I was a Girl Scout ….for several years…and I’m proud to say that. “In my day,” you started at Brownie level, and I loved it! My uniform and brown beanie were fabulous! I progressed to Junior, Cadette, then Senior Scout before I left to become a Candystriper at a local hospital (we’ll save that story, and it’s a doozy!). My mom was a devoted Scout Mom for my sisters and me, hosting/teaching badge sessions (usually cooking or sewing), driving a million field trips, lugging cookies everywhere for delivery. Yes, it was a different time then, a time when living by the Girl Scout Law, earning badges, doing good deeds and being kind were the most important thing on the agenda.
Oh, how I loved to earn badges. When I chose to work on my “needle arts” badge in 5th grade, I was so excited it would include both knitting and crocheting. I’d seen my oldest sister knitting and crocheting slippers, ponchos, and all sorts of amazing things. I couldn’t wait to make beautiful things like her. Mrs. G would be my badge mother. She lived just a couple blocks away, and her son and daughter were in school with me. All I can say is that woman had the patience of saint! There were just 3 of us that gathered at her home after school over the course of a few weeks, but let me tell you….teaching the 3 of us at once must have felt a bit like herding cats! I’ll never forget her, or the experience I had with her teaching me to crochet. It’s a craft I’ve loved ever since, thanks to Mrs. G.
The Baby Shell Is Born…Again & Again
Here’s an afghan that I’ve made more times than I can count – for babies, old folks, on beds, laps and sofas. It’s super simple, and pretty quick to whip up. I use an H/8-5.00mm hook, but you can vary the size of the shell and look of the afghan by using bigger or smaller hooks. Depending on how tight or loose you crochet will also impact the weave of the afghan, as will the type of yarn you use. And, that’s why I love this pattern. It doesn’t take much and you can totally change the look from this one simple pattern! When I make baby afghans, I like to use Caron Simply Soft yarns. They’re super soft, and a simple “machine wash warm, tumble dry warm”…perfect for busy moms. Happy hooking!
Baby Shell Afghan
Finish Size: approximately 42” wide. Finish size dependent on the crafter.
Hook Size: 5.00 mm; US – H/8
Yarn needle
Yarn: for approximately 42”x48”, 6 skeins of 6-ounce acrylic
NOTE: The pattern is a simple, 2-repeated-rows until desired length achieved. Regarding yarn quantity needed, this will depend on 1) hook size; 2) stitch tension of the crafter; 3) type of yarn used. These factors also impact the finish width and length. I recommend doing a test piece to establish gauge.
Ch = chain
SC = single crochet
DC = double crochet
Directions
Chain 200.
ROW 1: 1 SC in the second chain from hook. **Skip 2 chains, shell (5 DC) in next single crochet. Skip 2 chains. 1 SC in next chain. Repeat from ** to end. 33 shells made. Chain 2. Turn.
ROW 2: 2DC in first SC. **1SC in center DC of next shell, 1 shell in back loop of next SC. Repeat from ** ending with 3 DC in last SC. Chain 1. Turn.
Row 3: 1 SC in first DC. **Shell in back loop of next SC. 1 SC in center of next shell. Repeat from ** ending with 1 SC in top of last DC.
Repeat rows 2 & 3 until desired size.
Optional: single crochet 2 rows around all outside edges to strengthen shape.
