Learn how to make this beautiful shells Crochet Baby Blanket in the Round by following along with my FREE crochet pattern!
There's also a VIDEO tutorial to accompany the written instructions. And to purchase an ad-free printable version, please visit the Etsy store HERE
TIMELESS DESIGN
A handmade baby blanket is one of the best gifts a crocheter could give to a new arrival.
And this beautiful crochet baby blanket in the round, which is made up from pretty shell stitches, could well become an heirloom blanket, ready to be passed down and cherished throughout the generations.
Baby blanket pictured with bonnet and booties.
EASIER THAN IT LOOKS!
This pattern may look a bit complicated but it isn't really. It's basically a giant granny square, worked in the round!
Rounds 1 - 6 are the set up rounds. So, a little bit of concentration is required for this part of the pattern. From then on, the pattern becomes a 2-round repeat meaning that it actually becomes a fun and easy pattern to work up from there.
I hope that you do get around to making this blanket as the final result (hoping you'll agree) is absolutely stunning!
CLASSIC & ELEGANT BABY SET
Have a look at the photo below and you'll see that this baby blanket is part of a set.
There's a gorgeous shells baby dress, sweet shell stitch bonnet, adorable baby booties with a mini bow, and a cute shell stitch baby headband
This cute baby set comprises of a baby dress, bonnet, booties and headband.
YARN USED
To make this sweet crochet baby blanket in the round, simply grab your weight 3 / DK / 8 ply yarn and choose your favourite colours (pastel or muted, or bold and bright).
I used Sirdar Snuggly Soothing, a 100% super soft premium acrylic. It has a silky feel and has amazing stitch definition too.
For the crochet hook, I opted to use a slightly bigger hook than the recommended size, which gave me a lovely drape.
ALTERNATIVE YARN SUGGESTIONS: Premier Basix DK Yarn, Cascade 220 Superwash Yarn, Paintbox Yarns Simply DK, Paintbox Yarns Baby DK, Stylecraft Special DK.
Ready? Let's go ahead and crochet this blanket now!
CROCHET BABY BLANKET IN THE ROUND: A FREE PATTERN
This post for a crochet baby blanket in the round may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
Please carefully read all the information below.
LEVEL
"Projects may include involved stitch patterns, color work, and/or shaping".
PATTERN NOTES
- US crochet terminology used throughout.
- You can use any #3 / light worsted / DK / 8 ply yarn for this project. If you use a substitute yarn, please check the yardage and ensure that you purchase enough yarn.
- Blanket is worked in the round.
- Rounds 1 -6 are the set up rounds. From then on, the pattern is a 2-round repeat (rounds 7 & 8).
- As you repeat rounds 7 & 8, your final stitch count in [ ] at the end of each round will increase as you work up the blanket.
- To make the 3D crochet bow, please get the free pattern here
MATERIALS
- YARN: Category #3 / light worsted / DK / 8 ply yarn. I used Sirdar Snuggly Soothing, 241yds / 3.5 oz (220m / 100g):
Colour A (4x balls) - for the main part of blanket (colour featured in photo is white [102])
Colour B (2x balls) - for the border (colour featured in photo is baby pink [100])
- ALTERNATIVE YARN SUGGESTIONS: Premier Basix DK Yarn, Cascade 220 Superwash Yarn, Paintbox Yarns Simply DK, Paintbox Yarns Baby DK, Stylecraft Special DK.
- CROCHET HOOK: Size 7 (4.5mm)
- Yarn needle (the bent tip makes sewing much easier)
- Scissors (super sharp… and pretty)
- 1 x stitch markers (these interlocking ones will not fall out!)
GAUGE / TENSION
With your size 7 (4.5mm) hook, work the first 6 rounds of the pattern below.
Your square should measure 5 x 5″ (13 x 13cm).
FINISHED SIZE
32 x 32″ (81 x 81cm)
STITCHES & ABBREVIATIONS (US CROCHET TERMS)
beg - beginning
ch(s) - chain(s)
dc - double crochet: Yarn over (yo), insert hook into stitch, yo, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yo, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Yo, pull through remaining 2 loops. 1 double crochet completed.
fasten off - To fasten off securely, work one chain, then cut the yarn leaving a 5 - 6" tail. Pull the tail through the loop that is on your hook. Tighten gently.
sc - single crochet: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over (yo), pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Yo, pull through both loops on hook. 1 single crochet completed.
sl st - slip stitch: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over (yo), pull up a loop, you will have 2 loops on your hook. Pull the first loop through the second loop. 1 slip stitch completed.
sp(s) - space(es)
st(s) - stitch(es)
* to * - Repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed.
[ ] - The total number of stitches at the end of a row.
SPECIAL STITCHES
C-Shell - 7dc in next ch-1 sp, 1sc in next ch-3 sp, 7dc in next ch-1 sp
C-Vst - (1dc, ch 1, 1dc, ch 3, 1dc, ch 1, 1dc) worked in the same stitch / space
Shell - 7 dc worked in the same stitch / space
V-st - (1dc, ch 1, 1dc) worked in the same stitch / space
PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS
With Colour A:
Ch 4, sl st to 1st ch to form a ring.
Round 1. Ch 4 (counts as your 1st dc & ch 1), (1dc, ch 1) 7 times into centre of ring, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 4 to join, [8 dc, 4 x ch1 sps].
Round 2. Ch 1, (1sc in next ch-1 sp, shell in next ch-1 sp) 4 times, sl st to 1st sc to join, [4 sc, 4 shells].
Round 3. Ch 4, (1dc, ch 3, 1dc, ch 1, 1dc) in same st (at base of ch 4), *ch 5, C-Vst in next sc*, repeat from * to * 3 times, ending as follows: ch 2, 1dc in 2nd ch of beg ch 4, [4 x C-Vsts, 3 x ch 5 sps, ch 2, 1dc].
Round 4. Ch 1, 1sc in middle (4th) dc of shell below, shell in next ch-2 sp, 1sc in next ch-3 sp, shell in next ch-1 sp, *1sc in middle (4th) dc of next shell below, shell in next ch-1 sp, 1sc in next ch-3 sp, shell in next ch-1 sp*, repeat from * to * 3 times, sl st to 1st sc to join, [8 shells].
Round 5. Ch 4, 1dc in same st (at base of ch 4), *ch 5, C-Vst in next sc, ch 5, V-st in next sc*, repeat from * to * 3 times, ending as follows: ch 5, C-Vst in next sc, ch 2, 1dc in 2nd ch of beg ch 4, [4 x C-Vsts, 7 x ch 5 sps, 4 x V-sts, ch 2, 1dc].
Round 6. Ch 1, *1sc in middle (4th) dc of shell below, shell in next ch-1 sp, 1sc in middle (4th) dc of shell below, shell in next ch-1 sp, 1sc in next ch-3 sp, shell in next ch-1 sp*, repeat from * to * 4 times, sl st to 1st sc to join, [12 shells].
Round 7. Ch 4, 1dc in same st (at base of ch 4), *ch 5, V-st in next sc**, repeat from * to ** until next corner (making sure that you end with a ch 5), C-Vst in corner sc***, repeat from * to *** 4 times, ending as follows: ch 2, 1dc in 2nd ch of beg ch 4, [4 x C-Vsts, 8 x V-sts, 11 x ch 5 sps, ch 2, 1dc].
Round 8. Ch 1, *1sc in middle (4th) dc of shell below, shell in next ch 1 sp**, repeat from * to ** until next corner (making sure that you end with 1sc in middle (4th) dc of shell below), C-Shell***, repeat from * to *** 4 times, sl st to 1st sc to join, [16 shells].
Repeat rounds 7 & 8 THIRTEEN times more (starting from the centre, you should count 17 rounds of shell stitches).
Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.
With Colour B, attach yarn to the last stitch that you just worked.
Repeat rounds 7 & 8 FOUR times more (you should count 4 rounds of shell stitches).
Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.
With Colour A, attach yarn to the last stitch that you just worked.
Repeat rounds 7 & 8 TWICE more (you should count 2 rounds of shell stitches).
Cut yarn, fasten off and weave in ends.
OPTIONAL: Make and attach a crochet 3D bow to one corner of your blanket.
