Free Crochet Pattern - Cleo the Clam

by Theresa December 18, 2021

When you live your entire life in a shell, you can tend to be a little shy... But Cleo is determined to move past this clam stereotype and meet new friends. He keeps his clam shell propped open as often as he can, and greets any passersby with a cheery “hello!”

Welcome!
I hope you will enjoy the creation of this clam! Please don't hesitate to contact me at hello@theresascrochetshop.com with any questions that you may have as you make it. Have fun!

Materials You Will Need:
    • Crochet hook size: 3.75mm
    • Medium/worsted weight yarn: tan (outer shell), cream (inner shell), and peach (clam)
    • Yarn needle
    • One pair of 12 mm safety eyes
    • Polyester fiber fill stuffing
    • One strand of black embroidery floss for the mouth and eyebrows

Final measurement for the finished shell will be 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide and the little clam inside will be 1.25 inches (3.25 cm) tall.

Abbreviations:
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
sts – stitches
dec – sc decrease st*

*Single crochet decrease stitch explanation:
Insert the hook into the next stitch and yarn over. Pull a loop through so that there are now 2 loops on the hook. Insert the hook into the next stitch and yarn over. Pull a loop through so that there are now 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over again and pull the loop of yarn through all 3 loops on the hook.

Note #1: This pattern is crocheted in continuous rounds (you will not join each round).

Note #2: In my patterns, I begin each circle with “ch 2, 6 sc in first ch.” Another way of beginning is to start with a magic circle. If you are more familiar with this method, just do 6 sc into your magic circle.

Outer Shell (x2)
With tan yarn,
R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch (6 sts)
R2: 2 sc in each st around (12 sts)
R3: (Sc 1, 2 sc in next st), 6 times (18 sts)
R4: (Sc 2, 2 sc in next st), 6 times (24 sts)
R5: (Sc 3, 2 sc in next st), 6 times (30 sts)
R6: (Sc 4, 2 sc in next st), 6 times (36 sts)
R7: (Sc 17, 2 sc in next st), 2 times (38 sts)
R8: Sc 38 (38 sts)

Wait to fasten off until you have made the inner shell pieces. Also, wait to crochet the 2nd outer shell until you have made both inner shell pieces.

Inner Shell (x2)
With cream yarn,
R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch (6 sts)
R2: 2 sc in each st around (12 sts)
R3: (Sc 1, 2 sc in next st), 6 times (18 sts)
R4: (Sc 2, 2 sc in next st), 6 times (24 sts)
R5: (Sc 3, 2 sc in next st), 6 times (30 sts)
R6: (Sc 4, 2 sc in next st), 6 times (36 sts)
R7: (Sc 17, 2 sc in next st), 2 times (38 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for weaving in. You will now be crocheting the shell pieces together.

Insert your crochet hook back into the outer shell right where you left off at the end of R8. Then insert your hook through a stitch of the outer shell and a stitch of the inner shell, as pictured below. Single crochet all the way around the 2 shell pieces to join them. Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing.

Weave in the white yarn tail ends. Your shell will now look as pictured below.

Now crochet the 2nd outer shell, wait to fasten off as before, and repeat the above steps to crochet the outer and inner shell pieces together (the only difference between the top and bottom shells is that you do not need to leave a yarn tail for sewing on the bottom shell, just for weaving in).

Using the 1 yarn tail you have saved, sew the 2 shell pieces together – when sewing them together, match up the 2 spots on the top and bottom shell where you fastened off so that seam will be hidden when you stitch them together.

With your yarn needle, make approximately 6-7 whip stitches to sew the top and bottom shell together, as pictured below.

The Clam

With peach yarn,
R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch (6 sts)
R2: 2 sc in each st around (12 sts)
R3: (Sc 3, 2 sc in next st), 3 times (15 sts)
R4: (Sc 4, 2 sc in next st), 3 times (18 sts)
R5: (Sc 5, 2 sc in next st), 3 times (21 sts)
R6-8: Sc 21 (21 sts x 3 rounds)
R9: (Sc 5, dec 1), 3 times (18 sts)

Here, begin stuffing clam. Then insert the eyes between R7-8, with 3 sts in between. Firmly press the backs onto the eyes. Next, thread a long strand of black embroidery floss onto your yarn needle, insert your needle through the opening at the bottom of the clam and out between the eyes. Sew a tiny "v" between the eyes, as pictured below. Then weave the floss through the inside of the head and out 1 round above the eyes and sew a tiny eyebrow above each eye. Next, weave the floss back to the inside of the clam and secure with a knot to the beginning end of the floss.

Go on to finish the clam:

R10: (Sc 4, dec 1), 3 times (15 sts)
R11: (Sc 3, dec 1), 3 times (12 sts)
R12: Dec 6 times

Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing.

Finish stuffing the body as needed – you want the body to hold its shape but still be squishy. Use the yarn tail and your yarn needle to weave through the 6 sts from R12 as pictured below; pull tight to close. Secure with a knot and weave in your end.

Place the clam inside his shell, and if you like, use a strand of peach yarn to sew the bottom of the clam to the bottom shell so it won't fall out. :) Thank you so much for joining me in making a cute little clam!