The shell stitch is one of my favorite easy go to stitches to make a beautiful blanket. The repeat is easy to remember, and the result is always nice. This page is to provide details for various shell stitch blankets I make, so check back to see if more have been added. Here is the latest one:
For the shell stitch, starting chain is a multiple of 6 +1 (find a multiple of 6, then add 1 to that number). I like to start my blankets with a row of single crochet, and always end up with 1 less stitch at the end of the row. I think it’s because I’m starting in the 2nd stitch of the single crochet row. To account for this, I add an additional +1 to my starting chain. For this blanket, I started with a chain of 146.
The yarn is Lion Brand Coboo in 5 colors: Denim, Lichen, Taupe, Silver, and Vanilla Blossom. I used 1 skein of each color except Vanilla Blossom. 1.5 skeins of Vanilla Blossom were used since it was used for the border. If you are using a different color for the border, you’ll need a little more of that color than the others. Each skein is 232 yards. The finished size of this blanket is 30″ L by 31″ W. You’ll also need scissors, a yarn needle, and a tape measure.
Abbreviations
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
shell stitch = 5 dc in the same stitch
st(s) = stitches
sk = skip
Additional Notes
Color changes are optional. You can change color however often you like. To make this blanket, change color every 2 rows.
There’s no chain 1 to start the row unless specifically stated.
Blanket Pattern
Ch. 146
Row 1: Sc in each stitch across, turn.
Row 2: *Sc in the first st, sk 2 sts, shell stitch in the next st, sk 2 sts,* repeat from * to * ending with a sc in the last st. Ch 3, turn. (The chain 3 counts as the first dc of the next row.)
Row 3: Place 2 more dc in the same st as the chain 1. *Sk 2 sts, sc in the middle st of the shell of the previous row, sk 2 sts, shell stitch in the next st (in the sc from the previous row).* Repeat from * to * until you have 3 sts left. Sk 2 stitches, and put 3 dc in the last st., turn.
Row 4 until the end: Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you’ve reached your desired length. Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.
Border pattern
Join at the beginning of the row with your border color.
Round 1: To even out the shells, for each shell, place the following stitches: dc in the sc of the previous row, hdc in the next st, sc in the next 3 sts (the middle sc should be at the top of the shell), hdc in the next st, then start again with a dc in the sc of the previous row. Continue these steps until the end of the row. Place 3 hdc in the corner and continue placing a hdc in each st around with 3 sts in each corner. Slp st to the first st, ch 1.
Round 2: Sc in each st around, placing 3 sc in the corner st. Slp st to the first st, ch 1.
Round 3: *Slp st in the first st, [hdc, ch 1, hdc] in the next st, sk 1 st* Repeat from * to * all the way around placing 3 hdc in the corners. End with a slp st to the 1st st. Do this as evenly as you can adjusting where-ever needed to make the border even.
Fasten off, weave in the ends, and enjoy!
For more baby blanket patterns, click here.