Ava Shell Free Crochet Pattern
A shell is the perfect garment for so many things. It is very similar to a tank top but usually worn over a cami or tank top. The Ava Shell CAL was designed with the beginner in mind. If you’ve never worked a garment, this is the perfect pattern to start with. It was designed to be worn with a pair of jeans, or you can dress it up with a skirt and heels for date night. It is made with a v-stitch variation so the pattern is open and lacy. Make it in your favorite color or in a neutral color so that you can wear it over a variety of tank top or shirt colors.
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Ava Shell CAL
The Ava Shell crochet pattern will be released in sections for the CGOA Summer Crochet-Along 2017. Join us in the CGOA CAL – FB community for pics, help, and more.
Materials List
Yarn:
#3 DK cotton or linen/cotton blend
- XS, Sm, Med – 440-655 yds
- Lg, XL, 2X, 3X – 660-1100 yds
- 4X, 5X – 1100-1300 yds
Sample used: Rowan Creative Linen – #3 DK weight shown in Natural.
Crochet Hooks: Size I/9 (5.50 mm) and J/10 (6.00 mm).
PLEASE READ the gauge notes! You may need to adjust your hook size to get the correct gauge.
Notions: Yarn needle.
Difficulty: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate: Uses easy stitches, but there is some shaping. A beginner crochet with a bit of confidence would be able to try this.
Sizes: XS, Small, Med, Large, XL, 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x
Finished Bust Circumference Measurements:
- XS – Bust 31.5″
- Small – Bust 36.75″
- Med – Bust 39.5″
- Lg – Bust 44.5″
- XL – Bust 47″
- 2x – 52.5″
- 3x – 55″
- 4x – 60″
- 5x – 62.75″
Gauge:
3 v-sts x 6 rows = 4 inches (after blocking). Gauge is critical to fit. If your gauge is within 1/4″ of the 4″ you will be ok because the fabric is stretchy.
Recommended Reading:
Below are some resourses that will help you pick out a yarn that you will be happy with and get your finished project to look like it does in the photos.
- Is Gauge Important?
- 5 Tips for Choosing a Yarn Substitution – Things to consider when substituting yarn.
- Tips for Substituting Yarn – What to look for on the yarn label.
For a complete list of abbreviations used, please reference my List of Abbreviations.
Notes:
- If you want to adjust the width, the pattern repeat is a multiple of 4.
- Pattern sizes are written in 2 separate formats to help with ease of finding your size.
- XS (S, M, L, XL) = 31.5 (36.75, 39.5, 44.5, 47)” (these sizes are in regular parenthesis)
- 2x {3x, 4x, 5x} = 52.5 {55, 60, 62.75}” – {these sizes are in curly brackets}
Special Stitches:
- V Stitch (V-st): (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in indicated stitch or space.
- Cluster (cl) – yo, insert hook in indicated st, *yo, pull up loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook**, yo, insert hook in same st, rep from * to **, yo, pull through all 3 hooks on loop.
- Cluster Shell (cl sh) – (cl, ch 2, cl, ch 3, cl, ch 2, cl) in indicated stitch (will have 4 cl and 3 ch-sps).
Gauge Swatch:
Using I hook, ch 24.
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped 3 chs counts as dc), sk next 3 ch, *v-st in next ch, sk next 3 chs, rep from * across to last ch, 2 dc in last ch, turn. (4 v-sts, 4 dc)
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in 1st dc (same as ch 3), v-st in ch-1 sp of next v-st, rep from * across, 2 dc in last dc, turn.
Rows 3 – 6: Repeat Row 2.
NOTE: At this point gauge swatch needs to measure 6.5″ wide x 4″ tall. If it’s smaller you will need to change to a larger hook size.
Front
With J hook (or 1 size larger than used for gauge swatch), ch 52 (60, 64, 72, 72) {84, 88, 96, 100} loosely,
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped 3 chs counts as dc), sk next 3 ch, *v-st in next ch, sk next 3 chs, rep from * across to last ch, 2 dc in last ch, turn. (11, 13, 14, 16, 17 v-sts, 4 dc) {19, 20, 22, 23 v-sts, 4 dc}
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in 1st dc (same as ch 3), v-st in ch-1 sp of next v-st, rep from * across, 2 dc in last dc, turn.
Rows 3 – 4: Repeat Row 2.
Switch to I hook (or size used to get correct gauge),
Rows 5 – 21 (21, 20, 20, 20) {20, 19, 19, 18}: Repeat Row 2.
Armhole Shaping
Row 22 (22, 21, 21, 21) {21, 20, 20, 19}: ch 1, sl st in next st, sl st in first 3 dc of next v-st, ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same dc, v-st across to last v-st, sk next dc, 2 dc in next dc, leave remaining half of v-st and last 2 dc unworked, turn. (9, 11, 12, 14, 15 v-sts, 4 dc) {17, 18, 20, 21 v-sts, 4 dc}
Row 23 (23, 22, 22, 22) {22, 21, 21, 20}: ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st across, 2 dc in last dc, turn.
Rows 24 (24, 23, 23, 23) {23, 22, 22, 21} – 27 (27, 27, 27, 28) {28, 28, 28, 28}: ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st across, 2 dc in last dc, turn.
Neckline
Left Shoulder
Note: Tank-like sleeves will decrease until you have 1 (2, 2, 2, 2) {3, 3, 3, 3} v-sts.
All Sizes
Row 1: ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, work 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) {6, 6, 7, 7} v-sts, sk next 2 dc, sl st in next dc, turn. – 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) {6, 6, 7, 7} v-sts
Row 2: Ch 1, sl st in next 2 dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in top of tch, turn.
Size XS
Row 3: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across to last v-st, sk next 3 dc, sl st in next dc, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sl st in next 2 dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in next v-st, 2 dc in top of tch, turn.
Row 5: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in v-sts, 2 dc in top of beg ch 3, turn.
Fasten off.
Sizes S, M
Row 3: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across to last v-st, sk next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc, turn. (2 v-sts)
Row 4 – 6: Rep Row 3.
Fasten off.
Sizes Lg, XL, 2X, 3X
Row 3: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across to last v-st, sk next 3 dc, sl st in next dc, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sl st in next 2 dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in top of tch, turn.
Row 5: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across to last v-st, sk2 dc in top of beg ch 3, turn.
Row 6: Rep Row 5 – (2, 2, 3, 3 v-sts).
Fasten off Lg & XL.
Sizes 2X, 3X
Row 7: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in top of beg ch. {3 v-sts}
Fasten off.
Sizes 4X, 5X
Row 3: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across to last v-st, sk next 3 dc, sl st in next dc, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sl st in next 2 dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in top of tch, turn.
Row 5: Rep Row 3.
Row 6: Rep Row 4.
Row 7: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across to last v-st, sk2 dc in top of beg ch 3, turn. (3 v-sts).
Fasten off.
Right Shoulder
Skip next 2 (2, 3, 3, 4) {4, 5, 5, 6} v-sts at center of front, sk first 2 dc of next v-st, sk next ch-1 sp, attach with sl st in next dc.
Row 1: Ch 1, v-st in next v-st, work v-sts across, 2 dc in top of beg ch, turn. – 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) {6, 6, 7, 7} v-sts.
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across to last v-st, sk next 3 dc, sl st in next dc, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sl st in next 2 dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in top of beg ch, turn.
Size XS
Row 4: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in beg ch 3.
Row 5: Rep Row 4.
Fasten off.
Sizes S, M
Row 4: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in top of beg ch 3, turn.
Row 5 – 6: Rep Row 4. – (2 v-sts).
Sizes L, XL
Row 4: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in next 2 v-sts, sk next 3 dc, 2 dc in top of beg ch 3, turn.
Row 5: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in top of beg ch 3, turn. (2 v-sts)
Row 6: Rep Row 5.
Sizes 2X, 3X
Row 4: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st across to last v-st, sk next 3 dc, 2 dc in top of beg ch 3, turn.
Row 5: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in top of beg ch 3, turn. (3 v-sts)
Row 6-7: Rep Row 5.
Sizes 4X, 5X
Row 4: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st across to last v-st, sk next 3 dc, sl st in next dc, turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, sl st in next 2 dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in top of beg ch 3, turn.
Row 6: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in beg ch 3, turn. (3 v-sts)
Row 7: Rep Row 6.
Fasten off.
Back
With J hook, ch 52 (60, 64, 72, 72) {84, 88, 96, 100} loosely,
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped 3 chs counts as dc), sk next 3 ch, *v-st in next ch, sk next 3 chs, rep from * across to last ch, 2 dc in last ch, turn. (11, 13, 14, 16, 17 v-sts, 4 dc) {19, 20, 22, 23 v-sts, 4 dc}
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in 1st dc (same as ch 3), v-st in ch-1 sp of next v-st, rep from * across, 2 dc in last dc, turn.
Rows 3 – 4: Repeat Row 2.
Switch to I hook,
Rows 5 – 21 (21, 20, 20, 20) {20, 19, 19, 18}: Repeat Row 2.
Armhole Shaping
Row 22 (22, 21, 21, 21) {21, 20, 20, 19}: ch 1, sl st in next st, sl st in first 3 dc of next v-st, ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same dc, v-st across to last v-st, sk next dc, 2 dc in next dc, leave remaining half of v-st and last 2 dc unworked, turn. (9, 11, 12, 14, 15 v-sts, 4 dc) {17, 18, 20, 21 v-sts, 4 dc}
Row 23 (23, 22, 22, 22) {22, 21, 21, 20}: ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st across, 2 dc in last dc, turn.
Rows 24 (24, 23, 23, 23) {23, 22, 22, 21} – 29 (29, 29, 29, 30) {30, 30, 30, 30}: ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st across, 2 dc in last dc, turn.
Neckline
Left Shoulder
All Sizes
Row 1: ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, work 2 (3, 3, 4, 4) {5, 5, 6, 6} v-sts, sk next 2 dc, sl st in next dc, turn. – 2 (3, 3, 4, 4) {5, 5, 6, 6} v-sts
Row 2: Ch 1, sl st in next 2 dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in top of tch, turn.
Size XS
Row 3: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across to last v-st, sk next 3 dc, sl st in next dc, turn.
Sizes S, M, Lg, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X
Row 3: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across to last v-st, sk next 3 dc, sl st in next dc, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sl st in next 2 dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in top of tch, turn. (1, 2, 2, 2) {3, 3, 3, 3} v-sts.
Sizes 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X
Row 5: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in top of beg ch 3, turn.
Fasten off.
Right Shoulder
Skip next 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) {6, 7, 7, 8} v-sts at center of front, sk first 2 dc of next v-st, sk next ch-1 sp, attach with sl st in next dc.
Row 1: Ch 1, v-st in next v-st, work v-sts across, 2 dc in top of beg ch, turn. – 2 (3, 3, 4, 4) {5, 5, 6, 6} v-sts.
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across to last v-st, sk next 3 dc, sl st in next dc, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sl st in next 2 dc, sl st in ch-1 sp, sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in top of beg ch, turn.
Sizes S, M, Lg, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X
Row 4: Ch 3, dc in same dc as ch 3, v-st in each v-st across, 2 dc in top of beg ch 3, turn. (1, 2, 2, 2) {3, 3, 3, 3} v-sts.
Sizes 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X
Row 5: Rep Row 4.
Fasten off.
Holding WS facing, whipstitch side seams and top of shoulders together.
Peplum
Back
You will now be working in the beginning chain at waist of shell. The bottom border is worked in rows.
Row 1: Attach with sl st in right corner, work 51 (59, 63, 71, 71) {83, 87, 95, 99}sc in each ch across, turn.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in same sc as ch 3, *sk next sc, 2 dc in next sc, rep from * across, turn. (52, 60, 64, 72, 72) {84, 88, 96, 100} dc.
Sizes XS, M, 3X, 5X
Row 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in 1st dc, sc in each dc across to last dc, 2 sc in last dc, turn. (54, 66) {90, 102} sc.
Sizes S, L, XL, 2X, 4X
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each dc across, turn. (60, 72, 72) {84, 96} sc.
All Sizes
Row 4: Skip first 2 sc, cl sh (see Special Stitches) in next sc, *sk next 2 sc, sc in next st, sk next 2 sc, cl sh in next sc, rep from * across, sl st in last sc, turn.
Fasten off.
Front
Repeat back peplum but do not fasten off.
Turn work 90 and work in row ends of border.
Sl st in each row-end to body, sk seam of body, sl st in each row-end of front.
Fasten off.
Border
Note: For armholes and neckline – you will be working sc in either the top of a dc or the side of a dc. If you’re working in the top you work 1 sc. When you’re working into the side of a dc work 2 dc.
Armholes
Join with sl st in bottom of armhole. Sc around (see Note above), sl st in 1st sc to join. Fasten off.
Repeat for other armhole.
Neckline
Join with sl st in shoulder seam, sc around (see Note above), sl st in 1st sc to join. Fasten off.
Weave in ends.
Make sure you post pictures in the group for a chance to win a prize!
The release schedule for the CAL is as follows:
- July 19th: Getting started
- July 26th: Part 1 – Front Bottom
- Aug. 2nd: Part 2 – Front Top
- Aug. 9th: Part 3 – Back Bottom
- Aug. 16th: Part 4 – Back Top
- Aug. 23rd: Sewing, Finishing, & Border
- Aug 30th: Giveaway deadline (11:59pm, EST). Winner to be announced Aug. 31st.
If you would like a PDF of the pattern, you can purchase it here.
Happy Crocheting!
Since this is an open pattern (lacy) I would like to know how to measure for gauge. I really have a problem trying to match gauge on lacy stitches and this would be the second garment that I would like to make. Any help would be appreciated.
Joanne, work up a gauge swatch (in the instructions). Adjust your hook size until you can match the size. If the swatch is only slightly smaller you can block your project. Hope that helps.
I’d love to try this if I can find a suitable yarn.
I’m doing the medium size. It says ch 64 to start and should end up with 15 V’s….why can I only get 14 V’s and 4 DC’s? I do have 15 ch 3 spaces…
I’m so sorry. That was a figure from my math notes. It should be 14 v-sts. I have fixed it in the pattern.