Crochet Blanket Size Calculator: Yarn Estimates for Baby to King Size

Blankets are among the most popular โ€” and most yarn-intensive โ€” crochet projects. A lovey blanket for a newborn might require just 50 yards of yarn, while a king-size bedspread can consume over 3,700 yards, representing a significant investment of both money and hours. Our blanket size calculator helps you plan accurately by providing instant yarn estimates for nine standard blanket sizes (from lovey to king) or any custom dimensions you enter.

Crocheted blankets are treasured gifts and beloved home accessories, but without proper planning, they can quickly become overwhelming projects. Knowing your yarn requirements upfront lets you budget accurately, purchase all skeins from the same dye lot (critical for color consistency), and create a realistic timeline for completion. A queen-size blanket in worsted weight might require 15 skeins and 80+ hours of crocheting โ€” information that's much better to have before you start than halfway through.

Yarn weight plays a dramatic role in blanket yardage. Thicker yarns like bulky and super bulky cover more area per yard, meaning fewer total yards needed (though bulkier skeins also contain fewer yards). Finer yarns like DK and sport create lighter, more drapey blankets but require significantly more yardage. Our calculator factors in yarn weight to give you tailored estimates, along with the recommended hook size for your chosen weight based on Craft Yarn Council guidelines.

For a comprehensive guide to blanket dimensions, stitch pattern recommendations, and edge finishing techniques, see our crochet blanket size guide. For precise yardage based on your personal gauge, use our yarn yardage calculator with your actual gauge swatch measurements.

Calculate Blanket Yarn Requirements

Your Blanket Yarn Estimate

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Dimensions
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Yards Needed
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Meters Needed
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Skeins (~220 yd)
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With 15% Buffer
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Recommended Hook
๐Ÿ’ก Pro Tip: These estimates assume basic stitch patterns (sc, dc, hdc). Textured stitches like bobbles and cables use 15โ€“30% more yarn. If adding a border, budget an extra 5โ€“15% on top of the buffer. Purchase all skeins from the same dye lot for consistent color.

Standard Crochet Blanket Size Reference Chart

Size Inches Centimeters Worsted Yards Skeins (~220 yd)
Lovey 12ร—12 30ร—30 50 1
Baby 30ร—36 76ร—91 378 2
Stroller 30ร—40 76ร—102 420 2
Toddler 42ร—52 107ร—132 764 4
Throw 50ร—60 127ร—152 1,050 5
Twin 66ร—90 168ร—229 2,079 10
Full 80ร—90 203ร—229 2,520 12
Queen 90ร—100 229ร—254 3,150 15
King 108ร—100 274ร—254 3,780 18

Best Crochet Stitch Patterns for Blankets

Not all stitch patterns are equally suited for blankets. The best blanket stitches balance visual appeal, texture, yarn efficiency, and ease of working over hundreds of rows. Here are the most popular choices among experienced blanket makers:

Moss Stitch (Linen Stitch): Creates a beautiful woven-look texture by alternating single crochet and chain stitches. It lies perfectly flat, doesn't curl, and creates a reversible fabric โ€” ideal for blankets. Yarn usage is moderate.

Corner-to-Corner (C2C): Worked diagonally using small blocks of double crochet. Excellent for graphghan blankets with color-work designs. Yarn usage is moderate to high due to the chain spaces between blocks.

Granny Square: Classic and endlessly versatile. Make individual squares and join them, allowing you to use multiple colors and work in portable chunks. Yarn estimation is unique โ€” calculate per square, then multiply by the number of squares plus joining yarn (typically 10โ€“15% extra).

Ripple (Chevron): Creates a wavy zigzag pattern that's visually striking and works up quickly. The increases and decreases that create the ripple pattern don't significantly affect yarn usage compared to straight stitch patterns.

๐Ÿ’ก Cost Estimation Tip To estimate blanket cost, multiply total skeins by the price per skein. A queen-size blanket in mid-range worsted yarn ($5โ€“8/skein) costs $75โ€“120 in yarn alone. Budget-friendly acrylics ($3โ€“4/skein) bring this to $45โ€“60, while premium wool ($12โ€“20/skein) pushes it to $180โ€“300. Planning ahead helps you budget and watch for sales.

Best Yarn Fibers for Blankets

Acrylic: The most popular blanket fiber โ€” machine washable, affordable, hypoallergenic, and available in virtually every color. Ideal for baby blankets, everyday throws, and gifts. Modern acrylics like Caron Simply Soft and Red Heart Soft are remarkably soft and durable.

Cotton: Creates heavier, denser blankets with excellent stitch definition. Perfect for warm-weather blankets and baby items (naturally breathable). However, cotton blankets can be heavy and don't have the "cozy" stretch that acrylic and wool provide.

Wool and Wool Blends: Superior warmth, beautiful drape, and natural elasticity. Wool blankets are luxurious but require careful washing (many are hand-wash or dry-clean only). Superwash wool is a more practical alternative. Wool blends (e.g., 80% acrylic, 20% wool) offer a good compromise between luxury and practicality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Standard baby blankets range from 30ร—36 inches (receiving blanket) to 30ร—40 inches for a stroller blanket. Lovey or security blankets are typically 12ร—12 inches. Toddler blankets are 42ร—52 inches. Choose based on the intended use โ€” car seat, crib, or general purpose.
A standard throw (50ร—60 inches) in worsted weight requires about 1,050 yards โ€” roughly 5 skeins of 220-yard yarn. Bulky weight reduces this to about 840 yards. DK weight increases it to about 960 yards. Always add 15% buffer for borders and stitch variations.
Worsted weight (CYC #4) is the most popular โ€” widely available, affordable, and works up at a reasonable pace. Bulky is great for quick gifts. DK creates lighter, more drapey blankets. For your first blanket, worsted is the safest choice.
Make one complete square and weigh or measure the yarn used. Calculate total squares needed (blanket area รท square area). Multiply squares ร— yarn per square, then add 15โ€“20% for joining and borders. Our yarn yardage calculator can help with the math.
Yes. A simple sc border adds about 5% extra yarn. A wider shell, scallop, or multi-row border can add 10โ€“15%. Our 15% buffer recommendation accounts for this. If you're planning an elaborate border, consider adding 20% total buffer.