Crochet Blanket Sizes and How Much Yarn You Really Need

Starting a new crochet project? Getting the right crochet blanket size and knowing how much yarn you’ll need can honestly save you a headache later. Blankets come in all sorts of sizes—from tiny baby loveys to those giant afghans that swallow your couch whole.

The amount of yarn you’ll need depends mostly on the blanket’s size, your stitch pattern, and the yarn’s weight.

The amount of yarn you need for a crochet blanket depends on both the blanket’s size and the type of yarn you choose. For a standard throw (about 50" x 60"), you’ll usually need around 2,000 yards of medium-weight yarn, which equals about 10 to 12 skeins.

If you’re making a larger blanket, like a full-size bedspread (80" x 90"), plan for 2,500 to 3,000 yards. Always check your pattern and yarn label for the best results!

Getting these details right makes planning easier, saves cash, and honestly just makes crocheting more enjoyable.

Whether you want a tiny lovey or a king-size blanket, knowing the right sizes and yarn amounts will help you nail your project. Let’s dig into the key sizes and yardage you’ll want to know!

Crochet Blanket Sizes And How Much Yarn You Really Need

When you pick a crochet blanket size, think about who’s going to use it and what for. Sizes run from tiny lovey blankets (about 12”x12”) up to big throws or bed covers. A standard baby blanket usually sits around 30”x36”, while lapghans or throws often measure 40”x60”.

The yarn you’ll need depends on more than just size. Your stitch pattern, yarn weight, and your gauge (that’s stitches per inch) all play a part. Bulky yarns need fewer yards than thinner ones. If you love dense stitches like bobbles, you’ll burn through more yarn than you would with simple single crochet.

Here’s how you can estimate your yarn needs:

• Whip up a gauge swatch with your chosen yarn and hook.
• Count how many stitches and rows fit in an inch.
• Multiply stitches per inch by your blanket’s length and width for the total stitch count.
• Use your swatch to estimate how much yarn you’ll need for that total.

If you’re making a crochet baby blanket with worsted weight yarn and a basic stitch, plan on using about 800 to 1,200 yards for a 30”x36” size. Bigger throws or oversized blankets might eat up 1,500 to 3,000 yards.

Add a crochet border or choose a fancy stitch? You’ll need a bit more yarn. Smaller hooks mean tighter stitches and more yarn used, so keep that in mind too.

Here’s a quick guide for average yarn needs by blanket size (worsted weight yarn, standard stitches):

Always double-check your gauge swatch for the most accurate estimate before you dive into your project.

If you’re planning a baby blanket, choosing the right yarn is key. Discover top picks in Best Yarn for Baby Blankets (Soft, Hypoallergenic & Washable).

How To Choose The Right Blanket Size For Your Project

When picking your crochet blanket size, think about how you’ll actually use it. Do you want a throw for movie nights, or something big enough to cover a bed? Your answer will guide your choice—and your yarn shopping list.

Smaller blankets like baby blankets or lapghans use less yarn and finish up quicker. Bigger blankets? They’ll need more yarn and more time, so plan for that.

Where will you use the blanket? A lapghan covers your lap and legs—great for reading or TV time. Throws look good on sofas. Bed-sized blankets like queen or king are, obviously, for beds.

Don’t forget your stitch pattern and yarn weight. Tighter stitches use more yarn. Chunky yarns mean fewer stitches, but each one eats up more yarn.

Make a swatch before you start. This little test square lets you check your gauge and estimate yarn needs. If your swatch size doesn’t match the pattern’s gauge, tweak your hook or plan so you don’t get caught off guard later.

Having the right tools makes every blanket project easier. See what you need by reading our article: Crochet Materials and Supplies Every Crocheter Should Have.

Standard Crochet Blanket Sizes (Baby, Throw, Twin, Queen, King)

Choosing a size for your crochet blanket? Knowing the standard measurements helps you plan without any guesswork. Here’s a quick cheat sheet for the most common sizes:

Your yarn and stitch choices will change how much yarn you need. I always grab a little extra, just to be safe—running out is the worst!

How To Calculate Yarn Needed For Custom Blanket Sizes

Want to avoid yarn emergencies? Figuring out exactly how much yarn to buy means considering your stitch type, yarn weight, and the size you want. Check out common yarn amounts for popular blanket sizes as a starting point, and tweak from there. Trust me, it’s worth the extra few minutes!

Factors That Affect Yarn Amount (Stitch, Yarn Weight, Tension)

The stitch you pick really changes how much yarn you'll go through. Dense stitches like single crochet eat up more yarn than lighter, airier patterns like granny squares.

So, your stitch pattern? It can totally change the total yardage you need.

Yarn weight plays a big role, too. Bulky or chunky yarns cover more ground with fewer yards, while thinner options like fingering or sport weight need a lot more to get the same blanket size.

Your tension matters. If you crochet tightly, you end up using more yarn because your fabric gets thick and dense.

Loose stitches? You'll use less yarn. It's always a good idea to make a gauge swatch and see how many stitches and rows fit in an inch—this really helps you estimate better.

If you use a tighter stitch or thinner yarn, you'll need more. I always buy 10-20% extra yarn—just in case I mess up or my tension goes rogue. Keeping your gauge swatch nearby can really help you tweak these numbers for your own style.

Want to try a new stitch for your next blanket? Learn the Moss Stitch Crochet: Beginner’s Guide.

Tips For Buying Yarn (Skeins, Overage, Dye Lots)

When you're buying yarn, check how many skeins you'll need. Patterns usually tell you, but remember: yarn weight and hook size will change how much you use.

It's honestly smart to grab a bit of overage. I aim for 10-20% more than the pattern suggests. Sometimes the blanket ends up bigger, or my gauge shifts, and the extra skein saves me.

Watch out for dye lots. Yarn dyed in different batches can look just a little off, and that difference really shows up in a big project like a blanket.

Try to get all your yarn from the same dye lot in one go. If you can't, alternate skeins as you work to blend any color differences.

Here's my quick yarn-buying checklist:

• Make sure the weight matches your pattern
• Buy a little extra for safety
• Check and match the dye lot number
• Hang onto your receipts in case you need to swap or buy more later

Final Thoughts

Understanding crochet blanket sizes and how much yarn you need makes your project easier and helps you avoid surprises. With a little planning, you’ll always have enough yarn for any size blanket.

Now you can choose your favorite pattern, pick the perfect yarn, and start crocheting with confidence. No more guessing—just cozy, beautiful blankets every time!

Want to make getting started even easier? Read our guide: The 3 Best Crochet Kits for Beginners: Start Crafting Today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good size for a crochet blanket?

Honestly, it depends who you're making it for. For babies, blankets between 30x30 inches and 36x48 inches are just right—easy to carry, cozy, and not overwhelming.

If you're after a throw for the couch or your lap, sizes like 36x48 inches up to 60x66 inches are pretty standard. They're warm but not so massive you get tangled up.

For beds, a full-size blanket usually runs about 80x90 inches. Queen size? Try 90x95 inches. But really, just go with what feels good for you.

How many crochet stitches to make a full size blanket?

This one's not one-size-fits-all. It depends on your stitch pattern and your gauge. Start by crocheting a small swatch (like 4x4 inches) and count how many stitches and rows you get in that square.

If you get 4 stitches per inch and want your blanket 80 inches wide, you'll chain about 320 stitches. Then, figure out your rows by multiplying your stitch height by the length you want—maybe 90 inches or so.

Complex stitches like bobbles or cables use more yarn and can change the stitch count, so don't skip the swatch step.

How many skeins of chunky yarn for a 50x60 blanket?

For a 50x60-inch blanket with chunky yarn, you'll usually need about 6 to 8 skeins. But check the label—yardage per skein varies a lot by brand and thickness.

If a skein has about 100 yards, then a 50x60 blanket takes around 600 to 800 yards total. A bigger hook and loose stitches can stretch your yarn a bit further.

I like to grab an extra skein or two, just in case. Chunky yarn isn't always easy to match if you run out.

How to figure out how many skeins of yarn for a blanket?

Start by picking your blanket size and deciding on the yarn weight. Grab your chosen stitch, hook, and yarn, then whip up a small sample swatch.

Check your swatch for stitch gauge—how many stitches fit in an inch. Do the same for rows per inch.

Figure out how many stitches and rows you'll need for your blanket's dimensions. This step can take a bit of math, but it's worth it.

Weigh your swatch or check how much yarn you used. Multiply that by the total number of stitches or the area your blanket will cover.

Divide your estimated yardage by the amount in one skein to see how many to buy. It's smart to toss in an extra 10-20% of yarn, just in case.