How many stitches per minute can a crocheter make?

Beginners average 15–20 stitches per minute with basic single crochet. Intermediate crocheters manage 25–35 stitches/minute. Advanced crocheters can reach 40–50+ stitches/minute with familiar patterns. Complex textured stitches reduce speed by 30–50%.

How long does it take to crochet a scarf?

A simple scarf (8×60 inches) in worsted weight takes about 4–8 hours. A wider infinity scarf takes 6–12 hours. Textured stitch patterns like cables or bobbles can double the time compared to basic stitches.

Does yarn weight affect crochet speed?

Yes, significantly. Bulky yarn (weight 5-6) crochets 2-3x faster than fingering weight (weight 1-2) because each stitch covers more area. A blanket in super bulky yarn might take 15 hours versus 60+ hours in DK weight.

How do I crochet faster?

Use ergonomic hooks for comfort during long sessions, practice consistent tension, pre-wind yarn to avoid tangles, use stitch markers to avoid counting errors (which cause time-consuming frogging), and choose simpler stitch patterns when speed matters.

Crochet Project Time Estimator: How Long Will It Take?

Name: Crochet Project Time Estimator
Author: Sarah Mitchell

📅 Last updated: February 2026

Sarah Mitchell

CYC Certified Instructor · 20+ Years Crochet Experience

I've timed myself on hundreds of projects to build the speed benchmarks in this calculator. The estimates are based on real crochet speeds, not guesswork.

✅ Fact-Checked📋 Editorial Standards

🎯 Key Takeaway: A baby blanket takes 15–25 hours, a throw takes 40–60 hours, and a queen blanket takes 80–120+ hours for an intermediate crocheter. At 2 hours per day, that's 1–2 weeks for a baby blanket, 3–4 weeks for a throw, and 6–8 weeks for a queen.

Every crocheter has been asked the inevitable question: "How long does that take to make?" Whether you're planning a gift for a baby shower in three weeks, estimating delivery time for a custom order, or just curious how many Netflix binge sessions a queen blanket will take, knowing your crochet completion time is essential. And honestly, I get this question more than any other from my students.

The answer depends on four key factors: the project size (measured in total stitches), your crocheting speed (stitches per minute), the complexity of the stitch pattern, and how many hours per day you can dedicate. Our project time estimator factors all of these to give you a realistic completion estimate — not the optimistic "I'll finish this weekend" fantasy that leads to half-done projects in the UFO (Unfinished Object) pile.

I've timed myself extensively over 20 years. When I'm crocheting basic double crochet in worsted weight during a movie, I average about 30 stitches per minute. With bobble stitch? That drops to 15. With intricate colorwork? Maybe 12. These real benchmarks are what power the estimates below, which account for yarn weight, stitch complexity, and realistic breaks for untangling yarn, counting stitches, and resting your hands.

Estimate Your Project Time

Project Type

Width (inches) — for custom

Height (inches) — for custom

Your Skill Level

Stitch Complexity

Daily Crochet Hours

Your Time Estimate

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Total Hours

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Days to Complete

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Weeks

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Total Stitches

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Your Speed (st/min)

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Est. Completion

💡 Pro Tip: Add 15–25% buffer time for breaks, frogging mistakes, weaving in ends, and finishing. Real projects always take longer than pure stitch math suggests — and that's okay!

Average Crochet Times by Project Type

The table below shows realistic time estimates for common crochet projects, based on an intermediate crocheter (30 stitches per minute) working basic stitch patterns in worsted weight yarn. Complex patterns will take 30–50% longer.

Project	Hours (Basic Stitch)	Hours (Complex Stitch)	Days @ 2hr/day
Dishcloth (9×9")	1–2	2–3	1
Scarf (8×60")	5–8	8–14	3–7
Hat (adult)	3–5	5–8	2–4
Baby Blanket (30×36")	15–25	25–40	8–20
Throw (50×60")	40–60	65–95	20–48
Adult Sweater	35–55	55–85	18–43
Queen Blanket (90×100")	85–120	130–190	43–95
Amigurumi (medium)	6–12	10–18	3–9

What Affects Your Crocheting Speed?

Yarn weight is the single biggest speed factor. Bulky and super bulky yarns crochet 2–3 times faster than fingering or sport weight because each stitch covers more area. When I'm working on a gift with a deadline, I'll often choose bulky yarn specifically to cut my time in half.

Hook material matters more than most crocheters realize. Aluminum hooks glide fastest, bamboo hooks provide more grip for slippery yarns, and ergonomic handles reduce hand fatigue during marathon sessions. If you're crocheting more than 2 hours at a stretch, an ergonomic hook like the Clover Amour or Furls Odyssey can add 30+ minutes to your comfortable working time before needing a break.

Pattern familiarity affects speed dramatically. The first time you work a new stitch pattern, you might crochet at half your normal speed as you read and re-read the instructions. By the tenth repeat of the same row, you'll be working from muscle memory at full speed. This is why the middle sections of large blankets go faster than the beginning.

Interruptions and corrections are the hidden time cost. Counting errors that require frogging (ripping out) several rows can add hours. Using stitch markers, counting every 10th stitch, and crocheting in good lighting all reduce mistakes and save time in the long run.

⚠️ Deadline Planning If you're crocheting for a gift or order, add a 25% time buffer to your estimate. Life happens — kids get sick, yarn stores run out of your dye lot, and some evenings you're just too tired for bobble stitch. Plan for the real pace, not the ideal one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to crochet a blanket?

For an intermediate crocheter using basic stitches: a baby blanket takes 15–25 hours, a throw takes 40–60 hours, and a queen blanket takes 85–120 hours. At 2 hours per day, that's 1–2 weeks, 3–4 weeks, and 6–8 weeks respectively. Complex stitch patterns add 40–60% more time.

How many stitches per minute is normal?

Beginners average 15–20 stitches/minute with basic single crochet. Intermediate crocheters reach 25–35 stitches/minute. Advanced crocheters can manage 40–50+ with familiar patterns. Time yourself on a 5-minute test to find your personal speed.

Does bulky yarn crochet faster?

Yes, significantly. Bulky yarn (weight 5-6) crochets 2–3× faster than DK or fingering weight because each stitch covers more area, requiring fewer total stitches. However, bulky yarn costs more per yard, so you trade time savings for higher material cost.

How long to crochet a scarf?

A standard scarf (8×60 inches) in worsted weight takes 5–8 hours with basic stitches. An infinity scarf takes 6–12 hours. A chunky bulky-weight scarf can be done in 2–4 hours. Complex stitch patterns like cables or bobbles can double these times.

How can I speed up my crocheting?

Use ergonomic hooks for comfort, pre-wind yarn into center-pull cakes, use stitch markers to prevent counting errors (frogging wastes the most time), choose simpler stitch patterns, and practice consistent tension. Also, choose bulky yarn — it's the single biggest speed boost.

📚 Sources & References

Craft Yarn Council — Standard Yarn Weight System
Crochet Guild of America — Speed Benchmarks & Skill Level Guidelines
Robyn Chachula — "Blueprint Crochet: Modern Designs for the Visual Crocheter" (Interweave Press)
American Time Use Survey — Crafting & Hobby Time Allocation Data (Bureau of Labor Statistics)