Shells give a checkered look to the center of this cloth. A scalloped edging completes the look.
Abbreviations: ch = chain, dc = double crochet, ea = each, sc = single crochet, st = stitch, sts = stitches
Materials: about 1 oz. cotton worsted weight yarn, US size H hook
Special Technique: dc in space between two 3-dc shells ... How-To Link: Photo showing how
Pattern Notes: Turn at the end of each row. Gauge is not important for this project. Used in outside edging directions: asterisk repeats explained. Finished size = about 7 1/2 inches x 8 1/2 inches
Starting Chain: Leaving a length to weave in later, chain 24.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across. (23 sc)
Row 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in ea sc across. (23 dc)
Row 3: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in ea of next 3 dc, skip next dc, 3 dc in next
dc, (skip next 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc) 4 times, then skip next dc, dc in ea of next 4 dc.
Row 4: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in ea of next 2 dc, skip next dc, 3 dc in next dc,
skip next 2 dc, (3 dc in space between next two 3-dc shells, skip next shell) 3 times,
then 3 dc in space between next two 3-dc shells, skip next 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc,
skip next dc, dc in ea of next 3 dc.
Row 5: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in ea of next 3 dc, skip next 2 dc,
(3 dc in space between next two 3-dc shells, skip next shell) 4 times, then
3 dc in space between next two 3-dc shells, skip next 2 dc, dc in ea of next 4 dc.
Rows 6 - 11: Repeat Rows 4 and 5.
Row 12: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in ea dc across. (23 dc)
Row 13: ch 1, sc in ea dc across. (23 sc)
Outside Round: ch 1, then (working down the side of the piece),
sc in end of first sc row on side, make 2
sc around post of ea dc along the side until you come to the next sc row at the end of this side, sc in end of that sc row, ch 2 for corner, sc in remaining loop of each starting chain along bottom side, ch 2 for next corner, sc in end of sc row, 2 sc around ea dc post
on that side, sc in end of sc row at end of this side, ch 2 for corner, then sc in ea sc across the top, ch 2 for corner,
ending with a slip stitch in the first sc of this outside round.
Outside Edging: ch 1, * sc in same sc as slip stitch just made, hdc in next sc, ch 1, dc in next sc, ch 1, hdc in next sc, sc in next sc, slip stitch in next sc, ch 1 **, ++ repeat the directions between * and ** 3 times, then sc in same sc as slip stitch just made, hdc in next sc, ch 1, dc in next sc, ch 1, hdc in next sc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner ch-2 space, hdc in next sc, ch 1, dc in next sc, ch 1, hdc in next sc, sc in next sc, slip stitch in next sc, ch 1, +++ repeat the directions between ++ and +++ two more times, then repeat the directions between * and ** 3 times, then sc in same sc as slip stitch just made, hdc in next sc, ch 1, dc in
next sc, ch 1, hdc in next sc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner ch-2 space, sl st in first sc of this round.
End off, leaving a length to weave in. Weave in ends securely, weaving back and forth several times on the back of the cloth, working under back part of a number of stitches so that the ends will not unravel over time.