Q&A for How to Crochet a Baby Blanket

It all depends on the size you want to make and the weight of the yarn. The thinner the yarn, the more you'll need just as you'll need more for a larger blanket. But consider this: on average, a baby blanket using worsted weight yarn will use approximately 1000 yards. You'll need more if you use DK, sock or laceweight and less if you use bulky. A receiving blanket, being smaller, will use less while a toddler blanket may need more. Always buy more than you need. You can usually return unused skeins or use the leftovers for smaller projects.

These instructions use the American version.

Crochet a swatch of about 20 stitches by maybe three rows. Then count the number of stitches it took to make an inch. The way I crocheted some preemie blankets, 32 stitches equals one foot across. You can figure by the number of stitches in an inch, if you prefer, but remember to add one stitch to your total (for turning). Thus, 3 x 32 = 96 stitches, + 1 = 97 chains. My preemie blanket was 21" square. My blanket/lap robe was 36" x 45".

This depends on what kind of stitch you are using, what size you want the blanket to be, and what yarn weight you are using. For a 36 by 36-inch blanket using single-crochet and worsted-weight yarn, you should make 150 chain stitches.

This depends on what type of bably blanket you want to make. A receiving blanket is 36 by 36 inches while a crib blanket is 36 by 54 inches.

All the instructions above are written out. Method 3 shows step-by-step instructions for making a basic single-crochet blanket. Method 4 shows a double crochet, and Method 5 shows you how to make a blanket using blanket squares.

This may be a little confusing at first, but all in all, I think this looks more like a dc than the ch3. You are going to ch1 (Instead of 3) and sc in the first stitch. Now the confusing part: You need to pick up a stitch from your sc. There is a V that makes up the bottom part of a sc, put your hook through the outer side (forward slash), yo and pull through. You should have two loops on your hook, yo and pull through both. There's your first stitch, and the top of it looks just like a dc.

The best way is to start with a gauge swatch. Using the yarn you want to use for the blanket, create an 8" or 9" square in the pattern you've chosen. Once it's completed, don't cut it, but mark the end somehow, then unravel (frog) it and measure the amount of yarn you used. Now you know how much yarn it takes to make your square, and can figure out how much you'll need to make a larger blanket. As long as you don't cut the yarn when the square is complete, you can use it again to make the larger blanket.

A receiving blanket is a 36 by 36-inch, multi-purpose blanket. You can use it as a burp cloth, a nursing cover, a changing mat, etc. It's small size makes it easy to store in a diaper bag or in the bottom of a stroller.

An easy way that I like to use for any situation is to diagonally fold the piece so that two opposing corners match up. If the result forms a perfect triangle, then the piece is probably a square. You can also measure two sides of a corner; if they are the same, then it is a square.

It can be either, depending on whether you make it long or short. If you want it to go from head to foot, make your chain that long or add a lot of rows.

Yes, chain about 60 chains for a nice sized baby blanket. When the blanket is finished it should be about 2 feet or chain until you reach 2 feet.

Use a 5 mm (US H/8) and 4 ply yarn for a 5 stitch per inch gauge. For 60" you will need to make 5 x 60 = 300 stitches. You may find that making a strip and joining the strips together will make for a less daunting project. Internet websites like the yarn companies offer free patterns for blankets if you want something to meet your level of expertise.

It depends on your gauge. I'm assuming the 85" is lengthwise, and you're crocheting it from bottom to top. If you crochet looser and use wide yarn, probably around 95-85 rows. If your gauge is tighter and you use thinner yarn, probably around 150-170 rows. And if you use sock weight yarn and tension your yarn with a death grip, probably 200-250 rows.

If you look up a pattern with a hood, you could find some ideas there. Or, you could look up a baby jacket, but just use the pattern for the hood. Then add the hood where you want it on the blanket.