Colourful Crochet Stitch Pattern – Easy Framed Shells

The Framed shells crochet stitch is a lacy stitch with great drape. This stitch is crochet at its best! Colourful, intriguing in appearance, yet quick and easy to create. Work in 2 or more colours for best effect. This stitch guide details how to work this stitch in rows, in rounds, and as a square.

This stitch pattern is available free to view here on my blog, as a PDF download either by signing up for my newsletter, buying on Ravelry, or buying on Etsy. The PDF download is available in both UK and US crochet terms. It is also available in standard 14 font or large print 20 font.

Features of the Framed Shells Crochet Stitch

This is quite an open stitch, so best for projects where drape and flow are needed. Avoid for projects where a closed or solid stitch might be desired.

This stitch is slightly easier to work in rounds (such as for the body of a sweater) than rows (such as for a blanket). When working in rows, you may sometimes need to return to the start of the row without turning, to maintain a colour sequence. This complication doesn’t happen when working in rounds

Difficulty: Easy

Season: Summer

Look: lacy, feminine

Use for: Blankets, cardigans, pullovers, scarves, shawls.

See it in a pattern: The Enniskerry Garden Cardigan

Accessibility and crochet terms used:

This stitch pattern is written in US crochet terms, using a dyslexia friendly style. You can find out more about the accessibility features I use on this blog in my accessibility statement.

To work the Framed Shells Crochet Stitch in rows

Chain any multiple of 4, plus 3 for turning chain.

Row 1: in colour 1, double crochet in each stitch across to end, chain 1 and turn.

Row 2: in colour 1, [single crochet, chain 3, skip 3] to end, single crochet in last stitch, chain 1 and turn.

Row 3: in colour 1, double crochet in first stitch, [double crochet, chain 1, double crochet, chain 5] in every chain 3 space across, omitting final chain 5. Double crochet in last double crochet.

Row 4: in colour 2, join with slip stitch and chain 3 or work a standing double crochet, [3 double crochet, chain 1] in each chain 1 space across, double crochet in final double crochet.

Row 5: draw up colour 1, chain 1, double crochet in first chain 1 space, chain 3, [double crochet through both chain 1 space and chain 5 from row 3, chain 3] to end, double crochet in last double crochet.

To work the Framed Shells Crochet Stitch in rounds

To work in rounds:

Chain any multiple of 4. Join with slip stitch to form ring.

Round 1: in colour 1, ch 3 (counts as stitch) double crochet in each stitch around to end, join with slip stitch.

Round 2: in colour 1, [double crochet, chain 3, skip 3] to end, join with slip stitch to first double crochet.

Round 3: in colour 1 [double crochet, chain 1, double crochet, chain 5] in every chain 3 space around.

Round 4: in colour 2, join with slip stitch and chain 3 or work a standing double crochet, 2 double crochet and chain 1 in same space, [3 double crochet, chain 1] in each chain 1 space around, join with slip stitch.

Round 5: draw up colour 1, [double crochet through both chain 1 space and chain 5 from row 3, chain 3] to end, double crochet in last double crochet.

Repeat rows 3, 4 and 5 for length desired, ending on a row 5.
For colourful stripes, use different colours for each repeat of row 4.

To work a Framed Shells Crochet Square

Set up round: in colour 2, chain 4, and join with slip stitch to form a ring.

Round 1: chain 3, double crochet 2, chain 2, [double crochet 3, chain 2] 3 times, join with slip stitch to turning chain.

Stitch count: 4 sides of 3 double crochet, 4 corners of chain 2. Place stitch marker in each chain 2.

Round 2: in colour 1, single crochet in corner, chain 3, [single crochet, chain 1, single crochet, chain 3] in each of next 3 corners, single crochet, chain 1, join with slip stitch.

Stitch count: 4 sides with chain 3, 4 corners with single crochet, ch1, single crochet

Round 3: in colour 2, single crochet, chain 5, [single crochet, chain 1, single crochet, chain 5] in all chain 1 and chain 3 spaces.

Stitch count: 8 chain 5 loops formed.

Round 4: in colour 3, Join with slip stitch and chain 2, 2 double crochet in same chain 1 space, skip all chain 5s and work [3 double crochet, chain 1] in side spaces, [3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet, chain 1] in all marked corner spaces

Round 5: draw up colour 1. Single crochet in corner space, [chain 3, single crochet in chain 1 and chain 5]. Repeat to marked corner, [double crochet, ch 2, double crochet]. Rep to end.

Round 6: in colour 1, single crochet, chain 5 , in next ch 3 sp, single crochet ch 1, single crochet ch 5, to corner, single crochet ch 2, single crochet ch 5. Rep to end, single crochet ch 2, join with sl st
4 chain 5 sps per side

Repeat rounds 4, 5 and 6 for size desired, ending on a round 5.

What to make next:

Congratulations on finishing the Framed Shell stitch tutorial. What did you crochet in this stitch? I would love to see. Why not post to instagram, and tag @TheFairythorn,

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