In this free step-by-step crochet stitch tutorial I show how to make the diagonal shell and cluster stitch. This stitch is a lacy crochet stitch. The fabric turns out light and breathable. It works great for shawls and wraps, lightweight scarves, lacy crochet summer tops and tanks, lightweight cardigans and other summer crochet projects. This stitch can also be used in decorative crochet projects for the home.
This crochet stitch tutorial includes photo instructions and a video tutorial (see below). The diagonal shell and cluster stitch is a two-row repeat. For this crochet stitch you should know how to make single crochet and double crochet. The tutorial below shows how to make a double crochet two together and a double crochet three together stitch.
Materials and tools
Yarn: For this tutorial I use Soft FRAYA Cotton 8/4 100% Organic cotton 50g – 180 m yarn, color: navy blue. However, you can use your favorite yarn depending on the crochet project.
Hook: I use a 2.0 mm hook. If you are using a different yarn, choose the hook size that is recommended on your yarn label.
Printable PDF and chart
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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.
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