5 Crochet Christmas Blanket Patterns: Cozy, Festive and Free
A handmade blanket is the coziest Christmas gift you can make, and the one that gets used all winter. These 5 crochet Christmas blanket patterns give you full stitch counts, colour sequences and finished sizes, from a quick chunky throw to a classic granny square blanket.
All five use basic stitches (half double crochet, double crochet and single crochet), so a confident beginner can finish any of them. Larger projects take time, so start early, or choose the baby blanket or the chunky ribbed throw if the deadline is close.
The 5 Blankets at a Glance
| # | Blanket | Skill level | Time | Finished size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Candy-Cane Stripe Lap Blanket | Beginner | 15 to 20 hours | 100 x 120 cm (40 x 48 in) |
| 2 | Granny Square Christmas Blanket | Easy | 30 to 40 hours | 90 x 120 cm (36 x 48 in) |
| 3 | Chunky Ribbed Snuggle Blanket | Beginner | 8 to 10 hours | 90 x 120 cm (36 x 48 in) |
| 4 | Baby Christmas Blanket with Shell Border | Easy | 12 to 15 hours | 75 x 75 cm (30 x 30 in) |
| 5 | Giant Granny Square Blanket | Easy | 20 to 25 hours | 90 x 90 cm (36 x 36 in) |
Before You Start
Abbreviations (US terms)
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- BLO: back loop only
- MR: magic ring
- sp: space
- sk: skip
- FO: fasten off
- ( ) x N: repeat the instructions in brackets N times
- [ ]: stitch count at the end of the row or round
Gauge and Sizing
Blankets are large, so a small gauge difference adds up quickly. Before you start, crochet a swatch about 15 x 15 cm (6 x 6 in) in the stitch and yarn you will use. Measure how many stitches fit in 10 cm (4 in) and compare with the pattern. If you have more stitches than the pattern, go up a hook size; if you have fewer, go down. To change the size of a stitch-count blanket, add or remove stitches in the foundation chain (for hdc, 1 chain per stitch) and add or remove rows.
Yarn Tips for Blankets
- Choose soft, machine-washable acrylic or acrylic blends for blankets that will be washed often.
- Buy all the yarn for one blanket at once, from the same dye lot, because shades vary between batches.
- Buy one extra ball of the main colour, as border rounds can use more yarn than expected.
Blanket 1: Candy-Cane Stripe Lap Blanket
A simple hdc blanket in red, white and green stripes. The pattern is one stitch in every row, with a repeating colour sequence.
- Size: about 100 x 120 cm (40 x 48 in) before the border
- Yarn: about 200 m (220 yd) each of red, white and green chunky (weight 5) yarn, about 600 m (660 yd) in total
- Hook: 8.0 mm (L/11)
- Other: tapestry needle, scissors
Pattern
- Foundation: ch 92
- Row 1: hdc in the 3rd ch from the hook and in each ch across, ch 2, turn [90]
- Row 2 onward: hdc in each st across, ch 2, turn [90]
Stripe sequence (12 rows, repeat 8 times for 96 rows)
- Rows 1 to 4: red
- Rows 5 to 6: white
- Rows 7 to 10: green
- Rows 11 to 12: white
Change colour in the last stitch of the previous row: pull the new colour through the last 2 loops of the final hdc. Carry the unused yarn up the side, or cut it and weave in the ends later.
Border: After the last row, do not turn. Join red yarn at any corner and work 1 round of sc evenly around the blanket, with 1 sc in each stitch along the top and bottom, 1 sc in each row end along the sides, and 3 sc in each corner. Sl st to join. Work a second round of sc in each st, with 3 sc in each corner. FO and weave in all ends.
Blanket 2: Granny Square Christmas Blanket
48 classic granny squares in red, white and green, joined into a cozy throw.
- Square size: about 15 cm (6 in)
- Blanket size: 6 squares wide x 8 squares long, about 90 x 120 cm (36 x 48 in)
- Yarn: about 1,000 m (1,100 yd) of worsted yarn in total: about 350 m red, 350 m white and 300 m green, plus about 120 m of red for the border
- Hook: 4.5 mm (7)
- Other: tapestry needle, blocking mats and pins
Granny square (make 48)
- R1 (red): MR, ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in the ring, ch 2, 3 dc in the ring, ch 2. Repeat from * 2 more times, then join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. Pull the ring closed. FO. [4 groups of 3 dc and 4 corner ch-2 spaces]
- R2 (white): Join in any corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in the same sp. Ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner sp. Repeat from * 2 more times, ch 1, sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. FO.
- R3 (green): Join in any corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in the same sp. Ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner sp. Repeat from * 2 more times, ch 1, 3 dc in the last ch-1 sp, ch 1, sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. FO.
- R4 (white): Join in any corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in the same sp. Ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner sp. Repeat from * 2 more times, then (ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp) twice, ch 1, sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. FO.
- R5 (red): Join in any corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in the same sp. (Ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp) 3 times, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner sp. Repeat from * 2 more times, then (ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp) 3 times, ch 1, sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. FO and weave in the ends.
Assembly
- Block each square to the same size (about 15 cm / 6 in) and let it dry flat.
- Lay the squares out in 8 rows of 6, mixing the colour order so no two similar squares touch.
- Join the squares in rows using a whip stitch through the back loops only, then join the rows together the same way.
- Border: Join red yarn in any corner ch-2 sp and work 1 round of sc evenly around the blanket: 1 sc in each dc, 1 sc in each ch-1 sp, 1 sc in each seam, and 3 sc in each outer corner. Sl st to join. Work a second round of sc in each st, with 3 sc in each corner. FO and weave in all ends.
Recommended Product
Foam blocking mats with T-pins. They let you pin each granny square to an exact size and shape, which makes the squares match and join neatly. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Blanket 3: Chunky Ribbed Snuggle Blanket
The fastest blanket in the collection: big, soft yarn and a ribbed hdc texture.
- Size: about 90 x 120 cm (36 x 48 in)
- Yarn: about 450 m (490 yd) of super bulky or jumbo (weight 6 or 7) yarn, in red, cream or green
- Hook: 9.0 mm (M/13)
- Other: tapestry needle
Pattern
- Foundation: ch 65
- Row 1: hdc in the 3rd ch from the hook and in each ch across, ch 2, turn [63]
- Row 2: hdc in the back loop only of each st across, ch 2, turn [63]
- Repeat Row 2 until the blanket measures 120 cm (48 in), about 70 to 75 rows. Measure rather than count, since gauge varies.
- Last row: work Row 2 without the final ch 2. FO and weave in the ends.
Optional border: Join yarn at any corner and work 1 round of sc evenly around the edge, with 3 sc in each corner. Sl st to join and FO.
Recommended Product
Bernat Blanket super bulky yarn. It is soft, thick and works up very quickly with a large hook, so a whole blanket takes a weekend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Blanket 4: Baby Christmas Blanket with Shell Border
A soft hdc blanket in cream with a red sc round and a green shell border.
- Size: about 75 x 75 cm (30 x 30 in)
- Yarn: about 400 m (440 yd) of cream worsted yarn, plus 50 m (55 yd) red and 60 m (65 yd) green
- Hook: 5.0 mm (H/8)
- Other: tapestry needle
Body (cream)
- Foundation: ch 107
- Row 1: hdc in the 3rd ch from the hook and in each ch across, ch 2, turn [105]
- Rows 2 to 83: hdc in each st across, ch 2, turn [105]
Do not FO after Row 83.
Border round 1 (red): Do not turn. Join red in the corner and work sc evenly around the blanket: 1 sc in each stitch along the top and bottom (105 each), 1 sc in each row end along the sides, and 3 sc in each corner. Aim for exactly 384 sc around, so the shells fit evenly; adjust by skipping or adding a stitch in a few places. Sl st to join and FO.
Border round 2 (green): Join green in any stitch. Sl st in the same st. Sk 1 st, 5 dc in the next st, sk 1 st, sl st in the next st. Repeat from * around [96 shells], ending with a sl st in the first sl st. FO and weave in the ends.
Blanket 5: Giant Granny Square Blanket
One enormous granny square worked outward from the centre, with stripes every 2 rounds. There is nothing to join.
- Size: 20 rounds, about 90 x 90 cm (36 x 36 in)
- Yarn: about 400 m (440 yd) of chunky (weight 5) yarn in total, in red, white and green
- Hook: 8.0 mm (L/11)
- Other: locking stitch markers, tapestry needle
How the rounds work
Round N has 4 x N groups of 3 dc: each corner has 2 groups (separated by ch 2), and each side has N minus 2 groups, with a ch 1 between all groups.
Pattern
- R1: MR, ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in the ring, ch 2, 3 dc in the ring, ch 2. Repeat from * 2 more times, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3 [4 groups]
- R2: Sl st to the nearest corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in the same sp. Ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner sp. Repeat from * 2 more times, ch 1, sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3 [8 groups]
- R3 to R20: Sl st to the nearest corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in the same sp. (Ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp) as many times as there are ch-1 spaces with a group between them on that side (N minus 2 times), ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the next corner sp. Repeat from * 2 more times, finish the last side the same way, ch 1, sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3
For example, R3 has 1 side group per side, R4 has 2, R5 has 3, and R20 has 18. Place a locking stitch marker in each corner ch-2 sp so you never lose a corner.
Stripe sequence (repeat every 8 rounds): R1 to R2 red, R3 to R4 white, R5 to R6 green, R7 to R8 white. R17 to R18 are red and R19 to R20 white. Change colour at the start of the round by joining the new colour in a corner and fasten off the old colour, or carry it loosely up the edge.
Border: Join red in any corner. Work 1 round of sc: 1 sc in each dc, 1 sc in each ch-1 sp, and 3 sc in each corner ch-2 sp. Sl st to join. Work a second round of sc in each st with 3 sc in each corner. FO and weave in the ends.
Recommended Product
Clover locking stitch markers. Mark each corner of the square as you go, so you can count groups on the sides and keep the corners sharp. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Tips for Beautiful Blankets
- Swatch first. A swatch saves hours of frogging.
- Keep your edges neat. Always start rows the same way and count stitches every few rows.
- Wash the finished blanket. Machine wash on gentle and dry flat or on low heat, following the yarn label.
- Weave in ends early. Do it as you go, since a blanket has many colour changes.
- Add a label. Sew on a small tag with the yarn type and wash instructions when you give it as a gift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest crochet blanket for beginners? The Chunky Ribbed Snuggle Blanket uses one stitch, one hook and thick yarn.
How much yarn do I need for a different size? Multiply the yarn amount by the ratio of the new area to the old area. A blanket twice as big needs about twice the yarn.
Can I use other colours? Yes. White, silver, burgundy and navy all look festive.
What size should a Christmas gift blanket be? A baby blanket is about 75 x 75 cm (30 x 30 in), a lap blanket about 90 x 120 cm (36 x 48 in) and a sofa throw about 130 x 150 cm (51 x 60 in).
Final Thoughts
Crochet blankets take time, but few gifts are used and loved as much. Choose a pattern that suits your deadline and your skills, pick a palette that makes you smile, and enjoy the cozy hours of making. Happy crocheting, and Merry Christmas!
Pattern notes: These patterns are for personal use. If you sell finished items, please credit the pattern designer.
