How to Crochet - The Stacked Shell Stitch
There is just something about crochet lace stitches. I absolutely love them! They are fun to make and the texture is just lovely. At first I thought that lace stitched where only for table cloths or shawls or similar. But after experimenting and designing with them for a while I know they are also great for garments. Not only for summer but also for autumn and winter. A great example of it is my Winter Haze Cardigan and the upcoming Autumn Lace Sweater. Both uses lace stitches combined with wool yarn to make a perfect lace wear also for the colder months.
This post
In this post we will go through how to make the stacked lace stitch. This stitch is used in my Autumn Lace Sweater and in an upcoming cardigan. I also have plenty more design ideas for it. we will go through how to make it and the post also tells how you start using it, so that you can use it for any project or ideas you might have. If you prefer you can find the stitch instructions in a printable pdf without any extra text, simply the stitch and the pictures. The PDF pattern also includes a crochet chart on the stitch.
Swatching
To try out the stitch you only need a hook and some yarn. If you’d like to make the swatch for the Autumn Lace Sweater, then you’ll need:
Yarn: Calico from Lana Gatto (50% Merino Wool, 50% Acrylic. 123 yds (113 m) per 50g-skein) or other DK / 3-weight yarn as long as you meet gauge.
Crochet Hook: US 7 (4.5 mm)
I typically like to use a yarn that has a mix of fibres that make the yarn a bit light for lace stitches. For summer it works great with 100% cotton. But for winter I like the mix of for example wool and acrylics to make the garments lighter. Especially for the stacked shell stitch since the shells do require quite a lot of yarn.
The Stitch
This tutorial is written using US terminology.
Turning chains do not count as stitches, if not mentioned otherwise.
Gauge (4x4” / 10x10 cm): 12 hdc-BLO in 8 rows, blocked.
Abbreviations
ch - Chain
st(s) - Stitch(es)
dc - Double crochet
sc - Single crochet
sc-BLO - Single crochet back loop only
sk - Skip
Abbreviations - continued
in ss - In the same stitch
sl st - Slip stitch
yo - Yarn over
rs - Right side
ws - Wrong side
Stitch
Ch 22
Row 1: In the 2nd back bump from the hook, sc. Sc in every ch across. Turn. (21 sts)
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Row 2 (ws): Ch 1, Sc, sc, *sk two sts, 7 dc in ss, sk two sts, sc* repeat until the final st. Sc in the final st. Turn.
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Row 3 (rs): Ch 3 (counts as dc), sk st, dc. *Ch 3, sk 3 dc and sc in the 4th dc, ch 3, sk 3 dc, dc in the sc* repeat until the final st. Dc in the final st. Turn.
Learn how to crochet the stacked shell stitch with this detailed guide.
Row 4 (ws): Ch 1, Sc, sc. *Sk the 3 chs, 7 dc in the sc, sk 3 the chs, sc in the dc* repeat until the final st. Sc in the 3rd turning ch from previous row. Turn.
Repeat row 3-4 until you’ve made a total of 10 rows (including row 1) to make it the gauge swatch for the Autumn Lace Sweater. Block!
Happy Making!
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The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Coffee & Crocheting. This pattern and design are subject to copyright, and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not distribute or sell this pattern without consent
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