Shell Stitch Blanket Crochet – Free Pattern

Here is The Hearty Blueshell baby blanket, a shell stitch blanket crochet pattern that is not like the usual shell blankets you see around. The shell stitch worked on the round in this blanket, in a rectangular shape, gives it an interesting and versatile design. In fact, you will be able to adjust the length of the blanket only by taking out chains right at the beginning. Besides, you don’t have to add an edging, the shell stitch will look great by itself in the last round.

Another interesting thing about this blanket is the colorwork possibilities. By the way, when you add rounds of V-Stitches in a contrasting color in between the shell rounds, you will have a lovely and unique color effect. Not to mention, the texture is also so beautiful.

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How do you crochet a shell blanket for beginners? 

To make a shell stitch blanket with V-st foundation rounds, you will alternate one round of shell stitches with one round of V-Sts. Both stitches are very beginner friendly. Here are the special stitches you will use in this blanket:

• V-st: (dc, ch 1, dc) in in the same ch sp. The V-st round will be used as a base foundation for the shells in next round.
• V-st cluster: (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in the same st. Each V-st cluster makes a corner, starting at round 4. 1 V-st cluster = 1 corner.
• Shell st: (7 dc) in the same ch sp. A shell stitch is made with 

How much yarn is needed for a shell stitch baby blanket?

Obviously, it depends on the size of the blanket. But this blanket will take almost 2 cakes of Worsted weight (4), 100% Acrylic. I used Mandala Ombré, by LionBrand, in the color-way Mantra (C1), the amount was9.5 oz | 269 g, 617 yds | 564 m. For the V-sts rounds I used the yarn With Love, by Red Heart, 100% Acrylic, in the color White (C2), and the amount was 5.3 oz | 150 g, 278 yds | 254 m.

How many chains do you need for a shell blanket?

To crochet the classic shell blankets you see around, you usually have to start with a long chain foundation. But this blanket here, you will only have to chain 42 or any other smaller number that is a multiple of 8. In fact, I would not recommend that you use any number that is bigger than 42 chains. Believe it or not, by adding too many chains, your blanket would look too narrow. Cool, isn’t it?

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Let’s start with some important information

• The finished size of this blanket will be approximately 27”x 37” (68.5 x 94 cm). But you can adjust the size, see instructions in the beginning of the pattern below.
• This Pattern was written using standard US terminology.
• Level of difficulty: Advanced Beginner.
• The pattern is worked in the round, starting with a foundation chain. You will start first round by crocheting in one side of the chains, in the top loop. Then crochet the other half of round 1 in the opposite side of the chains.
• This pattern will look better if worked with yarn in two different colors. Switch colors when starting every round.
• Attach new yarn with a slip stitch, which doesn’t count as a st.
• Crochet the shell rounds with Color 1. Crochet the V-st rounds with Color 2.
• Fasten off and cut the at the end of every round.
• Use the tapestry needle to weave in all ends when you are done.

Materials and tools:

• 5.00 mm (US H) hook
• Tapestry needle, to weave in the ends
• Scissors

Abbreviations:

• ch(s): chain(s)
• C1: Color 1
• C2: Color 2
• dc: double crochet
• rep: repeat
• sc: single crochet
• sp: space
• sl st: slip stitch 
• st(s): stitch(s)
• V-st: “V” Stitch
• (…): work instructions within parentheses as directed 
• *…**  : work instructions within asterisks as directed   
• ***…**** : it’s used when *…** is already present in a round instructions. Work instructions within ***…**** as directed           
• [ ]: is used when two or more stitch sequences in a round need to be repeated. Repeat instructions between [ ] as indicated.

Gauge:

Gauge is not crucial for this blanket, but 13 dc sts x 7 rows = 4”

Here is the Shell Stitch Blanket Crochet Pattern

Start with 42 chains or any other multiple of 8 + 2

Note: Starting with 42 chains will make a total of 10 shell sts (5 on each side) in first round. As mentioned above, to make a nice size rectangular blanket, I do not recommend that you go over 42 chains to start it, as this would make the blanket too narrow. If you want your blanket to be about 2” shorter than mine, start with 34 chains, instead of 42.

Step 1: Crochet round 1

Start with yarn C1

Rnd1: (shell round): sc in second ch from hook, *sk 3 chs, shell st in top loop of next ch, sk 3 chs, sc** rep from * to ** to last ch. Now rep from * to ** in the opposite side of chs to last ch, join with a sl st to first sc. 

Next round will be the set up for the corners of the blanket. 

Step 2: Crochet round 2

Switch to yarn C2

Rnd2: (V-st round): Attach C2 to first sc st, [ch 4, (dc, ch 1) 4 times, dc] in first sc st, *ch 2, sk 3 sts, sc, ch 2, sk 3 sts, V-st in next sc between shells**, rep from * to ** to last sc in first side of this round, ch 2, sk 3 sts, sc, ch 2, sk 3 sts, [(dc, ch 1) 5 times, dc] in next sc st at the other end that marks halfway of round 1. Now rep from * to ** on the opposite side of chs to last sc right before last shell, complete round with ch 2, sk 3 sts, ch 2, join to initial ch 3 with a sl st. 

Step 3: Crochet round 3

Switch back to yarn C1

Rnd3: (shell round): attach C1 to last sc st of round 2, (shell in next ch 1 sp of next 5 V-sts together, sc in next ch 1 sp) 2 times, *shell st in next V-st, sc in next sc st** rep from * to ** to last sc st right before the 5 V-sts together at the other end, (shell st in next ch 1 sp in next 5 V-sts together at the other end, sc in next ch 1 sp) 2 times, now rep from * to ** on the opposite side to last st. Finish this round with a sc in same st where you joined the yarn, then sl st to join to first st of this round. 

Step 4: Crochet round 4

Switch back to yarn C2

Rnd4: (V-st round): attach C2 to last sc st in previous round, (ch 4, dc, this makes the first V-st) in first sc st, [*ch 2, sk 3 sts, sc, ch 2, sk 3 sts, V-st cluster in next sc st** rep from * to ** 1 more time, ***ch 2, sk 3 sts, sc, ch 2, sk 3 sts, V-st****, rep from *** to **** to last sc st between the last two shells on this first side of round.] At this point the corners of the blanket start to form. Now rep instructions between [ ] one more time til you finish this round, join to initial ch 3 with a sl st. 

Note: You will now set up the corners of the blanket by placing one V-st cluster in each of the four corners. You will do the V-st clusters in the corners for this next round and all rounds until you finish the blanket.

Step 5: Crochet round 5

Switch back to yarn C1

Rnd5: (shell round): attach C1 to last sc st in previous round, shell st in next V-st, sc in next sc st, [*now crochet in the corner V-st cluster: shell st in next ch 1 sp, sc in next ch 1 sp, shell st in next ch 1 sp, sc in next sc st,**, rep from * to ** one more time, **shell st in next V-st, sc in next sc st***] rep  from ** to *** to next V-st cluster. Rep between [ ] till you complete round 5, sc in same st where you attached the yarn. Finish it with a sl st in first st of the round.

Note: Rounds 1-5 are the set-up of the blanket. Now that you have the base for the corners, you will repeat the next two rounds until you reach round 31 or other desired size.

Step 6: Crochet round 6

Switch back to yarn C2

Rnd6: (V-st round): attach C2 to last sc st in previous round, (ch 4, dc, this makes the first V-st) in that same sc st you attached the yarn, [*ch 2, sk 3 sts, sc, ch 2, sk 3 sts, V-st in next sc st**, rep from * to ** to next corner, complete the V-st cluster in the sc between the two shells in the corner], rep all between [ ] across. Join with a sl st to initial ch 3. 

Step 7: Crochet round 7

Switch back to yarn C1

Rnd7: (shell round): attach C1 to last sc st in previous round [*shell st in next V-st, sc in next sc st**, rep from * to ** to next V-st cluster. At this round 7, you will have only one shell st between the corners at each end of the blanket.  Now crochet in the V-st cluster in the corner: shell st in first ch 1 sp in the V-st cluster, sc in next ch 1 sp, shell st in next ch 1 sp, sc in next sc st], rep all between [ ] across, join with sl st to first st of row 7. 

Rnd8-31: Repeat rnd 7 and 8

Weave in the ends.

The Hearty Blueshell baby blanket is done. Yay!

There is more baby blanket patterns in this link, check it out.

I hope you enjoy making this shell stitch blanket. If you share it on Instagram, I would love to see it, please tag @zamiguz or use the hashtag #zamiguzmakers