,
ch 1, skip 2 sc (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in next sc)* repeat * to * across to last 7 sts;
ch 1, skip 2 sc, hdc in next sc, ch 1, skip 2 sc, 3 dc in next sc, ch 1, dc in last sc.
Row 3: ch2, *skip the 3 dc half shell, in sp between 1st and 2nd dc of next
shell, make 3 tr; ch 1, then working over the 3 tr just made, make 3 tr between
1st and 2nd dc of half shell just skipped; sc in next ch 1 sp*. Repeat * to * across
until there is one cross-over left to do, then follow these directions:
skip the 3 dc half shell, in sp between 1st and 2nd dc of next
shell, make 3 tr; ch 1, then working over the 3 tr just made, make 3 tr between
1st and 2nd dc of half shell just skipped; sc in last dc.
Row 4: ch 3, 2 dc in same st, * ch 1, hdc in ch 1 sp in center of shell
of previous row, ch 1; (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in sc of previous row)*, repeat * to *
across until one cross-over shell remains; ch 1, hdc in ch 1 sp in center of shell
of previous row, ch 1, 3 dc in last st.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 for pattern.
Feature and photos copyright © 1999 Sandi Marshall
Photography by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com
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