How to crochet the open shell and picot stitch (step-by-step tutorial)

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.