Crochet Fantail Shell Stitch Tutorial

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 Used

US Terminology

Stitch Abbreviations

• 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 the Fantail Shell Stitch

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.