The Dune Drift Criss Cross Shells Throw: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Desert-Inspired Blanket

Introducing the Dune Drift Criss Cross Shells Throw

Wrap yourself in the warmth of a desert sunset with this richly textured throw, featuring a stunning criss cross shells stitch that mimics shifting sand dunes. This free pattern creates a cozy, modern heirloom perfect for draping over a sofa or bed. The interlocking shells create a beautiful, dimensional fabric that feels as luxurious as it looks, and the warm desert-inspired color palette brings a touch of nature's beauty into your home.

Materials Needed

Yarn

Worsted weight (#4) yarn in three colors. You will need approximately 1800 yards total (600 yards of each color):

• Color A (Sand Dune): A warm, light beige (600 yards)
• Color B (Terracotta): A deep, earthy orange-red (600 yards)
• Color C (Sage): A muted, dusty green (600 yards)

Hook

Size I/9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook

Gauge

4 shells and 8 rows = 4 inches in Criss Cross Shells pattern

Additional Supplies

• Yarn needle for weaving in ends
• Scissors
• Stitch markers (optional, for counting)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Important Notes Before You Begin

• The throw is worked in rows from the bottom up.
• The Criss Cross Shells stitch creates a beautiful, interlocking texture.
• Each shell consists of 5 double crochets (dc) worked into the same space.
• Chain stitches at the beginning of rows count as the first double crochet unless otherwise stated.

Special Stitches

• Shell: Work 5 double crochets (dc) in the indicated stitch or space.
• Criss Cross Shell (CCS): Skip 2 stitches, work a shell in the next stitch, skip 2 stitches, then work a shell in the first skipped stitch of the pair (the one you skipped before the first shell). This creates the criss cross effect.

Foundation Chain

With Color A (Sand Dune), chain 120 stitches loosely. This will give you approximately 20 shells across the row. If you want a different width, chain in multiples of 6 + 3 (for example, 123, 129, etc.).

Row 1 (Right Side)

Double crochet (dc) in the 4th chain from the hook (this counts as your first dc). *Skip 2 chains, work a shell (5 dc) in the next chain, skip 2 chains, dc in the next chain. Repeat from * across the row. Turn your work. You will have approximately 20 shells.

Row 2

Chain 3 (this counts as a dc). *Skip 2 stitches, work a shell in the next stitch, skip 2 stitches, dc in the next stitch (this should be the center dc of the shell from the previous row). Repeat from * across the row, ending with a dc in the top of the turning chain from the previous row. Turn.

Row 3 (Criss Cross Row)

This is where the magic happens. Chain 3 (counts as dc). *Skip 2 stitches, work a shell into the center dc of the shell two rows below (you will need to stretch the yarn slightly to reach this stitch), skip 2 stitches, dc in the next dc (the center dc of the shell from the previous row). Repeat from * across the row. Turn.

Row 4

Repeat Row 2 exactly. Chain 3, skip 2 stitches, shell in next stitch, skip 2 stitches, dc in center dc of shell below, repeat across. Turn.

Row 5

Repeat Row 3 (the criss cross row). Chain 3, skip 2 stitches, shell into center dc of shell two rows below, skip 2 stitches, dc in center dc of shell from previous row, repeat across. Turn.

Continuing the Pattern

Continue alternating Row 2 (straight shells) and Row 3 (criss cross shells) for the entire blanket. Remember: Row 2, Row 4, Row 6, etc. are all the same (straight shells). Row 3, Row 5, Row 7, etc. are all the same (criss cross shells).

Color Sequence

Follow this color sequence exactly to achieve the desert sunset look:

• Rows 1-10: Color A (Sand Dune)
• Rows 11-20: Color B (Terracotta)
• Rows 21-30: Color C (Sage)
• Rows 31-40: Color A
• Rows 41-50: Color B
• Rows 51-60: Color C
• Rows 61-70: Color A
• Rows 71-80: Color B
• Rows 81-90: Color C

When changing colors, fasten off the old color and join the new color with a slip stitch at the beginning of the row. Weave in ends as you go to save time later.

Border

After completing Row 90, do not fasten off. You will work the border in rounds.

Round 1

With Color A (Sand Dune), work a round of single crochet (sc) evenly around the entire blanket. Work 3 sc in each corner to help the border lie flat. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc.

Round 2

Chain 1. *Sc in the next 3 stitches, chain 3, skip 1 stitch. Repeat from * around the blanket. At corners, adjust the pattern so that the chain-3 spaces fall evenly. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc.

Round 3

Slip stitch into the first chain-3 space. Chain 3 (counts as first dc), work 2 dc in the same chain-3 space. *Skip 2 stitches, work 3 dc in the next chain-3 space. Repeat from * around the blanket. At corners, work 3 dc in the corner chain-3 space, then continue. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3.

Finishing

Fasten off and weave in all remaining ends using a yarn needle. Block your blanket if desired to even out the stitches and enhance the texture. Gently steam block or wet block according to your yarn's care instructions.

Your Dune Drift Criss Cross Shells Throw is now complete! Enjoy the warmth and beauty of your handmade desert-inspired blanket.