Take a peep into the deep oceans where the little oysters flourish. Giving birth to a million pearls floating in the water like dreams at night. ‘Shells and pearls’ is the my crocheted version of this beautiful phenomenon.
Since the time I started crocheting I have had affinity towards white and black yarn. I have always wanted to crochet something unique using these colours. While learning new stitches I came across this mesmerisingly amazing stitch called the shell stitch. And in that instance I knew what my next project will be.
The finished project is simply outstanding. The colour and stitch combination has given a unique mystical aura to the garment.
I paired it with a white silk saree and also wore it on a black denim skirt.
Get a add free version with step by step photo tutorial of this pattern here- Shells and Pearls
Pattern pointers
- Before you begin with the project, make sure to check the gauge information.
- Vardhman Baby Soft yarn is used which is soft and light weight acrylic yarn. Yardage = 200 meters per 50gm.
- The pattern uses double thread of the yarn together to get a cozy fit.
- While working with black yarn make sure you have a light coloured background so that the stitches are visible
Gauge information – Size: S/M
Hook size 2.5 mm / (US C/2). Make a swatch in order to confirm the right fit by making 21 double crochets x 8 rows = 10 cm / 4” in width and 10 cm / 4” height.
To make the crop top I have used following material–
- Yarn- Vardhman Baby Soft 250 g in black and 100g in white
- Hook- 2.5mm
- Scissors
- markers
- Yarn needle
Symbols for reading the pattern instructions–
- Sl- Slip stitch
- Ch= chain stitch
- Sc= single crochet in stitch
- Sp= space
- St = stitch
- Dc= double crochet in stitch
Step by step pattern instructions
(Front Panel)
1. Take two threads of black yarn together and ch 86.
2. dc in the 3rd ch from hook, dc in each ch st. total dc= 84
3. Turn, ch2, 2 dc in same st, *skip 2st, slst in next st, skip 2st, 5dc in next st, skip 2st, slst in next st*. Repeat *to* till the end of row until last st. 3dc in the last st. Cut the yarn.
4. Change colour (one black+one white) thread. Turn, attach yarn. *skip 2st, slst in next st, skip 2st, 5dc in next st, skip 2st, slst in next st*. Repeat *to* till the end of row. Cut the yarn.
5. Attach white yarn. Turn, ch2, 2dc in same st, *skip 2st, slst in next st, skip 2st, 5dc in next st, skip 2st, slst in next st*. Repeat *to* till the end of row until last st. 3dc in the last st. Cut the yarn.
6. Change colour to black. Turn, attach yarn. *skip 2st, slst in next st, skip 2st, 5dc in next st, skip 2st, slst in next st*. Repeat *to* till the end of row. Cut the yarn.
7. Change to grey (one white+one black). Turn, ch2, 2dc in same st, *skip 2st, slst in next st, skip 2st, 5dc in next st, skip 2st, slst in next st*. Repeat *to* till the end of row until last st. 3dc in the last st. Cut the yarn.
8. Change colour to white. Turn, attach yarn. *skip 2st, slst in next st, skip 2st, 5dc in next st, skip 2st, slst in next st*. Repeat *to* till the end of row. Cut the yarn.
9. Change to white. ch4, *skip 2st, sc in next st, ch2, sc through slst of previous row* repeat *to* till the end of row. Cut yarn.
10. Change to black. 3 dc in every ch2 space. Total dc = 78. Cut the yarn.
11. Change to white. ch4, *skip 2st, sc in the next st, ch2 *. Repeat *to* till the end of row. Cut the yarn. (Repeat step 10 and 11 till step no 28).
12.Increase 3dc every black row henceforth. Change to black. dc in every st. Increase 3dc equally through the row. Cut the yarn. Total dc= 84
13. Change to white. ch4, *skip 2st, sc in the next st, ch2 *. Repeat *to* till the end of row. Cut the yarn.
14. Change to black. dc in every st. Increase 3dc equally through the row. Cut the yarn. Total dc= 87
15. Change to white. ch4, *skip 2st, sc in the next st, ch2 *. Repeat *to* till the end of row. Cut the yarn.
16. Change to black. dc in every st. Increase 3dc equally through the row. Cut the yarn. Total dc= 90
17. Change to white. ch4, *skip 2st, sc in the next st, ch2 *. Repeat *to* till the end of row. Cut the yarn.
18. Change to black. dc in every st. Increase 3dc equally through the row. Cut the yarn. Total dc= 93
19. Change to white. ch4, *skip 2st, sc in the next st, ch2 *. Repeat *to* till the end of row. Cut the yarn.
20. Change to black. dc in every st. Increase 3dc equally through the row. Cut the yarn. Total dc= 96
21. Change to white. ch4, *skip 2st, sc in the next st, ch2 *. Repeat *to* till the end of row. Cut the yarn.
22. Change to black. dc in every st. Increase 3dc equally through the row. Cut the yarn. Total dc= 99
23. Change to white. ch4, *skip 2st, sc in the next st, ch2 *. Repeat *to* till the end of row. Cut the yarn.
24. Change to black. dc in every st. Increase 3dc equally through the row. Cut the yarn. Total dc= 102
25. No increase henceforth. Change to white. ch4, *skip 2st, sc in the next st, ch2 *. Repeat *to* till the end of row. Cut the yarn.
26. Change to black. dc in every st. Cut the yarn. Total dc= 102
27. Change to white. ch4, *skip 2st, sc in the next st, ch2 *. Repeat *to* till the end of row. Cut the yarn.
28. Change to black. dc in every st. Total dc= 102 cut the yarn.
29. Turn. Attach markers on stitch no 15th and 88th. With front side facing you attach black to 15th st. ch3, dc in next 2 st, *ch3, skip 3st, dc in next 3st* repeat till the 88th marker.
30. Turn, ch5, *3dc in ch sp, ch3, skip 3st*. Repeat till the last ch sp. Ch2, dc in last st.
31. Turn. ch3, dc in next 2 st, *ch3, skip 3st, dc in next 3st*. Repeat till the end.
32. Turn, ch5, *3dc in ch sp, ch3, skip 3st*. Repeat till the last ch sp. Ch2, dc in last st.
33. Turn. ch3, dc in next 2 st, *ch3, skip 3st, dc in next 3st*. Repeat till the end.
34. Turn, ch5, *3dc in ch sp, ch3, skip 2st, dc in last st.
35. Turn. ch3, dc in next 2 st, *ch3, skip 3st, dc in next 3st. Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.
(Back Panel)
Step 1 to 35- Follow all the steps 1 through 35 except skip step no. 33.
Step 36 – Turn, ch5, *3dc in ch sp, ch3, skip 2st, dc in last st. Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.
Assembly
Sew the shoulder seams and side seams together with whip stitch. Make sure to avoid tight seam. Cut the yarn and weave in ends.
That’s it!! You hold in your hands the beautiful shells and pearls top.
Happy crocheting !!
