My first pattern, and did I mention FREE????

Alternating Shells Afghan:

Materials: 3 colors of your favorite yarn. Hook size appropriate for the yarn you are using. You can use as many different colors as you wish. This would make a great afghan to use up your scrap yarn!

I used Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn Neon, in the colors of Pink, White, and Gray, and a size H crochet hook.

Special Instructions

Shell: 2 dc, ch 5, 2 dc in indicated stitch or space.

To change color: work last dc at end of each row up to final yo, yo with new color and draw through to complete stitch.

Multiple for this pattern is: 9+7. With this in mind you can make afghan in any width you choose. You could even make a scarf out of it.

With first color, make desired number of chains to start, making sure your chain is divisible by 9, then add 7 more chains.

Row 1: dc in 4^th ch from hook. Ch 2, sk 2 chs, shell in next ch. * Sk 2 chs, dc in next ch. Ch 2, sk 2 chs, dc in next ch. Ch 2, sk 2 chs, shell in next ch. Repeat from * across, ending ch 2, sk 2 chs, dc in last ch. Ch 3, turn.

Row 2: With next color, dc in first dc, ch 2, shell in next ch 2 sp between next 2 dc.* Ch 2, sc in 3^rd ch of ch 5 of next shell. Ch 2, shell in next ch 2 sp between next 2 dc. Repeat from * across, ending with sc in 3^rd ch of ch 5 of last shell, ch 2, dc in top of turning ch. Ch 3, turn.

Row 3: With next color, dc in 1^st dc.* Ch 2, Shell in next sc. Ch 2, sc in 3^rd ch of next shell. Ch 2, shell in next sc. Ch 2, sc in 3^rd ch of next shell. Repeat from * across, ending ch 2, sc in 3^rd ch of last shell, ch2, dc in turning chain of previous row.

All remaining rows: Following established color sequence, work row 3 from now on, changing colors at the end of each row until blanket reaches desired length. At the end of the last row, fasten off.

Border: any kind you like. You could do shells or several rounds of sc followed by a final row of sc and picots.

Please go ahead and try it :) I would love to know how it goes for you. If you find any snags, I would appreciate hearing from you so I can fix them.