Welcome to the ultimate guide to crochet stitches for blankets. This list of unique blanket stitches will give you the inspiration you need to start a new project.
You’ll also learn what makes a stitch blanket worthy and how to combine different crochet stitches into a sampler afghan.
Simple Crochet Stitches for Blankets
In general, crochet blankets can be good projects for beginners. Making a blanket can be soothing and meditative with the right stitch pattern.
But if your pattern is too complicated, you may struggle to keep track of repeated rows and get frustrated when your complex stitches don’t look like the ones in the video tutorials.
Remember, simple doesn’t have to mean boring. The stitches on this list will give your blanket density, texture, and style.
Why You’ll Love These Blanket Stitches
40 Best Crochet Stitches for Blankets and Afghans
Whether you’re looking for a cool stitch to try or you want to design a blanket with various stitches, you’ve come to the right place!
Easy Blanket Stitches
These stitches are perfect for beginners learning how to crochet their first blanket. They’re easy to grasp but produce a satisfying texture and look. You can also use them in smaller projects, like baby blankets or granny squares, before you start a bigger project.
Corner to Corner Crochet
This is a cool way to make a blanket, and it can also help you to construct your own blankets with designs in them – also known as graphgans.
Blanket Stitch
Griddle Stitch
Shell Stitch
Moss Stitch
Be aware, it grows more slowly than others on this list, but it’s gorgeous when used in striped projects. The moss stitch is also a favorite for temperature blanket patterns.
Related: How to Design a Temperature Blanket + 25 Free Patterns
Wattle Stitch
Braided Crochet Stitch
Suzette Stitch
Related: Check out this bag I made using the Suzette stitch!
Boxed Block Stitch
Lemon Peel Stitch
Side Saddle Stitch
Tulip Stitch
Granny Cluster Stitch
What I love about this stitch pattern it that it allows for plenty of color variation to create a vibrant baby blanket in no time. Try using self-striping yarn to eliminate the need to weave in lots of ends.
Finger Knitting
Cool Stitches for Blankets
Looking for a totally unique stitch for your next project? These cool stitches will make any blanket or afghan look fantastic. Follow along with the tutorials and learn how to make something fresh and fun.
Larksfoot Stitch
Related: Scrap Yarn Crochet Blanket Patterns
Picot Stitch
Harlequin Stitch
Granny Stripe Stitch
Cluster V-Stitch
Arcade Stitch
Jasmine Star Stitch
Related: Double-Thick Pot Holder
Ripple Afghan Stitches
A rippling zigzag pattern can liven up any blanket, and it’s one of the most classic crochet motifs. These simple ripple stitches add color and energy to your projects.
Zigzag Stitch
Chevron Stitch
Textured Stitches for Afghans
The texture and feel of a blanket can be just as important as how it looks. That’s where these stitch patterns come in. Each stitch works up into an afghan that looks as incredible as it feels.
Basket Weave Stitch
Herringbone Double Crochet
Pretty Pebbles Stitch
Alpine Stitch
Textured Wave Stitch
Half Double Crochet Clusters
Diamond Stitch
Lotus Stitch
Berry Bobble Stitch
Related: 27+ Best Crochet Hat Patterns for Winter
Cluster Stitch
Grit Stitch
Trinity Stitch
Feather Stitch
Tunisian Crochet Stitches
Tunisian crochet blends crochet with knitting, keeping all your stitches on the crochet hook as you work. It also produces a dense, sturdy fabric that’s perfect for cozy afghans. Try these stitches on washcloths or dish towels to get the hang of them on a smaller project if you’d like.
Tunisian Crochet Simple Stitch
Woven Tunisian Stitch
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Tunisian Brick Stitch
What’s the Best Stitch for a Blanket?
Here are some things to consider when choosing a blanket stitch.
Simplicity
Can you remember the stitches while you work, or will you risk losing your place?
Stitches that are easy to memorize make an afghan more meditative and soothing to work on. For the easiest version, look for stitches with one or two rows in the stitch repeat.
Density
Will your project be cozy, or will it be too mesh-like and airy?
The best blanket stitches tend to be “closed,” meaning there are no large gaps between the stitches.
Color Work
Will you need to spend much time weaving in ends, or is there a workaround?
Sometimes you can use a self-striping yarn to create a colorful striped blanket without fastening off each color. For example, these patterns use Lion Brand Mandala yarn and a beautiful stitch to create surprisingly simple designs:
Stitch Multiples
A stitch multiple refers to the number of stitches required to complete a pattern repeat.
For example, if a pattern says to chain a multiple of 6 plus 2, this means that you’ll chain any number of stitches that is a multiple of 6, and then add 2 additional chains. The multiple of 6 is the stitch multiple, while the additional 2 chains allow for the turning chain in the foundation row.
When combining different stitches into a blanket design, paying attention to the stitch multiple is even more important. Choosing stitches with the same multiple will eliminate hassle as you build your blanket.
More Tutorials for Designing Afghans
If you like the idea of designing your perfect blanket project, here are some tutorials you won’t want to miss.
How to Use These Stitch Patterns
Combining these stitches into a blanket is easier than you might think.
- First, make a gauge swatch using your stitch, yarn, and hook of choice. This will help you determine the number of stitches per inch of your blanket. From there, you can work out how many stitches you’ll need to make a blanket that’s as wide as you need it to be.
- Remember, some stitches have a specific multiple you must follow for the foundation chain. You may not be able to nail a precise width measurement, so try to aim for an ideal range of blanket widths instead.
- You can also use your gauge swatch to decide the length of your blanket. But adding more rows as you work is much easier than adding more stitches per row. You can always keep adding rows until you’re happy with your blanket’s length.
Here is a video tutorial that covers how to design a crochet blanket pattern, including calculating the measurements.
Combining Different Crochet Stitches in One Blanket
A sampler-style blanket is a fantastic way to combine several different crochet stitches into one beautiful project. But how do you make all those stitch patterns work together? Here are two straightforward strategies:
Work in rows. Choose stitches with the same multiple so you can move between them easily as you add more rows. Our sampler afghan is a great example of this.
Work in squares. Alternatively, you can make a range of individual afghan squares using different stitches. As long as the squares have the same measurements, you can easily join them together.
The traveling afghan square is an example of a motif that became part of a larger design.
Joining Crochet Pieces
There are many ways to join individual blanket squares, hexagons, or other shapes.
How Big Does My Blanket Need to Be?
You can make your blanket as large or as small as you want. Here are some common crochet blanket sizes.
| Blanket Size | Dimensions (in) | Dimensions (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Baby | 42 x 52 | 107 x 132 cm |
| Throw | 52 x 60 | 132 x 152 cm |
| Twin | 66 x 90 | 168 x 229 cm |
| Full/double | 80 x 90 | 203 x 229 cm |
| Queen | 90 x 100 | 229 x 254 cm |
| King | 108 x 100 | 274 x 254 cm |
What Kind of Yarn Do I Need?
When designing your project, it’s worth thinking carefully about the type of blanket you want to make.
Here’s a guide to the different yarn weights commonly used to make blankets:
| Blanket consideration | Medium/worsted weight | Chunky/bulky weight |
|---|---|---|
| Advantages | Makes a blanket with plenty of drape Your blanket won’t be too heavy | Works up quickly Creates a warm, cozy blanket |
| Disadvantages | Works up more slowly than chunkier yarn | Your blanket may lose some drape |
| Recommendations | Lion Brand Pound of Love Lion Brand Heartland | Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Hue + Me |
Is It Better to Knit or Crochet a Blanket?
Knitting and crocheting are similar skills, but they aren’t the same. If you prefer one approach over the other, then that’s the best way to approach making a blanket.
Here are some points to keep in mind as you decide:
- Crochet blankets grow faster, but also use more yarn
- Knit blankets usually need to be made with circular needles, or composed of smaller pieces that you join at the end
How Long Does it Take to Crochet an Afghan?
The exact time to crochet a blanket depends on your level of experience, the size of your project, and the complexity of the pattern you’re using. By using easy stitches and chunky yarn, you can finish in as little as 4.5 hours! Here are a few of our fastest blanket patterns:
- Presto Blanket – about 4.5 hours
- One Day Blanket Pattern – about 8 hours
- Sedona Fringed Throw – about 7 hours
- Bungalow Chunky Blanket – about 8-12 hours
- Done in a Weekend Baby Blanket – about 10-12 hours
Choose Your Next Blanket to Make
If you love crocheting afghans, we’ve got enough designs to keep your hands busy for the rest of time.
That was so fun! Now what?
Invitation to our Facebook group
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Bobbie says
As a long time knitter only, you have inspired me so very much to crochet and I love learning how. Thank you for all your help and encouragement !!
Jeanine says
Can you help me out on a stitch please I’m doing the all American flag and I need help wstripes
Duchess says
Looks like fun stitches! I’m going to try these out while listening to the playoffs (no TV). Go Cowboys!