Scalloped Shell Granny Square Bedspread – Step-by-Step
Introduction
Handmade crochet bedspreads have a special way of anchoring a bedroom: they add warmth, texture, and that unmistakable “crafted with love” feeling. This design is a showstopper because it looks intricate while using a soothing, repeating rhythm—perfect for TV-time crochet or mindful stitching.
The blanket grows outward from the center as a giant square, building bands of color that form soft scallops. Each round adds one shell per side, so the pattern stays logical and predictable even as the blanket becomes bed-size. The corners stay perfectly squared thanks to a simple corner repeat.
I kept the original stitch identity—those plump shells that look like overlapping fans—so your finished piece will match the spirit of the reference: cozy, dimensional, and elegant. You can keep the coffee-and-sky palette (light blue, camel, mocha, beige) or swap to any four colors you love.
Whether you make a throw for the sofa or a full queen-size bedspread, this project is modular in feel, easy to memorize, and deeply satisfying. Let’s get making!
Materials
- Yarn (worsted/4 or DK/3—choose one weight and keep it consistent) in four colors:
- Color A: light blue
- Color B: camel/tan
- Color C: beige
- Color D: chocolate/dark brown
- Hook size that matches your yarn (commonly 4.5–5.0 mm for worsted; 4.0–4.5 mm for DK)
- Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers
- Optional: blocking tools
Approximate quantities (worsted):
- Throw (120×120 cm): ~1,000–1,200 g total
- Twin (150×200 cm): ~1,600–1,900 g total
- Queen (200×220 cm): ~2,200–2,600 g total
(Distribute colors roughly evenly or bias toward your dominant color bands.)
Abbreviations (US terms)
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sp = space
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- shell = 5 dc in the indicated stitch/space
- corner shell = (shell, ch 2, shell) in the same corner space
Notes
- Blanket is worked in joined rounds from the center outward.
- The stitch logic alternates shells and sc anchors: shells are worked into sc, and sc are worked into the center dc of shells (the 3rd dc).
- Each new round adds one shell per side.
- Change colors every round (A–B–C–D and repeat) to mimic the reference, or create your own sequence.
- Corners are always worked as corner shell into the corner ch-2 space.
Pattern
Setup – Round 1 (Color A)
Magic ring (or ch 4, sl st to form ring).
Into the ring: (shell, ch 2) × 4. Join with sl st to first dc.
You now have 4 shells with ch-2 corners—this establishes the square.
Round 2 (Color B)
Join in any corner ch-2 sp.
Corner: corner shell in same sp.
Side: ch 1, sc in the center dc of the next shell from Round 1, ch 1.
Repeat [corner, side] around (4 corners, 4 sides). Join to first dc.
Round 3 (Color C)
Join in any corner.
Corner: corner shell.
Side repeat: ch 1, sc in center dc of next shell below, ch 1, shell in the next sc (from previous round), ch 1, sc in center of next shell, ch 1.
End with corner; repeat for all four sides. Join.
Round 4 (Color D)
Join in any corner.
Corner: corner shell.
Side repeat:
ch 1, sc in center of next shell, ch 1, shell in next sc, ch 1, sc in center of next shell, ch 1, shell in next sc.
(You’ll notice one more shell per side than the previous round.) Join.
Rounds 5+ (Repeat Color Sequence A–B–C–D)
Continue in the same manner:
- Work corner shell at each corner.
- Along each side, alternate ch-1, sc in center of shell, ch-1, shell in next sc, ending the side with a ch-1 before the next corner.
- Each round grows the count of side shells by one.
Work until your blanket reaches the desired bed size.
Sizing guide (approx. shell counts per side):
- Throw ~18–22 rounds
- Twin ~28–32 rounds
- Queen ~34–38 rounds
The exact number depends on yarn, hook, and your tension.
Optional Framing Round (solid base before edging)
To firm the edge before the scallop border, work one round in sc in any color:
- In corners: (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 corner.
- On sides: 1 sc in each ch-1 sp and 1 sc in the center of each shell. Join.
Scalloped Edging (keeps the original look)
Join your chosen border color (many use Color B or C) in any corner.
- Corner: (shell, ch 2, shell) in corner sp.
- Side: skip next st, shell in next st, repeat to the next corner, adjusting the final skip so shells sit neatly.
Join, fasten off, and weave in all ends.
Finishing & Care
- Lightly block to open the shells and square the corners.
- Hand-wash or machine-wash on delicate (per yarn label); dry flat.
- For a full bedspread, consider adding matching pillow shams: crochet two smaller squares using the same rounds and add an envelope back in sc.
Color Planning Tips
- Keep the four-color rotation for the classic banded look.
- For a softer vibe, swap dark brown for cream and camel for blush.
- To emphasize texture, work every 4th round in a high-contrast color.
Troubleshooting
- Ruffling corners: you may be adding extra shells; ensure corners are only corner shells and sides follow the alternate sc/shell logic.
- Tight sides: add a second chain (ch 2) between elements along the side if your tension is tight.
- Wavy edges: switch to a larger hook for the last few rounds or insert the optional all-sc framing round.
