This is a crochet shell lattice stitch (open fan pattern). I’ll explain step-by-step so you can make it exactly like the picture.

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🧶 BEFORE YOU START

✔ Use US terms:

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• sk = skip

✔ Pattern Multiple

Work in multiples of 6 + 2

Example sizes:

• Small sample → ch 20 (18 + 2)
• Medium sample → ch 26 (24 + 2)
• Larger → keep adding 6 chains

For this tutorial example:
👉 Chain 26

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🔹 ROW 1 – Create the Chain Loops

1. Sc in 2nd chain from hook.
2. Ch 5.
3. Skip 3 chains.
4. Sc in next chain.

Repeat:

• ch 5
• skip 3
• sc in next

Continue across the row.

You will now see:
Small arches (loops) across the row.

Turn your work.

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🔹 ROW 2 – Make the First Shells

You will now work inside the chain loops.

1. Ch 3 (this counts as your first dc)
2. Into the FIRST ch-5 space:
   • Make 4 more dc

You now have 5 dc in the same space → This is your shell.

3. Go to the next ch-5 space:
   • Make 1 sc
4. Go to next ch-5 space:
   • Make 5 dc (shell)

Repeat:

• sc in next space
• 5 dc in next space

Continue across.

You should finish with a sc in the last space.

Turn.

You now see fans forming.

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🔹 IMPORTANT – Finding the Center of the Shell

Each shell has 5 dc.

Count them:
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5

The 3rd dc is the center.

This is where the next row will attach.

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🔹 ROW 3 – Mesh / Chain Row

This row creates the open lattice.

1. Ch 5.
2. Insert hook into the CENTER dc (3rd dc) of next shell.
3. Make 1 sc.

Repeat:

• ch 5
• sc in center dc of next shell

Continue across.

At the end:
After last sc, turn.

Now you see chain loops sitting on top of shells.

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🔹 ROW 4 – Shells Again

Now we repeat the shell row.

1. Ch 3.
2. In first ch-5 space → make 4 more dc (total 5 dc).
3. Sc in next ch-5 space.
4. 5 dc in next ch-5 space.

Repeat across.

Turn.

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🔁 REPEAT

From now on repeat:

Row 3 → chain loops
Row 4 → shells

That’s it!

The pattern builds like this:

Row 1 – loops
Row 2 – shells
Row 3 – loops
Row 4 – shells
Row 5 – loops
Row 6 – shells

And so on.

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🌟 WHY THE DIAMOND SHAPE APPEARS

The effect happens because:

• Loops attach to center of shell
• Shells sit between loops
• Everything shifts slightly each row

This creates the soft diamond/lattice pattern.

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📏 How To Keep Edges Straight

Very important:

• Always start shell rows with ch 3.
• Always end shell rows with sc.
• Do not add extra stitches.
• Count shells every row.

If edges are shrinking → you skipped a space.
If edges are widening → you added an extra shell.

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✨ Optional Clean Top Edge (Like Photo)

After your last shell row:

Option 1 – Simple Edge:

• Ch 1
• Sc in each dc
• 2 sc in each ch-5 space

Option 2 – Scallop Edge:

• Skip 1 stitch, 5 dc in next stitch, skip 1, sc in next
• Repeat across

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🧵 Common Beginner Mistakes

❌ Putting sc between dc instead of center dc
❌ Forgetting last sc
❌ Making 6 dc instead of 5 in shell
❌ Pulling chains too tight

Keep chains slightly loose so pattern opens nicely.

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