In this step-by-step crochet stitch tutorial I show how to make the diagonal shell and cluster stitch. This crochet stitch tutorial includes photo instructions and a video tutorial (see below). For this crochet stitch you should know how to make a single crochet and a double crochet. The tutorial below shows how to make a double crochet two together and a double crochet three together stitch. The diagonal shell and cluster stitch is a repeat of two rows. The fabric turns out light and it has a beautiful texture.
For this tutorial I use Soft FRAYA Cotton 8/4 100% Organic cotton 50g – 180 m yarn, color: navy blue, and a 2.0 mm hook.
Join Nordic Hook Club to get access to one of the largest crochet stitch libraries! There you will find hundreds of ad-free downloadable crochet stitch tutorials that include detailed step-by-step photo instructions and member-exclusive concise written patterns and CHARTS. Plus, you can download all Nordic Hook patterns and e-books! Read more about all the membership benefits here.

If you prefer a printable version without ads, you can purchase my e-book Beautiful Crochet Stitches Volume 3 with 50 detailed tutorials. In addition to the photo instructions, the tutorials include exclusive short written stitch patterns. SAVE 40% by purchasing a BUNDLE with all six volumes of Beautiful Crochet Stitches. That’s 300 crochet stitches in total!
You can find my other free crochet stitch tutorials here.
Take a look at my free crochet patterns here.
Good luck!

Video tutorial
The video tutorial below shows how to make the diagonal shell and cluster stitch.
Photo instructions for the diagonal shell and cluster stitch
Row 1

1. Start by chaining a multiple of five plus two. You will start working in the second chain from your hook.

2. So, make a single crochet in the second chain from your hook.

3. Chain three.

4. Then make a double crochet in the same stich where you have just worked in.

5. Make two more double crochets in the same stitch.

6. Skip four stitches and make a single crochet in the next stitch.

7. Chain three.

8. Then make three double crochets in the same stitch where you have just worked in.

9. Skip four stitches and make a single crochet in the next stitch.

10. Then repeat: chain three, make three double crochets in the same stitch, skip four stitches and make a single crochet.

11. Continue working in the same way until the end of the row. The row should end with a single crochet.
Row 2

12. Chain two and turn your work around. Chain two does not count as a stitch.

13. Make a double crochet in the first stitch.

14. Chain two.

15. Then make a single crochet in the next chain three space.

16. Chain two.

17. Next you will make a double crochet three together working in the next single crochet of the previous row. So, yarn over.

18. Insert your hook in the next single crochet of the previous row and yarn over.

19. Pull the yarn through. Now you have three loops on your hook.

20. Yarn over.

21. Pull the yarn through the first two loops on your hook. Now you have two loops on your hook.

22. Yarn over.

23. Insert your hook in the same stitch and yarn over.

24. Pull the yarn through. Now you have four loops on your hook.

25. Yarn over.

26. Pull the yarn through the first two loops on your hook. Now you have three loops on your hook.

27. Yarn over.

28. Insert your hook in the same stitch and yarn over.

29. Pull the yarn through. Now you have five loops on your hook.

30. Yarn over.

31. Pull the yarn through the first two loops on your hook. Now you have four loops on your hook.

32. Yarn over.

33. Pull the yarn through all loops. You have just made a double crochet three together!

34. Chain two.

35. Then make a single crochet in the next chain three space.

36. Chain two.

37. Make a double crochet three together in the next single crochet.

38. Chain two and make a single crochet in the next chain three space.

39. Continue working in the same way until the end of the row. At the end of the row make a single crochet in the last chain three space.

40. Chain two.

41. Next you will make a double crochet two together in the last stitch. So, yarn over.

42. Insert your hook in the last stitch and yarn over.

43. Pull the yarn through. Now you have three loops on your hook.

44. Yarn over.

45. Pull the yarn through the first two loops on your hook. Now you have two loops on your hook.

46. Yarn over.

47. Insert your hook in the same stitch and yarn over.

48. Pull the yarn through. Now you have four loops on your hook.

49. Yarn over.

50. Pull the yarn through the first two loops on your hook. Now you have three loops on your hook.

51. Yarn over.

52. Pull the yarn through all three loops. You have just made a double crochet two together.
Row 3

53. Chain one and turn your work around. Chain one does not count as a stitch.

54. Make a single crochet in the first chain two space.

55. Chain three.

56. Then make three double crochets in the same chain two space.

57. Skip the next chain two space and make a single crochet in the next chain two space.

58. Chain three.

59. Make three double crochets in the same chain two space.

60. Then repeat: skip the next chain two space and make a single crochet in the next chain two space, chain three and make three double crochets in the same chain two space.

61. Continue working in the same way until the end of the row.

62. At the end of the row skip the last chain two space and make a single crochet in the last stitch. For the rest of the pattern repeat rows 2-3.
Finished diagonal shell and cluster stitch

63. Done!
You can find my other free crochet stitch tutorials here.


