Free crochet pattern
Wilshire Shell Stitch Stole (1951): vintage crochet pattern
A warm worsted-weight stole of 12 open shells across, worked in a two-row shell and V-stitch repeat, with looped fringe on both ends. Originally published as "Wilshire" in Stoles and Shawls: Hairpin Lace, Knitted, Crocheted (Star Book No. 86) by American Thread Company in 1951, it is now in the public domain.
By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Updated · Editorial policy · pattern testing in progress
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Skill level | Easy |
| Yarn weight | Medium (#4) |
| Yardage | 20 oz (570 g) worsted (as printed; yardage not given) |
| Hook | 6 mm |
| Gauge | 1 shell = ¾ in (2 cm) |
| Finished size | 70 in (178 cm) long; about 9 in (23 cm) wide (12 shells at the printed ¾ in per shell — our calculation) |
| Time | about 2 hours |
Materials
- Medium (CYC #4) worsted-weight yarn: about 20 oz (570 g); yardage was not printed, so check your yarn label
- Crochet hook (original: plastic hook No. 8)
- Cardboard for winding fringe
- Hook: Start with 6 mm (US J-10) and change size to match the gauge (the same booklet pairs plastic hook No. 4 with F and No. 6 with H, so No. 8 is about a J)
Yarn Kit & Substitution Options
This pattern calls for 350 yards of weight #4 yarn. Select a suggested yarn to see required skeins and estimated cost:
Caron Simply Soft · 100% Acrylic
315 yds per skein · High-yield yardage, silky no-scratch texture
2 skeins required
approx. $$10.98 total
Abbreviations (US terms)
- chain
- single crochet
- double crochet
- skip
- stitch
- repeat
- shell
- turning chain
Notes before you start
- Source: "Wilshire", Stoles and Shawls: Hairpin Lace, Knitted, Crocheted (Star Book No. 86), American Thread Company, 1951. Public domain in the USA.
- As printed — materials: AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY "DAWN" KNITTING WORSTED; 20 ozs. White or color desired.; Plastic crochet hook No. 8.. Gauge: 1 shell = ³⁄₄ inch..
- Modernisation note: Original is written in US crochet terms; kept as US terms (sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet).
- Modernisation note: Spaced period abbreviations (s c, d c, sl st) written as modern sc, dc, sl st; words spelled out where the original was ambiguous.
- Modernisation note: "Cut yarn" / "cut thread" / "break off" written as "fasten off"; "attach" written as "join".
- Modernisation note: Long printed paragraphs split into one row, round or step per line; stitch order unchanged.
- Modernisation note: "Skip 2 sts of ch" written as "sk 2 ch"; "1 d c, ch 2, 1 d c in next s c" bracketed as "(1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in next sc".
- Modernisation note: "Repeat last 2 rows" written as "Rep Rows 2 and 3".
- Modernisation note: The approximate width (about 9 in) is our calculation from the printed gauge and shell count; it was not printed.
- Modernisation note: Plastic hook No. 8 → 6 mm (US J-10) is our estimate from the same booklet's "No. 4 or F" and "No. 6 or H" pairings; the gauge is the real check.
- Modernisation note: Metric conversions added.
Row progress: 0 of 4 done (0%)
Foundation
0 of 1 done- Row 1: Ch 74, sc in 2nd ch from hook, *sk 2 ch, 4 dc with ch 1 between each dc in next ch, sk 2 ch, sc in next ch; rep from * 11 times (12 shells), ch 4, turn.Mark row complete
Pattern
0 of 3 done- Row 2: Dc in next sc, ch 1, sc in center loop of next shell, *ch 1, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in next sc between 2 shells of previous row, ch 1, sc in center loop of next shell; rep from * across, ending with 2 dc with ch 1 between in last sc, ch 1, turn.Mark row complete
- Row 3: Sc in next ch-1 loop, *4 dc with ch 1 between each dc in next sc, sc in next ch-1 loop; rep from * across, ch 4, turn.Mark row complete
- Rep Rows 2 and 3 until stole measures 70 in (178 cm) from the beginning, ending with Row 2. Fasten off.Mark row complete
Working on:
Row 1: Ch 74, sc in 2nd ch from hook, *sk 2 ch, 4 dc with ch 1 between each dc in next ch, sk 2 ch, sc in next ch; rep from * 11 times (12 shells), ch 4, turn.
Finishing
- Fringe: Wind yarn over a 7 in (18 cm) cardboard and cut one end.
- Using 2 strands, double in half and loop through each stitch across each short end.
Errata
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the Wilshire pattern from?
It was published as "Wilshire" in Stoles and Shawls: Hairpin Lace, Knitted, Crocheted (Star Book No. 86) by American Thread Company in 1951. 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 Wilshire?
medium (worsted) (#4) yarn. Not printed — 20 oz (570 g) worsted; check the label
What hook should I use?
Start with 6 mm (US J-10) and change size to match the gauge (the same booklet pairs plastic hook No. 4 with F and No. 6 with H, so No. 8 is about a J) Gauge: 1 shell = ¾ in (2 cm)
