Seashell Garland Using Crocheted Garden Twine.

For those in the USA, summer is ending, however for us in SA, spring has just begun!

After our trip to Camps Bay Beach (pictures here), I had collected a bag full of sea shells. I was particularly attracted to the spiral shells, however most were broken. When I got home, I started dreaming about what I could do with them (instead of leave them in a plastic bag as I have done with every other seashell collection I’ve collected). I decided to make a garland with the seashells and chose crochet to make a stronger base for the garland. I kept putting off the project until today!  

A peek inside my bag of seashells.

Washed and ready to sort.

Preparation:
Clean the shells- I just rinsed them off and dried then since they were “dead” shells. Here is a guide on how to wash all kinds of shells. I let them dry in the sun, you could also paper towel dry them. I ended up having 29 suitable shells. I sorted them into “larger/prettier” and “average”. I had 20 “average”, 9 “larger/prettier” ones. I am not sure what type of shells these are,  if you know, please share!


  

 

29 seashells.

Materials:
Seashells with holes in them

Garden Twine

Crochet hook of your choice, I used size K/6.50mm

Scissors





Procedure: 
To begin, I left a 12 inch tail (to attach it to things), tied a knot and then crocheted ten stitches (watch the tension because the garden twine is rather bulky and scratchy). 

Hook and beginning stitches.

I put the shell in between the hook and the working twine.

Hook through the shell.

Then I put the hook through the shell and then pulled the twine through.

Hook and pull the twine through the shell.

Now you have a loop on your hook and the working twine is still in back. Go up and over the next side of the shell and hook the twine and loop is through.

Make another loop around the shell.

Now you are back to a normal crochet strand. I chose to crochet four stitches and then add my next shell. You are welcome to add more stitches in between if you have fewer shells.

Four stitches between shells.

Completed garland!

I used 10 of my “average” shells. Then added my nine “larger/prettier”, and finished with my last 10 “average” shells.

After adding the last shell, I crocheted 10 stitches, knotted the end, and left a 12 inch tail.

Hanging garland.

If you have any questions just post a comment or e-mail me!

I'll be linking up to several blog linkys and hops. Check them out here, and here.
My hubby's blog is here.

Enjoy!

Song of the Post: Beyond the Sea as sung by Bobby Darrin.