Crochet blankets are the project that keeps people coming back to crochet for decades. They are slow enough that you can work on them for months, picking them up and putting them down without losing your place. A lap blanket (roughly 36 by 48 inches / 91 by 122 cm) takes about 1,000 yards of worsted-weight yarn. A full throw (50 by 60 inches / 127 by 152 cm) needs closer to 2,000 yards. A queen-bed coverlet can run 4,000 yards or more.
Stitch choice changes everything. The single crochet produces a dense, flat fabric good for baby blankets where you want minimal drape but maximum sturdiness. The granny square construction lets you work in small pieces and join later, which is ideal if you travel with your project. Shell stitch and bobble stitch add texture and visual rhythm without requiring complex shaping. Tunisian crochet gives a woven look that reads more like knitting than crochet.
One practical note: blankets require attention to yarn dye lots. Buy all your yarn for a blanket in the same dye lot if possible. Even small color differences between lots become visible over the width of a blanket, especially with solid or heather-dyed yarns.
What you need
- Yarn
- Worsted weight (CYC 4) is the most common. Bulky (CYC 5 to 6) for chunky blankets. DK (CYC 3) for lightweight throws.
- Hook
- 5.0 to 6.5 mm for worsted; 8.0 to 12.0 mm for bulky.
- Skill
- beginner, easy, intermediate, advanced
Stitches you will use
- Single CrochetUS: sc / UK: dcThe single crochet (sc) is the most basic crochet stitch, creating a short, dense fabric by inserting the hook, pulling up a loop, and drawing yarn through two loops.
- Double CrochetUS: dc / UK: trThe double crochet (dc) is the most widely used crochet stitch, producing an open, drapey fabric by working yarn over twice to create a stitch roughly twice the height of single crochet.
- Shell StitchUS: sh / UK: shThe shell stitch is a fan-shaped crochet stitch made by working multiple double crochets into the same stitch or space, creating a repeating scallop pattern used in blankets, garments, and shawls.
Curated free patterns
We are curating a hand-picked list of free blankets patterns from trusted designers. Each pick will include a direct link, skill level, yarn requirements, and a short note on what makes it worth your time. Check back soon, or use the CrochetZen app to save and organize patterns you find anywhere on the web.