How to crochet the open shell and picot stitch (step-by-step tutorial)
The Open Shell and Picot Stitch is an elegant crochet pattern that blends airy shell stitches with delicate picot details. While the finished fabric has a refined, lace-like appearance, the stitch is built using simple crochet techniques arranged in an easy-to-follow repeat. This step-by-step tutorial guides you through the process, helping you create a textured, lightweight fabric perfect for scarves, shawls, and decorative crochet projects.
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The Open shell and picot stitch is an elegant crochet pattern that balances openness with decorative texture. The shell stitches create a light, airy structure, while the picot stitches add a refined detail that enhances the overall visual rhythm of the fabric.
Despite its lace-like appearance, this stitch is constructed using familiar crochet techniques arranged in a repeating sequence that is easy to follow once established. The pattern alternates between shells and picots, producing a fabric that looks intricate yet remains approachable for confident beginners and enjoyable for experienced crocheters.
This step-by-step tutorial will guide you through the stitch pattern row by row, with clear stitch placement and consistent repeats. The Open Shell and Picot Stitch is well suited for scarves, shawls, lightweight garments, and decorative crochet panels where texture and drape are equally important.
Let’s get started
Stitch Challenge
These are the basic crochet skills needed to be able to crochet the pattern.
- sl st – slip stitch
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
Stitch Standards
I am using the US / International standard crochet terms.
Foundation Chains
This stitch requires multiples of 7 stitches, plus an additional 1 chain for the base chain.
For your tension: If you are making 28 stitches, add 1 extra chain for the base,
giving you a total of 29 chains to begin with.
Row 1 (Right side)
Work 1 single crochet into the second chain from the hook. * Skip the next 2 chains and work a shell stitch of [1 double crochet, 1 chain, 1 double crochet, 1 chain, 1 double crochet] into the next chain. Skip the next 2 chains, then work 1 single crochet into the next chain. Chain 3, then work 1 single crochet into the next chain. Repeat from * all the way across. You should end with a single crochet as your last stitch. Turn.
Row 2 (Wrong side)
Chain 7 (counts as 1 treble crochet and 3 chains). * Work a picot stitch of [1 single crochet, 3 chains, 1 single crochet] into the center stitch of the next shell stitch from the previous row. Chain 3, then work 1 double crochet into the next chain-3 space. Chain 3. Repeat from * all the way across. End with 1 treble crochet into the last single crochet, skip the turning chain, and turn.
Row 3 (Right side)
Chain 1 and work 1 single crochet into the first stitch. * Skip the next 3 chain spaces and work a shell stitch into the center of the next picot stitch. Skip the next 3 chain spaces, then work a picot stitch into the next double crochet. Repeat from * all the way across. End by working 1 final single crochet into the turning chain. Turn.
Repeat Rows 2–3 until the desired length is reached.
Also top tip on repeating row 2, you can add a pin on the 4th chain of the 7 chains at the beginning of the row. This will help to make your edges nice and straight
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This pattern describes a common crochet technique. While crochet stitches and methods are not copyrightable, the written instructions, photographs, and explanations on this page are original and protected by copyright.
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