When I first started knitting, I was at a point in my life where seemingly everyone in my life was getting married and having babies. There were always gift-giving events to attend, and I liked making something handmade whenever possible. I would knit anything from baby hats and sweaters to blankets to give as gifts. When I decided to knit a blanket for a gift, there was always a question looming in the back of my mind: What size do I make the blanket? Crib size? Car Seat? Full Afghan? And what are the dimensions of those blankets?
Fortunately, I’ve made you a handy little guide for blanket sizes, so you don’t have to ponder these questions the next time you go to knit a blanket. You’ll find a range of sizes for each of these online, but here are the sizes I like to follow:
Really, you can’t go wrong making a blanket of any size as a gift, but if you’re looking for a specific size, that’s a great guide to follow.
Now that we’ve looked at blanket sizes, let’s look at a couple of beautiful patterns we have on here for you. First up, we have the Easy Knit Baby Blanket, which is a free pattern by Mary Beth Temple. It features a stunning textured stitch pattern that looks great on both the Right Side and Wrong Side.
Download the Easy Knit Baby Blanket here.
Next up, is another freebie – it’s the Slipped Stitch Baby Blanket. I designed this blanket for two sizes – receiving and throw. It’s worked in four colors and was an absolute blast to knit.
The Slipped Stitch Blanket is part of our Knitting for a Cause Challenge. Sign up here and receive this pattern (along with three other patterns) for free!
What is your favorite size of blanket to knit? Let us know in the comments!
I like 28″ or 32″ x similiar length -works great for stroller or carseat
Can you knit a queen size (90 x 90 ish) blanket in one piece using 5 weight lion brand acrylic yarn and size 8 needles or do you need to make panels? All garter stitch with a seed stitch top border is the plan Thank you!
My most frequent blanket size is a lap blanket. I’m part of an organization that makes lap blankets for residents of assisted living and memory care facilities. <3
Enjoy The Work you put in to help us. I Was just about to state a blanket for a crib , didn’t know how long to start it . Thank you for Chart
I never knitted before. I thought that knitting a blanket would be easy project. I’m learning by knitting books. I’m not done reading them. I find knitting interesting to do. My phone isn’t updated yet that is why I haven’t seen on video on how to knit. I’m not sure what size the blanket it should be. What do you suggest?
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. By becoming a member, you will have access to our expert’s knowledge. With your membership you will also receive discounts on products and hours of Premium video content.
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Love the blanket designs
I make 48”x 60” when making afghans. I aim for 36” x 36” when using up stash to be donated to a local shelter.
I read your comment on the 36×36 blanket how many stitches did you cast on? I’m having trouble with that. The organization Linus wants them 36×36 no bigger and no smaller. Ty
Thank you. Love making crib blankets.
recently learned to knit. having fun, but want to expand my knowledge beyond basic knitting now.
I am interested in knitting a blanket for a teenager and think she would enjoy the chucky yarn. any advice or patterns would be helpful
Hello Helen,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
We have a couple of blanket patterns you might enjoy. One of them is a baby blanket that can easily be sized up for a teenager:
https://go.knittingcircle.com/a31027/
https://go.knittingcircle.com/a30991/
Sincerely,
Sarah
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
I knit or crochet Lap size blanket for wheelchair bound men and women. Some for patients at Cancer center out patient treatments.
Afghan size
Interested in your patterns for easy to make Queen blankets
What is a ‘receiving’ blanket? I’ve never heard that term before
Hi Margaret,
Thank you for contacting us.
This is a blanket for a baby. It’s generally a thin, smaller sized blanket, that can be used for a variety of tasks related to early infancy, including swaddling and burping.
If you have any other questions, please chat, email, or call Customer Service.
Sincerely,
Sarah
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
I love to knit throw blankets. I live in a nursing Home and am a beginner knitter so I love easy and beginner patterns.
I want to try something new.
I like to get a pattern in Fishermans Rib for 3years up
I like patterns for throw sixe
enjoy making baby blankets.
always looking for patterns using all natural cotton yarn as new mom’s seem to go for the all natural, non itchy items.
Knitting or xcrocheting blankets for the Linus Project.
hi
Thanks so much for the guide on blanket sizing but it doesn’t list hoo ow many stitches to cast on for each & can I presume that this guide can also be used for crochet? I’m just about to start making a blanket for a very dear friend who has just been diagnosed with 4th stage bone cancer so I have to get this finished reasonably quickly. It will be a large single size but I have no idea how many stitches to cast on. If you could give me an idea on cast on quantities I would be so appreciative.
Hi Sue,
Thank you for contacting us.
Yes! These measurements will absolutely work for crochet too!
As for number of stitches to cast on – that will depend on your gauge. Typically, folks are making blankets in worsted weight yarn, which gets around 4 stitches per inch.
To figure out the number of stitches to cast on, you’d take the measurement you want, and multiply by the stitches per inch (in this example 4 stitches per inch). So, if you were making a throw blanket with a width of 60-inches, you’d need 60 x 4 = 240 stitches on the needle. Obviously, you can adjust the stitch count slightly to accommodate stitch patterns.
If you have any other questions, please chat, email, or call Customer Service.
Sincerely,
Sarah
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
Great information. Thank you
If I click to download the baby blanket, it asks for my email address, and I know the result is that I get another copy of the emails that come out. Is it possible to get to these “freebies’ through my login?
Hi Jona. I am sorry, but you do need to enter your email address to get this.
Thanks!
Sarah
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
Twin and or full size
For baby
Crib size plus to use as a throw too. I like to do a cable stitch in one color so it is reversible! Have to figure out how many stitches!
I like to knit for donations to homebound srs. & need smaller size lapghans that are wheelchair friendly.
I like to find a pattern for a afghan I know how to adjust the number of stitches to get the size i want
Hi Verlette,
Thank you for contacting us.
We have patterns for sale in our shop and some included in the video membership under our projects section. Here is a short video on how to navigate the website: https://www.theknittingcircle.com/video/how-to-navigate-the-knitting-circle-website/
If you have any other questions, please chat, email, or call Customer Service.
Sincerely,
Sarah
The Knitting Circle Video Membership