How to Crochet a Blanket for Beginners: Step-by-Step Guide with Pictures

Materials needed for crocheting a blanket for beginners

Yarn: Choose a soft, medium-weight yarn (also called worsted weight or size 4 yarn). Acrylic yarn is often recommended for beginners because it’s affordable and easy to work with.
Crochet Hook: A size H/8 (5mm) hook is a good starting point.
Scissors: For cutting yarn.
Yarn Needle: For weaving in the ends.

Basic Crochet Stitches:

Chain Stitch (Ch)
Single Crochet (Sc)

Step 1: Choosing Your Yarn and Hook

Select your yarn: A medium-weight acrylic yarn is ideal for beginners. Look for labels that say “worsted weight” or “size 4.”
Select your hook: A size H/8 (5mm) crochet hook works well with medium-weight yarn.

Step 2: Making a Slip Knot

Create a loop: Leave a tail of yarn (about 6 inches). Make a loop by crossing the yarn over itself.
Insert the hook: Insert the crochet hook into the loop.
Pull the yarn: Pull the yarn tail through the loop to create a slip knot. Tighten the knot around the hook.

Step 3: Chain Stitch (Ch)

Hold the yarn: Hold the slip knot in your left hand (if you’re right-handed). The working yarn (attached to the skein) should be over your left index finger.
Yarn over: Wrap the yarn over the hook from back to front.
Pull through: Pull the yarn through the loop on the hook to create a chain stitch.
Repeat: Repeat this process until you have a chain of the desired length. For a small blanket, you might start with 100 chains.

Step 4: Single Crochet (Sc)

Insert hook: Insert the hook into the second chain from the hook (skip the first chain).
Yarn over: Wrap the yarn over the hook.
Pull through: Pull the yarn through the chain stitch (2 loops on the hook).
Yarn over again: Wrap the yarn over the hook again.
Pull through loops: Pull the yarn through both loops on the hook. You’ve made your first single crochet stitch.
Repeat: Continue making single crochet stitches into each chain stitch across the row.

Step 5: Turning Your Work

Chain 1: At the end of the row, make one chain stitch. This is called a turning chain.
Turn your work: Turn your work around so you can start the next row.

Step 6: Single Crochet Across Rows

Continue single crochet: Insert the hook into the first stitch of the previous row. Yarn over, pull through, yarn over again, and pull through both loops on the hook.
Repeat: Continue single crocheting across each row, turning your work at the end of each row, and making a turning chain.

Step 7: Changing Colors (Optional)

Finish last stitch: When you’re ready to change colors, complete the last stitch of the row but don’t complete the final yarn over.
Join new color: Yarn over with the new color and pull through the two loops on the hook to complete the stitch.
Continue: Continue crocheting with the new color.

Step 8: Finishing Off

Complete the last row: When your blanket is the desired length, cut the yarn, leaving a tail of about 6 inches.
Finish off: Pull the yarn tail through the last loop on the hook and tighten to secure.

Step 9: Weaving in Ends

Weave in the ends: Use a yarn needle to weave in the loose ends of yarn. Insert the needle through the stitches of your blanket to hide the ends.
This simple project can be customized with different colors, yarn types, and sizes as you gain more experience.

Tips for Beginners:

Keep tension consistent: Try to maintain the same tension throughout your project for an even finish.
Practice makes perfect: Don’t worry if your first few rows aren’t perfect. Keep practicing, and your stitches will improve.
Take breaks: Crocheting can be hard on your hands and wrists. Take regular breaks to stretch and rest.

FAQs for Beginner Crocheters

How do I choose the right yarn and hook size?

Yarn: For beginners, a medium-weight yarn (also called worsted weight or size 4) is a good choice. Acrylic yarn is affordable and easy to work with.
Hook: A size H/8 (5mm) hook is recommended for medium-weight yarn.

How do I hold the yarn and hook?

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Yarn: Hold the yarn in your left hand (if you’re right-handed) and wrap it over your index finger to control tension.
Hook: Hold the hook like a pencil or a knife, whichever feels more comfortable.

What is a slip knot, and how do I make one?

Slip knot: A slip knot is the starting loop for your crochet project. Create a loop with the yarn, insert the hook into the loop, pull the yarn tail through, and tighten.

How do I keep my stitches even?

Consistency: Keep your tension consistent. Practice making even stitches by not pulling too tight or too loose.

What should I do if I make a mistake?

Undoing stitches: Simply pull the yarn to undo the stitches back to the mistake. Insert your hook back into the last correct stitch and continue crocheting.

How do I change colors in my project?

Changing colors: Finish the last stitch of the row, but don’t complete the final yarn over. Yarn over with the new color and pull through the two loops on the hook to complete the stitch. Continue with the new color.

How do I finish off my project?

Finishing off: When your blanket is the desired length, cut the yarn, leaving a tail. Pull the yarn tail through the last loop on the hook and tighten to secure.

How do I weave in the ends?

Weaving in ends: Use a yarn needle to weave the loose ends into the stitches of your blanket to hide them and prevent unraveling.
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