How To Crochet A Simple Shells Baby Blanket

Let me show you how to crochet a Simple Shells Baby Blanket. All it takes is one ball of Bernat Baby Sport yarn to make this beautiful baby afghan. This pattern is free on this post, but if you would like to pick up the complete pdf with “Designer Notes” that include how to make a preemie blanket and other tips, along with embellishment info that includes a pretty cool embellishment hack, please go to Ravelry or Etsy. 

I was beyond excited to be take part in the 1st annual “Preemie Crochet Challenge”.  The event has come and gone, but there are still great designs for you to choose from, so that you can create and donate items to hospitals for those precious preemie baby’s.

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Remember, this pattern is free on this post, but if you would like to pick up the complete pdf that includes Designer Notes and embellishment info, along with a pretty cool embellishment hack please go to Ravelry or Etsy.

If you could give this pattern a heart and add it to your que at Ravelry I would appreciate it so much. You can also give it a heart on Etsy as well.

I am pretty excited that I now have two blankets made for the next baby shower. The church I attend has a nursery full of babies, and there were two little ones born on the same day not too long ago. What a joy it was to be able to chat with them and all of the ladies in our church on that special day. They were able to let us know what stage of labor they were in, and then happily make the announcement that their little girls had arrived. They are birthday twins and will be a big part of our church’s nursery when the stay at home order is lifted. It was an exciting day!

One Ball Simple Shells Baby Blanket

Hook: H/8-5.00MM hook

I used one ball of Bernat Baby Sport. Approx. 861 yds.

Gauge: 4” across = 3 shells; 4” height 10 rows

Special Stitch Guide

Shell: 5 dc in stitch indicated

Corner Shell: 9 DC in stitch indicated

Stitch Key            
sc = single crochet

dc = Double Crochet

ch = chain

slp st = slip stitch

sp = space

nxt = next

beg. = beginning

st = stitch

repeat between * * = repeat the sequence that is between the * * as many times as stated

x = times, will follow number, example repeat sequence 8 x or 8 times

Base Ch 91

Row 1: SC in 2^nd ch from hook, Skp 2 ch’s; Shell in nxt ch; *skp 2 ch’s; sc in nxt; skp 2 ch’s, Shell in nxt;* repeat across; skp last 2 ch’s, sc in last ch; Turn (15 Shells)

Row 2: ch2, 2dc in 1^st st; sc in 3^rd st of prev shell; *Shell in nxt sc; sc in 3^rd st of prev shell;* repeat across; 3dc in last sc;  Turn

Row 3: ch1, sc in 1^st st; Shell in nxt sc; *sc in 3^rd st of prev shell; Shell in nxt sc;* repeat across; sc in or under ch2 sp. Turn

Row 4-60: Repeat Rows 2 & 3 consecutively or until your rectangle is 27” in height. Do not turn at the end of the last Row.
Measurements: 24” across x 27” height

Border
sc around the edge of the blanket, executing 3sc at each corner.  
Round 1: Turn slightly, ch 1, 3sc in corner. Crochet down the 1^st side of the blanket, execute corner st, then crochet across the bottom of the blanket with a stitch in each of the base ch’s. Execute a corner st, then proceed to sc up the opposite side of the blanket. Execute the last corner st; then proceed to sc across the top of the blanket; join w/slp st to beg. 1^st sc of 1^st corner.

Beading Round (hdc, ch1, skp st, hdc in nxt) (corner = hdc, ch3, hdc in 2^nd sc of previous corner)
Round 2: slp st into 2^nd sc of corner st; CH 5 (counts as hdc ch3), hdc in same st. (1^st corner made) proceed to  *ch1, skp st, hdc in nxt* down the side, make sure there is a ch1 right before executing the corner. Continue around the entire blanket in the same fashion to make the beading round, making sure to execute a Corner at at each corner. Join w/slp st to 2^nd ch of beg. ch5.

SC in each st around, with 3 sc in each corner
Round 3: slp st in to ch3 sp; 3 sc in ch sp; proceed to sc in each ch and hdc st executing 3 sc’s at each corner. Join w/slp st to beg. sc

Shell Round
Round 4: slp st in 2^nd sc of corner st, ch3, 8dc in same st; (1^st Corner Shell made) Proceed in this pattern around the blanket *skp 2 st’s, sc in nxt; skp 2 st’s, Shell in nxt* making sure there is a sc right before the Corner Shell at each corner *; Repeat * to * around; join to top of beg. ch3

Ripple Edge
Round 5: *ch1, slp st in nxt st* Repeat in each st around, join w/slp st to beg. st. End off weave in ends.
Measurements. (Border is 1.5” and compete blanket is  27” across x 30” height)

Run satin ribbon through the beading, and then make a sweet pull tie bow and add it to the corner. This is great for photo opportunities with your little one. Disclaimer: Please do not leave the ribbon in the beading  round for every day use.

I would love to see the blanket you make using this crochet pattern. Please come on over and join my Crochet Group on Facebook. Ask to join and drop a picture or two of your Simple Shells Baby Blanket

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