Are you wondering how to resize a crochet blanket pattern?
Maybe you would like to adjust the pattern so that it fits your bed but you don’t quite know where to start?
In this post, I’ve included some common blanket sizes and tips that will hopefully give you a helping hand!
You’ve come across a beautiful pattern for a blanket that would look perfect sprawled across your bed.
Or maybe it would make a nice addition to the soft furnishings on your couch.
But, alas, when reading through the pattern you discover that the specified size is not what you had in mind at all!
Fear not! Below is some information that will come in handy when you’re trying to work out how to resize the pattern so that the blanket meets your needs.
HOW TO RESIZE A CROCHET BLANKET PATTERN
In this section, I’ll cover information related to the following:
- Adjust the size of a blanket to fit your bed
- Adjusting a continuous granny square blanket
- Adjusting a regular granny square blanket
- Adjusting the size by using a different yarn weight
- Other common blanket sizes (including chart)
ADJUSTING THE SIZE OF A BLANKET TO FIT YOUR BED
If you’d like to make a blanket for your bed, use your mattress as a handy starting point.
As you’re chaining your foundation chain, periodically lay it against the bed to check that you’re on track to achieving the required size.
You can use this method with your favourite blanket too… just measure your beginning chain against the blanket as you go along to check that you’re making it to the correct length.
I have some free patterns on the blog where it would be easy to apply this particular method; you can easily adjust the length of the beginning foundation chain in my patterns for The Bonnie Blanket, The Barclay Blanket and The Robina Rainbow Blanket.
If you’re working with stitch multiples, for example a multiple of 6+3, make a point of repeatedly counting the numbers 1-6 in your head as you’re chaining until you’ve reached the desired width of your blanket. Once you’ve made enough chains, simply add 3 stitches at the end. This is an effective way of ensuring that the starting chain is a multiple of 6+3 (or any other stitch multiple a pattern calls for) without the use of a calculator.
STANDARD BED SIZES
When it comes to bed sizes, I’ve made up a couple of charts detailing the standard mattress sizes in both the UK and USA. These will give you a useful starting point of reference if you’re crocheting up a blanket for your bed:
USA SIZES:
UK SIZES:
ADDING DRAPE TO YOUR HANDMADE CROCHET BLANKET
The charts above detail the mattress sizes. They’ll let you know what size to make if you want your blanket to lay right on top of the mattress.
If you’d like to add drape to your crochet bedspread, have a look at the diagram below and follow the steps to add some to your blanket… it´s not difficult to do and should only take a few minutes!
- Measure the width and length of your mattress.
- Measure the depth of your mattress.
- Calculate the total width of your blanket: width + depth + depth = total width.
- Calculate the total length of your blanket: length + depth = total length.
- (Optional) Add 16 inches to the length for a pillow tuck. In this case, the total length = length + depth + 16 inch pillow tuck.
If we use the measurements of a Queen size bed as an example, we can work out the required size of our blanket as follows:
- Width = 60 inches; length = 80 inches.
- Depth = 10 inches.
- Total width = 60 + 10 + 10 = 80 inches
- Total length = 80 +10 = 90 inches.
- With a pillow tuck, the total length is: 80 + 10 + 16 = 106 inches
From the calculations above, we can see that our crochet blanket (with a pillow tuck) will be 80 x 106 inches. If you want your blanket to drape past the depth of your mattress, more towards the floor for example, then add more inches to the depth measurement accordingly.
ADJUSTING A CONTINUOUS GRANNY SQUARE BLANKET
If you’re making a continuous granny square blanket, work as many rounds as needed to reach the desired size.
ADJUSTING A REGULAR GRANNY SQUARE BLANKET
For regular granny square blanket patterns, one way of altering the size would be to make less squares if you want a smaller blanket and work up more squares for a larger size.
With this method, bear in mind that the finished look of the blanket may not be to your liking if the pattern uses a particular colour scheme or layout of squares.
To avoid future frustration, periodically lay out your completed granny squares to make sure that you’re happy with the design of your blanket and to identify what squares you need to make next.
Alternatively, you can make the individual squares bigger or smaller (see section below).
If you enjoy making granny square blankets, check out my free pattern and tutorial for The Paisley Baby Blanket where you could adjust the size of this blanket quite easily.
ADJUST THE SIZE BY USING A DIFFERENT WEIGHT OF YARN
If a pattern specifies a particular weight of yarn, consider using an alternative yarn thickness.
For example, using a heavier weight yarn and larger hook than the pattern calls for will result in a bigger blanket.
Conversely, substituting the original yarn with a lighter weight yarn and smaller hook will mean that you end up with a smaller sized blanket.
When you’ve chosen your substitute yarn, refer to the yarn ball band for the recommended hook size, and always take the time to make a swatch to ensure that you’ll be satisfied with the end result.
OTHER COMMON BLANKET SIZES
You may not wish to make a blanket for your bed, so I’ve made up a chart of the other popular blanket sizes that might take your fancy:
For baby blanket sizes, head on over to my post Crochet Baby Blanket Size Chart.
Here you’ll find a chart detailing the most common baby blanket sizes, information explaining the various types of baby blankets, and also how to donate your crochet baby blankets to charity (Project Linus is a great one). If you’re wondering what the best yarn for baby blankets is, I’ve covered this also.
Remember that blanket sizes are approximate and it shouldn’t matter too much if the size of your finished blanket is a couple of inches bigger / smaller than the recommended size in the charts above.
When in doubt, always measure your work against your bed or existing blanket as you go… it really is an effective way of charting your progress and making sure that you’re on the right track size-wise.
I really hope you found some or all of the information in this article in how to resize a crochet blanket pattern helpful… leave a comment below 😃
If you adjust the size of any of my blanket patterns, I’d love to see your finished projects! You can post your photos on Instagram and tag me using @maisieandruth
FREE BLANKET PATTERNS
Happy crocheting,
