Easy Crochet Shell Stitch Pattern for Any Size Blanket

Make a quick crochet baby blanket, an easy crochet throw, or a full size crochet afghan blanket in the easy crochet shell stitch pattern. You can use these simple instructions and video tutorial to crochet a blanket of any size! If you’re not sure what size to make your crochet blanket, then don’t fret. Just scroll down to our convenient blanket size chart below.

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How to Start the Easy Crochet Shell Stitch Pattern

First, choose any worsted weight yarn and hook size appropriate for the yarn. Next, follow along with the pattern to get your gauge. You’ll have to do a little math. However, don’t worry, I walk you through it! You need to know how to calculate the size you want to make. Then, work the easy crochet shell stitch pattern. And voila, you will have a crochet blanket you love in no time at all!

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SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS

CH: chain

DC: double crochet

RS: right side

SC: single crochet

St(s): stitch(es)

WS: wrong side

NOTES

• The stitch multiple is 6 (+2 for chain)
• Work row 1 in back bump of the chain stitch to create a nice edge of the pattern, but it’s not mandatory
• Ch 3 at start of row 3 counts as a double crochet

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Easy Crochet Shell Stitch Pattern Instructions

First, I’ll show you how to make the basic shell stitch pattern. Then, with help from the video tutorial, you’ll see how to turn that into a finished blanket. Finally, don’t forget to check the crochet blanket size chart below to make the right size for your project.

Chain a multiple of 6 + 2. For example, chain (6 x 6) + 2 = 38, or (10 x 6) + 2 = 62.

Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook in the back bump of the ch, * skip 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch, skip 2 ch, sc in next ch; repeat from * to end. Ch 3, turn.

Row 2 (WS): 2 dc in first sc, * skip 2 dc, sc in next dc, skip 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc; repeat from * to last 6 stitches, skip 2 dc, sc in next dc, skip 2 dc, 3 dc in last sc of row. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3 (RS): Sc in first dc, * skip 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc, skip 2 dc, sc in next dc; repeat from * to end of row. Ch 3, turn.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 for the pattern, ending after any row 3.

That’s it – that’s the easy crochet shell stitch pattern.

How easy is that?

Easy Crochet Shell Stitch Pattern Video

How To Use The Shell Stitch Pattern to Make a Blanket

Now that you can crochet the easy crochet shell stitch pattern, you can turn it into a blanket. Make it in any size. All you need to know is your gauge and the blanket size you want to make.

Gauge is a word that not many people understand, but it is as simple as this: If you are crocheting the shell stitch pattern and your shell stitch pattern has a repeat that measures 2″, then for each repeat across the row, your blanket will increase by 2″. Therefore, if you have 10 repeats, you can calculate that 10 repeats x 2″ per repeat = 20″ wide. Yes, it is that simple.

Once you know your gauge, you need to know how many chains to do for a blanket 20″ wide. So, you calculate 6 chains for each repeat multiplied by 10 repeats … 6 x 10 = 60 chains, PLUS 2 chains at the end = 62 chains needed to make a blanket that is 20″ wide.

See, you can do this!

Now you can use the chart to pick the size blanket you want to make and follow these instructions:

What Size is a Crochet Blanket?

• Choose the size you want to make (example baby blanket): 30″ wide
• Know your stitch repeat gauge: e.g. 1 repeat = 2″
• Calculate how many repeats you need to get the size blanket size you chose: 30″ wide / 2″ per repeat = 15 repeats
• Calculate how many chains you need for 15 repeats: 6 chains per repeat x 15 repeats = 90 chains + 2 chains = 92 chains needed.
• Now, make your blanket!

As a side note, the same calculations can be done with any stitch pattern – not just the easy crochet shell stitch pattern. This is the basic math used by designers to make patterns.