Crochet this square shell baby blanket from the center out. Free pattern with two color plans, 23 rounds and a 122 cm finished size.
This crochet baby blanket pattern starts with a magic ring and grows outward into a square, one round at a time. Each round is a pair: a “framework” round of V stitches and chain loops, then a “shell” round that fills it in. Once you see how that pair works, you can do the rest almost on autopilot.
It finishes at 122 x 122 cm (about 48 x 48 in) with 23 shells on each side. The pattern stays the same and only the colors change. This post gives two color plans (pink and gray, and cream and blue), and you can use a single color too.
In this post: materials, terms, how the pattern works, rounds 1-23, color plans, finishing, tips, FAQ
Materials
- Hook: 4 mm
- Yarn: the video doesn’t name the weight, so choose one that suits a 4 mm hook
- Two colors: 3 balls (100 g each) of the main color and 2 balls of the second color. She used about 250 g of main and 150 g of second, roughly 400 g in total
- One color: about 400 g
- Cream and blue version: 3 balls of each, which also covered a matching cardigan and hat
- Yarn needle for the final ends
Terms (US)
ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet
- V stitch: dc, ch 1, dc in the same stitch or space.
- Shell: 7 dc in the same space. At the start of a round, ch 3 counts as the first dc, then work 6 more dc.
- Corner: two V stitches in the same sc, separated by ch 3.
- Anchor: work a sc into the ch-5 space, catching the middle (4th) dc of the shell sitting below that chain loop.
How the pattern works
- Framework round: V stitches with ch-5 loops between them, and a corner at each of the 4 corners.
- Shell round: a shell in every V stitch, a sc in every corner ch-3 space, and an anchored sc on every ch-5 loop.
- Each round adds one more shell to every side. Round 5 has 5 shells per side, and round 23 has 23.
Round 1
Framework part: Make a magic ring. Ch 4 (counts as a dc and a ch 1). Dc in the ring, ch 1. Repeat 7 more times. You’ll have 8 dc and 8 ch-1 spaces. Join with a sl st to the 3rd chain of the starting ch 4, then sl st into the next ch-1 space.
Shell part: Ch 3 and work 6 more dc in the same space (a shell). Sc in the next ch-1 space. Shell in the next ch-1 space, sc in the next. Repeat until you’ve worked all 8 spaces. The last stitch is a sc. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch 3.
That makes 4 shells and 4 sc. The 4 sc become your 4 corners.
Round 2
Framework part: Ch 4 and work a dc into the first sc to make a V stitch. This is corner 1. Ch 3, then another V stitch in the same sc. Ch 5, then V stitch, ch 3, V stitch in the next sc. Repeat until you’ve made all 4 corners. Ch 5, join to the 3rd chain of the starting ch 4, then sl st into the first V stitch.
You’ll have 8 V stitches, 4 ch-3 spaces and 4 ch-5 loops.
Shell part: Ch 3 and work 6 more dc in that V stitch. In the corner ch-3 space, work a sc. Work a shell in the next V stitch, then anchor the ch-5 loop with a sc. Continue around: shell in each V stitch, sc in each ch-3 corner space, anchored sc on each ch-5 loop. Join with a sl st to the top of the first ch 3.
You’ll have 8 shells and 8 sc.
Rounds 3-23 (repeat)
Framework part:
- Ch 4 and work a dc in the first sc to make a V stitch.
- Corner sc (the one from a ch-3 space): V stitch, ch 3, V stitch in the same sc.
- Side sc (the anchored ones): a single V stitch.
- Ch 5 between every V stitch, except the ch 3 in the corners.
- Finish with ch 5, join to the 3rd chain of the ch 4, then sl st into the first V stitch.
Shell part: Same as round 2. Shell in each V stitch, sc in each corner ch-3 space, anchored sc on each ch-5 loop. Join.
Each round puts one more V stitch in the middle of every side:
| Round | V stitches in the middle of each side | Shells per side | Total shells |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| 3 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| 4 | 2 | 4 | 16 |
| 5 | 3 | 5 | 20 |
| 23 | 21 | 23 | 92 |
Count your V stitches before you start the shell part. Each side should have as many V stitches as the round number, counting the two corner V stitches.
Color plans
Change color at the start of a framework round. The video points to an earlier tutorial for how she joins new yarn without a needle, so use your favorite method.
Plan 1: “2 by 1” (pink and gray)
- Main color: rounds 1-5, 7-8, 10-11, 13-14, 16-17, 19-20, 22-23
- Second color: rounds 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21
The blanket finishes in the main color. To finish in the second color instead, plan your last two rounds in it.
Plan 2: “2 by 2” (cream and blue)
- Main color: rounds 1-5, 8-9, 12-13, 16-17, 20-21
- Second color: rounds 6-7, 10-11, 14-15, 18-19, 22-23
This blanket finishes with a blue border (rounds 22-23).
Prefer one color? Work all 23 rounds in the same yarn.
Finishing
After round 23, join with a sl st, fasten off and weave in the ends with a yarn needle. Block lightly if the corners curl.
Tips
- Count V stitches and shells at the end of every round, since one miss carries through the blanket.
- Anchored sc stitches are the stitches your next V stitches go into, so keep them tidy.
- Put a marker in the first V stitch of each framework round.
- The video shows a way to join yarn without sewing in ends mid-project. Check her earlier tutorial if you want to save time.
FAQ
How many rounds does this crochet baby blanket pattern have?
23 rounds, each a framework round plus a shell round.
How big is it?
About 122 x 122 cm (48 x 48 in), with 23 shells per side.
Can I make it smaller or bigger?
Yes. Stop after any full round, or keep going. Measure as you go, since size depends on your yarn.
How much yarn do I need?
About 400 g in total. Three balls of the main color and two of the second, at 100 g each.
Can I make it in one color?
Yes. Use about 400 g.
Video Tutorial
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