If you’re searching for a crochet project that combines elegance with texture, the Shells Blanket Crochet Pattern is an ideal choice. This blanket features a beautiful interplay of shell stitches and V-stitch clusters, creating a design that’s intricate yet approachable.

Whether you’re making this as a gift or for your own home, the finished product will be a stunning display of craftsmanship. The alternating shells and clusters add both dimension and flow to the blanket, making it a visually striking piece perfect for any season.

The shells form a delicate scalloped edge, while the alternating rows of shell clusters and V-stitches create a flowing pattern. This blanket has a light, airy feel due to the openwork of the shells, making it perfect for cozying up without feeling too heavy. Its decorative texture brings out the beauty in solid or variegated yarns, making it an excellent centerpiece for a sofa, bed, or even a thoughtful handmade gift.

Special Stitches

This pattern uses a few special stitches to create its unique structure. Here’s a breakdown of the key stitches:

V-Stitch Cluster (Used in the four corners only): In the sc of the middle of the previous round’s shell clusters, work: dc, ch1, dc, ch3, dc, ch1, dc.

Shell Cluster: In the v-stitch clusters from the previous row: 7 dc in the first ch1 space, sc in the ch3 space, 7 dc in the next ch1 space (shell cluster made).

Shell: 7 dc in the specified chain space.

V-Stitch: dc, ch1, dc.

Setting Up the Shells Blanket

Row 1: Ch4, *1 dc in the 4th chain from the hook, ch1; repeat from * six times, slip stitch into the 3rd chain of the starting ch4 (this counts as the first dc in the round).

Row 2: Ch1, sc in the first ch1 space (the 4th ch of the beginning ch4), *7 dc in the next ch1 space, sc in the next ch1 space; repeat from * three times, 7 dc in the next ch1 space, slip stitch to the first sc of the round. (You should have 4 shells and 4 sc total).

Row 3: Ch4, all in the same stitch work (1 dc, ch3, 1 dc, ch1, 1 dc – starting v-stitch cluster made), *ch5, skip the next 7 dc, in the next sc work a v-stitch cluster; repeat two more times for a total of four v-stitch clusters, chain 2 and dc into the 3rd chain from the first v-stitch cluster.

Row 4: 7 dc in the next ch1 space, sc in the ch3 space, 7 dc in the next ch1 space (shell cluster made), sc into the 4th (middle dc) of the shell from the previous row (make sure the sc goes around the ch5, securing it), shell cluster in the next v-stitch cluster, sc into the middle dc of the shell from below; repeat 3 more times.

Row 5: Ch4, dc in the same sc (first v-stitch on the first side of the square made), ch5, v-stitch cluster into the sc of the next corner shell cluster, ch5, *v-stitch into the next sc between shell clusters, ch5, v-stitch cluster into the sc of the next corner shell cluster; repeat from * 2 more times, ch2, and dc into the 3rd chain from the starting chain 4 of the round.

Row 6: *Shell in the first v-stitch, sc into the middle dc of the shell below, shell cluster into the next v-stitch cluster, sc into the middle dc of the shell below; repeat from * 3 more times.

Main Body Repeat

Now that the set-up is complete, here’s how to continue building your blanket.

Row 7: Ch4, dc in the same sc (this counts as the first v-stitch), (ch5, v-stitch in the next sc) until you reach the first corner, ch5, v-stitch cluster in the corner, *ch5, v-stitch in sc between the next shell, ch5, v-stitch cluster in the middle sc of the corner shell cluster; repeat from * until you complete the shell cluster in the 4th corner. Then ch5 and v-stitch into each of the sc between shells until right before you get to the first v-stitch of the round, ch2, and dc into the 3rd chain of the first v-stitch.

Row 8: *7 dc in the next v-stitch, sc into the middle dc of the shell below; repeat from * until you reach the next corner v-stitch cluster. Shell cluster in the v-stitch cluster, sc in the middle dc from the row below; repeat 3 more times.

Continue repeating Rows 7 and 8, ending on a Row 8 for the final round. After Row 5, your piece should show a v-stitch cluster in the middle sc of each shell cluster from the previous row, and a single v-stitch in the sc between each shell cluster.

Remember, the v-stitch clusters are only placed in the four corners of the blanket. For all other stitches on the four sides, you’ll create v-stitches in the sc on your Row 7 repeats. This technique helps shape the blanket beautifully, keeping the edges defined.

Happy crocheting, and enjoy creating this elegant Shells Blanket!