This stitch pattern combines solid seven-double-crochet shells with open chain spaces and wide V-stitches. The result is a reversible-looking, scalloped fabric that works especially well in two-row color stripes.

Pattern at a glance

  • Skill level: Beginner to easy intermediate
  • Terminology: US crochet terms
  • Good for: Blankets, scarves, wraps, and throws
  • Starting chain: A multiple of 8, plus 2
  • Color repeat: Optional change after every two rows

A 34-chain foundation makes a useful practice swatch. For a wider project, keep adding groups of eight chains before adding the final two.

Abbreviations

  • ch: chain
  • sc: single crochet
  • dc: double crochet
  • sl st: slip stitch
  • ch-2 sp: chain-2 space

Special stitches

Shell

Work 7 dc into the same stitch or chain space.

Wide V-stitch

Work (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) into the same stitch.

Starting chain

Chain a multiple of 8 + 2. Count carefully before beginning Row 1; the repeat will not finish evenly if the foundation chain is off by one.

Row 1: shell row

  1. Work 1 sc in the second ch from the hook. The skipped chain does not count as a stitch.
  2. Skip 3 chains and work 7 dc in the next chain.
  3. Skip 3 chains and work 1 sc in the next chain.
  4. Repeat skip 3 ch, 7 dc in next ch, skip 3 ch, 1 sc in next ch across.

Finish with one single crochet in the final chain.

Row 2: wide V-stitch row

  1. Turn and ch 3. This turning chain counts as the first double crochet.
  2. Work 1 dc in the same first stitch. There are now two double crochets at the edge.
  3. Ch 5, skip the seven double crochets of the shell below, and work (dc, ch 2, dc) in the next single crochet.
  4. Repeat ch 5, skip 7 dc, wide V-stitch in next sc across.
  5. After the final ch-5 space, skip the last shell and work 2 dc in the final sc.

Row 3: offset shell row

  1. Ch 3 and turn. This chain counts as the first double crochet.
  2. Work 3 dc in the first stitch to form a four-double-crochet half shell at the edge.
  3. Find the first seven-double-crochet shell from Row 1 beneath the ch-5 space. Work 1 sc in the fourth dc of that shell, enclosing the ch-5 space in the single crochet.
  4. Work 7 dc in the next ch-2 space.
  5. Repeat sc in the fourth dc of the next shell below, catching the ch-5 space; 7 dc in the next ch-2 space across.
  6. After anchoring the final ch-5 space, work 4 dc in the top of the Row 2 turning chain.

Row 4: wide V-stitch row

  1. Ch 3. On this row, the turning chain does not count as a stitch.
  2. Turn, skip 3 stitches, and work (dc, ch 2, dc) in the next single crochet.
  3. Repeat ch 5, skip 7 stitches, wide V-stitch in the next sc across.
  4. After the last wide V-stitch, ch 2, skip 3 stitches, and sl st in the top of the Row 3 turning chain.

Row 5: shell row

  1. Ch 1 and turn. The chain does not count as a stitch.
  2. Work 1 sc in the same edge space as the previous row's slip stitch.
  3. Skip the remaining chain section and the first double crochet, then work 7 dc in the next ch-2 space.
  4. Work 1 sc in the fourth dc of the shell below, enclosing the ch-5 space as in Row 3.
  5. Work 7 dc in the next ch-2 space.
  6. Repeat the anchoring single crochet and seven-double-crochet shell across.
  7. After the final shell, skip the remaining double crochets and chain section, then work 1 sc in the final edge dc from Row 3.

Pattern repeat

Repeat Rows 2–5 until the piece reaches the desired length. End after a shell row for a naturally scalloped edge, or add a simple border if the project needs straighter sides.

Optional two-row color changes

For clear stripes, change color after every two rows. At the end of a row, chain one, cut the old yarn with a weaving tail, and pull it through the loop. Turn the work and join the new color in the first stitch required by the next row.

Weave tails securely along stitches of the same color so they do not show through the open chain spaces.

Troubleshooting

The pattern no longer lines up

Check that every shell contains seven double crochets and every wide V-stitch is placed in a single crochet. The starting chain must be a multiple of eight plus two.

The ch-5 loops sit loose on the surface

On shell rows, the single crochet goes into the fourth double crochet of the shell below while enclosing the ch-5 space. That anchoring step holds the open row against the fabric.

The edges are changing width

Rows 2 and 3 use counted turning chains and edge double crochets, while Row 4 ends with ch 2 and a slip stitch. Recheck the beginning and end instructions before changing the centre repeat.

Quick repeat guide

  • Row 1: Sc, skip 3, seven-dc shell, skip 3, sc.
  • Row 2: Wide V-stitches separated by ch-5 spaces.
  • Row 3: Shells in ch-2 spaces; sc anchors each ch-5 to the centre of the shell below.
  • Row 4: Wide V-stitches separated by ch-5 spaces.
  • Row 5: Shells in ch-2 spaces with the ch-5 spaces anchored below.

Repeat Rows 2–5 to the desired length.