Easy Crochet Shell Stitch Baby Blanket
Learn how to crochet a pretty baby blanket with this free pattern featuring the shell stitch. Below you can find my free crochet shell baby blanket pattern design that is easy to make, works up quick and has a beautiful texture (it truly is!) once finished.
I think this blanket is the perfect blanket size for a stroller or car seat as well, which is just another reason for you to make it, too!
How to Crochet A Shell Stitch Baby Blanket
To crochet a baby blanket with shell stitches, you will need to have a few different crochet supplies on hand as well as knowledge of a couple of basic stitches.
Crochet Supplies
You can make a shell crochet baby blanket with any type of yarn you’d like. I am using Paintbox Simply Super Chunky (yarn color weathered teal) for my blanket. It is a 100% acrylic bulky (#6) yarn that is great for any type of blanket, scarves and cozy sweaters.
If you’d prefer to use a different weight yarn, such as a medium weight yarn to make a shell stitch project, that is perfectly fine.
You will also need a crochet hook. This blanket was made with a 10 mm crochet hook size. My advice is to remember to use the recommended crochet hook size for each yarn, which can usually be found on the label.
Tip: You may also use a different hook size than recommended if that is what you need to get the gauge on the label.
Crochet Stitches
To make this shell stitch baby blanket, you will need to know how to double crochet or dc abbreviated as well as single crochet. The double crochet stitch and single crochet stitch are easy to learn, and both are beginner-friendly stitches.
Take a look at our full photo tutorial for the shell stitch (linked above), so you’ll be prepared to make this shell stitch blanket.
Let’s Get Started
The easy shell baby blanket pattern below will show you how to use a five double crochet stitch shell with no spaces to create a closed shell stitch blanket.
After the first 3 rows of the blanket pattern, the rest is a just a repeat of rows, which means it will be simple to recreate this stitch design for any level of crocheter. Really, this means that this is a crochet shell stitch blanket for beginners all the way up to the more experienced crocheters.
Look below to learn how to crochet a baby blanket, using a shell stitch!
Crochet Shell Stitch Blanket Pattern (Baby)
Skill Level: Easy
Materials
- 6 skeins of Paint Box Simply Super Chunky or about 400 yards of any super bulky #6 weight yarn
- 10 mm crochet hook
- Yarn needle (aka tapestry needle)
- Scissors
Crochet Abbreviations
- sc = single crochet stitch
- dc(s) = double crochet(s) stitch
- sk = skip
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rep = rep
- ch(s) = chain(s)
Finished Size & Gauge
- One size: 24″ x 24″ finished baby blanket size (perfect car seat blanket size)
- Want a different size? Change the size by working a foundation chain in a multiple of 6 then add 2 extra chains to that multiple.
- Gauge is not overly important. Just try to get around 24″ for your foundation chain.
Notes
- The blanket pattern is written in standard US terms.
- The turning ch 3’s count a st.
- The turning ch 1’s do NOT count as a st.
- Parentheses at the end of the row show total st count.
- Learn how to change colors in crochet.
The Pattern
To Start: Ch 42 + 2 (44 total chs)
Row 1: sc in the second ch from the hook, *sk next 2 chs, 5 dcs in the next st, sk next 2 chs, 1 sc in the next st, rep from * across, turn. (43)
Row 2: ch 3 (counts as a st), 2 dcs in the first st, *sk next 2 sts, 1 sc in the next st, sk next 2 sts, 5 dcs in the next st, rep from * ending with 3 dcs in the last st of the row, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), 1 sc in first st, *sk 2 sts, 5 dcs in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in the next st, rep from * ending with a sc in the top of the ch 3 from the row before, turn.
4-26: Rep Rows 2 & 3 to make the pattern bigger.
Finishing: Fasten off yarn and weave in loose ends with a yarn needle.
