Mardava Shell Stitch Crochet Cowl
Simple shells twist together in a gentle embrace to form soft, billowy pockets of warmth in the Mardava Cowl. This 3D, shell stitch crochet cowl flows easily with a simple, 1-round repeat in striking stripes. Cozy and elegant, it’s the perfect companion for crisp, chilly days.
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Scarf of the Month Club
I designed this scarf for the 2025 Scarf of the Month Club crochet along (CAL). This year-long event is hosted by Rhondda from Oombawka Designs and Amy from The Stitchin Mommy. Follow along for 3 new scarf patterns every month!
The other two scarf patterns this month are the Evergreen Mist Scarf by Rhondda and the Autumn Leaves Chunky Scarf by Amy (coming soon!).
Hat of the Month Crochet Along
Rhondda and Amy also run a Hat of the Month Club. It works the same way as the scarves, and I am the guest designer for November for that CAL as well. The matching Mardava Hat will be available soon, along with a hat pattern from Rhondda and one from Amy. Check back on Nov 23rd for those!
Free PDF with Coupon Code!
As part of the CAL, you can get the pdf version of this striped crochet scarf pattern for FREE on Ravelry with a coupon code! But hurry, this code is only valid for a short time and then it’s gone!
Coupon Code: NovemberScarf
Terms: This code expires at 11:59pm Eastern time on Monday, November 17, 2025. Please make sure the discount shows in your cart before completing checkout. Due to the fees involved, I cannot refund accidental purchases.
Paintbox Simply Aran Yarn
I made this crochet shell stitch cowl with some leftover Paintbox Simply Aran yarn from the Flynnster Blanket. It’s a soft, worsted-weight, acrylic yarn with so many colors to choose from! For the sample, I used Vanilla Cream and Rich Teal.
3-Dimensional Shell Stitch
The shell stitches in this pattern are simple shells made of 5 double crochet, but with a twist that really makes them pop! Each shell is worked around the post of the first stitch in the shell below it. This makes the shells twist back on themselves, creating puffy pockets in a rippling, 3-dimensional texture.
Mardava Dimensional Shell Stitch Tutorial
Need a little help with the shell stitch used in this pattern? Check out this 3D shell stitch crochet tutorial!
Materials
- Yarn: Painbox Simply Aran – 100% acrylic, worsted weight yarn (201 yds / 3.5 oz / 100 g per skein)
- 165 yds 64 Rich Teal (A)
- 65 yds 207 Vanilla Cream (B)
- Hook: US size I / 5.5 mm crochet hook or size needed to match gauge
- Notions:
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
Project Level
Easy: Front post shell stitches, repeating pattern in turned rounds.
Size
Height: 6.5″ / 16.5 cm
Circumference: 28.75″ / 72 cm
Gauge
In Shell Stitch Pattern: 5 shells = 6″ / 15 cm after blocking; 9 rows = 4″ / 10 cm after blocking.
Note: This stitch pattern expands vertically when blocked. Exact gauge is not critical but will affect yardage needed.
Gauge Swatch:
With either color, ch 18 (multiple of 3).
Row 1: Sc in back bump of 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (17 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across. (17 hdc)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc in first st, sk next st, [shell around next st, sk next 2 sts] 4 times, shell around next st, sk next st, hdc in last st. (5 shells, 2 hdc)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, hdc in first st, [shell around first st of next shell] 5 times, hdc in last st.
Rows 5-12: Repeat Row 4.
Fasten off. Block swatch, stretching vertically to open up shells. Measure gauge across center of swatch, ignoring edges.
Abbreviations used
This pattern uses US terms.
| ch | chain |
| dc | double crochet |
| fpdc | front post double crochet (see Special Stitches) |
| fphdc | front post half double crochet (see Special Stitches) |
| fsc | foundation single crochet (see Special Stitches) |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| rep | repeat |
| rnd | round |
| RS | right side |
| sc | single crochet |
| shell | shell stitch (see Special Stitches) |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| WS | wrong side |
| yo | yarn over |
Special Stitch
Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc): Yo, insert hook from front to back and out to front again around post of indicated st, yo and draw up a loop (3 loops on hook), [yo and pull through 2 loops on hook] twice.
Front Post Half Double Crochet (fphdc): Yo, insert hook from front to back and out to front again around post of indicated st, yo and draw up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Foundation Single Crochet (fsc): Insert hook in ch at base of previous st, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 1 loop on hook (ch made), yo and pull through both loops on hook (sc made).
Shell Stitch (shell): 5 fpdc around indicated st.
Instructions
Scroll down for Chart.
Bottom Border
Rnd 1 (RS): With A, ch 2, sc in 2nd ch from hook, 71 fsc, join with sl st to first st. (72 sts – multiple of 3.)
OR
Alternate Rnd 1 (RS): With A, ch 73, working in back bumps of chs, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, join with sl st to first st. (72 sts – multiple of 3)
Work is joined after the first sc row rather than at the foundation chain, which makes it easier to join without twisting. There will be a slight gap at the foundation chain, which will be closed later when weaving in ends.
Rnd 2 (WS): Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st around, join with sl st to first st.
Shell Stitch Pattern
Rnd 3: Ch 3 (count as first fpdc of shell throughout), turn, 4 fpdc around first st (first shell made), [sk next 2 sts, shell around next st] around to last 2 sts, sk last 2 sts, join with sl st to first st. (24 shells)
Rnd 4: Ch 3, turn, 4 fpdc around first st of first shell, shell around first st of next and each shell around, join with sl st to first st, change to B.
To change colors at the end of a rnd, work the joining slip stitch with the new color. Carry unused colors up in the first stitch of each round until needed again.
Rnd 5: Ch 3, turn, 4 fpdc around first st of first shell, shell around first st of next and each shell around, join with sl st to first st.
Rnd 6: Rep Rnd 5, change to A at end of rnd.
Rnds 7-10: Rep Rnd 5, change to B at end of rnd 10.
Rnds 11-12: Rep Rnd 5, change to A at end of Rnd 12, cut B leaving a tail to weave in later.
Rnds 13-14: Rep Rnd 5.
Top Border
Rnd 15 (RS): Ch 1, turn, 3 fphdc in first st of each shell around, join with sl st to first st. (72 sts)
Rnd 16 (RS): Ch 1, do not turn, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first st, fasten off.
Finishing
Use starting tail to sew gap closed at bottom of row 1. Weave in all ends. Wash and block, stretching vertically to open up stitch pattern.
Chart
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