Shady Shell Cocoon Crochet Pattern

The Shady Shell Cocoon is a new, free, and fabulous cocoon crochet pattern featuring an open shell stitch. This is a one-size pattern that is cozy, is warmer than it looks, and has a drape to DIE for!

Shady Shell Cocoon

I decided to name this the “Shady Shell” because for various reasons it took me most of 2020 to complete the design, and I think we can all agree that this year in particular has been super shady. 😛 If you need a larger or smaller size, instructions for altering this pattern are included in the pattern notes below.

For this pattern I used Alpaca Cloud DK yarn. This is a dreamy, 100% baby alpaca yarn that is absolutely fabulous to touch and feels like butter next to the skin. An alternative yarn suggestion is shared below.

Materials:

Alpaca Cloud DK yarn (1,550 yards total)
-Evander (4 balls), Magnus (3 balls), Elizabeth (5 balls), Leonardo (3 balls)

Crochet hook in size 4.5mm

Gauge: 3 shells = 4 ” wide and 3.5” tall

Pattern Notes:

Pattern written using US terms.

“Shell” = (3dc, ch-1, 3dc) in same st.

Odd numbered rows are “right side”.

The edging uses Front Post/Back Post stitches. For a tutorial head over to this post.

Dimensions before sewing: approximately 38″ wide and about 47″ tall.

This pattern is available as an ad-free, printable PDF at Ravelry and Etsy.

Sizing info: For a smaller size cocoon, follow the same pattern but go down a hook size from what it takes to meet gauge. For a larger size, follow the same pattern but use a worsted weight yarn with a hook size larger than what it takes to meet gauge. My tester for the larger size had a finish dimension (before sewing) of 46″ wide and 56″ tall.

This black version shown was crocheted by one of my wonderful (local) testers Suzanne, and she used Soft & Sleek DK yarn with an H/5mm hook. She used 3.5 balls of the Soft & Sleek DK yarn. Isn’t it glorious in solid color too?! LOVE it!

Pattern:

Row 1: Fsc-163 (or ch-164, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each to end.) (163)

Row 2: Ch-4 (counts as dc+1 here and throughout), turn, dc in first st. * ch-2, sk-5 sts, (dc, ch-2, dc) in next st * repeat between * * to end. Ch-2, (dc, ch-1, dc) in last st. (27 full Vs)

Row 3: Ch-3 (counts as dc here and throughout), turn, 3dc in first ch-sp. * sk-next ch-sp, (3dc, ch-1, 3dc) in next ch-sp * repeat between * * 26 more times. 4dc in last ch-sp. (27 full shells and 2 halves)

Row 4: Ch-4, turn, dc in first st. * Ch-2, (dc, ch-2, dc) in center of next shell * repeat between * * 26 more times. Ch-2, (dc, ch-1, dc) in last st. (27 full Vs)

Rows 5 – 78: alternate rows 3 & 4

Row 79: repeat row 3

Row 80: Ch-1, turn, sc in first st. * ch-5, sc in center of next shell * repeat between * * to end.

Row 81: Ch-1, turn, sc in each st/ch to end.

Lay the rectangle flat and fold in each corner so that all corners meet in the middle. The inside opening of your cocoon will be the first row lined up with the last row. Sew sides shut leaving ~8” total for arm opening. (see video below – if for some reason the video will not load for you, it is also available here on YouTube.)

How to Fold and Sew a Crocheted Cocoon

Inside Edging:

Using edging color attach yarn at side seam…
Row 1: Ch-1, hdc in each st around. Join.

Row 2: Ch-1, * Fphdc around next, Bphdc around next * repeat between * * around. Do not join, with in a spiral for remainder of edging.

Rows 3 – 9: * Fphdc around next fphdc, Bphdc around next bphdc * repeat between * * around.

To Finish: Sl st in next 3 sts. Weave in all ends.

Cuff Edging:

Using edging color attach yarn at cuff seam…
Row 1: Ch-1, hdc 30x evenly around. Join. (30)

Row 2: Ch-1, * Fphdc around next, Bphdc around next * repeat between * * around. Do not join, with in a spiral for remainder of edging. (30)

Rows 3 – 16: * Fphdc around next fphdc, Bphdc around next bphdc * repeat between * * around.

To Finish: Sl st in next 3 sts. Weave in all ends.

This is my favorite cocoon I’ve made to date! So comfy and chic, I would feel comfortable wearing this to a date night dinner, to brunch with the in-laws, or just hanging out on the couch for family movie night. ♥