A crochet blanket is one of those pieces that warms your home and shows the work that went into it. A colorful blanket tossed over the arm of the sofa adds warmth to the living room, and a soft blanket made for a newborn becomes a keepsake treasured for years. Whether you're looking for your first project or want to try a new pattern, knowing a few basics will make things easier.
Which Pattern Should You Choose?
There's a wide variety of crochet blanket patterns. Depending on your skill level and patience, take a look at these options:
Read more
- Motif blanket: You crochet small square or hexagon motifs one by one and then join them. They're easy to carry around, and they're ideal for using up leftover yarn.
- Simple rows: A plain pattern worked in the same stitch from start to finish. It's the most comfortable option for beginners.
- Chevron and wave patterns: They look lovely with color changes, and once you find the rhythm, they work up quickly.
- Textured stitches: A great choice if you love a textured, plush look. They use a bit more yarn, but the result is really eye-catching.
- One large motif: Blankets that start in the center and grow outward let you stop at whatever size you like.
Choosing Yarn and Hook
How you plan to use the blanket directly affects your choice of yarn. For a blanket that will be washed often, cotton or easy-care yarns are practical. If you want a thick winter throw, heavier yarns and wool blends will keep you warm. For a baby blanket, it's best to choose soft yarns that won't irritate the skin and don't shed.
For hook size, you can usually follow the recommendation on the yarn label. If you want a looser fabric with more drape, try a hook one size larger. For a tighter fabric, try one size smaller. But always crochet a small swatch before you decide.
Color Suggestions
- Natural tones like cream, beige and light gray go with almost any decor.
- Mustard, terracotta and olive green bring an autumn feel and look great with wooden furniture.
- Pastel shades are a lovely choice for nurseries and airy bedrooms.
- In motif blankets, joining multicolored motifs with a single joining color pulls a busy look together.
When choosing colors, I recommend placing your yarns side by side and looking at them in daylight. Shades seen on a screen or under artificial light can be misleading.
Tips for Getting Started
- For your first project, choose a small size like a lap blanket. The motivation you get from finishing will carry you into the next one.
- Try to keep your tension even. Crocheting loosely in the first rows and tighter toward the end will make the edges skew.
- To keep your edges straight, check your stitch count at the beginning and end of rows every now and then.
- Before joining your motifs, lay them all out on a flat surface and check the color distribution by eye.
- When you're done, adding a simple border gives the blanket a neat, finished look.
- Don't just knot your yarn ends and leave them. Weave them in through the stitches in a few different directions so they won't come undone in the wash.
Care and Storage
Following the instructions on the yarn label is the safest way to wash your blanket. Most handmade blankets keep their shape better when dried flat. Hanging can make the fabric stretch out because of its weight. When you're not using it, you can fold the blanket and store it in a cloth bag somewhere away from moisture.
Remember, your first crochet attempt doesn't have to be perfect. Every row makes your hands a little more practiced, and the blanket you finish, along with all the work you've put into it, will become one of the most loved pieces in your home.