Watch how to crochet the flying shell stitch (video and written instructions)

The flying shell delivers a medium weight fabric with an intriguing pattern that will look gorgeous crocheted into cardigans, wraps and shrugs.
Using mostly double crochets, this stitch bulks up satisfyingly quickly. You'll love seeing the delicate pattern emerge.
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Watch the flying shell stitch video tutorial:
Materials
You can use any yarn for this stitch, but going too light or too heavy won't bring out the best in the pattern, so think of fingering to DK weights if possible. Check your manufacturer's band for hook size suggestions. You'll also need a pair of scissors and a tapestry needle to weave in your ends.
Abbreviations
* repeat from this point the number of times required
ch chain stitch
dc double crochet
dc2tog double crochet two together
FS flying shell
rep repeat
sc single crochet
sk skip
Special stitches involved in this pattern
This stitch requires the double crochet two together stitch (dc2tog), which is a decrease stitch. To make this stitch, first yarn over, insert hook into next st. Yo again, pull through st, 3 loops on hook. Yo, pull through 1st 2 sts on hook. 2 sts remain on hook. Insert hook into next st and yo. Pull through st, 3 loops on hook. Yo and pull through all three loops on hook.
This pattern also requires the Flying Shell (FS), which is made up of 1 sc, 3 ch, 3 dc.
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Written pattern
For this stitch, you'll need to create a foundation chain in multiples of 4, plus 1.
Row 1: work a FS into 2nd ch from hook, *sk 3 ch, 1 FS into next ch; rep from * to last 4 ch, skip 3 ch, 1sc into last ch, turn.
Row 2: 3 ch, 1 dc into first st, sk * 3 sts, 1 sc into top of 3 ch**, work a V st of 1dc, 1ch, 1dc into next sc; rep from * ending last rep at **, 2 dc into last sc, sk turning ch, turn.
Row 3: 3 ch, 3 dc into 1st st, sk next st, *1 FS into next sc, sk next V st; rep from * ending with 1 sc into last sc, 3 ch, dc2tog over last dc and top of turning ch, turn.
Row 4: 1 ch, *V st into next sc, sk 3 sts, 1 sc into top of 3 ch; rep from * to end, turn.
Row 5: 1 ch, FS into first st, *sk next V st, FS into next sc; rep from * finish by sk last V st, 1 sc into turning ch, turn.
Repeat rows 2-5 until your project reaches the desired length.
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