Crochet Blanket for Beginners: An Easy Half Double Crochet Blanket
Rows of half double crochet and a simple border — the easiest crochet blanket, with stitch counts for baby and throw sizes, yardage and tips for straight edges.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Beginner
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) acrylic: about 1,000 yd (baby) or 2,400 yd (throw)
- Hook
- 5.5 mm (I-9)
- Time
- About 15 hours (baby) or 40 hours (throw)
- Finished size
- Baby 30 × 36 in (76 × 91 cm); throw 50 × 60 in (127 × 152 cm)
You'll need
- Worsted weight (#4) acrylic — about 1,000 yd (baby) or 2,400 yd (throw)
- 5.5 mm (I-9) hook
- Stitch markers, tapestry needle
In this post
"Crochet blanket" is one of the biggest crochet searches of all — and the easiest blanket is also one of the most beautiful: rows of half double crochet with a neat border. Hdc grows faster than single crochet and makes a warmer, less holey fabric than double crochet.
The secret to a blanket that looks professional is straight edges. That comes down to one thing: the same number of stitches in every row.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Gauge and sizes
Gauge: 12 hdc and 9 rows = 4 in (10 cm). Blankets don't need exact gauge, but it affects size and yardage.
| Size | Finished | Chain | Stitches | Rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 30 × 36 in | 92 | 90 | 81 |
| Throw | 50 × 60 in | 152 | 150 | 135 |
Other sizes? Multiply the width in inches by 3 for the stitch count, and see our blanket size chart.
The pattern
- Row 1: Ch 92 (152). Hdc in the 3rd ch from the hook and across. Ch 2 (doesn't count as a st), turn. (90 / 150)
- Row 2: Hdc in the first st and in each st across. Ch 2, turn. (90 / 150)
- Rows 3–81 (135): Repeat Row 2. Place a stitch marker in the first and last stitch of each row so you never miss them.
Border
- Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around all four sides: 1 sc per stitch across the top and bottom, about 3 sc for every 2 rows along the sides, and 3 sc in each corner. Join.
- Rnds 2–3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, 3 sc in each corner st. Join.
- Optional final round: crab stitch (sc worked from left to right) for a rope-like edge.
Make it your own
- Stripes: change colour every 6 rows — see changing colours.
- Texture: swap hdc for the moss stitch, suzette stitch or waffle stitch.
- Faster: try a chunky blanket with super bulky yarn.
- Baby gift: see also our baby blanket pattern.
Common questions
What is the easiest crochet blanket for a beginner?
Rows of a single stitch — hdc or sc — with a sc border. No pattern repeat to track, and you'll master tension along the way.
How long does it take to crochet a blanket?
About 15 hours for a baby blanket and 35–45 hours for a 50 × 60 in throw at an average pace.
Why is my blanket getting wider at one end?
You're adding stitches at the row ends — usually by working into the turning chain. Count every few rows and use markers.
What yarn is best for a crochet blanket?
Soft worsted acrylic is affordable, warm and machine washable. Cotton is cooler for summer; wool blends are warmest.
Baby or throw — which size are you starting? 🛋️
Did you make this?
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Crochet patterns & tutorials
YarnBloom shares cozy, beginner-friendly crochet patterns written in clear US terms, with a stitch count on every round and tips for the tricky bits. Grab your hook — let’s make something lovely.
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