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The Solid Shell Stitch Washcloth is very easy to crochet. The stitch pattern is made up of simple stitches, just the single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc) and chain stitches (ch). I have included a photo tutorial at the end of the post to show you how to make the stitch and how to change colors on the last yarn over of the last stitch of each row.
This stitch creates a lovely solid fabric that is perfect for all kinds of projects and is a favorite for making baby blankets. If you’d like to make a baby blanket using this stitch I have a free pattern available in multiple sizes (11 sizes are included in the pattern) that you can make. Get the Solid Shell Stitch Blanket Pattern here.
For this month’s Washcloth of the Month Club project I used 3 colors of Big Value Recycled Dishcloth Cotton that were sent to me King Cole Yarn and a 4 mm (G) crochet hook. This yarn is a blend of 85% Cotton and 15% Polyester. Each 100 g ball contains approximately 175 yards (160 meters).
If you are making this in a solid color you will only need 1 ball of yarn. In total the washcloth used 3.20 oz (91 g) and 159 yds (146 m).
I love using Big Value Recycled Dishcloth Cotton for my washcloths because it is affordable and available in a number of bright colors. There are currently 8 colors available and you can see them all here. For today’s washcloth I used White (Shade: 5061), Cranberry (Shade: 5062) and Navy (Shade: 5066).
Get the other 2 Washcloth of the Month Club Patterns here.
Get the Premium PDF today (until June 10, 2024 at 23:59 ET) from my Ravelry Shop as part of the Washcloth of the Month Club CAL. No coupon required!
Simply add the Solid Shell Stitch Washcloth Pattern to your cart before June 10, 2024 at 23:59 ET and check your cart total = $0.00 before you check out.
Solid Shell Stitch Washcloth Pattern on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/solid-shell-washcloth
If you missed the free Premium PDF this time, you can sign up for next month’s email below.
The washcloth pattern below is written to make a 12 X 12 inch project, but you can make your project to any size you wish with the stitch multiple I have included in the pattern.
The photo tutorial for the Solid Shell Crochet Stitch is included at the end of the post.
Supplies
- Yarn: King Cole Big Value Recycled Dishcloth Cotton (check your local yarn shop here). 3.52 oz (100 g) and 175 yds (160 m). 85% Cotton, 15% Polyester. Worsted Weight Yarn [4]. Machine wash at 30°C. Dry flat. Warm iron.
- Colors: 1 skein each: White (Shade: 5061), Cranberry (Shade: 5062) and Navy (Shade: 5066)
- Crochet Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Finished Project: Washcloth: 3.20 oz (91 g) and 159 yds (146 m)
- Scissors, Tapestry Needle (yarn needle)
Difficulty Level
- Easy
Finished Sizes
- Washcloth width approximately 12 inches X 12 inches length.
Gauge
- Approximately 2 sets of (1 sc, 5 dc) per 3 inches and 7 rows worked in solid shell stitch per 3 inches using a 4 mm (G) crochet hook
You can substitute any yarn and hook for this stitch pattern – just remember when you substitute if your gauge is different, the finished size, and amount of yarn used for your project will also be different.
Abbreviations
- ch(s) – chain(s)
- dc – double crochet
- g – grams
- m – meters
- oz – ounces
- R – row
- rem – remaining
- rep – repeat
- sc – single crochet
- sk – skip/skipped
- sl st – slip stitch
- st/sts – stitch/stitches
- yds – yards
- * to ** – Repeat the instructions between the asterisks the number of times indicated. This repeat will contain multiple instructions.
- [ ] – at the end of the row – the total number of stitches
- ( ) – important notes AND sets of stitches to be worked within one stitch, or space
Helpful Tutorial
- Crochet Stitch Guide
Notes:
- Stitch multiple: 6+1
- Initial ch 3 counts as 1 dc
- Initial ch 1 does not count as a stitch
- Carry unused colors up the side edge of the project.
- When I work into the foundation chain, I prefer working into the back bar (back bump) of the chain. You can work under the back loop only if you prefer.
- To make this washcloth longer, work more rows.
- To make this washcloth wider, chain more stitches using the stitch multiple.
- Add the Solid Shell Stitch Washcloth Pattern to your Ravelry Library here
Solid Shell Stitch Washcloth Pattern
This project is crocheted widthwise in rows.
Using your 4 mm (G) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
R1: Ch 55, sk the first 3 chs (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in the next ch, sk the next 2 chs, 1 sc in the next ch. *Sk the next 2 chs, 5 dc in the next ch, sk the next 2 chs, 1 sc in the next ch**. Work from * to ** across. Turn. [43 dc, 9 sc]
R2-R28: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in the first sc, sk the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the next dc. *Sk the next 2 dc, 5 dc in the next sc, sk the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the next dc**. Work from * to ** across, Turn. [43 dc, 9 sc]
Last Row: Ch 1, 1 sc in the first sc, ch 2, sk the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the next dc. *Ch 2, sk the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the next sc, ch 2, sk the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the next dc**. Work from * to ** across. [18 sc, 17 ch2sp]
Proceed to finishing instructions.
Finishing Instructions:
- Finish off and weave in ends.
Did you remember to make your Ravelry Project Page? (How to Make a Ravelry Project Page.)
Create your Solid Shell Stitch Washcloth Project Page here.
Easy Crochet Tutorial: Solid Shell Stitch Washcloth
Row 1
To begin, chain to the size project you want to make. Check that the number of chains you have made can be divided by 6 evenly, then add 1 more chain.
For the washcloth I chained 55 (which is 9 x 6, or 54 chains, plus 1 extra chain, for a total of 55 chains). This gives me a 12 inches wide project using the yarn and hook I am using.
Row 1: Chain (ch) the number of chains you have chosen (or chain 55). Skip the first 3 chains (chs). These are being counted as 1 double crochet (dc), and make 2 dc in the next chain. Skip (sk) the next 2 chs and make 1 single crochet (sc) in the next ch.
For the rest of the row we crochet: *Sk the next 2 chs and make 5 dc in the next ch, sk the next 2 chs, make 1 sc in the next ch**.
We work this all the way across, repeating what is between the * and ** to the very last stitch.
How to Change Colors on the Last Yarn Over of a Stitch
When you reach the last stitch, which is the single crochet stitch, you work it as normal until you reach the last yarn over.
This means, yarn over, insert your hook into the chain, yarn over and pull up 1 loop. You have 2 loops on your hook.
Now we place our new color of yarn over the hook as the last yarn over of the stitch, and pull that new color through the 2 loops on the hook to complete the last single crochet stitch.
Now we can begin Row 2 with the new color of yarn. Turn your work.
Row 2
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc) and make 2 dc in the first sc. Sk the next 2 dc and make 1 sc in the next dc.
For the rest of the row we work the following:
*Sk the next 2 dc, make 5 dc in the next sc, sk the next 2 dc, make 1 sc in the next dc**.
When we reach the last single crochet of the row, remember to change to the next color on the last yarn over of the stitch.
We repeat Row 2 for the pattern. Finish after an even numbered row (so after a repeat of row 2) then add the final row.
Last Row
Last Row: Ch 1, 1 sc in the first sc, ch 2, sk the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the next dc. *Ch 2, sk the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the next sc, ch 2, sk the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the next dc**. Work from * to ** across.
How to Crochet the Solid Shell Stitch Washcloth with any yarn and hook
- You can make your project to any size you wish with the stitch multiple.
Follow the instructions below.
Row 1: Simply chain a number of chains that you can divide evenly by 6, then chain 1 extra chain. Sk the first 3 chs (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in the next ch, sk the next 2 chs, 1 sc in the next ch. *Sk the next 2 chs, 5 dc in the next ch, sk the next 2 chs, 1 sc in the next ch**. Work from * to ** across. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in the first sc, sk the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the next dc. *Sk the next 2 dc, 5 dc in the next sc, sk the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the next dc**. Work from * to ** across, Turn.
Repeat Row 2 for the pattern.
Finish after an even number row then add the last row.
Last Row: Ch 1, 1 sc in the first sc, ch 2, sk the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the next dc. *Ch 2, Sk the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the next sc, ch 2, sk the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the next dc**. Work from * to ** across.
Finish off and weave in your ends.
The Solid Shell Stitch is an easy crochet stitch to learn which makes it an ideal choice for creating a variety of beautiful projects, from washcloths to baby blankets. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and feel inspired to incorporate this stitch into your next crochet project. Happy crocheting!
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🌸 Excited to share my latest crochet project! The Solid Shell Stitch Washcloth is a breeze to make, using only simple stitches like single crochet, double crochet, and chain stitches. Dive into my post for a detailed photo tutorial on this versatile stitch. Perfect for washcloths and baby blankets! 🧶💖 #CrochetPattern #Washcloth #BabyBlanket #CrochetLovers
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