Sandy Shells Crochet Blanket

This blanket uses one of my favourite stitches, the shell stitch. It features a simple border, and the rows fly by, so you will have a cozy blanket in no time! 

Sizing

  • The finished blanket (including border) measures about 41″ (104 cm) long x 41″ (104 cm) wide.
  • Gauge: 20 stitches x 11 rows = 4″ (10 cm) square worked in pattern
  • To adjust the width of your blanket, chain any multiple of 6 + 2 for the foundation chain. For my blanket, I made (6 × 30) + 2 = 182 ch.
  • To adjust the length of your blanket, work more or fewer rows.

Yarn

  • DK (weight 3) yarn
  • My blanket used about 625g of Stylecraft Special DK yarn (295 metres/322 yards, 100g ball).
  • I used six balls for the stripes (six colours) and one ball for the border (one colour).
  • For each stripe, I finished the ball, then switched to the next colour. Avoid changing colours partway through a row or round.

Tools

  • 4 mm (US size G-6, UK size 8) crochet hook
  • Scissors, measuring tape, and yarn needle
  • Stitch markers and row counter
  • Pins and blocking mat (optional)

Notes

  • The blanket is worked in rows from the bottom up. The border is worked in rounds.
  • Blocking your finished blanket will increase the size and help it lay flatter.
  • When working the border, focus on keeping the edges flat rather than maintaining a specific stitch count.
  • If your border starts to curl, work more stitches, and if it starts to get too wavy, work fewer stitches.

Copyright

  • You are welcome to sell items made from this pattern, just mention that it is a Pleasant Crochet pattern. 
  • The written pattern is for personal use only (no selling, reproducing, redistributing, or altering any part of this pattern).

Abbreviations (US terminology)

  • st(s) = stitch(es)
  • sl st = slip stitch
  • rep = repeat
  • ch(s) = chain(s)
  • sc = single crochet
  • hdc = half double crochet
  • dc = double crochet
  • (…) = in the same stitch
  • * * = repeat steps within

Special Stitch

  • Shell stitch
  • Made by working row 1, then repeating rows 2 and 3
  • Stitch multiple: 6 + 2

Pattern

Ch 182 for the foundation ch.

Row 1: 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook, *skip the next 2 ch, 5 dc in the next ch, skip the next 2 ch, 1 sc in the next ch*, rep from * to * across the row, turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in the first sc, *skip the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the next st, skip the next 2 dc, 5 dc in the next sc*, rep from * to * across the row until 3 sts remain, skip the next 2 dc, 3 dc in the last sc, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, 1 sc in the first sc, *skip the next 2 dc, 5 dc in the next sc, skip the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the next dc*, rep from * to * across the row, skip the next 2 dc, 1 sc in the top of the turning ch, turn. 

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you reach your desired length. On your final row, work 1 sc in the turning chain, but do not turn, as we will continue on to work the border.

Border

Round 1: Begin in any corner space by pulling up a loop. Ch 1 (does not count as a st), work 2 sc in the same space. Continuing around the blanket, work 1 sc in each st and 3 sc in each corner space. When you return to the beginning, work 1 sc in the starting corner space. Sl st in the first sc to join.

Round 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a st), work (1 hdc, ch 2, 1 hdc) in the same st. Continuing around the blanket, work 1 hdc in each st and (1 hdc, ch 2, 1 hdc) in each remaining corner st. Sl st in the first hdc to join.

Fasten off and weave in all the ends. Congratulations, your blanket is all done!