The Watercolor Shells Afghan takes an easy 2-row repeat and a fantastic self-striping yarn to make a comfy blanket you’ll want to use, again and again.
“Watercolor Shells Afghan” free crochet pattern by Kim Guzman, © Feb. 2026 All rights reserved.
Technique: Regular Crochet
Skill Level: Easy/Advanced Beginner
Crochet Pattern At A Glance
Watercolor Shells Afghan
Designer: Kim Guzman © 2022-2026. All rights reserved.Rate the Pattern
Yarn
- Red Heart “Super Saver Bitty Stripes”, 100% acrylic, size 4 weight, 515 yds/471m per 10 oz/283g per skein: 5 skeins (approx 2,400 yds) color Rainbow Mist.
- Red Heart “Super Saver”, 100% acrylic, size 4 weight, 364 yds/333m per 7 oz/198g per skein: 1 skein (approx 100 yds) color Light Raspberry.
Other Materials
- Suggested Crochet Hook Size K-10 1/2 (6.5mm) or hook needed to meet gauge.
- Yarn Needle for weaving ends.
Instructions
- Using self-striping yarn, make a beginning row on the stitch multiple provided.
- Work a 2-row repeat, completing 92 more rows.
- Work a simple single 3-round crochet trim.
- Weavein ends securely.
Full Free Crochet Pattern Below
This is a free crochet pattern and the written instructions are below. If you prefer a printable download, a PDF is also available for purchase.
My Crochet Pattern Notes
This blanket is worked horizontally (width-wise) in a 2-row repeat. Once completed, there is a simple trim. There is no seaming and the color changes are made by the yarn itself.
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Finished Size
54″ x 61″, including trim.
Bitty Stripes from Red Heart Yarns
My first look at Bitty Stripes was this Crayon Box. I made these two projects and then ordered some more of the yarn for future designs. It’s so fun. My favorite colorway is still this Crayon Box, so far. These two patterns are available here:
Yarn
Red Heart “Super Saver Bitty Stripes”, 100% acrylic, size 4 weight, 515 yds/471m per 10 oz/283g per skein: 5 skeins (approx 2,400 yds) color Rainbow Mist.
Red Heart “Super Saver”, 100% acrylic, size 4 weight, 364 yds/333m per 7 oz/198g per skein: 1 skein (approx 100 yds) color Light Raspberry.
“Super Saver Bitty Stripes” is classified as an aran weight (size 4) yarn and is currently available in 23 shades.
Available at the Red Heart Store on Amazon (aff link).
Yarn Substitution
There are lots of options available in size 4 weight self-striping yarn. Any of them will work here. I liked this one because of the shorter color runs. It’s not variegated but isn’t gradient or super long striping sections either. It’s somewhere in between.
Other Materials
Suggested Crochet Hook Size K-10 1/2 (6.5mm) or hook needed to meet gauge.
Yarn Needle for weaving ends.
Gauge
Worked in stitch pattern, 12 stitches for 6 rows measures approximately 4″ x 4″.
Working at a different tension may require additional materials.
Stitch Multiple
If you would like to change the width, use any multiple of 6, then add 10 to the starting chain.
Special Stitches
Cluster (cl): [Yo, insert hook in next st, yo, pull lp through, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook] 5 times, yo, pull through 6 lps on hook. Note: This is a 5-double-crochet together, with each double crochet worked in a different stitch.
Other Abbreviations
This crochet pattern is written in US crochet terminology.
ch=chain; cl=cluster; dc=double crochet; lp(s)=loop(s); rep=repeat; sc=single crochet; sk=skip; sp(s)=space(s); st(s)-stitch(es); yo=yarn over.
New Pattern Free PDF Download Weekend
This pattern is made free through ad support below, but the PDF download for the Watercolor Shells Afghan pattern is available for free this weekend only. This promotion ends at 11:59pm CST, Monday, February 23.
This promotion is concluded. Please sign up for the email newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any weekly promotions. Scroll down for the free online pattern.
Free Crochet Pattern Instructions
Note: The instructions indicate to chain loosely because there are 5 double crochet in some of the chains. If you crochet too tightly, it will be difficult to fit the stitches. And, putting so many stitches into a chain means that you have to shift them over a bit to look and ensure that you’re not covering up an empty chain when moving on to the next instruction. If it seems impossible to keep the chain loose enough, try using a hook size larger.
Row 1 (RS): With Rainbow Mist, ch 154 loosely, 2 dc in fourth ch from hook (skipped 3 chains count as first dc), sk 2 ch, sc in next ch, *sk 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch, sk 2 ch, sc in next ch, rep from * to last 3 ch, sk 2 ch, 3 dc in last ch, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in same dc, *ch 3, cl (see Special Stitches above) across next 5 sts, ch 3, sc in next dc, rep from * across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 2 dc in same sc, sk ch-3 sp, sc in next cl, *sk ch-3 sp, 5 dc in next sc, sk ch-3 sp, sc in next cl, rep from * to last ch-3 sp, sk ch-3 sp, 3 dc in last sc, turn.
Rows 4-93: Rep rows 2-3, fasten off. Begin working in rounds for Trim.
Trim
Round 1: With Right Side facing you, join Light Raspberry with sl st at any corner, ch 1, 3 sc in corner, sc evenly along all sides with 3 sc in each corner, sl st to first sc. Note: When working along top edge, it looks better if you work a half double crochet in the dip of the single crochet with sc in the double crochets.
Rounds 2-3: Ch 1, working in back lps only, ch 1, sc in each sc with 3 sc in 2nd sc of each corner. Fasten off after final round.
Finishing
Weave in all ends securely.
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I hope you enjoy this new afghan pattern! Bitty Stripes is such a fun yarn. If you have any questions, please let me know.