Get a Free Crochet Pattern for a Dishcloth Worked in Lacy Treble Shell Stitch
Related Resources: Shell Stitch | Dishcloth and Washcloth Patterns | Bath Accessories | Home Decor Patterns
Why not crochet a beautiful lace dishcloth to make an ugly task like washing the dishes seem just a little more enjoyable? This lacy treble shell crochet dishcloth is both pretty and practical. It gives you an excellent excuse to try working the lacy treble crochet shell stitch — a variation on the shell stitch which incorporates treble crochet stitches alternated with chains.
Gauge and Finished Size:
My sample dishcloth measures about 7 inches wide by 7.5 inches high. Accurate gauge is not crucial for success with this project; however, if your work is significantly wider than the sample, you’ll need to allow more yarn to complete the dishcloth.
Supplies Needed for Working the Lacy Treble Shell Crochet Dishcloth Pattern:
Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn: To make the project sample you see pictured, I used Knitpicks Simply Cotton worsted yarn.
The color I used has been discontinued, but as of the time of this posting, Knitpicks still carries their lovely undyed color of this yarn — which I highly recommend.
Yarn Amount Needed: I used about 21 grams of Simply Cotton yarn in my project sample. I estimate it to be about 35 yards. Since everyone’s crochet is a little different, the amount you need is likely to vary slightly — especially if you substitute yarns. Please plan accordingly, and allow enough extra yarn that you won’t run short if you happen to use more yarn than I did when I made my sample dishcloth.
Crochet Hook: I /9 – 5.5 mm
Other: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
Crochet Abbreviations Used in This Pattern:
- ch = chain
- hdc = half double crochet
- rep = repeat
- tr = treble crochet
- st = stitch
Special Stitch: The Lacy Treble Shell Stitch — Work the following sequence into the same chain stitch or half double crochet stitch, as directed by the instructions below: *tr, ch 1, tr, ch 1, tr, ch 1, tr*
Design Notes:
When you are directed to work into the center of a lacy shell, work into the center ch-1 space in the shell – the second of the three ch-1 spaces you crocheted when working the lacy shell in the previous row.
Optional: If you want to make the dishcloth out of one unbroken length of yarn, wind your yarn into two balls, one starting at each end. Then begin crocheting in the middle. After you’re finished crocheting the first half, when it comes time to rotate your work and crochet back across the starting chain going in the other direction, you won’t have to join new yarn; you’ll simply begin working with the other ball, which will still be attached. This will make your dishcloth a bit stronger, and it will also help you to avoid weaving in a couple of extra loose ends.
I didn’t do this in my project sample, because I thought of the idea afterwards. I plan to do this with future dishcloths I crochet using this pattern.
Dishcloth Crochet Instructions:
Ch 27.
Row 1: Work a hdc st in the third ch from your hook. [Skip 3 ch sts. In the next ch, work a lacy shell. Skip next 3 ch sts. Hdc in next ch st.] Rep the sequence in brackets all the way across the row. You’ll end up with a total of 3 lacy shells in the row all together.
Row 2: Ch 4, turn. Your turning chain counts as the first tr in the row. Work 1 tr in the same st, ch 1, work another tr in the same st as the previous tr. [Work a hdc in the center of the next lacy shell, then work a lacy shell into the next hdc st.] Rep the sequence in brackets all the way across the row. At the end of the row, work a hdc st into the center of the last shell, then in the last st work 1 tr, 1 ch, and 2 more tr.
Row 3: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in first st. [Work a lacy shell in next hdc st, work a hdc st in the center of the next lacy shell.] Rep the sequence in brackets all the way across the row. End the row by working a lacy shell into the next hdc st, then working a hdc st into the turning chain.
Row 4: Rep row 2.
Row 5: Rep row 3.
End off and weave in your last end.
Next, you’re going to work back across the starting chain to mirror-image what you’ve already crocheted. Rotate your work so that what used to be the bottom of the project is now the top. If you’re right-handed, attach your yarn in the upper right-hand corner of the work; if you’re left-handed, attach your yarn in the upper left-hand corner of the work.
Row 6: Ch 2, hdc in same st. [Skip 3 ch sts. In the next ch, work a lacy shell. There should already be one lacy shell st in this ch, below the one you are working now. Skip next 3 ch sts. Hdc in next ch st.] Rep the sequence in brackets all the way across the row. You’ll end up with a total of 3 lacy shells in the row all together; they should mirror image the 3 lacy shells you worked in Row 1.
Rows 7 – 10: Rep rows 2 -5.
How to Finish Your Crochet Lace Dishcloth:
End off and weave in your ends. The dishcloth is now ready for use.
References:
The Harmony Guide to Crochet Stitches
Sylvia Cosh and James Walters
Publication Date: 1986
Lyric Books Limited
ISBN# 0 7111 0028 4
Encyclopedia of Needlework
Therese De Dillmont
Royal Society Crochet Lessons Book No. 9
Copyright 1917
By H.E. Verran Company,
New York
Peterson’s Magazine, Volumes 35-36
Publication date: 1855
Richardson’s Complete Crochet Book,
Book No 2
Publication date: 1916
Published by Richardson’s Silk Company
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Posted By: Amy Solovay
This page was last updated on 6-4-2021.