Free Pastel Shells Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern

Originally published 11 May 2021. Updated July 2026.

Create a colourful handmade blanket with this free shell stitch baby blanket crochet pattern. Pastel Shells combines five soft DK yarn shades with an easy two-row repeat, creating rows of raised shells and a gentle scalloped texture.

The pattern uses only Chain, Single Crochet and Double Crochet stitches, making it a relaxing project for beginners as well as experienced crocheters looking for a calm, rhythmic make. The finished blanket measures approximately 30 × 30 inches (76 × 76cm), and guidance is included for changing the width and length.

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Pastel Shells pattern at a glance

• Project: Crochet baby blanket
• Skill level: Beginner
• Finished size: Approximately 30 × 30 inches (76 × 76cm)
• Yarn: DK weight yarn in five colours
• Hooks: 5mm (US H/8) for the foundation chain and 4mm (US G/6) for the remainder
• Pattern repeat: Two rows
• Stitch multiple: Multiples of five
• Terminology: Standard US crochet terms
• Construction: Worked flat in rows with a shell-stitch border

Why makers love this shell stitch blanket

Pastel Shells has become a long-standing Peach Unicorn favourite because the finished texture looks detailed while the construction remains straightforward. Once Rows 2 and 3 are established, the pattern settles into an easy rhythm.

Each row is worked in a different colour. Instead of cutting the yarn after every row, you drop it at the edge and pick it up again five rows later. The carried strands are enclosed when the border is worked, greatly reducing the number of ends that need sewing in.

Materials

The original blanket was made with King Cole Big Value Baby DK yarn:

• 2 × 50g balls of Petal #4062 (pink)
• 2 × 50g balls of Sky #4063 (blue)
• 2 × 50g balls of Primrose #4064 (yellow)
• 2 × 50g balls of Peach #4066 (peach)
• 2 × 50g balls of Mint #4067 (green)
• 5mm crochet hook (US H/8)
• 4mm crochet hook (US G/6)
• Scissors
• Yarn needle for finishing

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Gauge and finished size

• Gauge: 16 Double Crochet stitches × 8 rows = 4 × 4 inches (10 × 10cm)
• Finished size: Approximately 30 × 30 inches (76 × 76cm)

To change the blanket width, increase or decrease the foundation chain in multiples of five. To change the length, work more or fewer repeats of Rows 2 and 3. If you use a different number of colours, an odd number of shades works particularly well with the carried-yarn method.

Stitches and abbreviations

• Ch(s): Chain(s)
• Sc: Single Crochet
• Dc: Double Crochet
• Ch1-sp: The space beneath the Chain 1 stitch on the previous row
• Shell: Work 7 Double Crochet stitches into the same stitch or space
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• Nxt: Next
• * to **: Repeat the instructions between the asterisks

Need help with the basic stitches? Visit the crochet tutorials for Chain, Single Crochet and Double Crochet.

US to UK/Australian stitch conversion

• US Single Crochet (Sc) = UK/Australian Double Crochet (Dc)
• US Double Crochet (Dc) = UK/Australian Treble Crochet (Tr)

Yarn colour order

Change colour after every row in this order:

1. Petal (pink)
2. Sky (blue)
3. Peach
4. Mint (green)
5. Primrose (yellow)

Do not cut the yarn after each row. Drop the colour at the edge of the blanket and pick it up again five rows later. The loose strands travelling up the sides will be enclosed by the border.

Free Pastel Shells Baby Blanket crochet pattern

Using the 5mm crochet hook and Petal (pink), Ch 98.

Change to the 4mm crochet hook for the remainder of the pattern. Continue with Petal.

Row 1

Sc in the 2nd Ch from the hook, skip 2 Chs, *Shell in the next Ch, Ch 1, skip the next 4 Chs; repeat from * across to the last 4 Chs, Shell in the next Ch, skip 2 Chs, Sc in the final Ch.

Change yarn colour to Sky.

Row 2

Ch 3, work 2 Dc in the same stitch as the Ch 3, Ch 1, *Shell in the next Ch1-sp, Ch 1; repeat from * across to the final Ch1-sp, Shell in the final Ch1-sp, Ch 1, work 3 Dc into the final Sc, turn.

Change yarn colour to Peach.

Row 3

Ch 1, Sc in the first Dc, *Shell in the next Ch1-sp, Ch 1; repeat from * across to the final Ch1-sp, Shell in the final Ch1-sp, Sc into the top of the Ch 3, turn.

Change yarn colour to Mint.

Continue the two-row repeat

Rows 2 and 3 form the pattern repeat. Repeat Rows 2 and 3 another 31 times (or desired length), changing colour after every row in the order given above. Work one additional row in Petal (pink) so the top and bottom colours balance.

Continue to the border using Mint (green).

Shell-stitch border

Top edge

Turn to work across the top of the blanket. Ch 1, Sc in the first Dc, *Shell in the next Ch1-sp, Sc in the 4th Dc of the next Shell; repeat from * across to the final Ch1-sp, Shell in the final Ch1-sp, Sc into the top of the Ch 3, turn.

First side edge

Rotate the blanket clockwise to work down the side edge. As this side border is worked, the carried yarn strands will be enclosed.

*Skip the Ch 3 stitches, work a Shell in the Sc, skip the next Ch 3 stitches, Sc in the next Sc; repeat from * to the bottom corner.

Bottom edge

Rotate the blanket clockwise to work across the bottom edge. Sc in the same Ch as the first Shell, *skip 1 Ch, Shell in the next Ch, skip 2 Chs, Sc in the next Ch; repeat from * to the end of the row. Sc in the final Ch.

Final side edge

Rotate the blanket clockwise to work up the final side. *Skip the Ch 3 stitches, work a Shell in the Sc, skip the next Ch 3 stitches, Sc in the next Sc; repeat from * to the top corner.

Fasten off and secure all ends.

Download the free printable PDF

The printable PDF contains the complete Pastel Shells pattern, materials, sizing information and instructional photographs in a convenient three-page format.

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Pastel Shells frequently asked questions

Is this shell stitch baby blanket suitable for beginners?

Yes. The pattern uses Chain, Single Crochet and Double Crochet stitches. After the first row, Rows 2 and 3 repeat throughout the main blanket.

How do I make the blanket wider?

Increase or decrease the foundation chain in multiples of five. Remember that changing the width will also change the amount of yarn required.

How do I make the blanket longer?

Continue repeating Rows 2 and 3 until the blanket reaches your preferred length, finishing with a Petal row if you would like the top and bottom colours to match.

Do I cut the yarn after every colour change?

No. Drop each colour at the side of the work and pick it up again five rows later. The carried strands are covered by the side border.

Can I use different colours?

Yes. Choose any coordinated DK yarn shades you love. An odd number of colours works especially well with this method because each shade is picked up again after travelling along the side edge.

Is the pattern written in US or UK crochet terminology?

The instructions use standard US crochet terminology. A US-to-UK/Australian conversion is included above.

Can I sell blankets made from this pattern?

Yes. You may sell finished blankets made from the pattern, provided the design is credited to Peach Unicorn Designs. The written pattern and photographs may not be copied, redistributed, translated for resale or republished.

Share your finished blanket

I would love to see the colours you choose for your Pastel Shells blanket. Share your finished project through the Peach Unicorn Designs photo-review page or tag Peach Unicorn Designs when posting your work.

Copyright © Peach Unicorn Designs. This pattern is provided for personal use. Do not reproduce or redistribute the written instructions or photographs. Finished blankets may be sold with credit to Peach Unicorn Designs.