This is one of our favorite crochet stitches: the cross cross crochet shell stitch. In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll walk you through how to tackle this fun stitch. Whether you use it on crochet boards, on blankets, in a scarf, is up to you! We can’t wait to see what you make.
Criss Cross Crochet Shell Stitch Photo Tutorial
The Cross Stitch (cross-st): Double crochet in the space after the next single crochet on your second to last row. Chain one and double crochet in the space before the same single crochet stitch.
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With A, chain 26. The foundation row, if you want to make a cross stitch pattern, should always consist of multiples of 6 plus 2.
Row 1: Single crochet in the second chain from the hook. Skip two chains and insert five double crochets into the next chain. Skip the next two chains and single crochet in the next one. Repeat that pattern across the row, turn and fasten off.
Row 2: Join B with a slip stitch in the first stitch. Chain two and double crochet in the same stitch. Chain one and single crochet in the center stitch of the five double crochet group. Chain one and, working on the next single crochet on the last row, make your cross stitch (as explained above).
Chain one, single crochet in the center stitch of the next five double crochet group, and chain one. Repeat that pattern across until you reach the last stitch. Insert two double crochet stitches into the last stitch and turn.
Row 3: Chain three. Insert two double crochets into the same stitch and single crochet in the next single crochet. Across the rest, repeat the following pattern: five double crochets in the chain one space of the cross stitch and then single crochet in the next one. In the third chain of the beginning chain two, insert three double crochets. Turn and fasten off.
Row 4: Join A with a single crochet in the first stitch. Chain one, cross stitch and then chain one. Across the row, single crochet in the center stitch of the five double crochet group, chain one, cross stitch again and chain one. Single crochet in the third chain of the beginning chain three and turn.
Row 5: Chain one, single crochet in the first stitch and put five double crochet stitches into the chain space of the cross stitch. For the rest of the row, follow the following pattern: single crochet in the next single crochet and insert five double crochets into the chain one space of the cross stitch. To finish off this row, single crochet in the last stitch, turn and fasten off.
Row 6: Join B with a slip stitch in the first stitch. Chain two, double crochet in the same stitch and chain one. Single crochet in the center stitch of the five double crochet group. Chain one. Cross stitch, chain one, single crochet in the center stitch of the five double crochet group and chain one across the rest of the row. Make double double crochet stitches into the last stitch and turn.
Row 7: Chain three and put two double crochets into the same stitch. Single crochet in the next one. Across the rest, follow this pattern: five double crochets into the chain one space of the cross stitch and then a single crochet into the next space. Finally, insert three double crochets into the third chain of the beginning chain-2, turn and fasten off.
To finish off the rest of the pattern, simply repeat rows four through seven until you’ve reached your desired length. Now it’s time to take these skills and apply them to the perfect beach bag: the Criss Cross Crochet Stitch Tote!
I’ve been crocheting for 54 years and this is the first time I’ve seen it. It’s a little hard to find something new, but this is cool. I’m going to try it for a scraps afghan with bright colors for my girlfriends little granddaughter!
Beaut pattern … I’m envisaging an evening-type Clutch Purse, using a Lurex-Type yarn …
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Hello! Thank you for your interest in I Like Crochet magazine. At this time, we do not have printed versions of our magazine issues. As a member of I Like Crochet, you’ll be able to access all of the patterns in our archives digitally with the option to print individual patterns. Please let us know if you have any questions. Thanks! – Nicola, Editor
Such a simple change in what you do to make the X stitch come alive.
I like the “Criss Cross Shell” stitch, but it is a tongue twister to say!
Thank you very much for this tutorial. I’m going to use this stitch for a blanket.Do you have tutorials on YouTube?
Hi there! Most of our videos can be found here: https://www.ilikecrochet.com/tag/video/
Happy crocheting! – Nicola, Editor
Oh I thank you so very much for doing this tutorial I have searched for 2 days my friend showed me the pattern and I just fell in love with that I have been trying to work on it and figure out the way this stitches said boy was I off until I search some more today and found this tutorial thank you I cannot tell you how appreciative I am I now can see and understand I have been crocheting for 50 years and just could not figure out what was going on thank you thank you thank you
So glad to hear that this tutorial was so helpful to you! Happy crocheting! 🙂 – Nicola, Editor
I think this stitch pattern would be gorgeous on a vest. Just need to find a vest pattern with the shell stitch.
I think you might like this vest pattern! https://www.ilikecrochet.com/magazine/crochet-top-patterns/boardwalk-vest-2/ 🙂 – Nicola, Editor
Thanks Nicola I think the pattern is prefect. I’m going to give it a try.