Two-color Reversible Shells Afghan (crochet pattern)

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Based on my son's Two-color Reversible Shell Baby Blanket, I wrote the following pattern for a Two-color Reversible Shells Afghan. They are very close, but not identical. My pattern results in shells that are more centered (symmetry is one of "my things"!) instead of a little off center. My son's blanket was made in 1978 or 1979 from a LeeWards pattern [specifically, LeeWards Afghan Kit No. 1945 Green and White (Kit No. 1975 used Yellow and White), 06-34089, Reversible Shell Baby Afghan to Crochet]. I'm not even sure I made the blanket! My Mom thinks she may have made it.

The photos on the right are of a 9-row sample swatch of 8 shells across that I created to show close-up photos of the details.

Colors: Choose whatever colors you desire. Be creative! Use more than 2 colors, or change colors every two rows, or make one side one color and change colors every 2 rows on the other side...it's your blanket!

Yarn and Hook: Use whatever type of yarn you want and whatever size crochet hook feels comfortable with that yarn.

Size: Make it whatever size you want. Make sure you have enough yarn or can buy more if you run out!

Shell: 5 dc in one stitch.

Shell around chain loop: For each dc in the 5-dc shell: yarn over, insert hook into the designated stitch, place the chain loop made in the previous row on the hook, yarn over and pull through chain loop and stitch, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through last 2 loops on hook.

Border: If you want a border, make one of your choice. The pattern for my son's blanket did not have a border.

Notes: Do not turn unless directed. Make sure the dropped color does NOT unravel. Do not finish off until you want to stop using a color.

START PATTERN:

With Color A:

Row 1 (starting chain): Starting chain requires a multiple of 4 plus 1. Make the chain as long as you want the blanket to be wide, but make sure the total number of stitches is a multiple of 4 plus 1. For example, 4 x 20 = 80 plus 1 = 81 chain stitches. Chain LOOSELY. If the item begins to arch, the starting chain was not loose enough.

Row 2 (shells): First 3 chain stitches close to hook count as first dc. 4 dc in 3rd st from hook, ch 1, (skip 3 sts, make shell, ch 1) to end of chain. 1 stitch on starting chain will be leftover. Do not turn. Drop Color A off hook - make sure it does not unravel. Do not finish off.

With Color B:

Row 3 (chain loops): Attach with sc to bottom of first dc on Row 2. (ch 6, sc on Row 1 in second of 3 skipped stitches after shell) across to end - last sc goes in the leftover chain on the starting chain. ch 4. Do not turn. Make sure the dropped Color A chain and yarn are IN BACK so the chains aren't twisted. sc in top of last dc in last shell on Row 2. ch 2. Turn.

Row 4 (shells around chain loops): Make sure the dropped Color A chain and yarn are IN FRONT so the chains aren't twisted. (make shell around chain loop, ch 1) in 3rd dc of each Color A shell across. Do not turn. Drop Color B off hook - make sure it does not unravel. Do not finish off.

With Color A:

Row 5 (chain loops): Pick up Color A again. ch 5 (chain has 6 stitches now). sc in the sc between previous row of Color A shells. (ch 6, sc in sc between shells) across to end of row - last sc goes in top of the last dc in the last Color A shell. ch 4. Make sure the dropped Color B chain and yarn are IN BACK. sc in top of last dc in the last Color A shell. ch 2. Turn.

Row 6 (shells around chain loops): Make sure the dropped Color B chain and yarn are IN FRONT. (make shell around chain loop, ch 1) in 3rd dc of each Color B shell across. Do not turn. Drop Color A off hook - make sure it does not unravel. Do not finish off.

With Color B:

Row 7 (chain loops): Pick up Color B again. ch 5 (chain has 6 stitches now). sc in the sc between previous row of Color B shells. (ch 6, sc in sc between shells) across to end of row - last sc goes in top of the last dc in the last Color B shell. ch 4. Make sure the dropped Color A chain and yarn are IN BACK. sc in top of last dc in the last Color B shell. ch 2. Turn.

Row 8 (shells around chain loops): Make sure the dropped Color A chain and yarn are IN FRONT. (make shell around chain loop, ch 1) in 3rd dc of each Color A shell across. Do not turn. Drop Color B off hook - make sure it does not unravel. Do not finish off.

Repeat Rows 5-8 until the blanket is the desired length. End with Row 6 or Row 8 depending on whether you want the starting edge and ending edge to be the same color (Row 6) or different colors (Row 8).

Finish off. Weave in yarn ends. Enjoy!

-Cheryl
Tame My Mind - Cheryl's Arts 'n' Crafts
http://www.tamemymind.com/artscrafts/
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