Easy Shell Blanket – Free Crochet Pattern

Crochet Shell Blanket

I’ve made many variations of crochet shell blankets over the years.

Similar to perfecting a chocolate chip cookie recipe, this pattern is the result of making continuous improvements until I could finally say: “This is it… the perfect crochet shell blanket!”

There’s nothing complicated about it; it’s just a lovely, calming pattern that looks stunning when complete. The blanket is soft, snuggly and reversible.

I’ve designed this pattern to be a baby blanket but the size is completely customizable.

Since the pattern uses only single crochet and double crochet stitches, it’s great for beginners wanting to learn how to crochet a shell blanket or for experienced crocheters looking for a relaxing project.

Whether it’s your first or 1,000+ crochet blanket, you can sit back and enjoy crocheting this gorgeous classic shell blanket.

The pattern includes step-by-step written instructions, diagrams and a full video tutorial.

Use the Table of Contents below to jump to any section of this pattern or keep scrolling down for all the details and the written instructions. 

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Pattern Details (Size, Yarn, Hook & Notes) 

Skill Level

Easy

Size

The pattern creates a blanket that is approx. 32” wide and 37” high (29” wide and 34” high without the border). Instructions for adjusting the size are included below. Wondering what size to make? Check out my Guide to Crochet Blanket Sizes.

Materials

Any size 3 (light) yarn. You will need approx. 1,300 yds in total (1,050 yds for the blanket body and 250 yds for the border). Learn more about yarn weights.

I used Feels Like Heaven by Lion Brand in the color “Mauve.” This yarn is size 3 (light) and 100% nylon. A skein is 246 yds / 225 m and 3.5 oz / 100 g. I used 5 and 1/4 skeins. (Note: I’ve also made this pattern using 100% acrylic yarn (size 3) and the results as well as the amount of yarn required were almost exactly the same). 

Crochet Hook Size: K/10.5 (6.50 mm). Learn more about crochet hook sizes.

Other Materials: yarn needle, scissors and a measuring tape. See my recommended crochet supplies.

Terminology

This pattern is written for right-handed crochet using standard US terminology. If you’re more familiar with UK terms, here’s my US to UK Conversion Chart. 

Abbreviations

The pattern uses the following crochet abbreviations:

• ch = chain
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches 
• sk = skip
• sl st = slip stitch 
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet

Gauge

Exact sizing is not important for this pattern.

For reference: 4” x 4” = 12 dc sts and 7 rows.

To make a gauge swatch: ch 20.  Row 1: In the third ch from hook, dc. Dc in each st across.  Row 2: Ch 2 and turn. Dc in each st across.  Repeat Row 2 until swatch measures 5” high. 

Pattern Notes

• Always work into the first stitch (the stitch attached to the chain). 
• Chains never count as stitches. 
• The pattern is made from the chain row up. The number of starting chains determines the width and the number of rows determines the height. To adjust the width, make more or less starting chains in multiples of 6 + 2 (meaning to take any number that you can divide by 6 and then add 2 to that number). To adjust the height, make more or less rows. (More info can be found in the FAQ section at the end of this pattern).

Special Stitches

Shell = 5 double crochet stitches in the same stitch. 

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Video Tutorial

Watch the step-by-step video tutorial here or keep scrolling down for the written instructions.

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Just a Reminder!

This pattern is also available as a PDF, which includes everything listed here but as a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF that you can instantly download, save, print, make notes on and keep forever.

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How to Crochet the Easy Shell Blanket – Pattern Instructions

Shell Blanket Body

Start: Chain 104. 

For Row 1 (only) work into the back ridge loops. 

Row 1: In the second ch from hook, sc. Sc in each ch across. (103 sts). 

Row 2: Ch 1 and turn.

In the first st, sc.

*Sk the next 2 sts.

In the next st, make a Shell (5 dc sts in the same st).

Sk the next 2 sts.

In the next st, sc.*

Repeat from * to * across.

(17 shells + 18 sc sts = 103 sts. Reminder: chains never count as sts.). 

Row 3: Ch 2 and turn.

In the first st, make 3 dc in the same st.

Sk the next 2 sts.

In the next st (the top of the middle stitch from the Shell in the previous row), sc.

Sk the next 2 sts.

*In the next st (the top of the sc from the previous row), make a Shell.

Sk the next 2 sts.

In the next st, sc.

Sk the next 2 sts.*

Repeat from * to * across until there is 1 st left.

In the last st, make 3 dc in the same st.

(16 Shells + 17 sc sts + 6 dc sts (the dc sts that are not in Shells) = 103 sts). 

Row 4: Ch 1 and turn.

In the first st, sc.

Sk the next 2 sts.

In the next st, make a Shell.

Sk the next 2 sts.

In the next st, sc.

*Sk the next 2 sts.

In the next st, make a Shell.

Sk the next 2 sts.

In the next st, sc.*

Repeat from * to * across.

(17 Shells + 18 sc sts = 103 sts). 

Row 5 and on: Repeat Row 3 and 4 consecutively until the height of the blanket measures approx. 34” high (approx. 68 rows in total) or your desired height. After reaching your desired height, do not fasten off. 

Shell Blanket Border

Ensure you have just completed a repeat of Row 4.

Border Round 1: Ch 1 and turn. 

TOP: In the first st, make 3 sc in the same st (first corner made). Sc in each st across the top until there is 1 st left. In the last st across the top, make 3 sc in the same st (second corner made). 

SIDE (DOWN): Working down the side and into the sts at the end of each row (not the spaces), sc evenly all the way down.

(Need help with where to work into? At the end of each row, there is a dc st followed by a ch-1/sc st that you will work into – either into one loop from the st or two loops. When working into the dc sts, I made 1 sc in the top of each dc st and 1 sc in the bottom of that same st. For each ch-1/sc st, I made 1 sc in that st. The exact stitch count is not important – the goal is to have evenly placed sc sts all the way down the side). 

BOTTOM: In the first ch at the bottom, make 3 sc in the same st (third corner made). Sc in each ch across the bottom until the last ch. In the last ch across the bottom, make 3 sc in the same st (fourth corner made). 

SIDE (UP): Working up the side into the sts at the end of each row, sc evenly all the way up (same as the other side).

Sl st into the first sc st made in the round to join.

Border Round 2: Ch 1 and turn. In the first st, sc. Sc in each st around, making 3 sc in each corner st (the corner st is the middle sc st of the 3 sc made in each corner in the previous round). Sl st into the first sc made in the round to join. 

Border Rounds 3, 4 & 5: Repeat Border Round 2.

Border Round 6: Ch 1 and turn. In the first st, sl st. *Sk the next st. In the next st, make a Shell (5 dc in the same st). Sk the next st. In the next st, sl st.* Repeat from * to * around. (Nothing special happens at the corners). 

Your last st in the round is a sl st into the first sl st made in the round. 

As you approach the first sl st made in the round, if you don’t have the correct number of sts to follow the pattern correctly, back up and skip less or more sts between Shells and/or slip stitches to make it work.

Fasten off and weave in loose ends. 

And now you have a new Shell Blanket! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use a Different Yarn Weight or Hook Size?

This pattern was designed using size 3 (light) yarn and a K/10.5 (6.50 mm) hook. You are of course welcome to try different yarn weights as well as hook sizes but the overall look, feel and size of the blanket as well as the amount of yarn required may be different. 

For example, size 4 (medium) yarn may create a blanket that is heavier, thicker and stiffer with tighter stitches.  

As much as I wish I could help, I can’t recommend a hook size for a different yarn weight or tell you how much yarn you will need since I’ve only designed this pattern using size 3 (light) yarn and a K/10.5 (6.50 mm) hook. 

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Do I Have to Use 100% Nylon Yarn?

No, you can use any type of size 3 (light) yarn. The yarn that you see in the pictures is Feels Like Heaven, which is a yarn that is 100% nylon. I’ve also made this pattern with 100% acrylic yarn (size 3) and the results as well as the amount of yarn required were almost exactly the same. I can’t speak to the exact results using different yarn types or blends but as long as the yarn is size 3 (light), your blanket should be similar. 

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Does it Look the Same on Both Sides?

Yes, it does! The blanket is completely reversible. 

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How Many Chains Are Required to Make it a Different Size?

Making 104 starting chains creates a blanket that is approx. 29” wide without the border (33” wide with the border). You can adjust the width by making less or more starting chains in multiples of 6 + 2 (meaning to take any number that you can divide by 6 and add 2 to that number. For example: 600 + 2 = 602 starting chains). To adjust the height, make less or more rows.

I really wish I could tell you the exact amount of chains that are needed to make the blanket in various sizes but I’ve only designed the blanket in the size listed in the pattern. 

As a guideline: 103 sts = 29“ wide, which means there are approx. 3.55 stitches in an inch. You can take the width you want your blanket to be (in inches) and multiply it by 3.55. That should give you a rough estimate of how many stitches you will need in a row for your desired width. Then, round up that number to the nearest multiple of 6 and add 2 – that’s how many starting chains you will need. 

Here’s an example: You want your blanket to be 100” wide. 100 x 3.55 = 355. Round up 355 to the nearest multiple of 6 = 360. Then add 2 to that number = 362. To make your blanket approx. 100” wide, you would make 362 starting chains. (This is a rough estimate and not tested but should give you a width that is close to what you want it to be). 

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