How Much Yarn to Crochet a Blanket? Your Ultimate Guide (+ Chart)

ByEmila Lorein

How Much Yarn to Crochet a Blanket? Your Ultimate Guide (+ Chart)

There’s nothing quite like the cozy ambition of starting a new crochet blanket. You’ve picked a beautiful pattern, you’re dreaming of the colors, but then the big, looming question hits every crafter: how much yarn do you need to crochet a blanket?

Running out of yarn mid-project is a crocheter’s nightmare, while overbuying can leave your stash overflowing and your wallet empty. Don’t worry! We’re here to demystify the process. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know, from standard blanket sizes to a handy yarn estimation chart, so you can buy your yarn with confidence and get straight to the fun part: crocheting!

Whether you’re making a tiny baby lovey or a massive king-sized bedspread, this guide will be your go-to resource.

First Things First: What Size Crochet Blanket Are You Making?

Before you can figure out your yarn needs, you need a destination. The size of your blanket is the single most important factor in determining yarn quantity. There’s no single “correct” size; it all depends on its purpose.

Are you crafting a sweet baby blanket for a newborn? A cozy lapghan for chilly evenings on the couch? Or a full-sized afghan to drape over a bed? The perfect size is the one that fits your needs.

Here are the most common crochet blanket dimensions to help you decide:

Common Blanket Sizes Chart

  • Baby Blankets:
    • Receiving Blanket: Approx. 30″ x 30″ to 36″ x 36″
    • Standard Baby Blanket: Approx. 30″ x 40″ to 36″ x 48″
  • Lapghans and Throws:
    • Lap Blanket (Lapghan): Approx. 36″ x 48″ to 40″ x 60″ (Perfect for wheelchairs or curling up in a chair).
    • Standard Throw: Approx. 50″ x 60″ to 54″ x 72″ (The classic couch blanket).
  • Bed Blankets (sized to mattresses):
    • Twin Size: Approx. 66″ x 90″
    • Full/Double Size: Approx. 80″ x 90″
    • Queen Size: Approx. 90″ x 90″
    • King Size: Approx. 108″ x 90″

Remember, these are just guidelines! The beauty of crochet is that you can customize your project to any size you desire.

Choosing Your Weapon: The Best Yarn for Your Blanket

The type of yarn you choose dramatically affects not only the look and feel of your blanket but also how much of it you’ll need. Let’s look at the two key factors: yarn weight and fiber.

What’s the Best Yarn Weight for a Crochet Blanket?

Yarn weight refers to the thickness of the yarn strand. Thicker yarns work up faster but create a heavier, bulkier fabric. Thinner yarns create lightweight blankets with beautiful drape but require more time. Need a refresher? Check out our complete guide to yarn weights!

  • Worsted Weight (Medium #4): The champion of versatility! Worsted weight yarn is the most popular choice for blankets. It offers a perfect balance of warmth, drape, and speed.
  • Bulky Weight (#5): Want a cozy, squishy blanket that works up fast? Bulky yarn is your best friend. It’s excellent for warm throws and projects on a deadline, like this chunky crochet blanket pattern.
  • Super Bulky Weight (#6): For the ultimate in speed and warmth, grab a super bulky yarn. These create incredibly plush, heavy blankets that are perfect for snuggling in cold climates.
  • DK, Sport, or Fingering Weight (#1-#3): Lighter yarns like DK (Double Knitting) or fingering weight are best for delicate, lightweight, and intricate blankets. They take more time but the results can be stunning.

What’s the Best Yarn Fiber for a Crochet Blanket?

The material of your yarn determines its softness, warmth, and care instructions. Learn all about the different options in our guide to yarn types and fibers.

  • Acrylic: Affordable, durable, machine washable, and available in every color imaginable. It’s a fantastic, low-maintenance choice for blankets that will see a lot of use.
  • Merino Wool: Incredibly soft, warm, and breathable. Merino creates a luxurious, high-quality blanket that feels amazing against the skin.
  • Cotton: A great choice for warmer climates or baby blankets. Cotton is breathable, hypoallergenic, and gets softer with every wash.
  • Blends (Acrylic/Wool): Get the best of both worlds! Blends offer the warmth and softness of wool with the easy care and affordability of acrylic.

The Main Event: How to Calculate Yarn for a Crochet Blanket

Ready to do a little math? Don’t worry, it’s easy! The most accurate way to figure out how much yarn to crochet a blanket is to use a gauge swatch. This little square is your secret weapon for project success.

A gauge swatch is a small sample (usually 4×4 inches) you make with your chosen yarn, hook, and stitch pattern. It tells you exactly how many stitches and rows you make per inch. This is crucial because everyone crochets with slightly different tension.

Step 1: Make a Gauge Swatch

Using your chosen yarn and hook, crochet a square that’s at least 4×4 inches using the main stitch of your blanket (e.g., single crochet, double crochet, or the stitch pattern from your chosen crochet blanket pattern). You can find tutorials for all the basic stitches in our Crochet Stitch Library.

Step 2: Measure Your Gauge

Lay your swatch flat and use a ruler to count how many stitches fit into 4 inches, and how many rows fit into 4 inches. Divide each number by 4 to get your stitches-per-inch and rows-per-inch.

Step 3: Calculate Your Total Yardage

Once you know your blanket’s dimensions and your gauge, you can calculate the total yardage. You’ll also need to know the yardage per skein of your yarn (you can find this on the yarn label—learn how to read one here!).

Here’s an example: Let’s say you’re making a 50″ x 60″ throw.

  • Your gauge is 4 stitches and 3 rows per inch.
  • The yarn you want has 220 yards per skein.

Calculation:

  1. Total Stitches: (Width x Stitches per inch) = 50 x 4 = 200 stitches per row.
  2. Total Rows: (Length x Rows per inch) = 60 x 3 = 180 rows.
  3. Total Stitches in Blanket: (Total Stitches x Total Rows) = 200 x 180 = 36,000 stitches.
  4. Stitches per Skein: (Gauge swatch stitches) x (Yards per skein / Yards in swatch). This is complex, so we’ll use a simpler estimation below. For a more accurate project, a digital yarn calculator is a great tool.

A simpler formula for estimation is (Blanket Area in sq. inches / Swatch Area in sq. inches) x Yards used for Swatch. But for most, a reliable chart is the easiest way to go!

Crochet Blanket Yarn Chart: A Quick Estimator

If math isn’t your thing, here’s a handy chart with approximate yardage needed for different blanket sizes and yarn weights. Pro Tip: Always buy an extra 10-15% more yarn than you think you need to be safe! This covers you for gauge variations, weaving in ends, or adding a border.

Yardage is an estimate. It can change based on hook size, stitch density (a lacy stitch uses less yarn than a dense one), and your personal tension.

Worsted Weight Yarn (#4)

  • Baby Blanket (30″x40″): 1,000 – 1,200 yards
  • Throw (50″x60″): 2,500 – 3,000 yards
  • Twin (66″x90″): 4,500 – 5,000 yards
  • Queen (90″x90″): 6,500 – 7,000 yards

Bulky Weight Yarn (#5)

  • Baby Blanket (30″x40″): 800 – 1,000 yards
  • Throw (50″x60″): 1,800 – 2,200 yards
  • Twin (66″x90″): 3,000 – 3,500 yards
  • Queen (90″x90″): 4,000 – 4,500 yards

Super Bulky Weight Yarn (#6)

  • Baby Blanket (30″x40″): 600 – 800 yards
  • Throw (50″x60″): 1,200 – 1,500 yards
  • Twin (66″x90″): 2,000 – 2,500 yards
  • Queen (90″x90″): 3,000 – 3,500 yards

Ready to Start? Get Inspired with These Patterns!

Now that you know how much yarn to buy, it’s time to pick your next project! Explore our collection of beautiful and free crochet patterns to find your perfect match.

With this knowledge, you’re ready to tackle any blanket project with confidence. Happy Crocheting!

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