Expert: Marilyn Jane Rimmer - 4/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am working a pattern and it says to shell over shell twice.

I have no idea what shell over shell means??

If you require more information please feel free to email me.

Attempting to make a christening blanket for my upcoming granchild and running shy of time

Help greatly appreciated

Wendy

ANSWER: First, shell is a generic term for a group of stitches.  There are many different shell patterns, but this specific shell should be explained in your pattern.
In newer patterns, you might have a box of "special stitches".  This is at the beginning of the pattern, where the information on hook size, type of yarn, etc is given.
In older patterns, you might find that the shell directions are given the first time there is a shell in the pattern, and immediately after there is a parenthesis, and the words "shell made".
So, look for the information on the specific shell used in your pattern.  It may be something like (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) or (5dc, ch1, 5dc).
After you finish the first row of shells, in the next row you will make the shell in the chain space of the shell of the previous row.

For example, lets say the first row has a double crochet in 3 stitches, then you skip two chains, and put a shell of (3 dc, ch 2, 3dc) then skip two chains and put doubles in each of the next 3 stitches.  In the next row, you might put a double in each of the 3 individual doubles, then skip the 3 doubles at the beginning of your shell, put a shell of (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in the chain 2 space of the shell, and then skip the 3 doubles on the other side of the shell.

Wouldn't it be great if I could use my keyboard to show you what that would look like!
Hope this helps, if not, you can ask again.  Copy and paste the specific shell information, and I can explain it in more detail.
Jane

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Here is the rest of the pattern to assist with an explanation

The first two rows were as follows:

Shells (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) around afghan with corner increases ( 3 dc, ch 4, 3 dc) Should be 20 shells on each side.

Here is one part of the pattern of the pattern that confuses the heck out of me.

Quote:

Round 3: Sl st in each of the next 2 dc, [sl st, ch 3, 12 dc in first ch 4 space.

***[ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc -beginning shell [3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc -shell over shell twice,

*11 dc in ch 3 space of next shell [base for pineapple shell [shell over shell twice; repeat from *to next corner shell**,

ch 3, 13 dc in ch 4 space of next shell for corner. Repeat from *** ending at **.

Ch 3, join round with slip stitch and fasten off to make pineapple points. Fasten off.

Got lost on Round 3 First set of ch3, 12 dc understood.

1) After the *** to the * is that also done in the chain 4 space???



2) After I complete first set of ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3,3 dc I do the next shell x 2 more?? (in chain 4 space?



3) From * to the ** is it all done on the chain 3 space??

4) still don't know what shell over shell twice means

Answer
"The first two rows were as follows:
Shells (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) around afghan with corner increases ( 3 dc, ch 4, 3 dc) Should be 20 shells on each side."

"Round 3: Sl st in each of the next 2 dc, [sl st, ch 3, 12 dc in first ch 4 space."
Ok, round 3 appears to be starting in a corner.  sl st in the first ch 4 space, ch 3 (which counts as the first dc), and then 12 dc.
That corresponds to the "13 dc in ch 4 space of next shell for corner" for the other three corners.
Then it looks like there is a chain 3 before and after each "corner" or 13 dcs.
This "***[ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc -beginning shell" appears to be an error.  I see no reason to have a beginning shell at this point, as you've started the round.  Generally a beginning shell is a variation needed because the turning chain at the beginning of the round is included in the shell.

Try to take this a step at a time, instead of trying to read it all at once and trying to comprehend it from the reading.

Here is how I would start round 3:
sl st in each of the next 2 dc, (sl st, ch 3, 12 dc in the first chain 4 space).
chain 3, then put a shell of (3dc, chain 3, 3 dc) in the chain 3 space of the next shell; skip the next dcs and put a shell (3dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in the chain 3 space of the next shell.
These two shells, one after the other, is what they mean by "shell over shell twice".  Just put a shell in the shell of the previous round, and then put a shell in the next shell of the previous round.  
Next "*11 dc in ch 3 space of next shell [base for pineapple shell]"
You put a shell in the ch 3 space of the next shell, and a shell in the ch 3 space of the next shell, and then 11 dc in the ch 3 space of the next shell.  You will repeat the pattern (shell over shell, shell over shell, 11 dc in next shell) until you get to the next corner.
At the corner, you will "ch 3, 13 dc in ch 4 space of next shell for corner".
Then ch 3, and go back to the pattern (shell over shell, shell over shell, 11 dc in next shell) until you get to the next corner.
Repeat until you've finished all four sides, and join with  a slip stitch.
Now I'll go back and answer your specific questions.

1) After the *** to the * is that also done in the chain 4 space???
All that is in the chain 4 space is "[sl st, ch 3, 12 dc in first ch 4 space."
Now that you've finished the ch3, 12 dc; leave the chain 4 space.  
chain 3, and go to the first shell.  
2) After I complete first set of ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3,3 dc I do the next shell x 2 more?? (in chain 4 space?
I'm reading it as "corner, shell, shell, pineapple base, shell, shell, pineapple base, shell, shell, pineapple base,...to the next corner.  I've sketched it out and that pattern fits with the 20 shells on each side.
Your shells should all be in chain 3 spaces of shells.  You should have chain 4 spaces on the corners only.
3) From * to the ** is it all done on the chain 3 space??
It's done on chain 3 spaces, one shell on a chain 3 space.
4) still don't know what shell over shell twice means
It means to work a shell in the chain 3 space of the shell in the row below, and then work a shell in the chain 3 space of the next shell of the row below.  Does that make it any clearer?

Lastly, does the pattern contain a nice, clear picture of the border?