Crochet Fantail Shell Stitch Tutorial
Crochet Fantail Shell Stitch
Crochet Fantail Shell Stitch is a beautiful and versatile stitch that adds a touch of elegance to any project you're working on! The stitch forms delicate shells that resemble a fantail, lending a whimsical and intricate look to your crochet creations. Whether you're making a scarf, blanket, or even a hat, incorporating the Crochet Fantail Shell Stitch will surely make your piece stand out with its unique and charming design. So grab your favorite yarn and hook, and get ready to crochet something truly special with this lovely stitch!
Materials Needed
Yarn: DK and worsted weight yarns are good choices when making the Fantail shell stitch.
For this stitch tutorial, I used a DK weight (#3): Lionbrand Coboo, 51% cotton, 49% Rayon.
Other materials:
- Scissors to cut ends
- Tapestry needle to sew/weave in ends
- Stitch markers (optional)
Difficulty Level
The Fantail stitch is beginner-friendly, with a repeat of basic rows. After a few practices, this stitch is super easy to master without using the pattern.
Terms and Abbreviations
US Terminology
- Chain/chains – ch/chs
- Chain space – ch sp
- Stitch(es) – st(s)
- Slip Stitch – sl st
- Single Crochet – sc
- Half Double Crochet – hdc
- Double Crochet – dc
- Repeat – rep
Special Stitches
- V stitch = (dc, ch 1, dc)
- Shell = (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc)
How to Crochet Fantail Shell Stitch
Foundation Row
Foundation row – Multiple of 10 plus 2.
Row Instructions
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next ch, *skip next 3 chs, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch, skip next 3 chs, sc in next ch, ch 1, skip next ch, sc in next ch, rep from * until the last 7 chs, skip next 3 chs, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch, skip next 3 chs, sc in last 2 chs, turn.
Row 2: Ch 2, dc in same st, *ch 3, sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 3, V st in next ch 1 sp, rep from * until the last ch 1 sp, ch 3, sc in last ch 1 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in last st, turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, 3 dc in first st, *skip next 2 chs, sc in 3rd ch, ch 1, skip next st, sc in first ch from next ch 3 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch 1 sp, rep from * until the last 2 ch 3 sps, skip next 2 chs, sc in 3rd ch, ch 1, skip next st, sc in first ch from next ch 3 sp, 4 dc in last st, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 3, V st in next ch 1 sp, ch 3, sc in ch 1 sp, rep from * until the last ch 1 sp, ch 3, V st in last sc, ch 3, sc in last st, turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in next st, *(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch 1 sp, sc in 3rd ch, ch 1, skip next st, sc in first ch from next ch 3 sp, rep from * until the last V st, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in ch 1 sp, sc in last 2 chs, turn.
Repeat rows 2, 3, 4, and 5 until you have your desired height.
I love to end mine with a V stitch row for a perfect finish.
Edging
Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each st/ch around, (sc, ch 1, sc) at each corner, join with a sl st to the beginning chain.
Fasten off.
Weave in all ends.