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HOW MUCH YARN TO CROCHET A BLANKET? (+SIZE CHART)

Are you looking to crochet a blanket but don't know how much yarn to buy? Don't worry, you are not alone.Many people face the same dilemma and it's easier than you might think to figure out just how much yarn is needed for a project like this.


In this article, we will discuss the steps necessary to determine how much yarn is needed to crochet a blanket, and provide a chart of the common crochet blanket sizes.

How to Find the Right Crochet Blanket Size

Mary Maxim Kits specify the type and amount of yarn needed for the desired size of crochet blanket and include all the yarn needed to complete the project plus 10-20%overage. Mary Maxim afghan and blanket kits in general measure about40x60 inches and are wonderfully sized for most home decor. If you'd like to make adjustments and make a larger sized throw just give us a call we are always available to help calculate your yardage.


If you are deviating from a pattern or haven't achieved gauge you'll find that you use either more or less yarn on your project and it won't look exactly as pictured. If you choose to use a different pattern or up your own design, you can use some simple calculations to determine how much yarn you will need.


Take a look at the chart below for common blanket sizes. Keep in mind these sizes are estimates and finished afghan sizes will vary slightly from project to project.  

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What Size to Choose For Your Crochet Baby Blanket?

When it comes to crochet baby blankets, size matters. A blanket that is too large will be hard for a small baby to use and wrap up in, while a blanket that is too small won’t keep them warm enough.


Generally speaking, the most popular sizes for crochet baby blankets range from 36 inches by 36 inches to41 inches by 52 inches. These sizes should provide adequate coverage while still being easy to manage for a newborn or infant.


When making a crochet baby blanket, it’s important to consider the stitch pattern you are using as well. Some stitches use more yarn than others and may require a larger size blanket to accommodate them.


For example, if you decide to use an intricate stitch pattern such as a granny square or chevron, you may need to go up in size to make sure the design can fit on the blanket.Additionally, take into consideration any extra embellishments like buttons or tassels that could affect the finished measurements.

Most Common Crochet Blanket Sizes

Crochet blankets come in a range of sizes and shapes, but there are some common sizes that you will find among the most popular crochet blanket patterns. Here is a chart for your reference:  


Calculating How Much Yarn You Need

Knowing how much yarn you need for a crochet blanket can be tricky. It depends on the size of your blanket, the type of stitch used, and if you are using novelty or specialty yarns. To get a better estimate, try considering these factors:

Size

The size of your blanket is a big factor in determining the amount of yarn you need. To calculate this, measure the width and length of your blanket in inches or centimeters to determine the total size in square footage. You'll need to compare this to the yardage on a gauge swatch to estimate the yardage needed.

Type of Stitch

Different stitches require different amounts of yarn for the same size of blanket, so it’s important to think about which type of stitch you are using. We call stitch combinations like the Alpine Stitch “yarn eaters” because they use a lot of yarn to cover the same space, in contrast a stitch combinations with a lot of open work like the “granny stitch”will use less yarn. These should be considered when choosing blanket patterns to make. Additionally, you will likely want to use a closed stitch on blankets for comfort and will likely use more yarn because of it.


If your blanket uses more than one stitch type make a gauge swatch of each stitch combination and calculate that against the total size of that section in your blanket, then add the sections together when estimating yardage.

Specialty or Novelty Yarns

If you are looking to make a unique blanket with specialty or novelty yarns, the amount of yarn needed can vary significantly. Make sure to use the same type of yarn you are planning on using in your project to make the gauge swatch. You can always frog the swatch and use it for the blanket.  

Calculating Yardage for a blanket

To calculate the yardage for the blanket find out how many square feet your total blanket will equal.Then, work up a gauge swatch. You'll want this gauge swatch to measure approximately 12 inches by 12 inches so it might take a few tries to get the right amount of stitches. This is also a great time to figure out how many stitches you'll need in the beginning row of your afghan.


Next measure how many yards were in that swatch. You can use a yard wrap, measure with a measuring stick, or some crafters calculate yardage by weight. Now multiply that number by the estimated square footage in your blanket. Lastly, multiply that number by 1.20 to allow for 20% overage. That is about the amount of yarn you'll need to make your blanket, not including a border.


By considering these factors, you can get an accurate estimate of the amount of yarn needed for your crochet blanket. When in doubt, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and purchase a little more yarn than your calculations suggest. This will ensure you have enough to complete your project without running out.


To estimate the approximate amount of yarn needed for the whole project, next make a gauge swatch using the stitch combination you would like to use for your blanket. If you choose to use a few different stitches you'll need to duplicate the same process for each section and instead of measuring the total sizeof the blanket you'll need to measure each coordinating section.


Now that you have determined the size and yardage you'll need to crochet a basic baby blanket, let's talk about adjusting an already existing pattern.


Adjusting the Size of a Crochet Blanket Pattern

The pattern you’re following for your crochet blanket may have been made for a different size than you intended. Luckily, you can adjust the pattern — it just requires a little computation.


To adjust the pattern accordingly, you must use a stitch multiple. This is the common number of stitches between increases and decreases in your crochet pattern. Let's make a fun chunky blanket for example, if you are making a 36-inch wide blanket, and the stitch multiple for your pattern is 8 stitches, then you'll need to determine how many stitches measure in a common number. If 8 stitches is equal to 4 inches then the 36-inch blanket has about 9 repeat of 8 sts in the finished size.  

8 sts = 4 inches


36 inches ÷4 inches = 9 repeats


Once you calculate the number ofstitches to use, you can adjust the pattern accordingly. Let's makethis blanket 48-inches wide instead.


48 inches ÷4 inches = 12 repeats


8 sts =1 repeat


12 x 8 =96 sts. 

You may also need to adjust the number of rows depending on the size of your blanket. This can be done by dividing the height of your blanket by the row gauge of the pattern, which is usually given in stitches per inch.


For example, if want to make a blanket 60-inches in height and the row gauge for your pattern is 8 rows per 4-inches, then you would need to work 120 rows. Take a look at the math below:

8 rows per 4 inches


60 inches ÷ 4 inches = 15 repeats


8 rows x 15 repeats = 120 total rows

When adjusting a crochet blanket pattern, keep in mind that the size of your finished project may differ from what is specified in the pattern due to variations intension. To get the most accurate size, refer to the gauge in the pattern and measure gauge periodically while working your project.  

Do You Need Blanket Borders?

Blanket borders add an extra layer of protection against wear and tear, as well as provide decorative framing around your finished piece.


When deciding how wide you want your border to be, there are several factors to take into consideration.One is the thickness of your yarn, as thicker yarns will require a wider border to prevent curling or bunching at the edges.


Additionally, if your blanket pattern has any intricate stitch work, such as shells or popcorn stitches, you may want to create a wide enough border to ensure that the texture can be easily seen and enjoyed.


In addition to the size of your border, you will also want to consider what type of stitch or technique you want to use for it. Popular options include single crochet, half-double crochet, double crochet, and triple crochet. You can also try other stitches such as extended single and double crochets, bobbles, popcorn stitches, shells, and even reverse single crochet.

Free Crochet Blanket Patterns

Now that you knowhow to calculate the amount of yarn you need to finish a crochet blanket, you’re ready to endeavor your very own project. Here are some blanket patterns to help you get started: