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Shell Patchwork

Shell counterpane motif knit from a Victorian era knitting pattern.

The sample was knit with size 5 perle cotton on 3mm needles and measures 18 cm/7″ wide and 10¾ cm/4¼” high.

Pattern

Materials

Fingering weight cotton and 3 – 3.25mm needles. The amount will depend on the size of your finished bedspread.

Pattern

In Words

Cast on 50 sts.

Row 1 (RS): k5, p40, k5

Row 2 (WS): knit

Row 3: k5, p40, k5

Row 4: k5, (yo, k2tog) 20 times, k5

Row 5: k5, p40, k5

Row 6: knit

Row 7: k5, p40, k5

Row 8: k5, k2tog, k36, ssk, k5

Row 9: knit

Row 10: k5, k2tog, p34, ssk, k5

Row 11: knit

Row 12: k5, k2tog, p32, ssk, k5

Row 13: k5, k2tog, k30, ssk, k5

Row 14: knit

Row 15: k5, k2tog, p28, ssk, k5

Row 16: knit

Row 17: k5, k2tog, p26, ssk, k5

Row 18: knit

Row 19: k5, k2tog, k24, ssk, k5

Row 20: k5, p26, k5

Row 21: k5, k2tog, k22, ssk, k5

Row 22: k5, p24, k5

Row 23: k5, k2tog, k20, ssk, k5

Row 24: knit

Row 25: k5, k2tog, p18, ssk, k5

Row 26: knit

Row 27: k5, k2tog, p16, ssk, k5

Row 28: knit

Row 29: k5, k2tog, k14, ssk, k5

Row 30: k5, p16, k5

Row 31: k5, k2tog, k12, ssk, k5

Row 32: k5, p14, k5

Row 33: k5, k2tog, k10, ssk, k5

Row 34: knit

Row 35: k5, k2tog, p8, ssk, k5

Row 36: knit

Row 37: k5, k2tog, p6, ssk, k5

Row 38: knit

Row 39: k5, k2tog, k4, ssk, k5

Row 40: k5, p6, k5

Row 41: k5, k2tog, k2, ssk, k5

Row 42: k5, p4, k5

Row 43: k5, k2tog, ssk, k5

Row 44: knit

Row 45: k5, k2tog, k5

Row 46: knit

Row 47: k4, k3tog, k4

Row 48: knit

Row 49: k3, k3tog, k3

Row 50: knit

Row 51: k2, k3tog, k2

Row 52: knit

Row 53: k1, k3tog, k1

Row 54: knit

Row 55: k3tog

Make as many shells as you need for your coverlet.

When sewing together, use an edge to edge seam and make sure not to pull the shells into a triangular shape as this detracts from the intended effect.

Chart

Click here if you would prefer a stitch map

Cast on 50 sts.

Chart for knitting a shell counterpane motif

Make as many shells as you need for your coverlet.

When sewing together, use an edge to edge seam and make sure not to pull the shells into a triangular shape as this detracts from the intended effect.


The original publication of this pattern is in the public domain. However, this modernised version, all charts and photographs are copyright Sarah Bradberry, August 17th 2014. All rights reserved.