Crochet Sea Shells Afghan
You’ll need:
4 balls of Columbia-Minerva Nantuk 4-ply (4 oz. ball)-4 Color A;
3 balls each of Colors B, C and D:
Nantuk colors shown are (A) Winter White, (B) Lt Iced Jade, (C) Med Iced Jade, (D) Dk Iced Jade;
Crochet hook I.
Size: Approximately 54” x 62”.
Stitches control: 1 motif = 10 ½” across widest point and 6 ½” from lower point to upper edge.
Used Patterns
Full shell motifs: 1st row: (RS) Beg at point, ch 5 (counts as 1 dc and ch-2 sp), dc in first ch; there are 2 dc with ch-2 sp between. Ch 5, turn;
2nd row: Dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, dc in 3rd ch of ch-5; there are 3 dc and 2 ch-2 sps. Ch 5, turn;
3rd row: [Dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2] twice, dc in 3rd ch of ch-5; there are 4 dc and 3 ch-2 sps. Ch 5, turn;
4th row: [Dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2] 3 times, dc in 3rd ch of ch-5; there are 5 dc and 4 ch-2 sps. Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), turn;
5th row: Work 5 dc in each ch-2 sp, end with dc in 3rd ch of ch-5; 22 dc in all. Ch 3, turn;
6th row: Dc in first dc for inc, dc in each dc across, end with 2 dc in 3rd ch of ch-3; 23 dc. Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch-1 sp), turn;
7th row: Dc in first dc for inc, ch 1, skip 1 dc, * dc in next dc, ch 1, skip 1 dc; rep from * across, end with dc, ch 1, dc all in 3rd ch of ch-3; 14 dc and 13 ch-1 sps. Ch 3, turn;
8th row: Work 2 dc in first ch-1 sp, * dc in next dc, dc in next ch-1 sp, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next ch-1 sp; rep from * across, end with 2 dc in 3rd ch of ch-4; 35 dc. Ch 3, turn;
9th row-Popcorn Row: (RS) Dc in 2nd dc, * work a popcorn (PC) in next st as follows-work 5 dc all in same st, drop lp of last dc from hook and insert hook in top of 5th dc from end, draw dropped lp through dc and tighten st pushing PC to right side (PC complete), dc in each of next 2 dc; rep from * across working last dc in 3rd ch of ch-3; 11 PC with 2 dc each side. Ch 3, turn;
10th row: Dc in first dc for inc, dc in next dc, * work 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc; rep from * across, end with 2 dc in 3rd ch of ch-3; 53 dc. Fasten off leaving a 20" end for sewing.
Half shell motif: 1st-4th rows: Leaving a 12" end for sewing at beg of point, rep rows 1-4 of full shell motif; 5 dc and 4 ch-2 sps. Ch 3, turn;
5th row: Work 2 dc in each ch-2 sp across, end with dc in 3rd ch of ch-5; 10 dc in all. Ch 3, turn.
Note: Throughout rem rows of motif, end with last dc(s) of rep in 3rd ch of turning-ch.
6th row: Dc in first dc for inc, dc in each dc to end; 11 dc. Ch 4, turn;
7th row: Dc in 3rd dc, * ch 1, skip 1 dc, dc in next dc; rep from * to end; there are 6 dc and 5 ch-1 sps. Ch 3, turn;
8th row: Dc in first dc, * work 2 dc in next ch-1 sp, dc in next dc; rep from * to end; 17 dc in all. Ch 3, turn;
9th row: Dc in 2nd dc, * work PC in next dc, dc in each of next 2 dc; rep from * to end; 5 PC with 2 dc each side. Ch 3, turn;
10th row: Dc in first dc, * dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc; rep from * to end; 26 dc. Fasten off.
Instructions
Make 77 full shell motifs - 25 with A, 16 with B, 20 with C and 16 with D. Make 16 half shell motifs -8 with B and 8 with D.
Assembly
Follow arrangement chart for placement and color of motifs. Sew motifs tog from the right side using a blunt needle and an overhand st, working through the back lp of each st along top edge of full shells. Use long ends for sewing, working with the darker of the 2 colors to be joined. Secure ends and work in on wrong side after all joining points on each row are completed.
Beg in upper right corner with first 2 rows of full shells. * Mark the center st (27th st) on top edge of one full B shell. Beg at point, sew lower left edge of A shell along top right half of B shell to center st; with same yarn sew lower right edge of next A shell along rem half of B shell; rep from * across row having 5 A shells and 4 B shells.
To join half shells, with top edge of half shell at side edge of afghan, fit upper side edge of half shell along one lower side edge of full shell above; matching rows, sew in place. Stretch lower side edge of half shell along half of top edge of full shell below and sew in place.
Join motifs in same way through next to last row. On last row, reverse full shells and sew lower side edges tog forming scalloped edge. Steam afghan lightly on wrong side and pat into shape.