Master the Crochet Fantail Shell Stitch — Easy Step-by-Step Pattern

The Crochet Fantail Shell Stitch is a delightful and charming stitch pattern that adds a touch of elegance to any project. With its intricate shell design resembling the graceful fan of a peacock’s tail, this stitch is perfect for creating beautiful blankets, scarves, or even garments. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced crocheter, you'll find joy in working up this stitch and watching it come to life row by row. So grab your yarn and hook, and let's crochet our way to creating something truly special with the Crochet Fantail Shell 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 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.