Lacy Shell Rectangle Scarf

Skill Level: Intermediate

A lightweight rectangular scarf in lace-weight yarn. Offset 5-dc shells create an open, textured fabric with a gentle wave along the long edges. Worked flat from short end to short end.

Finished Measurements (blocked)

Width: 10¾" (27.5 cm) Length: 68" (173 cm)

One size. To change width, add or subtract 6 foundation chains (1 shell repeat ≈ 1⅓" / 3.4 cm). To change length, work more or fewer 2-row repeats.

        |---------------- 68" (173 cm) ----------------|
  10¾"                                                  10¾"
(27.5 cm)              RECTANGLE SCARF                (27.5 cm)
        |---------------- 68" (173 cm) ----------------|

Yarn

Lace weight (CYC #0), approximately 650 yards (595 m).

Solid or tonal yarn shows the shells most clearly. Allow extra for a gauge swatch.

Hook

US D/3 (3.25 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge. Use a hook one size larger for the foundation chain if your chains tend to pull in.

Notions

Yarn needle; scissors; rustproof T-pins; blocking wires (optional but recommended); measuring tape; spray bottle or basin for wet blocking.

Gauge (blocked)

3 shell repeats (18 sts of the 6-st multiple) and 12 rows = 4" (10 cm) in Shell Pattern, after wet blocking.

Swatch at least 4 full repeats wide and 16 rows tall; measure only after blocking. Gauge is essential for lace: unblocked fabric will be narrower, shorter, and more curled than the finished measurements.

If your blocked swatch is too wide, go down to US C/2 (2.75 mm). If it is too narrow, go up to US E/4 (3.5 mm).

Abbreviations (US)

• ch — chain
• dc — double crochet
• rep — repeat
• RS — right side
• sc — single crochet
• sk — skip
• sl st — slip stitch
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• WS — wrong side
• * — repeat instructions following the asterisk as directed

Special Stitches

Shell: 5 dc in indicated stitch. Half Shell: 3 dc in indicated stitch.

Pattern Notes

• US crochet terminology throughout.
• Scarf is worked flat in turned rows, beginning at one short edge.
• Pattern multiple: 6 sts + 1. Foundation chain is a multiple of 6 + 2.
• Ch 3 at the start of Row 3 (and all WS shell rows) counts as dc.
• Ch 1 at the start of sc rows does not count as a stitch.
• Stitch count remains 49 sts every row (8 Shells across on RS shell rows).
• The long side edges form a gentle wave (sc rows sit lower than Half Shell rows). This is correct and is emphasized in blocking.
• Weave in ends after blocking so they lie flat in the opened lace.
• Optional cleaner start: foundation single crochet (FSC) 49 instead of “ch 50, sc in 2nd ch…”, then begin at Row 2.

Stitch Diagram (text)

One 6-st repeat plus both edges. Read RS rows left to right, WS rows right to left after turning.

Row 4 (RS):  sc, sk 2, [SHELL], sk 2, sc, sk 2, [SHELL], … , sc
Row 3 (WS):  [HALF SHELL], sk 2, sc, sk 2, [SHELL], sk 2, sc, … , [HALF SHELL]
Row 2 (RS):  sc, sk 2, [SHELL], sk 2, sc, sk 2, [SHELL], … , sc
Row 1 (WS):  sc in each ch across

Shells on Row 3 sit in the sc stitches of Row 2. Shells on Row 4 sit in the sc stitches of Row 3 (offset). Center of every 5-dc Shell is the 3rd dc.

Scarf

With US D/3 (3.25 mm), ch 50.

Row 1 (WS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (49 sc ✓)

Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, sc in first sc, *sk next 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc (Shell made), sk next 2 sc, sc in next sc; rep from * across. Turn. (8 Shells + 9 sc = 49 sts ✓) (8 repeats × 6 foundation sts = 48, plus first sc = 49 ✓)

Row 3 (WS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in first sc (Half Shell made), *sk next 2 dc, sc in next dc (3rd dc of Shell), sk next 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc; rep from * until 1 Shell remains, sk next 2 dc, sc in next dc (3rd dc of last Shell), sk next 2 dc, 3 dc in last sc (Half Shell made). Turn. (2 Half Shells + 7 Shells + 8 sc = 3 + 3 + 35 + 8 = 49 sts ✓)

Row 4 (RS): Ch 1, sc in first dc, sk next 2 dc, *5 dc in next sc, sk next 2 dc, sc in next dc (3rd dc of 5-dc group), sk next 2 dc; rep from * to last sc, 5 dc in last sc, sk next 2 dc, sc in top of turning ch-3. Turn. (8 Shells + 9 sc = 49 sts ✓)

Rep Rows 3 and 4 until the piece measures approximately 67" (170 cm) from the foundation edge, ending with a Row 4. (About 101 repeats of Rows 3–4 = 202 rows; 204 rows from the beginning. 204 rows ÷ 12 rows per 4" = 68" blocked length ✓)

Keep 49 sts at the end of every row. Count 8 Shells on every Row-4 (RS) row.

Final Row (WS): Ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off. (49 sc ✓)

Finishing

Weave in ends loosely on the WS, following the path of adjacent stitches. Do not trim until after blocking.

Wet blocking (required)

Lace-weight shells will not show their open texture or reach size until blocked.

1. Soak the scarf in lukewarm water for 15–20 minutes. Press out water; do not wring. Roll in a towel.
2. Spread to 10¾" (27.5 cm) wide × 68" (173 cm) long on a blocking board or towels.
3. Run blocking wires through the sc stitches of both short ends and pin to width.
4. Along each long edge, pin the outer points of the Half Shells so the natural wave is even (about 8 waves per side). Do not force the long edges dead-straight unless you prefer a squared look.
5. Let dry completely before removing pins.

After blocking, trim yarn tails.

Customization

Yardage scales with area. A 13½" × 68" version (10 Shells, ch 62) needs about 820 yards (750 m).

Checklist before you bind off

• [ ] 49 sts on the last Row 4 (8 Shells, 9 sc)
• [ ] Both short ends are sc rows (Row 1 and Final Row)
• [ ] Piece is wet-blocked to 10¾" × 68"