I came up with my own version of the traditional Boxed Shell Stitch. In this type of stitch pattern, double crochet, with chains between, are used to create an open square shape above the shell. The traditional Boxed Shell Stitch has a shell of 5 dc and no single crochet row between the shell and the open square. Also, it called for the shell to be worked into one of the chains that formed the open square. Working the shell into a chain is slower than working into a single crochet stitch or making stitches in a chain space. For that reason, I worked out this version, which is not only faster but has a different look.
Abbreviations: ch = chain, chs = chains, ea = each, dc = double crochet, sc = single crochet, sp = space, st = stitch, sts = stitches
Materials: any weight of yarn or size of thread. Some popular choices are: worsted weight yarn with a US size H hook, sport weight yarn with a US size F or G hook or size 10 thread with US size 7 or 8 steel hook. Hook Size Matched to Thread Size
Stitches Used: double crochet - dc instructions
Single Crochet - Instructions link, with photos:
sc how-to
Pattern Note: You will turn at the end of each row. An example starting chain for a practice square would be 32 chains (when made with worsted weight yarn and a US size H hook, this makes a square that is about 9 inches wide). Please keep my copyright and terms of use statement with the pattern directions when you print out or save the pattern in any form.
Starting Chain: chain any multiple of 4. Multiple of (explained)
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook (which counts as the first two dc of the row), * ch 2, skip 2 chs, dc in ea of next 2 chs **, repeat the directions between * and ** as many times as needed to go across the row.
Row 2: ch 1 to turn, sc in first dc, sc in next dc, * 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in ea of next 2 dc **, repeat the directions between * and ** as many times as needed to go across the row. Note that the last sc of the last repeat will be made in the top of the ch-3 at the end of the row. Be careful not to miss crocheting into that last stitch.
Row 3: ch 3 (counts as first dc), skip next sc, 4 dc in next sc, * skip next 3 sc, 4 dc in next sc **, repeat the directions between * and ** until fewer than 4 sc remain in the row, then
skip to the last sc, making a dc in the last sc.
Row 4: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next dc, * ch 2, skip next 2 dc, dc in ea of next 2 dc **, repeat the directions between * and ** as many times as needed to go across the row. The repeats should come out even, with no leftover stitches at the end of the row. Note that the last dc of the last repeat will be made in the top of the ch-3 at the end of the row. Be careful not to miss crocheting into that last stitch.
Additional Rows: Repeat rows 2 - 4, as many times as needed to reach the length that you want ... then make one Last Row.
Last Row: Repeat Row 2.
End off, leaving a strand for weaving in. Weave in the ends, to secure.
Copyright, Terms of Use: Pattern directions and pattern photo copyright 2007 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Per copyright law, do not distribute reproduced copies, in any form, even for free, and do not use my pattern photo on another web site, blog page or elsewhere. Instead, you may give out the URL of this pattern page, for others to come here for themselves. It makes a world of difference to me, in helping to enable me to continue designing new patterns. Thank you.
