A temperature blanket is a year in yarn. You assign a color to each temperature range, then crochet one row (or one square) a day using the color that matches that day's temperature. By the end of the year you have a blanket that maps your local weather, warm reds and oranges through summer, cool blues and greys through winter.
The crochet itself is simple, usually a single row of double crochet or a small motif per day. The real work is planning: a color scale of about 10 to 14 shades, a temperature source, and a stitch that looks good as a single daily row. Start on January 1, or back-fill from records and start any time.
What you need
- Yarn
- Worsted weight (CYC 4) in a coordinated set of 10 to 14 colors. Buy the core colors up front in the same dye lot.
- Skill
- Easy stitches, but it is a commitment. The skill is consistency, not technique.
Temperature Blanket projects to make
- 1One row a day. A single double crochet row per day in that day temperature color. The simplest format.
- 2Granny square a day. A small motif per day, joined at the end. Portable and flexible.
- 3Two-color daily rows. High and low temperature as two thin rows per day for more detail.
- 4Mini skinny stripes. Half-double rows to keep the blanket from growing too long over 365 days.
Where to find free temperature blanket patterns
Most temperature blanket guides are free on indie blogs, since the value is the planning template, not a stitch pattern. Search "free temperature blanket pattern" for a color-scale worksheet. Ravelry also has free temperature blanket templates you can adapt to your climate.
Stitches you will use
- Double CrochetUS: dc / UK: tr
- Half Double CrochetUS: hdc / UK: htr
Looking for more? See all crochet blankets patterns.