Free preview · full pattern in the Vintage Crochet Fashion
Versatile Crocheted Shell and Skirt (1969): vintage crochet pattern
A sleeveless teal shell worked flat in a 2-dc cluster and single crochet pattern with three white stripe rows near the hem, paired with a straight white skirt in a single crochet and chain-1 mesh, tapered by decreases and lined.
By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Updated · Editorial policy · pattern testing in progress
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Skill level | Intermediate |
| Yarn weight | Super fine (#1) |
| Yardage | shell 7 (7, 8) skeins Teal plus 1 skein White; skirt 9 (10, 11) skeins White. The skein weight and length are not printed, so no yardage can be given — buy extra and swatch to the printed gauge before starting. (as printed; yardage not given) |
| Hook | 5 mm |
| Gauge | Shell: 4 sts (2 patterns) = 1 in (2.5 cm); 3 rows = 1 in (2.5 cm). Skirt: 5 sts = 1 in (2.5 cm) in sc and ch-1 pattern. |
| Finished size | Small (12), Medium (14), Large (16). Shell: foundation chain measures 17½ (18½, 19½) in [44.5 (47, 49.5) cm] across front and back; 12 in (30.5 cm) to underarm or desired length; armhole depth 7 (7½, 8) in [18 (19, 20.5) cm]. Skirt: Small, Medium, Large; 27 in (68.5 cm) long from beginning, including a 2 in (5 cm) hem allowance; widths not printed. |
| Time | about 11 hours |
Materials
- Super fine (CYC #1) fingering yarn — the original was a fingering yarn: shell 7 (7, 8) skeins Teal and 1 skein White; skirt 9 (10, 11) skeins White. The size H hook and gauge are loose for a fingering yarn, so match the gauge; a fine (CYC #2) sport yarn may be easier to bring to gauge. The skein weight and length are not printed, so no yardage can be given — buy extra and swatch to the printed gauge before starting.
- Crochet hook (original: plastic or aluminum crochet hook size H)
- 7 in (18 cm) skirt zipper, 1½ yd (1.4 m) lining fabric, 1 yd (0.9 m) grosgrain ribbon, sewing needle and thread, tapestry needle
- Hook: Start with 5 mm (US H-8) and change size to match the gauge
Yarn Kit & Substitution Options
This pattern calls for 350 yards of weight #1 yarn. Select a suggested yarn to see required skeins and estimated cost:
Knit Picks Stroll Sock · 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon
231 yds per skein · Durable stitch definition, machine washable
2 skeins required
approx. $$13.98 total
Abbreviations (US terms)
- chain
- single crochet
- double crochet
- slip stitch
- skip
- stitch
- stitches
- repeat
- yarn over
- beginning
- decrease
- cluster
Notes before you start
- Source: "Versatile Shell and Skirt — Teal and White Shell; Crocheted White Skirt", Fashion Parade: Knit and Crochet for Him and Her (Star Book No. 189), American Thread Company, 1969. Public domain in the USA.
- As printed — materials: TEAL AND WHITE SHELL; AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY “DAWN” DE LUXE FINGERING YARN; 7 (7, 8) skeins Teal; 1 skein White; Plastic or Aluminum Crochet Hook Size H OR ANY SIZE HOOK WHICH WILL RESULT IN STITCH GAUGE BELOW.; Crocheted White Skirt; AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY “DAWN” DELUXE FINGERING YARN; 9 (10, 11) skeins White; Plastic Crochet Hook Size H OR ANY SIZE HOOK WHICH WILL RESULT IN STITCH GAUGE BELOW; 1—7 inch ConMar “No Snag” Zipper; 1½ yds. lining material; 1 yd. Grosgrain ribbon. Gauge: Shell — GAUGE: 4 sts (2 patterns) = 1 inch; 3 rows = 1 inch / Skirt — GAUGE: 5 sts = 1 inch.
- Modernisation note: Original is written in US crochet terms; kept as US terms (sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet).
- Modernisation note: Spaced abbreviations (s c, d c, sl st, y o) written as sc, dc, sl st, yo; "1st" written as "first"; "st of ch" written as "ch" where the stitch is a chain.
- Modernisation note: "Cut yarn" written as "fasten off"; "attach" (yarn) written as "join".
- Modernisation note: Long printed paragraphs split into one row, round or step per line; stitch order unchanged.
- Modernisation note: Vintage sizing and ease differ from today's — compare the printed measurements with your own before choosing a size.
- Modernisation note: The skirt is printed separately at the back of the booklet ("FOR CROCHETED SKIRT DIRECTIONS SEE PAGE 35"); it is placed here after the shell as one outfit.
- Modernisation note: Shell: "ch 70 (74, 78) sts to measure" written as a foundation step; "cluster st" written as "cluster"; printed "2nd row of pattern" written as "Row 2 of pattern".
- Modernisation note: Shell armhole and neck shaping rows labelled Row 1, Row 2 and Row 3 as printed ("1st ROW", "2nd ROW", "3rd ROW"); "Repeat last 2 rows twice" written as "Rep Rows 2 and 3 twice".
- Modernisation note: Check: the shell's neck instruction reads "until armhole measures 7 (7½, 8) inches from 1st row"; this is taken to mean from the first armhole shaping row. Left as printed.
- Modernisation note: Skirt Row 1 and Row 2 labels added (printed as the unnumbered first row and "NEXT ROW").
- Modernisation note: Check: the skirt is worked even to 19 in and finished at 27 in (8 in of shaping and straight rows), while the text says 19 in is "7 inches less than desired length allowing 2 inches for hem". Left as printed; if you change the length, change it before the decreases.
- Modernisation note: Check: a 7 in zipper is listed, but the side seam is left open only "within 3 inches of waistband". Left as printed — you may need to leave a longer opening to fit the zipper.
- Modernisation note: "Deluxe" and "De Luxe" are both printed for the same yarn; each list keeps its own spelling.
- Modernisation note: The CYC #1 weight follows the printed yarn name; the printed hook and gauge are looser than usual for fingering yarn, so the gauge governs.
- Modernisation note: Metric conversions added.
Row progress: 0 of 8 done (0%)
Shell — Front
0 of 8 done- Foundation: With Teal, ch 70 (74, 78) to measure 17½ (18½, 19½) in [44.5 (47, 49.5) cm].Mark row complete
- Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch — 69 (73, 77) sc. Ch 1, turn.Mark row complete
- Row 2: Sc in first sc, *cluster in next sc (cluster: keeping last loop of each dc on hook, work 2 dc in same st, yo and pull through all loops), sc in next sc (1 pattern); rep from * across row — 34 (36, 38) clusters. Ch 3, turn.Mark row complete
- Row 3: Work a cluster in each sc and 1 sc in each cluster across row — 35 (37, 39) clusters. Ch 1, turn.Mark row complete
- Rep Rows 2 and 3 for pattern.Mark row complete
- Work 3 more rows in pattern.Mark row complete
- Stripes: *Fasten off Teal. Join White and work 1 row of pattern; fasten off White. Join Teal and work 1 row of pattern. Rep from * twice more (3 White rows).Mark row complete
- Continue in pattern with Teal until front measures 12 in (30.5 cm) from beg or desired length to underarms, ending with Row 2 of pattern, turn.Mark row complete
Working on:
Foundation: With Teal, ch 70 (74, 78) to measure 17½ (18½, 19½) in [44.5 (47, 49.5) cm].
Continue this pattern
The rest of the Versatile Crocheted Shell and Skirt (1969) pattern is in the Vintage Crochet Fashion
Still to come in the full pattern:
- Shell — Front: Shape Armholes
- Shell — Front: Shape Neck
- Shell — Back
- Shell — Finishing
- Skirt — Front
- Skirt — Back
- Skirt — Finishing
- Finishing
Included with 71 patterns for $15 — $0.21 per pattern.
Errata
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the Versatile Shell and Skirt — Teal and White Shell; Crocheted White Skirt pattern from?
It was published as "Versatile Shell and Skirt — Teal and White Shell; Crocheted White Skirt" in Fashion Parade: Knit and Crochet for Him and Her (Star Book No. 189) by American Thread Company in 1969. The publication is in the public domain in the United States; this version is transcribed and modernised by crochetpatterns.io.
What yarn or thread do I need for the Versatile Shell and Skirt — Teal and White Shell; Crocheted White Skirt?
super fine (#1) yarn. Not printed — shell 7 (7, 8) skeins Teal plus 1 skein White; skirt 9 (10, 11) skeins White. The skein weight and length are not printed, so no yardage can be given — buy extra and swatch to the printed gauge before starting.
What hook should I use?
Start with 5 mm (US H-8) and change size to match the gauge Gauge: Shell: 4 sts (2 patterns) = 1 in (2.5 cm); 3 rows = 1 in (2.5 cm). Skirt: 5 sts = 1 in (2.5 cm) in sc and ch-1 pattern.
