Interlocking Shells

In this video, Jen Lucas shows us step by step how to work in this beautiful interlocking shells stitch pattern and includes plenty of tips and tricks along the way.

The interlocking shells stitch pattern is great for using up small scraps of yarn in multiple colors, or it can be worked in just two colors that alternate as shown. It does create lots of ends to weave in, but Jen has a suggests an alternative way to take care of those with much less work!

Follow along with Jen as she works through the following directions:

COLOR A = PINK
COLOR B = GRAY

With Color A, ch a multiple of 6 plus 4 sts. (Jen chains 22 sts for the sample shown.)

Row 1 (RS): Continuing with Color A, sk first 3 chs (counts as dc), 2 dc in next ch, sk 2 chs, 1 sc in next ch, *sk next 2 chs, 5 dc in next ch, sk 2 chs, sc in next ch; rep from * until 3 chs remain, sk 2 chs, 3 dc in last ch, changing to color B on the last yo of the last dc, turn. Cut color A.

Row 2 (WS): Continuing with color B, ch 1 (does not count as a stitch), sc in first dc, *ch 2, dc5tog using next 5 sts, ch 2, 1 sc in next dc; rep from * to end, ending with last sc in the top of the dc turning ch from previous row and changing to color A on last yo of last sc of row, turn. Cut Color B.

Note: when the dc5tog stitches are made, the following chain stitch actually creates the “eye” at the top of the dc5tog. On the following row, you will need to recognize and work into the “eye”.

Row 3: Continuing with color A, ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in first sc, sk next ch-sp, *sc in next st (into the “eye” at the top of the dc5tog cluster), sk next ch-2 sp, 5 dc in next sc, sk next ch-sp; rep from * to 1 st before last ch-2 sp, sc in next st (into the “eye”), sk next ch-2 sp, 3 dc in last sc, changing to color B on last yo of last dc, turn. Cut Color A

Repeat Rows 2 & 3 as desired.

Jen mentions that if you end with a repeat of Row 2, the top edge of your work will have a nice, straight edge.

This stitch is similar to the Catherine’s Wheel and Starburst stitch patterns, but a bit easier, so if you find those stitch patterns a bit tricky, give this one a try! Then, after you are comfortable with this stitch pattern, you might find that the other stitch patterns aren’t so difficult after all!