40+ Free Crochet Blanket and Afghan Patterns

Welcome to the mecca of modern free crochet blanket patterns! This thoughtfully organized guide introduces you to our dozens of throw blankets, quick afghans, easy baby blankets and c2c crochet graphgans.

You'll also learn how to choose the right blanket or afghan for your skill level, what supplies you'll need, and which crochet stitches are best for blankets.

This guide to crochet blanket patterns contains affiliate links.

Free Crochet Blanket Patterns

In this ultimate guide to free crochet blanket patterns you will learn:

• How to choose the right afghan pattern for your skill level
• 8 types of crochet blankets you can start today
• Beginner blanket tips for your first project
• Supplies needed for your blanket
• How to use unique crochet stitches to design your own blanket pattern

Crocheting a Blanket for Absolute Beginners

No matter your skill level, we've got a free crochet blanket pattern for you!

But if you are just learning how to crochet–like, as you read this–my best suggestion would be to skip all these patterns at first. Instead, choose a chunky yarn you like and pair it with the hook size on the label for your very first blanket crochet project.

Start Simple

An example blanket combo for beginner crocheters might be picking up some Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick and a size N crochet hook. Then crochet a small square or rectangular blanket in half double crochet or double crochet stitches.

The point here is not to create the best crochet blanket of all time, but rather to practice your stitch tension on a low stakes project. Once your stitches are fairly even, you can move right on to more advanced-beginner level patterns and concepts.

Many of the crochet blanket patterns in the collection below will be perfect for expanding your skills!

Recommended Supplies for Crochet Blankets

Many of us choose blankets as our first beginner crochet pattern because they are quite easy to source supplies for. I still remember standing in Walmart picking out giant skeins of orange economy yarn as a ten-year-old planning the coolest crochet blanket EVER. Ha.

Soft Blanket Yarn

For most crochet projects choosing the right yarn is very important. Read the pattern to see which yarn is suggested. That is always a good place to start. Yarnsub.com can be really helpful in sourcing a suitable replacement if the yarn a pattern calls for isn't available to you.

While many types of yarn can be used to crochet a blanket, some work better than others. If you are designing your next afghan project yourself instead of following a pattern, here's a brief summary of why you might want to choose one yarn weight over another.

Worsted Weight Yarn (Category 4)

This weight of yarn can be a really nice balance between making fast progress on large projects while note sacrificing drape. And if you live a warmer climate, worsted weight yarn can make for a great blanket to keep in the living room that won't make you sweat if you decide to use it.

Chunky / Bulky Weight Yarn (Categories 5, 7, 8)

If you are looking to create a blanket in the afternoon or weekend, look for patterns that use chunky/super chunky yarn. Thicker yarn is also perfect for crocheting a cozy blanket that has the giant squishy stitches that are on-trend right now. You will sacrifice a bit of drape when using a thick yarn, but often that doesn't make the biggest difference in crochet afghans.

Crochet Hooks for Blankets

A crochet blanket is a relatively large project. This means you'll be holding the hook for long periods of time. Be sure to find a crochet hook that will be comfortable to hold. 

Some of my favorite inexpensive, yet very comfortable hooks can be found at Hobby Lobby.

TIP: Be mindful of your posture and take stretching breaks if you're working on a crochet blanket pattern for long periods. Your shoulders and back will thank you!

Blocking Supplies

Crochet blocking is a process where steam is applied to crochet fabric to allow the stitches to become more even and uniform. 

Blocking is generally optional for blankets. However, seaming together any smaller blanket pieces like granny square or hexagons will be easier if they are first blocked. 

You will need the following supplies to block your crochet pieces: 

• Blocking board - or create a blocking board yourself
• Steamer - a spray bottle can also work
• T-pins

Choosing a Crochet Blanket Size

Many patterns will give you instructions on how to adjust the blanket or afghan size. Typically the blanket width is modified by changing the the number of stitches in your foundation chain. The blanket height is then modified by changing the number of rows crocheted.

Modifying Given Pattern Measurements

Therefore, to adapt the size of a crochet afghan, you will usually need to know something called the stitch multiple. This simply means how many stitches you need in the foundation chain for one repeat of the pattern, plus how many extra stitches you need to add to the foundation chain to accommodate the turning chain.

For Example: If a pattern said the stitch multiple was 10 + 3, you could use any multiple of 10 stitches (20, 50, 100) and then add 3 stitches the foundation chain (23, 53, 103 total chains).

Not every crochet blanket pattern you come across will include notes on the stitch multiple, but it is definitely helpful when they do.

Common Blanket + Afghan Sizes

Here is a guide to the most common crocheted blanket sizes. (Keep in mind these are general guidelines and many crochet blankets will fall somewhere between these measurements.)

Afghan + Blanket Patterns for All Skill Levels

Alright, let's dive into our favorite free crochet blanket patterns. You'll find this collection of patterns organized by blanket or afghan type, but many of these patterns fit into more than one category. Enjoy!

Easy Crochet Blanket Patterns for Beginners

If you're fairly new to crochet, you might be wondering – can a beginner crochet a blanket? My answer is an enthusiastic yes! As a beginner crocheter, you can complete your first blanket using simple stitches and easy-row repeats.

Here are three basic types of crochet blanket patterns for beginners to try out:

• baby blankets - they’re generally a smaller project
• granny square blankets - they can often be worked in smaller, portable pieces
• chunky blankets - they tend to be fast projects to crochet

The following crochet blanket patterns for beginners make for relaxing crochet projects for experienced crocheters as well.

See all our free beginner crochet blanket patterns →

Unique Crochet Blankets

If you're looking for a beautiful crochet blanket pattern that offers a little something different, you'll love these free patterns. Each either uses creative construction or techniques to create a true show-stopper of a crochet blanket.

See all our free unique crochet blanket patterns →

C2C Crochet Blanket Patterns

Corner to corner (C2C) crochet blanket pattern may seem difficult at first. But once you learn the basics of how to C2C crochet, you'll understand the endless possibilities of this technique.

Fair warning though, you may even find that you get so into C2C crochet that you want to learn how to design your own corner to corner crochet graph patterns!

More Free C2C Crochet Patterns

Crochet Christmas Afghan Patterns

Many of us are willing to invest extra time and energy into Christmas crochet patterns because we know they'll bring joy for seasons to come. The following Christmas blanket patterns are perfect for making your next heirloom.

My family looks forward to pulling out each of these holiday blankets every December!

Chunky Crochet Afghan Patterns

Chunky crochet blankets are perfect for beginners or for those that want to finish an entire crochet blanket pattern in a weekend.

Many people love crocheting blankets with bulky yarn because they can often be finished in a matter of hours! Plus, they often use simple stitches and easy row repeats.

See all our free chunky crochet blanket patterns →

See all our free crochet throw blanket patterns →

Granny Stripes + Granny Squares Blanket Patterns

There are very few crochet motifs quite as iconic as the almighty granny square. Many crocheters love granny square blanket patterns because they can be built in small portable sections. If you do find yourself with a pile of squares, be sure to learn how to join crochet granny squares as you go to avoid extra seaming.

TIP: Granny stripe and granny square projects can be an excellent way to use up leftover scrap yarn.

Free Crochet Baby Blanket Patterns

Learning about a new pregnancy is often what sends us searching for the perfect baby blanket to crochet.

Baby blanket patterns don't have to be reserved for newborns and baby showers though. These smaller blanket patterns often work perfectly as adult lapgans and afghans for toddlers and older kids.

See all our free beginner crochet blanket patterns →

What is the Best Crochet Stitch for a Blanket?

Almost any crochet stitch can be used to create a blanket, depending on how cozy or airy you want the blanket to feel. Pairing a chunky yarn with a single or double crochet stitch can be a ideal crochet blanket project for beginners.

For intermediate crocheters, consider creating a blanket using Tunisian crochet. It creates a dense, cozy blanket and has a simple row repeat.

RELATED: 16 Tunisian Crochet Stitches

Basic Crochet Stitches

Here are a few basic stitches used in blankets and afghans:

Note: These are US terms for crochet.

Single Crochet (sc) 

Single grochet stitches create a dense, cozy fabric. However, a single crochet blanket will take longer to create. Single crochet is often used for classic crochet ripple blanket patterns.

Half Double Crochet

Half double crochet stitches are slightly taller than a single crochet but not as tall as a double crochet stitch. This is a great stitch for creating a ribbed knit look with crochet. 

Double Crochet

Double crochet (dc) stitches are taller, and therefore faster than both half-double crochet and single crochet. This stitch can be a fantastic workhorse crochet blanket stitch that’s slightly more open than the shorter, denser options.

Any combination of these three basic stitches can create a beautiful beginner crochet blanket. 

Design a Blanket with Unique Crochet Stitches

Looking to create a crochet blanket design that's all your own? Consider these unique crochet stitches for your next blanket or afghan pattern. We've chosen these specifically because they work well for blankets. Each of theses stitches includes a tutorial as well.

Best Tips for Crocheting Blankets + Afghans

You'll pick up many tips and techniques the more blankets you crochet. Here are a few of my favorite suggestions for crocheting an afghan you're proud of.

Block Your Pieces Before Joining

If you're crocheting a blanket pattern that is built from smaller pieces, it is extremely helpful to block these individual motifs before joining them together.

One of the most important reasons to block your crochet blanket pieces is to ensure each motif is the same size. Whether you join the pieces with crocheting or with invisible seams, blocking them will make your final blanket "puzzle" fit together much better.

Finish Your Blanket with a Border

Many crochet afghans look good enough without a border. But I tend to find that adding a simple edging makes a big different to how polished the finished blanket looks.

My absolute favorite simple crochet blanket border is the crab stitch (AKA reverse single crochet). We use this often on our corner to corner blankets and any other patterns where we don't want the border to detract from the main focus of the crochet blanket.

What to Look for In a Crochet Afghan Pattern

A crochet blanket or afghan is a large project that can take several hours or days to create. Before you begin, you'll want to read through the entire pattern.

Looking closely at these elements in a pattern will help you pick a project that is suitable for your skill. The following details are things to take note of when reading through a crochet blanket pattern.

Skill Level

Choosing a pattern that matches your skill level will make the process of crocheting a blanket fun and enjoyable. An afghan pattern with basic crochet stitches and simple row repeats will be easier and faster to complete.

Look at the type of stitches used in the pattern and ask yourself:

• Is the stitch pattern common or does the pattern use complex or unique stitches? 
  
• Can I easily memorize the pattern repeats (aka will you repeat the same 1-2 rows over and over or will you have to learn a new row instruction often)?
  
• Does the pattern require counting throughout?
  
• Will there be seaming needed to join pieces at the end?

Color Changes

A colorful blanket is very beautiful once complete. However, there can be more work involved depending on how the colors are used . 

Look at how colorwork is handled in the pattern. How many color changes are there? Do the color changes happen at the end of the row (easier) or mid-row (slightly harder). Perhaps the blanket uses a two color crochet stitch, in which case you'll have more yarn to wrangle, but likely not have to cut it at the end of each row.

Techniques like mosaic crochet and corner-to-corner crochet graphgans create the most stunning blankets. Although they often include more yarn wrangling because of the number different colors involved.

Prefer to avoid the extra work of changing colors, but still love the look of colorful crochet blankets? (Me too!) Lion Brand Yarn Mandala crochet patterns can be a perfect solution.

RELATED: How to plan your dream temperature blanket project

Yarn Tails to Weave In

Do you dislike weaving in many ends at the end of a project? 

Fewer color changes and less intricate designs usually mean fewer ends to weave in. If you really want to minimize any finishing work, choose an easy blanket pattern that can be worked in a single color.

Portable vs Seamless

The wonderful thing about a crochet blanket is that it can be created as a single large piece or in smaller pieces and joined at the end. 

A blanket that is created in motifs (aka pieces) is more portable. You can work on a small section anywhere, at any time. 

However, a crochet blanket pattern worked in pieces will likely need to be blocked and joined together with crochet or sewing.

That was so fun! Now what?

Invitation to our Facebook group

Come discuss crocheting blanket patterns and lots of other crochet projects and techniques in our Make & Do Crew Facebook group. Here thousands of helpful crocheters answer each others questions and share their stitches. Come join us here.