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
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.
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.
PDF PRINTABLE PATTERNS!
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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.
For these reasons above, this pattern has been classed as an intermediate level.
I hope that you do get around to making this blanket as the final result (I think 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. With a silky feel, it’s a great choice for this particular style of baby dress. It has amazing stitch definition too.
For the crochet hook, I opted to use a slightly bigger hook than the recommended size.
I found that the size 7 (4.5mm) hook gave me a lovely drape, whilst still retaining a nice compact structure (in other words, not too holey!).
Using the bigger hook means that it also works up a lot faster too!
Baby blanket pictured with bonnet and booties.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
Crochet along with me to make this baby blanket! Just click on the play button below:
PIN IT FOR LATER!
If you can’t make this easy crochet baby dress right now, then you can always pin it for later!
You can also follow me on Pinterest here
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”.
Source: Craft Yarn Council of America’s www.YarnStandards.com
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.
MATERIALS
- Yarn: Category #3 / light worsted / DK / 8 ply yarn. I used Sirdar Snuggly Soothing, 241yds / 3.5 oz (220m / 100g):
Colour A – for the main part of blanket (colour featured in photo is white [102])
Colour B – for the border (colour featured in photo is baby pink [100])
4 x balls in colour A
2 x balls in colour B
- 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.
SHARE YOUR WORK!
I really hope that you enjoyed the free pattern for this crochet baby blanket in the round!
I look forward to seeing photos of your finished blanket 😊
Did you make it alongside any of the other items from the set?
If you post photos on Instagram, please tag me using using @maisieandruth and / or #maisieandruth
And remember to pin this pattern for later if you can’t make it right now!
Happy crocheting,
I’ve started the blanket and it’s coming on nicely but I’m coming to the end of my first ball and wondered if you could advise the best method for joining the wool on a continuous project like this. Your help would be gratefully received.
Hi Jacqueline, I join a new ball of yarn in by using the magic knot method. Please see this video tutorial on YouTube (from Bella Coco) that clearly demonstrates how to do this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15hqoR0KJHA
I’m so pleased that you like the design of this blanket and I really hope that you’re happy with the finished result! 💝
I am wanting to make this ensemble for a special baby in our family, but I am having trouble getting the patterns. I only have a computer to work with ( no fancy stuff like instagram seeing as I’m 74 yrs old ) Are you able to help me?
This set is so pretty’.
Hello Barbara, if you’re working on your computer, please visit the home page of the website: https://maisieandruth.com/ Along the top of this page you will see a section titled ‘Free Crochet Patterns’. Underneath this heading there’s a drop down menu – you can find all the patterns for this set in either the ‘Babies’ or ‘Blankets’ section (the bow can be found in ‘Accessories’). At the moment, the free patterns are only available for the dress, bow and blanket. The patterns for the booties, bonnet and headband will be published later this week. Thanks so much for your interest in this little set and I really hope that you enjoy working it up. I’m sure baby will look adorable when all dressed up! Have a great day 💝