Cluster Stitch Shell Pattern

Materials Required: AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY "AUNT LYDIA'S" HEAVY RUG YARN 7 (8, 9)—70 yd. skeins Wheat 1—70 yd. skein each Bongo, Antique Gold, Bronze Gold and Orange Plastic Crochet Hook Size J OR ANY SIZE HOOK WHICH WILL RESULT IN STITCH GAUGE BELOW. GAUGE: 1 Cluster st and 2 sc = 3 inches

Directions are given for small size. Changes for medium and large sizes are given in parentheses.

BACK: With Wheat ch 66 (77, 88), 1 long dc in 4th st from hook (long dc: pull loop up 1 inch and work same as dc), keeping last loop of each st on hook, 1 long dc in each of the next 2 sts, YO hook and pull through all loops at one time, * ch 4, sl st in same space with last dc, sc in next st, ch 3, keeping last loop of each st on hook, 1 long dc in each of the next 10 sts, YO and pull through all loops (10 dc cluster st), repeat from * across row ending last repeat with 1 long dc in each of the last 4 sts, YO and pull through all loops, ch 1, turn.

2nd ROW: Sc in 2nd st from hook, * 10 long dc in next sc, sc in center of next cluster st, repeat from * across row working last sc in top of cluster st, cut Wheat, turn.

3rd ROW: Attach Bongo, when changing colors always complete last half of last st with new color, ch 3, keeping last loop of each st on hook, 1 long dc in same space, 1 long dc in each of the next 4 sts, YO and pull through all loops at one time, * ch 4, sl st in same space with last dc, sc in next st, ch 3, 10 dc cluster st, repeat from * across row ending last repeat with 1 long dc in each of the last 6 sts, YO and pull through all loops, turn.

4th ROW: Ch 3, 4 long dc in same space, * sc in next sc, 10 long dc in center of next cluster st, repeat from * across row ending last repeat with 6 long dc in end cluster st, ch 1, turn, cut Bongo.

5th ROW: With Orange sc in 1st dc, * ch 3, 10 dc cluster st, ch 4, sl st in same space with last dc, sc in next dc, repeat from * across row working last sc in 3rd st of ch, ch 1, turn.

6th ROW: Sc in 1st sc, * 10 long dc in center of next cluster st, Sc in next sc, repeat from * across row, cut Orange.

Repeat from 3rd to 6th rows for pattern working next 2 rows in Antique Gold, next 2 rows in Bronze Gold, then with Wheat work even in pattern until work measures 16½ inches from beg for all sizes ending with 3rd row of pattern, cut yarn, turn.

NEXT ROW: Skip end cluster st, attach Wheat in next sc, sc in same space, * 10 long dc in center of next cluster st, sc in next sc, repeat from * across row to the sc before end cluster st, then work even in pattern for 7 more rows or desired length, cut yarn.

FRONT: Work same as back.

FINISHING: Block each section. Sew side and shoulder seams leaving 9 border rows free at lower edge and sewing 3 (3, 4) inches at each side for shoulders.

EDGE: Attach Wheat in left shoulder seam and working across neck edge work as follows: * ch 1, sl st in next st, repeat from * all around, cut yarn. Attach Wheat in seam at underarm and work in same manner all around armhole.

This free pattern originally published in Knit & Crochet with Heavy Rug Yarn