Have you ever wanted to make a contribution to your family's home linen collection? One of the easiest ways to do this is to crochet. Projects go fast enough and the results become treasures for years to come. Let's start!
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Let's get started
Step 1. Choose your size
The size of the blanket depends on the purpose and the recipient. Here are some standard measures for blankets, measured in cm:
- Baby blanket: 90x90cm
- Baby blanket: 90x105cm
- Teenager blanket: 120x150cm
- Adult blanket: 125x175cm
- Cover: 90x120 cm
Step 2. Choose the yarn
The size and thickness of your blanket, as well as your knitting skills, can help you make this choice. If you're new to crochet, choose a smooth, light-colored (so you can see the stitches clearly), medium-sized yarn.
- Consider that you will need 3-4 skeins of yarn for a small blanket or a baby blanket. If you plan on making a bigger blanket, double the calculation.
- If you're not sure if you have enough yarn for your project, get an extra hank or two.
- If you buy yarn that is part of a specific shade of color, make sure the skeins have the same color number on the label. Otherwise your skeins may have a slightly different color.
Step 3. Choose a crochet hook
Crochet hooks range from 2.55mm to 19mm. Here's what you need to consider when choosing which one to use:
- The larger the crochet, the larger the stitch will be. Bigger spots are easier to see and mean you'll finish the blanket quicker. But you will use more yarn. The larger stitches are also slower and make the blanket lighter. If you want a particularly warm blanket, choose a smaller crochet hook so you can make tighter stitches.
- If you're new to crochet, choose a 10mm crochet hook or even larger. As you become more confident you can change it, using smaller and smaller ones.
Step 4. Pick a point
The stitch you choose affects the look and feel of your blanket. There is an infinite range of stitches to choose from and you can even improvise on the basic ones to create your own. This article highlights some easy patterns you can get started with.
Method 2 of 4: Simple Line Scheme
Step 1. Make the chain stitch across the width of the blanket
Keep the chain soft so that you have all the space you need to work inside the stitches later. Tip: Make your blanket points divisible by 5 or 10. It makes it easier to tell if you are inadvertently dropping or growing with each spin. Think about how many "extra" chains you will need. Depending on the type of stitch you are thinking of making, you will have a number of stitches that become part of the "round" when you change lines. For a single crochet it is a chain stitch; for a double crochet you need three.
Step 2. Turn and start the second line
As soon as you have finished chain stitching, turn the work so that you move from right to left along the chain stitch. To make a single crochet, insert the hook in the second buttonhole on the hook. To make a double crochet, insert the hook in the third.
Step 3. Continue crocheting each row until you have the length you want
You can count the stitches as you work, or you can stop every now and then and count the stitches of the row you just finished. Embellish it (optional). Working only on the far side of each ring (instead of through both) gives a nice movement when finished.
Step 4. Finished
Method 3 of 4: Grandma's squares
Step 1. Begin crocheting granny squares
Keep working until you have enough to complete your blanket. Play with colors and combinations. You can make the squares in solid colors or alternate the colors in each section. Go one step further and combine the opposite colors in the different squares.
Step 2. Sew the squares together
Sew the squares into rows with a slip stitch and then, with the same stitch, sew the rows together. Crochet a border around the blanket (optional). If you want, you can add a border around the squares to give the blanket a more finished look.
Step 3. Finished
Method 4 of 4: Zig-Zag stripes
Step 1. Make vertical zigzag lines
- Chain the base row in multiples of 12 + 2
- Row 1: sc 2 in the 2nd ch, then * sc 5, skip 1 ch, sc 5, sc 3 in the next ch. Repeat from * up to the last 12 ch. Then 5 sc, skip 1 ch, 5 sc, 2 sc in the last ch, 1 ch and turn.
- Row 2: 2 sc in the 2nd ch, then * 5 sc, skip 2 ch, 5 sc, 3 sc in the next ch. repeat from * up to the last 12 cat. 5 sc, skip 2 ch, 5 sc, 2 sc in the last ch, 1 ch and turn. Repeat row 2 until you have the desired length.
Step 2. Make horizontal zigzag lines
Use the same steps as the vertical zigzag lines apart that you will only work in the loop behind each stitch. This method will give the horizontal zigzag effect that gives your project thickness.
