I must credit Lahoma Nally-Kaye for her free pattern, Beautiful Shells Blanket. It was the foundation for this pattern, and they’re very similar. This design uses the same basic technique, with a few modifications to make the shells sharper and more square, plus a scalloped edge, and instructions for squaring off your workpiece.
This design can be made as a large diamond with a scalloped edge. To do this, work as many rounds as you like until the piece is large enough, and then finish with a scalloped edge all around. Alternatively, the entire piece can be squared off. In this case, skip the “Scalloped Edge” section.
The example we’re making here is quite a small block, measuring about 24cm wide, but you can go on for as long as you wish, to make an afghan or a large blanket.
SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED
Crochet Hook: 4mm (G).
Yarn sewing needle.
Yarn in multiple colours
CROCHET PATTERN INFORMATION
- Written in US terminology
- Difficulty: Easy
- Necessary Skills: The crochet stitches mentioned below in abbreviations
- Yarn weight: Double Knit (Light Worsted / 8ply/ 11wpi)
ABBREVIATIONS
- R = Row/ Round
- CH = Chain
- ST = Stitch
- SS = Slip stitch
- SC = Single crochet
- HDC = Half double crochet
- DC = Double crochet
- YO = Yarn over
- [ ] = Group of stitches in one space
- * * = Steps to be repeated
- ( ) = Notes
SPECIAL STITCHES
V-stitch
[DC, ch1, DC) in the same space.
Cluster
[DC, ch1, DC, ch3, DC, ch1, DC] in the same st.
Shell
[3DC, ch2, 3DC] in the same st.
TRC (Triple crochet)
YO twice. Insert hook in stitch, draw up a loop. [YO, draw through 2 loops on hook] 3 times. 1 TRC complete.
Standing DC
Check out Moogly’s tutorial for instructions.
CROCHET INSTRUCTIONS
R1: Start with a magic ring. Ch6 (counts as DC, ch3). [DC, ch1, DC ch3] 4 times. Join with a SS into 3rd starting chain.
R2: Ch1. [HDC in next ch space. Shell in next ch space] 4 times. Join with a SS into 1st HDC. Tie off.
R3: Start with a standing DC in any HDC. [ch1, DC,ch3, DC, ch1, DC] in same st. *Ch5. Cluster in next HDC* three times. Ch2, DC into 1st DC (counts as 5ch).
R4: Work tail in as you go. *Shell in next ch space. HDC in next ch space. Shell in next ch space. Working over 5ch, SC in 2ch space of previous row* 4 times. Finish with a SS into 1st DC. Tie off.
R5: Start with a standing DC in any SC. Ch1, DC in same st. *Ch5. Cluster in next HDC. Ch5. V-stitch in next SC* 3 times. Ch5. Cluster in next HDC. Ch2, DC into 1st DC (counts as 5ch).
R6: Work tail in as you go. *Shell in next ch space. Working around 5ch, SC into 2ch space of previous row. Shell in next ch space. HDC in next ch space. Shell in next ch space. Working around 5ch, SC into 2ch space of previous row* 4 times. Finish with a SS into 1st DC.
R7: Start with a standing DC in the last SC. Ch1, DC in same space. *Ch5. V-stitch in next SC. Ch5. Cluster in next HDC. Ch5. V-stitch in next SC* 3 times. Ch5. V-stitch in next S. Ch5. Cluster in next HDC. Ch2, DC into 1st DC (counts as 5ch).
R8: Work tail in as you go. * [Shell st in next ch space. SC into 2ch space of previous row] twice. Shell in next ch space. HDC in next ch space. Shell in next ch space. SC into 2ch space of previous row * 4 times. Finish with a SS into 1st DC. Tie off.
Note: you can continue in this manner for as many rounds as you wish, in order to make a bigger piece. Proceed with the next step when you are ready to do the scalloped edge, and square off the workpiece.
SCALLOPED EDGE
Join new yarn at previous 2ch space with a knot on your hook. *5TRC into next SC. SS into next ch2 space* 3 times. 10TRC in HDC. SS into next 2ch space. *5TRC into next SC. SS into next ch2 space* 3 times. Tie off.
SQUARING OFF
R9a: Turn your workpiece over. With a knot on your hook, insert hook at 2ch space at the right-most Shell. Ch2. *V-stitch in next SC. Ch5.* twice. V-stitch in next SC. Ch2. SS into next ch2 space. Ch1, turn.
R10a: *Shell in next ch space. SC into 2ch space of previous row * Twice. Shell in next ch space. SS into 2ch space of previous row. Tie off.
R11a: Turn your workpiece over. With a knot on your hook, insert hook at 2ch space at the right-most Shell. Ch2. V-stitch in next SC. Ch5. V-stitch in next SC. Ch2. SS into next ch2 space. Ch1, turn.
R12a: Shell in next ch space. SC into 2ch space of previous row. Shell in next ch space. SS into 2ch space of previous row. Tie off.
R13a: Turn your workpiece over. With a knot on your hook, insert hook at 2ch space at the right-most Shell. Ch2. V-stitch in next SC. Ch2. SS into next ch2 space. Ch1, turn.
R14a: Shell in next ch space. SS into 2ch space of previous row. Tie off.
R9a: Turn your workpiece over. With a knot on your hook, insert hook at 2ch space at the top right hand Shell. Ch2. *V-stitch in next SC. Ch5.* twice. V-stitch in next SC. Ch2. SS into next ch2 space. Ch1, turn.
R10b-14b: Follow the same steps as R10a-14a.
R15: Insert hook into 2ch space at right-most shell. Join yarn with a SS, ch2. HDC in same space. *HDC in next 3 DC. HDC in ch space.* 3 times. HDC in next 3 DC. HDC in next HDC. *HDC in next 3 DC. HDC in next ch space* 4 times. Tie off, and you’re done. (32)
Yay – you did it!!
I attached my crochet piece to a wooden laser cut hanger. If you have access to a laser cutter, you can download the free cutting file here: Cutting file – Tribal Hanger
When preparing the file for cutting, make sure it is sized to 245 mm wide x 129 mm high.
For a final touch, I wrapped a beach pebble in a little yarn net, but that’s another tutorial for another day! (Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss it.)
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