midnight diamond tapestry crochet squares

Crochet Blankets

The Blanket
Resource Hub

Over years of designing and teaching people to make crochet blankets — from simple beginner projects to detailed tapestry colourwork — I’ve written extensively about sizing, stitch choices, yarn behaviour, construction methods, and how to fix common problems. Dip in wherever it’s useful. Whether you’re planning your first blanket or refining an advanced technique, you should find clear, practical guidance without feeling overwhelmed.

super stars crochet hexagon blanket

Jora tapestry crochet blanket -- geometric design in cream and ochre
The Craft

Stitches & Techniques

Stitch choice has a bigger effect on a blanket than on almost any other crochet project. It affects nearly every aspect of a blanket’s character: the drape, the weight, the texture, and how it feels in use. For tapestry crochet, stitch choice affects how clearly the colour pattern reads and what types of patterns you can create. The techniques you use matter just as much: starting well, joining yarn neatly, and changing colours cleanly all have a significant impact on the finished result, especially across larger blankets. The guides below cover stitch selection, starting methods, yarn joins, colour changes, and border options — all techniques I use regularly when designing and making my own blankets.

Stitch Choice

Joining & Finishing

Materials

Choosing Yarn

Yarn choice shapes everything about a blanket — how it feels, how it behaves during making, how it washes, and how it looks in use. I’ve made blankets in everything from 4ply to several strands of DK held together, and the fibre and weight I reach for varies considerably depending on what type of blanket I’m hoping to create. Cotton and bamboo give clean stitch definition and a lighter feel. Wool and alpaca bring warmth and softness. A good acrylic or wool blend offers durability and easy care — baby blankets need softness and washability above everything else. Tapestry crochet reads very differently in a smooth yarn versus a textured one. The guides below cover yarn weight, fibre choice, and colour — the three main factors to consider when selecting yarn for any blanket proejct.

scrappy canal boat crochet blanket

Planning

Sizes, Yarn Amounts & Hook Choice

The two questions I’m asked most often about blanket making are: how big should it be, and how much yarn do I need? The honest answer to both is that it depends — but there are useful starting points for each. On size, there are widely accepted standard dimensions for different blanket types, though the right size is ultimately the one that works for your project, your recipient, and how the blanket will be used. On determining yarn quantities, crocheting a small sample and scaling up is a reliable method, and the guides below walk you through that process step by step. Hook choice is worth settling early too — working a sample lets you compare how different hook sizes affect the stitch definition and drape before you commit to a full blanket.

woodland ripple crochet blanket
Troubleshooting

Fixing Common Problems

Most blanket problems come down to a small set of root causes: inconsistent tension, accidentally adding or losing stitches, especially at the edges, or an unintentional hook change mid-project. The difficulty is that these issues compound quietly — a blanket that’s gaining or losing a stitch every few rows looks fine for the first 30 rows and then, suddenly, unmistakably wrong.

These are mistakes I made myself when I was first learning, and working through them is part of how you develop an eye for your own crochet. What I’ve found, and what I try to pass on, is that a problem with a clear cause almost always has a clear fix — and most of the time that fix doesn’t mean starting again. Crochet is more forgiving than it can feel in the moment.

The guides below cover the issues that come up most consistently, with practical explanations of why they happen, what to do when they do, and some tips about how to avoid them next time.

Longevity

Caring for Your Blanket

A blanket that has taken weeks to make deserves proper care, and the rules are simpler than most people expect. The key variable is fibre: wool needs cool water and gentle handling to avoid felting, while acrylic and cotton yarns tolerate a machine wash. When in doubt, hand wash and lay flat to dry. If your blanket is wool, store it with something moth-repellent – lavender or cedar work well.

That said, crochet blankets are made to be used. Most are robust enough for everyday life, so drape them over sofas, use them on beds, take them on journeys. The guide below covers care in more detail.

Getting Started

Confidence & FAQs

If you’re feeling unsure about starting — or wondering whether a blanket is really within reach — these posts are for you. Honest answers to the questions most makers ask quietly.

geometric tapestry crochet blanket

The Collection

Pattern Inspiration

All Patterns

Curated collections to help you find your next project — organised by yarn weight, style, and skill level.

For Beginners

By Yarn Weight

By Style

Tapestry & Colourwork

By Season

Easy moss stitch crochet blanket -- free crochet blanket pattern by Catherine Crochets
Free Patterns

Free Crochet Blanket Patterns

Two complete, beginner-friendly blanket patterns with full step-by-step video tutorials from start to finish — available at no cost.

Browse All Patterns

Catherine Noronha -- crochet designer and teacher
The designer behind the blankets

About Catherine

I’m Catherine, the designer behind Catherine Crochets. I specialise in crochet blankets, with a particular love for tapestry crochet, colourwork and considered design.

I design all of my own patterns from concept through to final sample. I teach the techniques I use through both video and written tutorials and I also run occasional in-person workshops locally.

My aim is to help you build real confidence with your crochet — learning not just what to do, but why each step works the way it does.

— Catherine

↑

© 2023 Catherine crochets