How to Make a spiral shell & Ammonite Shell Basket – Free Crochet Pattern

Hi Guys! Today I’ll show you how to make such shell using polyester yarn. The one that you are looking at right now was is of polyester yarn named Caramel. The thread is rather thin, like a shoelace. I used a 6 mm hook. This shell is 23 cm wide and about 28 cm high. It holds its shape well and is rather firm. I’ve used 1.5 skeins of olive-colored polyester yarn named Caramel. You may use such shell as a basket and store some small goodies in it, or it may serve as an art object or decorative element for your home. In this tutorial I’ll be using a different type of yarn. I’m doing it on purpose because I want to demonstrate how different types of thread look.

In this case you’ll be able to compare and make your own choice. The polyester yarn I’m going to use now is round. There are 100 meters per skein, and 1 is enough to create this shell. This one is a bit smaller. About 18 cm wide and 23 cm high. I recommend using a 4.5 mm hook. Anyway, while crocheting you must ensure the crochets are very tight for the shell to hold its shape. If you feel that your shell is too soft, use a smaller hook. 4.5 mm worked best for me. Besides, I’d recommend this tutorial for those who already know how to crochet, familiar with basic elements and know-how to make them. I’m talking about single crochets, double crochets and half double crochets.

If you know all that, you’ll do great and I’d be happy to guide you. If you are crocheting for the first time, I’d recommend starting with simpler patterns. Try some basic baskets, circles and bottoms. Practice for a while and then get to more complex things.

Tutorial:

Decorative shell with a hook. It is about 36 cm long. The widest part is about 18 cm. This tutorial is for those who already know how to crochet and familiar with such basic elements as single and double crochets, increases and decreases. If you do, the tutorial won’t seem difficult. But if you are a newcomer, I would not advise starting with this pattern. It has, in my opinion, average level of complexity, closer to advanced even.

To make such shell, we’ll need 2 skeins of yarn. I’m using polyester yarn. It is 5 mm wide. Each skein is about 80 meters long. The yarn is rather thin, resembles a shoelace a bit. I’ve chosen purple color. You will also need a crochet hook. I have decided to use a 6 mm hook, but if want your shell to be very thick and hold its shape really well, you might use a 5 mm hook. I also recommend using a stitch marker. It would make your life easier and help navigate within the rows.