Welcome to Soofha! If you’re looking for a crochet project that combines classic texture with a timeless, elegant look, this Shell Square Blanket is a wonderful choice. Made from individual motifs that are joined together and finished with a decorative border, this blanket is both beautiful and practical.

The pattern uses familiar crochet stitches and techniques, making it a great project for crocheters who are comfortable with basic stitches and want to create something a little more detailed. The finished motifs create an attractive shell design that looks especially lovely when worked in coordinating colors.

Whether you’re making a cozy throw for your living room, a handmade gift, or a special heirloom blanket, this pattern is a satisfying project to add to your crochet collection.

Gauge

1 motif = approximately 6 inches across

Taking a moment to check your gauge before beginning can help ensure that your finished blanket reaches the intended size.

Skills and Techniques

This pattern uses the following crochet skills:

• Chain stitch
• Single crochet
• Half double crochet
• Double crochet
• Magic ring
• Working in rounds
• Joining rounds with slip stitches
• Changing yarn colors
• Joining crochet motifs
• Seaming motifs with a slip stitch seam

Stitch Guide

Magic Ring

Wrap the yarn around your left middle finger twice, leaving a tail of approximately 6 inches. Insert your crochet hook underneath both strands and pull up a loop. Chain 1, then begin crocheting directly into the center of the ring. Once the stitches are complete, pull the yarn tail gently to close the center.

V-Stitch (V-st)

Work (dc, ch 1, dc) in the specified stitch or space.

Shell

Work 7 dc into the indicated stitch or space.

Slip Stitch Seam

Place the two pieces side by side with the right sides facing outward. Insert your hook through the back loop of the stitch on one motif, then through the front loop of the matching stitch on the second motif. Pull the yarn through all 3 loops on your hook to complete the slip stitch.

Pattern Notes

The blanket is constructed from 42 individual motifs. Once all of the motifs have been completed, they are joined together using a slip stitch seam.

The motifs are arranged 6 motifs across and 7 motifs down. After the pieces have been assembled, a simple decorative border is crocheted around the entire blanket.

Shell Square Motif

Make 42 motifs.

Using CC, begin with a Magic Ring.

Round 1

Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1 throughout). Working into the center of the ring, (dc, ch 1) 7 times.

Join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of the beginning ch-4.

You should have 8 dc and 8 ch-1 spaces.

Round 2

(Sc in the next ch-1 space, Shell in the next ch-1 space) 4 times.

Join with a sl st to the first sc.

Drop CC and pick up MC.

You should now have 8 Shells, with 2 Shells forming each corner.

Round 3

Using MC, (ch 4, dc, ch 3, V-st) in the same space.

Ch 5, skip the next Shell, then work (V-st, ch 3, V-st) in the next sc.

Repeat from * two more times.

Ch 5, skip the final corner Shell, and join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of the beginning ch-4.

Round 4

*Shell in the next ch-1 space, sc in the next ch-3 space, Shell in the next ch-1 space.

Working over the following ch-5 space, sc in the center dc of the next corner Shell from 2 rounds below.*

Repeat from * 3 more times.

Do not join at the end of the round.

Drop MC and pick up CC.

Round 5

With CC, ch 4, then dc in the same stitch.

*Ch 5, skip the next Shell, then work (V-st, ch 3, V-st) in the next sc to create a corner.

Ch 5, skip the next Shell, V-st in the next sc.*

Repeat from * 3 more times, omitting the final V-st.

Join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of the beginning ch-4.

Fasten off CC and pick up MC.

Round 6

With MC, slip stitch into the ch-1 space of the first V-st.

Work a Shell in the same space.

*Working over the next ch-5 space, sc in the center dc of the next Shell from 2 rounds below.

Shell in the next ch-1 space, sc in the next ch-3 space, Shell in the next ch-1 space.

Working over the next ch-5 space, sc in the center dc of the next Shell from 2 rounds below.

Shell in the ch-1 space of the next V-st.*

Repeat from * 3 more times, omitting the final Shell.

Join with a sl st to the first dc of the beginning Shell.

You should have 12 Shells.

Round 7

Ch 2, which counts as 1 dc.

Work (2 hdc, 3 sc, 2 hdc) across each Shell.

Along each side edge of the motif, work 1 dc in each sc. At each corner, work 3 dc in the corner sc.

Join to the 3rd ch of the beginning ch-3.

Finishing the Motifs

Fasten off and carefully weave in all loose ends.

Once all 42 motifs are complete, arrange them into a rectangle measuring 6 motifs wide by 7 motifs long.

Using MC, join the motifs together with the Slip Stitch Seam, making sure the motifs remain aligned as you work.

Take your time during assembly, as neat joining will help give the finished blanket a polished appearance.

Blanket Border

After all motifs have been joined, crochet the border around the entire outside edge.

Join CC in the top-right corner with a slip stitch.

Border Round 1

Ch 1.

Work 156 sc evenly across the top edge.

Work 4 sc in the next corner.

Work 180 sc down the left side.

Work 4 sc in the next corner.

Work 156 sc across the bottom edge.

Work 4 sc in the next corner.

Work 180 sc up the right side.

Work 4 sc in the final corner.

Join with a sl st to the beginning sc.

Border Round 2

Join MC with a sc 2 stitches to the left of the top-right corner stitch.

Skip 2 stitches, work 5 dc in the next stitch, skip 2 stitches, then sc in the next stitch.

Continue this sequence until you are 1 stitch before the next corner.

Skip 1 stitch, work 5 dc in the corner stitch, skip 1 stitch, then sc in the next stitch.

Repeat from * around the entire blanket.

Omit the final sc and join with a sl st to the first sc.

Fasten off and weave in any remaining ends.

Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Meaning
beg	beginning
CC	contrast color
ch	chain
dc	double crochet
hdc	half double crochet
MC	main color
rem	remaining
rep	repeat
rnd(s)	round(s)
RS	right side
sc	single crochet
sk	skip
sl st	slip stitch
sp(s)	space(s)
st	stitch(es)
yo	yarn over

Final Thoughts

The Shell Square Blanket is a beautiful combination of traditional crochet motifs and delicate shell texture. Although the blanket is made from multiple individual squares, the repeating construction makes it easy to work on a little at a time.

It’s also a wonderful project for experimenting with color. Choose two contrasting shades for a bold effect, or select soft coordinating tones for a more subtle and classic blanket.

Once the motifs are joined and the border is added, you’ll have a cozy handmade throw that can brighten a bedroom, living room, reading nook, or favorite chair.

We hope you have fun making your own Shell Square Blanket and enjoy watching all those beautiful motifs come together. Happy crocheting from Soofha!