Timeless Lacy Shell Crochet Blanket

This timeless lacy shell crochet blanket is simple but has an elegant touch. Alternating the yarn with color changes of a bright yellow and white yarn helps make this crocheted baby blanket a perfect gift for any expecting couple.

*Post contains affiliate links* for more information please read the disclaimer on the About Us page.

The crochet world is full of beautiful patterns and projects, but there are some that seem to transcend the test of time. I think this timeless lacy shell blanket falls into that category. It’s beautifully simple pattern with a lacy border looks like it belongs in any home or on any couch.

The Shell stitch has an airy texture, making it perfect for warmer weather when you don’t want something too heavy to cover up your legs while watching TV or reading a book. This one’s an all-time favorite!

Basic Stitches for an Easy Blanket

Use basic crochet stitches like the chain stitch, single crochet, and double crochet to create lovely light and delicate shells. Crocheting an easy project like this makes for the perfect baby shower gift. I know my favorite gifts were the handmade baby blankets I received when I was pregnant with my little girl.

Beautiful Lacy Baby Blanket or Afghan

I must admit, this is a pattern I fell in love with so much that I made two right away. Actually, I have a third in mind in grey and white, but I really need to get this crochet pattern written for others to enjoy.

While I am showing the pink and white and yellow and white blankets today, you can just do a color change and have a blanket that is perfect for a baby boy too.

This pattern size is wonderful for a small throw or blanket. However, it would be an heirloom crochet project as a larger afghan.

If you know someone that could use a lap afghan, this would be a treasured gift. The soft blanket feels wonderful using it as a coverup.

Finding just that right lacy crochet project can be such a joy. Here is my first lacy shawl I ever made, it is called Victoria Lacy Shawl.

Designing this Lacy Shell Pattern

For a few months, I browsed Pinterest, Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram looking for that, just right, lacy shell pattern that caught my eye. There were quite a few lovely patterns that I saved and tried out, but they were not quite what I was looking for.

Then one day, I saw two different videos on you tube for shells and I used the parts of the pattern that I liked.

However, no matter what pattern I tested and made a swatch for, the bottom row that just starts out with a chain stitch always seemed to pull out and have large gaps when the crochet border was added. This was the case even if I crocheted in the back look of the chain stitch.

The photo below is a close up of the swatch. See how the bottom row pulls out to create that gap when the heavier border is added? I wanted to have this end look just as lovely as the other three sides.

Therefore, it was trial and error quite a few times along with counting numerous times to develop this pattern that has a lovely crochet edge all the way around.

Finally, I had a swatch that was ticking all the things I needed. The yellow and white crochet swatch below shows the how I fixed the beginning rows. This pattern starts with the no chain double crochet and the first row after that begins with the shell stitch. It works!

That pleases me very much!

Crochet this gorgeous blanket and add a simple border to accent the lacy shell stitches.

Alternating Shells in the Rows

When researching for this crochet pattern, it seemed that often times, the shells would be aligned on top of each other.

However, in this pattern the location of the shells alter their position so they end up on either side of the shell stitches in rows above and below. There is a half shell stitch on each end.

About this pattern

The pattern is a repeat of rows 2-5. It is ideal to end with the stitch pattern on row 3 as this will provide a nice foundation to even out the work on the next row. There are just a few special stitches; the v-stitch, and the shell stitch. The edge consists of the single crochet and double crochet. In total, just a bit shy of five skeins were used for this baby blanket.

If you are wondering about a different size, here is a bit of information to help you choose your ideal size. Crochet Guidelines for Standard Bed and Blanket Sizes. Make sure to save this for future reference.

Taking Photos of Crochet Handiwork

I was at my sister-in-law’s home and saw this outdoor green wicker furniture on her front porch. Immediately, I thought it would be perfect for a photo of this baby blanket.

The contrast between the green and yellow really compliment each other. Additionally, it seems whenever photos are taken outside the color just shows up so much better.

As you can see in the photo below, the finished blanket would be perfect for a new arrival or a day relaxing on the porch with a good book as you are snuggled up under the soft blanket.

Carry the Yarn up the Side

Many folks that crochet do not enjoy weaving in the yarn ends. When changing colors every few rows, that can be a large number of yarn ends to weave in if you trim the yarn each time that the color is changed.

Not to mention…it also adds to the yardage of the crochet project as you will need to leave enough to weave in later.

However, because the yarn is changed every two rows, this was a perfect crochet pattern to carry the yarn up the sides of the blanket along the way.

Now, if you do not plan on crocheting the border on, then carrying the yarn up the side would not work as it would show.

I added a crochet edge onto this blanket and it covers up the yarn that is carried up the sides just perfectly.

The Youtube video tutorials will show how to change color and carry the yarn too.

This is a beautiful blanket to make for any occasion.

Directions: Timeless Lacy Shell Crochet Blanket

Gauge

Approximately 15 STs per 4 inches.

Crochet this simple baby blanket in a variety of sizes. Just change the starting row length of stitches and vary the number of rows. This is perfect for a newborn baby or a crib blanket or a large afghan.

Multiples of 4 plus 1. This means that the pattern is 33 X 4 = 132 plus 1 = 133 stitches are needed for the beginning row.

Size

42 inches wide X 39 inches long.

Special Stitches used in this Handmade Baby Blanket:

V-Stitch: This consists of a DC, CH 2, DC in this crochet pattern. However, when this is worked on the ends, there are no Chain Stitches between the Double Crochet Stitches. This avoids the half fan from sticking out too far along the edge.

Shell Stitch: This consists of 8 DC in this crochet pattern.

Half Shell Stitch on the ends: When this is worked on the ends, there are two options for the number of DC in the half shells.

In the yellow and white crochet blanket, I worked a CH 3 (counts as DC) and 3 DC.

In the pink and white crochet blanket, I worked a CH 3 (counts as DC) and 4 DC.

No matter which way I worked the blanket edge, I still inserted my hook between the 2^nd and 3^rd DC for the next row.

This variation just provides a bit different look and both look lovely and timeless.

Carry the yarn up the sides of the blanket. Since there will be a crochet border on this blanket, it is the perfect crochet pattern to carry the yarn up the sides. This greatly reduced the need for weaving in yarn ends.

Materials

Recommended Yarn.

I used solid colors of yarn alternating with rows of white yarn. However, you could use variegated yarn with this pattern and it could be all one solid color too. A worsted weight yarn really works nicely with the simple stitches in this pattern.

For the Yellow and White blanket

White Caron Simply Soft Yarn 3 Skeins. Note, just about half of the last skein was used. Total approximately 800 yards.

Yellow Soft and Shiny Doux ET Brilliant Yarn 2 Skeins. Approximately 620 yards.

For the Pink and White blanket

White Caron Simply Soft Yarn 3 Skeins. Note, just about half of the last skein was used. Total approximately 800 yards.

Soft Pink Caron Simply Soft Yarn 2 Skeins. Approximately 620 yards.

If you are not able to find the yarn locally, you can find the Caron Simply Soft here. The Soft and Shiny can be found here.

Hook Size – Size I

Tapestry Needle

Scissors

Abbreviations

CH = Chain

DC = Double Crochet

SC = Single Crochet

SK = Skip

SP = Space

ST = Stitch

STs = Stitches

TR = Treble

Crochet Pattern Directions

Beginning Row

I began both blankets with the white yarn.

133 No chain double crochet. If you are not familiar with this stitch, there is a video just for this. However, this row is also included in the crochet tutorial for this pattern. Turn

Row 1

CH 1, SC in the Same ST. [SK 3 Sts, work 8 DC in the 4^th ST, SK 3 Sts, work SC in 4^th ST] Repeat between [ ] across until 4 Sts left. Sk 3 Sts, work 2 SC in the last ST. Turn

For row 2 change color

Row 2

CH 3, DC in the Same ST. [CH 5, SK the 8 DC fan stitches, in the SC SP complete (DC, CH 2, DC)] repeat between [ ] across. End with 2 DC in the last ST. Turn

Row 3

CH 3, complete 3 or 4 DC (see half shell stitch edge options above) in the V-Stitch. [SK the first 4 DC in the Shell ST below, in between the 4^th and 5^th Shell ST below, work a SC.  (making sure to trap the previous row chain STs between the SC stitch to secure). SK the next 4 DC of the Shell ST below. Work 8 DC in the V-Stitch of the previous row.] Repeat between [ ] across. End with 4 or 5 DC in the final V-Stitch. Turn

For row 4, change back to the white yarn.

Row 4

CH 1, SC same ST. CH 5, SK the 3 or 4 DC. In the SC SP, work (DC, CH 2, DC). [CH 5, SK the 8 DC, work DC, CH 2, DC in the SC SP]. Repeat between [ ] across. At the end, in the last SC work the DC, CH 2, DC, then CH 5, SK the 3 or 4 DC. In the top CH of the CH 3, work 2 SC. Turn

Row 5

CH 1, SC in same ST. SK 2 DC, insert hook between the 2^nd and 3^rd DC of the previous row and complete a SC.  (making sure to trap the previous row chain STs between the SC stitch to secure). Work 8 DC in the V-Stitch of the previous row. [SK the first 4 DC in the Shell ST below, in between the 4^th and 5^th Shell ST below, work a SC.  (making sure to trap the previous row chain STs between the SC stitch to secure). Work 8 DC in the V-Stitch of the previous row.] Repeat between [ ] across. End with 8 DC in the final v-Stitch, SC between the 2nd and 3rd DC of the previous row. In the final stitch, complete 2 SC. Turn

For row 6, change back to the colored yarn and so on. Every other row, change the yarn color.

Rows 6 and beyond

Continue repeating rows 2-5

I made my crochet blankets 83 rows long. That is in addition to the no chain double crochet beginning row.

I ended with the row 3 stitch pattern. This made it easy to even out the edge and prepare for the crochet border.

***Add one more final row before adding the crochet border. This final row will straighten out the edge.

Row 84 Final Row:

Using the white yarn for this row.

CH 1, SC in same ST. SC in the next 2 or 3 STs (depending on what you chose for your half shell on the end). DC in the next ST, TR in the SC, DC in the next ST. (The DC, TR, DC will be done each time there is the SC between the shells. Everything else in the last row gets a SC). End with 2 SC in the last ST.

Crochet Border

Continue with the white yarn for the border.

Round 1

SC in each ST around with 3 SC in each corner ST. (when working the sides, make sure to capture the yarn carried up the side when completing the SC. Also, just ease the SC STs on the sides so the SC looks even and does not pucker). End with SL ST into the first SC.

Round 2

CH 3, DC in each ST around with 3 DC in each corner ST. End with SL ST into the top CH of the first CH 3 STs.

Finishing

Weave in all yarn ends and remove excess.

Happy Crocheting!

Heirloom Blanket

To me, this is just a lovely timeless heirloom blanket that can be passed down through the generations to enjoy its beauty.

Youtube Videos

Video Tutorial of this Lacy Shell Crochet Blanket

Left Hand: Video Tutorial of this Lacy Shell Crochet Blanket

If you just want to see how to crochet the no chain double crochet, this video if for you. However, this is included in the pattern video tutorial.

If you loved this post, please share on social media. It helps to show me that these types of posts are helpful – thank you!

I hope that you liked this pattern. If you are looking for more ideas for crocheted projects, here are a few others you may enjoy.

Find other Free Baby Blanket Patterns

• Shell Stitch Afghan
• Classically Simple Crochet Shell Blanket
• Crochet 12-Point Star Blanket
• Glorious Springtime Shells Blanket