Looking for an quick crochet pattern to make right now? This one is for you! This easy crochet shell stitch pattern will help you create something beautiful without needing to be a master of all things crochet.
Knowing crochet blankets will give comfort and warmth {like a hug} for so many years makes this one of my favorite handmade gifts. I still have crochet blankets made by my great-grandmother who taught me how to crochet. There were so many times she told me to rip out rows to fix a mistake…argh. She would never believe I was actually teaching how to crochet now!
I’d love to share how to make this fabulous shell stitch blanket with you. Here’s the pattern to help you create something warm and cozy right now.
Easy Crochet Shell Stitch Blanket Pattern
Size hook – H/8
Big Twist Yarns {Chunky – 5} 100% acrylic – Seabreeze #12021
Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice – Fisherman Blanc 098 – Medium 4 100%acrylic
Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice – Silver Heather 405 – Medium 4 100% acrylic
I’m giving you this pattern in a UK version that I’ve been using for years. I love it! You can covert the stitches to US terms with this chart.
UK same as US
Chain – ch Chain – ch
Slip Stitch – ss Slip Stitch – ss
Double Crochet – dc Single Crochet – sc
Treble – tr Double – dc
Space – sp Space – sp
Just google any stitch you’re not familiar with and you’ll get lots of videos!
This Pattern is in multiples of 8 sts +1 {Customize it to make whatever size you want!}
Chain 170
Row 1 – dc in second ch from hook, 1 dc in each ch to end, turn. {169 sts}
Row 2 – ch 1 {does not count as st}, 1 dc in first st, *skip 3 sts, 5 tr in next st {makes a shell}, skip 3 sts, 1 dc in next st; repeat from * to end
Row 3 – ch 3 {counts as tr}, 1 tr in st at base of ch, *ch2, skip 2 tr, 1 dc in next tr {top of shell}, ch2, skip 2 tr, 2tr in next dc ; repeat from * to end.
Row 4 – ch 1 {does not count as st}, 1 dc in sp between first 2 tr, * miss next ch-sp, 5tr in next dc, miss next ch-sp, 1dc in sp between next 2 tr; repeat from * to end.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until throw measures about 165 cm, following stripe sequence as indicated and ending with a Row 4 and the first color you used.
Final row – Continue with the first color, ch3 {counts as tr}, 1 tr in st at base of ch, *1dc in each of next 5tr, 1 tr in next dc; repeat from * to end.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
*I started with one color and made 8 rows before switching colors. The very first 2 rows you made do not count. You can make rows of 4 or 8 for a pretty pattern. I’ve even seen it done with just 2 rows of each color using up yarn stashes. Get creative!
Note: I didn’t mention how much yarn I used for the blanket…sorry about that, but I wasn’t planning on writing a post about this when I made it. It just turned out so pretty I couldn’t help but share my favorite pattern.
I altered the size of mine to 40” wide and 54” tall.
I made this as a gift to a sweet girl that has been in hospital and rehab for over 4 months now from a brain injury. After countless surgeries she is working hard on her way to recovery, but Tina can definitely use your prayers. Read more about it here.
You can wrap up your crochet blanket with one of our free printable crochet gift tags like the one I used here.
Free Printable Crochet Gift Labels Download – Everything Etsy
If you love crochet projects and can’t get enough, you’ll love this…
101 Simple Crochet Projects {free patterns}
Make someone something special right now!
Do you have a favorite crochet project that you like to give as gifts? I’d love to hear about it!
~Kim
This blanket is beautiful! About how long does it take you to finish one?
I’m not really sure…lol! I usually work on projects like this while I’m watching TV at night. It keeps my hands busy. The first one I made at full size took me months…so, I’m not an expert. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Gina!
~Kim
What would you reccomend as a size alteration to make this as a baby blanket? Thanks 🙂
Thank you for this lovely pattern. I will pray for Tina xx
Thank you for the instructions for the shell afghan. I really enjoy making it. Hope to hear from you again.
Phyllis
How long does it take to make this shell blanket?
What does it mean multiples of 8 plus one ?
The stitch count needs to be a multiple of 8 (8,16,24,32,40,etc)+1 to get the correct number of stitches to make the shell. So there should be 169 DC in the first row which is (8×21)+1
Thanks for sharing the answer! I was going to write a post about it and add a link to the tutorial. {coming soon!}
~Kim
Kim – Have you made the tutorial yet? I don’t really need it, however, I do need to know about the yarn that I am trying to get. I went ahead and ordered the yarn from Big Twist in the 5 weight chunky for the seabreeze and just hopes that it will work. Really need an answer. Thanks so much.
Judy
Just wondering why we chain 170 if it’s multiple of 8+1. Or should it be multiples of 8 +2 so 2 chain is a dc?
I have same question as Sonia what does it mean mutiples of 8 plus one ?
Thanks
Linda
Hi, Would you be able to tell me the other colors you used in this blanket? You have Fisherman Blanc and silver heather listed…no other colors I can see. A friend wants me
to make this for her and she fell in love with the colors you used. Thanks for your help.
Hi Chris!
I can’t believe I left that out! The color is Seabreeze and I’ve updated the post. I do love the way these colors look together and I’m planning to make one for myself as soon as I can. I usually don’t like to use yarn from two different companies, but I had to and they seem like a great match where you can’t even tell.
Thanks for your comment!!
~Kim
I was wondering how many balls of each yarn did you use? I have to order them online and I want to make sure I order enough. Thanks!
Since I didn’t start off with the idea of sharing this project online, I didn’t count. Sorry. 🙂
~Kim
I hope I didn’t overlook it… How did you do the border or trim?
Thank you for posting “The Easy Crochet Shell Stitch” pattern. My friend and I made afghans using your pattern & we were so pleased. We had a some difficulty ending & starting rows (the edges). Love love the pattern. Thank you again.
Hi Kim
I really like your shell pattern. I’ve started it but the pattern says( skip 3 sts 5 tr in next chain), i find that the work pulls, could I skip 2 ch instead of 3, do you think that the pattern would work.I’m not that experienced ar crochet.
Hi Kim
I was wondering do you have a tutorial video.
Rosanna…..Hi. I worked.on this pattern and made a few alterations. I hope Kim won’t mind if I share my ideas here. I too was having a problem with the starting row pulling too much. Here’s what I did. I changed the multiple to 6+3. Then you just skip two stitches instead of 3 and the work doesn’t pull. The rest of the pattern I worked as Kim says in her pattern.
Hi Kim
My grandaughter found your pattern and wanted me to make it for her baby boy who is due in September. She went ahead and got the yarn and is doing it in blue shades, however, she did get the Seabreeze color but it was a “6:” weight in Softee Chunky by Bernat. I have done the first four rows in the seabreeze, however, it seems way too heavy to me and much larger than what the Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand is. Does the “5” do the same thing or
is there a big difference in the yarn? I really like the pattern and it is very easy. I appreciate your posting this. Thanks.
Judy-
It seems like you have a close color but the wrong yarn. Check the post again for the two brands of yarn I used. It has the weight and colors listed. There’s a pretty big difference between the yarn I used and what you have. I also think your Bernat yarn {I’ve used it before} is rather expensive.
I hope you are able to find the right ones. I bought them at JoAnn’s.
~Kim
thanks so much, Kim. I did indeed find the correct yarn at JoAnne’s and I had to order it, but it is a lot different and looks great. thanks so much. I am about half way finished now and it looks great. Thanks again.
Judy-
I’m so happy to hear that! I just bought some more yarn in the same colors to make one for myself. 🙂
Have fun!
~Kim
How many color changes did you have in all? It’s hard to tell from how it’s folded.
Hi, i love it! I just found out that I’m pregnant, first baby, first time trying crochet! I will do this, just bought the materials. Is there any chance you can share a video with the steps? I don’t know anything, don’t understand the steps! If not I will try anyway!
Congratulations for this beautiful work!
Kim, this pattern is beautiful! I can’t wait to start making it! I just had one question, how did you finish the border edging? I didn’t see it written anywhere and I couldn’t tell from the pictures since the blanket is all folded up. Maybe just some sc all the way around the border?
Hi Kaitlin!
Thanks so much for your sweet comment!
There really isn’t an extra border. Just follow the pattern and it gives it a slight ripple around the edges. The first and last row are different to create a finished edge. I hope that helps! It’s an easy pattern and I love the way it looks in any color. Right now I’m making a larger one in all one color.
Have fun and let me know how it goes!
~Kim
Hi Kim!
Just finished making a baby blanket sized one at 32″ tall by 23″ wide. It turned out beautiful and didn’t even take up the entire skein of any of the three colors I used. Thanks so much!
Hi Kaitlin!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for letting me know that you tried it and made something beautiful. 🙂
~Kim
how many stitches did you start with Kaitlin
How many chain did you start in first row? Did you use one skein for each color?
I am trying to do a shell pattern triangle shawl. Do you know how to do that with this pattern? Please let me know.
I love this pattern and wanted to make it with a combination of mostly5 bulky and 6 super bulky yarns. I noticed a previous comment question about this and you felt it was too bulky with the 4 weight yarn. Since I’m only using weights 5 and 6 could I maybe use a larger hook and make it work?
This is an android beguilement and a routine measure of individuals are getting a charge out of joining in this gameplay.
I’d empty half a clip into someone and it seems like only 2 or 3 bullets from them would kill me, even when they weren’t head shots.
The keyboards on the song help create the eerie feel as Crumb delivers more vocal illusions the way only he can.
This site was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally
I’ve found something that helped me. Thanks!
Beautiful pattern. I’d like to ask what size hook you used.
Thank You
Yum having such fun with this pattern, it’s so pretty on both sides. I’m currently making it in brick red, creamy white and school dark grey fleck and it looks great. Thanks for the pattern.
Sounds like a great color combination! Thanks for your sweet comment!
~Kim
Berita dan Informasi Terbaru Bisnis, Finansial, Ekonomi, Perbankan, Investasi, Market Research dan Keuangan. Harga Emas Hari
Ini, Berita Investasi Emas, Logam Mulia, Gold Price, Solid Gold, Solid Gold berjangka, PT.
Solid Gold Berjangka, inovasisolution.com
I’ve just completed this pattern and it’s gorgeous! I used a j size hook and lion brand 6 weight in Miami seafoam, fisherman white, and Dallas grey. I did six grey, four white, 8 blue, four grey, 8 white, 4 blue, etc. and finished with six grey. Ending length is 170cm. It’s giant and super warm!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!
I made this and followed the pattern except for the following changes: I only made 4 stripes of each color. It was for a baby and that was plenty big. I used Caron Simply Soft yarn (Medium-4), 250 yards per skein. I needed just over 1 skein of each color. Fortunately, I used colors I had used in other projects so had extra yarn from those other projects to finish this. If I would have bought 2 skeins of each color, I would have had almost a full skein of each left over. I hope this helps those of you wondering how much yarn to use.
Thanks so much for posting! Gonna make this for my neices baby. Will post a pic when done!
Can’t find big twist chunky in seabreeze can you help me
Could you recommend a substitute for the Big Twist Yarn, difficult to find in the UK.
Thank you
Hi Kim, it says what brand of yarn you used, however how many balls of each color/brand did you use? Did you use 2 strands of Vanna’s Choice yarn? Can I substitute the #4 weight yarn for Big Twist Yarn? Sorry for all the questions. I love the pattern. 🙂
Hello! Thank you for this pattern. I used it to make a lovely baby blanket and thought I’d share yardage, beginnings chains, etc to help.
There was some confusion about why start with 170 if it’s multiples of 8+1. I used Daniel’s solution stated earlier of multiples of 6+3 and it worked beautifully. I chained 123, which makes a blanket that is 46.5×39.5 inches(115.5×100.5 cm).
I used two skeins of caron big cakes in Boysenberry (total of 1206 yards, or 600 g). This turned into a new color every two shell rows, give or take. I found this to be easier (read: I’m too lazy) than changing yarns and having to weave in ends.
Time wise it took maybe three weeks of not working on it diligently, but was very easy to compete watching Netflix. Just thought I’d share my experience in case it’s useful for anyone else!