Lacy Shell Stitch Shrug Crochet Pattern

Can you believe it’s finally summer!? Our summer officially began at the end of May with preschool graduation festivities and we have been enjoying the warm weather as much as possible! We love to spend hot days by the pool, and warm evenings getting ice cream at our favorite local spot.

The sun really bares down on us during the day but oftentimes, a thunderstorm rolls through in the evenings, bringing in some cooler air. Sometimes, I like to bring a light cardigan or flowing scarf with me when we venture out on summer evenings, just in case one of those storms passes through, and that is what started me thinking about this lacy shrug that I’m sharing with you today.

I have been dreaming of a cardigan-like garment that would compliment my many summer dresses. I also wanted it to be light and airy. I love the lacy shell stitch shrug that I finally came up with, and I hope you do too!

The shrug is worked in rows, creating a rectangle shape. The arm holes are completed at the very end, sewing the corners of the short edges together. It’s as simple as that!

For this pattern, you’ll have a chance to review both the single crochet and the double crochet stitches, as well as try out a couple fancy tricks with the double crochet!

Here’s how you can make your own!
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Supplies:
1 skein worsted weight yarn
(I used Caron Simply Soft in Victorian Rose)
Size I/9-5.50mm crochet hook
Scissors
Plastic needle for sewing corners together

Abbreviations:
ch- chain
st- stitch
sl st- slip stitch
sc- single crochet
dc- double crochet
fpdc- front post double crochet- yarn over. Insert hook from the front to the back, around the post of the dc from the previous row. Complete as you would a regular double crochet. Click here for a fpdc photo tutorial.
bpdc- back post double crochet- yarn over. Insert hook from the back to the front, around the post of the dc from the previous row. Complete as you would a regular double crochet. Click here for a bpdc photo and video tutorial.
shell- 5 dc worked together in one stitch

1. Ch 81 (or any multiple of 3 that fits your mid-arm to mid-arm measurement). Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn.

2. Ch 2. *Fpdc in next st. Dc in next st. Repeat from * (alternating between fpdc and dc) across. Should finish with a dc. Turn.

3. Ch 2. *Bpdc in next st. Dc in next st. Repeat from * across. Turn.

4. Ch 2. Fpdc in next st. Dc in next st. Fpdc in next st. Dc in next st. *Ch 3. Sk next 2 sts. Sc in next st. Repeat from * until 8 sts remain. Ch 3. Sk next 3 sts. Dc in next st. Fpdc in next st. Dc in next st. Fpdc in next st. Dc in last st. Turn.

5. Ch 2. Bpdc in next st. Dc in next st. Bpdc in next st. Dc in next st. *Sc in ch 3 space. Ch 3. Repeat from * across, finishing with sc in last ch 3 space. Dc in next st. Bpdc in next st. Dc in next st. Bpdc in next st. Dc in last st. Turn.

6. Ch 2. Fpdc in next st. Dc in next st. Fpdc in next st. Dc in next st. *Ch 3. Sc in ch 3 space. Repeat from * across, finishing with sc in last ch 3 space, and ch 3. Dc in next st. Fpdc in next st. Dc in next st. Fpdc in next st. Dc in last st. Turn.

7. Ch 2. Bpdc in next st. Dc in next st. Bpdc in next st. Dc in next st. *Sc in ch 3 space. Shell in next sc. Repeat from * across, finishing with sc in last ch 3 space. Dc in next st. Bpdc in next st. Dc in next st. Bpdc in next st. Dc in last st. Turn.

8. Ch 2. Fpdc in next st. Dc in next st. Fpdc in next st. Dc in next st. *Ch 4. Sc in back loop of 3rd dc from shell stitch of previous round. Repeat from * across, finishing with ch 4. Dc in next st. Fpdc in next st. Dc in next st. Fpdc in next st. Dc in last st. Turn.

9. Repeat step 5-8 until desired length is reached. For my shrug, I repeated 5 times. On final round, finish with a “step 7” round, so the shell stitches leave a nice scalloped edging.

10. Close up each arm hole by sewing corners together on each short edge.

My shrug measures about 29 inches long and about 12 inches tall. But remember, you can easily work this to fit any size you need! The fabric also has a nice stretch to it because of the lacy design, which I just love!

I also love the texture created by the shells, and by working the chains into the back loop of the shell. This allows each shell to “stick out” a little bit. They almost look like waves of the sea, don’t they!?