How to Crochet the Shell Stitch + Video Tutorial

Today, I'm thrilled to share a recent crochet masterpiece: the Briar Rose Dress. Picture a knee-length, 60s-inspired dress with a silhouette that's close-fitting yet allows for comfortable movement. It's that perfect balance between a pencil skirt and a slightly more relaxed style. It’s made using the beautiful shell stitch, which I will show you how to crochet!

Briar Rose Crochet Dress

This dress, crafted with fine crochet thread, holds a special place in my heart. As crocheters, we all have those projects that, for one reason or another, don't quite live up to our expectations. For me, it was a dress I had made using a pattern from Vogue magazine. Sadly, it never fit properly, and it spent years hanging untouched in my closet. But I believe in giving yarn a second chance at life, and so, I made the bold decision to unravel that dress and set out on a new adventure of my own design.

Out came the crochet hooks, and I started creating something entirely unique. The process was a labor of love, with each stitch carrying the anticipation of transforming that dormant yarn into a piece that would truly shine. The dress took shape in two separate pieces, the top and skirt, that were later joined at the waist with an elastic band.

To bring this design to life, I chose the solid shell stitch, which adds a delicate texture and depth to the fabric. The color of the crochet thread I used reminded me of the pink dress in Sleeping Beauty that Briar Rose wears. Coincidentally, the flower of the same name shares the same beautiful shade of pink. And so, I named this dress after the timeless fairytale character and the bloom, embracing the feminine beauty it exudes.

But this journey isn't just about the dress; it's about the creative process, the freedom to reimagine, and the joy of crafting something entirely our own. If you follow me on social media, I shared moments of unraveling the original dress, symbolizing the transformation of both yarn and my creative spirit. And of course that feeling of letting go and diving in head first. If you’ve ever done this, you know what I’m talking about.

After countless hours I finally completed the Briar Rose Dress just in time to wear it for the first time at my sister-in-law's wedding! And to fully embrace the 60s-inspired vibe of the dress, I enlisted the help of talented hair and makeup artists who skillfully recreated the iconic looks of that era.

Seeing the dress come to life on such a special occasion filled my heart with joy. Now, whenever I look at the Briar Rose Dress, I am reminded of the journey it represents—the unraveling of the past, the reimagining of possibilities, and the celebration of our craft. It's more than just a garment; it's a symbol of resilience, creativity, and the beauty that can be created when we let our imagination run wild.

I hope this dress inspires you to embark on your own creative adventures and reminds you that with a hook, some yarn, and a dash of imagination, anything is possible.

Will there be a pattern?

This dress was both an experiment and a challenge to crochet a garment that would fit and to complete within a certain timeline. While I do not have a the crochet pattern for this dress YET, I did want to share how to work the shell stitch in preparation for when I do release the pattern. Until then, be sure to subscribe to the email newsletter and follow me on social media so you can find out when the pattern comes out! And if you’re interested in testing the pattern when it’s ready I’ll be sending an email and posting on my socials so be on the look out for that!

How to Crochet the Shell Stitch

For this example, I’ll be using a size 4.00mm crochet hook and some worsted weight cotton yarn.

Solid Shell Stitch - Multiples of 6 + 1 (add 1 for base chain)

To make this sample square, make a foundation chain of 38 (36 is a multiple of 6, plus 1 is 37, and the additional chain adds up to 38)

Abbreviations (US terminology)

ch - chain

st(s) - stitch(es)

sc - single crochet

dc - double crochet

sk - skip

rep - repeat

tch - turning chain

Solid Shell Stitch Instructions

Row 1: sc into 2nd from hook, *sk 2 ch, make 5 dc in next ch, sk 2 ch, sc in next ch, rep from * to end, turn

Row 2: ch 3 (counts as 1dc), 2 dc in first st, *sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc, rep from * ending last rep with 3 dc in last sc, turn

Row 3: ch 1, sc in first st, *sk 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, rep from * ending last rep with sc into top of tch, turn

Repeat rows 2-3 until you reach your desired length.

I hope you enjoyed this solid shell stitch tutorial and found it helpful and inspiring. Be sure to follow me on social media for more tips, tutorials and news, just check out the links at the top of this page!

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This tutorial is for personal use only. The photos may not be reproduced, distributed or resold, translated, published, altered, shared or posted in any way over the internet or offline.

You may sell finished items made from patterns designed by me as long as it is handmade by you, not mass produced, giving the credit to Pops de Milk / Patricia Castillo as the designer. If you have any questions, you can email me at patricia@popsdemilk.com