Easy Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern (Shell Bay)

With only a 2-row pattern repeat, my free crochet baby blanket pattern is an easy project suitable for confident beginners.

If you’re not such a fan of sewing like me, you’ll be pleased to know that even though the pattern works with two colours on alternating rows, there is minimal sewing in of ends!

This crochet pattern is written in US and UK terminology.

The shell pattern crochet baby blanket looks more difficult than it is!  Basic crochet stitches are used – UK double crochet / US single crochet and UK treble crochet / US double crochet. 

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I’ve added a simple border. This baby blanket didn’t need anything more elaborate!

Design Inspiration

I started to use the two-colour scale stitch in a pattern for a shawl but the Aran cotton I was using made it very heavy so it wasn’t suitable.

I loved the way the contrasting colours looked and knew I had enough DK in my stash to use the pattern in a baby blanket.  And a bonus, using acrylic makes this a lightweight blanket, suitable for babies!

The blanket’s name is inspired by the fan shape of the stitches which look like scallop shells.

One of my local beaches, Shell Bay, is named after the shells that were once common along this stretch of Studland. 

The turquoise reminded me of the sea.

And so I named this baby blanket the ‘Shell Bay’ blanket.

How the blanket pattern is worked

Multiples of 6 stitches plus 1 (add 3 for foundation chain).

I’ve used two colours – a main colour and a contrasting colour, in alternating rows.

The fan shape is created by working 5 double crochets in the single crochet from the previous row and the next row, 5 doubles together.

The main colour is used in row one, the foundation row.

The stitch from the end of row one is held on a stitch marker. 

Row two, the pattern returns to the beginning of row one (no turning after row one) where the contrasting colour is joined.  Row 2 is worked in the same direction as row one.

This row ends with a double/single crochet, working the last pull through of this with the loop of the main colour from the stitch holder.

This row is turned at the end. 

Row three is worked using the main colour.  At the end of row three, the stitch is held on a stitch marker.

Rows two and three are then repeated throughout, alternating the main colour and the contrasting colour.

The border is one round of double/single crochet and one round of half treble/half double crochet.

Related Crochet Blanket Patterns

If you enjoy working with a combination of stitches and techniques, you might like:

• Candyfloss Horizon blanket
• Tangerine Dreams blanket
• Day at the Beach blanket
• Seaside Dreams blanket
• Noughts and Crosses blanket
• Galana filet blanket
• Orchid Blaze blanket
• Peek-a-Boo Bunny blanket
• Snowberry baby blanket
• Winter Nights blanket
• Tunisian Crochet blanket patterns
• Baby blanket patterns
• Lap Blanket Patterns

Easy patterns with colour changes include:

• Pastel Dreams blanket
• Mila Cosy Stripe Blanket
• Striped Crochet Blanket Patterns

A relaxing crochet project is my Princess of Diamonds lap blanket.  A continuous granny square with a difference!

Looking for a one colour, one-row repeat pattern or baby shower gift? The Tranquil Moments baby afghan is perfect for meeting those needs.

Wanting to design your own blanket or looking for an easy blanket crochet pattern?  These simple blankets and instructions to create your own are just what you need.

Short on time? These baby blanket kits or modern blanket kits could be just what you need.

Make your project really stand out with these free crochet border and edging patterns.

Yarn

Stylecraft Special DK has lots of shades to choose from, 295 meters on every ball and at an excellent price.

This practical everyday yarn is a soft, high-quality acrylic that works up without any scratchiness or squeaks so is perfect for baby blankets.

Machine washable and can be tumble dried makes Stylecraft Special a great yarn for projects that need lots of washing.

Pattern Notes

• Worked in two colors, Yarn A is the main color (turquoise), Yarn B the contrasting color (white)
• A stitch holder is needed at the end of a row.  This last stitch is picked up on the last pull through of the single crochet on the next row
• Chain 3 counts as a stitch
• Chain 2 counts as a stitch
• Chain 1 does not count as a stitch
• The baby blanket begins with Yarn A and ends with Yarn A
• The border is worked in 1 round of single crochet and one round of half double crochet in Yarn B
• Gauge is not important for this project but you must maintain your tension

Level

Confident beginner

Materials

• 300g Stylecraft DK – Turquoise (Yarn A)
• 300g Stylecraft DK – White (Yarn B)
• 4mm Crochet Hook, 3.5mm crochet hook
• Stitch Marker
• Scissors

Stitches and Abbreviations

Double Crochet (dc)   /   US Single Crochet (sc)

Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through the loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 2 loops on hook.

Treble Crochet (tr)   /   US Double Crochet (dc)

Yarn over hook, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through the loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on hook, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook

Treble 5 Together (tr5tog)   /   US Double 5 Together (dc5tog)

Yarn over hook, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through the loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops, *yarn over hook, insert hook into stitch, yarn over pull through the first 2 loops.* Repeat 3 more times (a total of 5 times). 6 loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops. Tr5tog completed

• Ch = chain
• Sk = skip
• Rep = repeat
• Lp = loop
• Sm = stitch marker
• Beg = beginning
• St = stitch

Measurements

97cm / 38” (W) X 127cm / 50” (L)

Baby Blanket Instructions UK Crochet Terms

With Yarn A ch 178

Row 1: 2 tr in 4^th ch from hook, *sk 2 ch, 1 dc in next ch, skip 2 ch, 5tr in next ch, *rep ending 3tr in last ch, slip lp from hook onto sm, DO NOT TURN

Row 2: Return to the beg of row 1, join Yarn B to 3^rd of 3 ch, ch3, *tr5tog over [2tr, 1dc, 2tr], ch2, 1 dc in next st (the centre tr of 5 from prev row), ch2, * rep ending 1dc in last st, working last pull through of this dc with lp of Yarn A from sm, turn.  DO NOT CUT YARN B

Row 3: Yarn A, ch3, 2tr in same st, *sk ch2, 1dc in tr5tog from prev row, sk ch2, 5tr in next st, * rep ending 3tr in last st, slip loop from hook onto place holder.  DO NOT TURN

(Image below shows where the dc in tr5tog from prev row needs to be worked – there are 2 sk sts either side of of this st)

Row 4: rep row 2

Rows 3 and 4 complete the pattern.

Continue with Rows 3 and 4 for a total of 125 rows, ending with Yarn A and turning work ready to start crocheting the border

Border

Round 1: Pick up Yarn B, ch1, , dc2tog, dc in each st (including st on stitch marker), 3dc in last st of row (corner), turn to work along the long edge of the blanket.  Dc evenly, 3dc in last st, turn to work along the foundation row, dc across to last st, 3dc in last st, turn to work along the long edge, dc evenly to last st, 3dc in last st.

Change to 3.5mm hook

Round 2: Ch2, htr in each st around with 3htr in the corner sps

Fasten off.

Weave in ends.

Baby Blanket Instructions US Crochet Terms

Instructions

With Yarn A ch 178

Row 1: 2 dc in 4^th ch from hook, *sk 2 ch, 1 sc in next ch, skip 2 ch, 5dc in next ch, *rep ending 3dc in last ch, slip lp from hook onto sm, DO NOT TURN

Row 2: Return to the beg of row 1, join Yarn B to 3^rd of 3 ch, ch3, *dc5tog over [2dc, 1sc, 2dc], ch2, 1 sc in next st (the centre dc of 5 from prev row), ch2, * rep ending 1sc in last st, working last pull through of this sc with lp of Yarn A from sm, turn.  DO NOT CUT YARN B

Row 3: Yarn A, ch3, 2dc in same st, *sk ch2, 1sc in dc5tog from prev row, sk ch2, 5dc in next st, * rep ending 3dc in last st, sl lp from hook onto sm.  DO NOT TURN

(Image below shows where the sc in dc5tog from prev row needs to be worked – there are 2 sk sts either side of this st)

Row 4: rep row 2

Rows 3 and 4 complete the pattern.

Continue with Rows 3 and 4 for a total of 125 rows, ending with Yarn A and turning work ready to start crocheting the border

Border

Round 1: Pick up Yarn B, ch1, , sc2tog, sc in each st (including st on stitch marker), 3sc in last st of row (corner), turn to work along the long edge of the blanket.  Sc evenly, 3sc in last st, turn to work along the foundation row, sc across to last st, 3sc in last st, turn to work along the long edge, sc evenly to last st, 3sc in last st.

Change to 3.5mm hook

Round 2: Ch2, hdc in each st around with 3hdc in the corner sps

Fasten off.

Weave in ends.

Happy crocheting!

Copyright Notice

The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Sharon Goodwin at Jera’s Jamboree.  This pattern and design are subject to copyright and are for personal, non-commercial use only.  You may not share, resell, alter or redistribute this pattern in part or in whole. You may, however, sell any finished items you make.  If you would like to include this pattern in a roundup, you may take one photo and link back to this pattern.

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