Original Design By: Maggie Weldon

Years ago when living in Michigan my best friends daughter had the most beautiful baby layette made with the puff shell stitch shown in this project.  Her neighbor, an avid crocheter had crocheted it for her.  I asked and begged her neighbor for this pattern but she would never share it with me or even tell me where I could get it!  Luckily I came across the pattern a couple of years later.  The puff shell stitch has been my inspiration for many patterns like the Puff Shell Poncho and Puff Shell Coat & Purse.  It is a very beautiful and simple crochet pattern stitch that is easy to do.
 

Skill: Easy

Size: About 9 inches by 12 inches.

Materials: Sport Weight Yarn: White (W) – 2 oz, Pink (P) – ½ oz, Yarn Needle;

Crochet Hook:Size F-5 (3.75 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 2 Shells = 2 inches; 5 rows = 2 inches

JOINING WITH SC

When instructed to join with sc, begin with sl knot on hook, insert hook in st or sp indicated, yo and pull up a loop, yo and draw through both loops on hook.

Special Stitches

Shell: 5 dc in specified st or sp.

AFGHAN

Row 1: (Right Side) Starting at bottom, with White, ch 51, 2 dc in 4^th ch from hook (skipped ch counts as first dc), skip next 2 ch, sc in next ch, skip next 2 ch, * Shell in next ch, skip next 2 ch, sc in next ch, skip next 2 ch; rep from * across, ending with 3 dc in last ch. (7 Shells, 2 half-Shells)

Pattern Rows

Note:

All Shells are worked in back loops of sc.

All single crochet stitches are worked in both lps.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, working in back loop only, Shell in next sc, * sc in center dc of next Shell, working in back loop only, Shell in next sc; rep from * across, ending with sc in last dc.

Row 3: Ch 3, turn, working in back loop only, 2 dc in first sc, sc in center dc of next Shell, * Shell in back loop of next sc, sc in center dc of next Shell; rep from * across, ending with 3 dc in back loop of last sc.

At the end of Row 3, change color to Pink.

Rows 4-5: With P, rep Pattern Rows 2-3.

At the end of Row 5, pick up White.

Rows 6-7: With W, rep Pattern Rows 2-3.

at the end of Row 7, pick up Pink.

Rows 8-9: With P, rep Pattern Rows 2-3.

At the end of Row 9, pick up White. Finish off Pink and weave in ends.

Rows 10-21: With W, rep Pattern Rows 2-3.

At the end of Row 21, change color to Pink.

Rows 22-27: Rep Rows 4-9.

At the end of Row 27, pick up White. Finish off Pink and weave in ends.

Rows 28-30: With W, rep Pattern Rows 2-3 once and Pattern Row 2 once more. DO NOT FINISH OFF.

Afghan Border

Rnd 1: With W, ch 1, turn, with right side facing, working in Row 30, Shell in back loop of first sc, * sc in center dc of next Shell, Shell in back loop of next sc; rep from * across, ** working in sides of rows, evenly work alternating sc and Shells 10 times, ending with sc in last row**, working in unused lps of starting ch, Shell in first ch, sc in ch opposite sc of Row 1, (Shell in ch opposite Shell of Row 1, sc in ch opposite sc of Row 1) across, ending with Shell in last ch; rep from ** to ** once more; join with sl st to first dc. (38 shells) Finish off and weave in ends.

All Rights Reserved ©2010 Maggie Weldon


Watch Maggie help you step-by-step through this pattern - Right Handed Video

Watch Maggie help you step-by-step through this pattern - Left Handed Video

By popular request we made a video showing how to do the shell border on this afghan.
Watch the right handed video:




By popular request we made a video showing how to do the shell border on this afghan.
Watch the left handed video:

Watch Maggie's Right Handed Video On How To Crochet Stitch Puff Shells Changing Colors Every Other Row

Watch Maggie's Left Handed Video On How To Crochet Stitch Puff Shells Changing Colors Every Other Row