Tunisian Shell Lace

 

Shell patterns are so pretty in traditional crochet. Using them in Tunisian crochet projects can add definition and visual interest.

This is a variation of stitch #20 in “The New Tunisian Crochet – Contemporary Designs from Time-Honored Traditions” by Dora Ohrenstein.

This tutorial does not include a traditional Foundation row, though it can be used to achieve structure at the beginning of the project.

Forward passes are made by pulling up loops through the chain stitches and the closing stitch of the shell clusters.

The shell pattern is created on the return pass by closing multiple stitches together and chain stitches separating the shell clusters.

Toni from TL Yarn Crafts offers a video of the 5-stitch shell version.

NOTE: When working into the chain stitches, work into either the top bar or the back bump. Be consistent throughout.

4-Stitch Shell – Chain multiples of 4+2

Begin in the 2nd ch from the hook and pull up a loop in each ch across.

RETURN PASS – *Ch3, yo, pull loop through next 5 loops, ch1 to close the shell*, repeat *-* until there are 2 loops on the hook, ch1, yo, pull through 2.

FORWARD PASS – Insert hook in the next ch, yo, pull up a loop, *insert hook in the closing stitch of the shell cluster, yo, pull up a loop, (insert hook in the next ch, yo, pull up a loop) x3*, repeat *-* to the last shell cluster closing stitch. Yo, pull up a loop through the closing stitch of the shell cluster, (insert hook in the next ch, yo, pull up a loop) x2. Pull up a loop under two bars of the last ch st.

Repeat these steps to the desired length – ending with a RETURN PASS.

BIND OFF – Insert hook in the next ch, yo, pull the loop through the ch and the loop on the hook, *insert hook in the closing stitch of the shell cluster, yo, pull the loop through the st and the loop on the hook, (insert hook in the next ch, yo, pull the loop through the ch and the loop on the hook) x3*, repeat *-* to the last shell cluster closing stitch. Yo, pull up a loop through the closing stitch of the shell cluster and the loop on the hook, (insert hook in the next ch, yo, pull the loop through the ch and the loop on the hook) x2. Yo, pull up a loop under two bars of the last ch st and the loop on the hook. Fasten off.

5-Stitch Shell – Chain multiples of 5+2

Begin in the 2nd ch from the hook and pull up a loop in each ch across.

RETURN PASS – Ch3, *yo, pull loop through next 6 loops, ch1 to close the shell, ch4*, repeat *-* until there are 2 loops on the hook, ch2, yo, pull through 2.

FORWARD PASS – (Insert hook in the next ch, yo, pull up a loop) x2, *insert hook in the closing stitch of the shell cluster, yo, pull up a loop, (insert hook in the next ch, yo, pull up a loop) x4*, repeat *-* to the last shell cluster closing stitch. Yo, pull up a loop through the closing stitch of the shell cluster, (insert hook in the next ch, yo, pull up a loop) x2. Pull up a loop under two bars of the last ch st.

Repeat these steps to the desired length – ending with a RETURN PASS.

BIND OFF – (Insert hook in the next ch, yo, pull the loop through the ch and the loop on the hook) x2, *insert hook in the closing stitch of the shell cluster, yo, pull the loop through the st and the loop on the hook, (insert hook in the next ch, yo, pull the loop through the ch and the loop on the hook) x4*, repeat *-* to the last shell cluster closing stitch. Yo, pull up a loop through the closing stitch of the shell cluster and the loop on the hook, (insert hook in the next ch, yo, pull the loop through the ch and the loop on the hook) x2. Yo, pull up a loop under two bars of the last ch st and the loop on the hook. Fasten off.

Have a Happy Day!

TexasPurl