Crochet Blanket Size Chart: Baby, Throw and Bed Sizes
You found the perfect stitch and the perfect yarn. Now the big question: how big should the blanket be? A lovey and a king bedspread are very different projects, and even “throw” can mean anything from a lap blanket to something you can wrap up in.
This crochet blanket size chart covers common baby, child, throw and bed sizes in inches. Below the chart, you will learn how to pick the right size, how to turn your gauge swatch into a starting chain, and how to keep your blanket on track as it grows.
What You’ll Need
- A flexible measuring tape
- Your chosen yarn and hook
- Locking stitch markers
- A blocking mat and pins for your swatch
- A notebook and calculator
The Crochet Blanket Size Chart
There is no single official standard for blanket sizes, and different designers list slightly different numbers. The sizes below come from Sarah Maker’s crochet blanket size chart, a popular reference among crocheters. All sizes are in inches, width x length.
Baby blankets
| Size | Inches |
|---|---|
| Lovey | 12 x 12 |
| Security | 14 x 18 |
| Bassinet | 14 x 28 |
| Cradle | 14 x 30 |
| Preemie | 18 x 24 |
| Car seat | 20 x 24 |
| Stroller | 30 x 36 |
| Receiving | 40 x 40 |
| Baby (average) | 42 x 52 |
| Crib | 45 x 60 |
| Swaddle | 48 x 48 |
Child blankets
| Size | Inches |
|---|---|
| Toddler | 36 x 48 |
| Child | 40 x 50 |
| Tween | 44 x 52 |
| Teen | 48 x 60 |
Throw blankets
| Size | Inches |
|---|---|
| Lap blanket (lapghan) | 36 x 48 |
| Square throw | 50 x 50 |
| Small throw | 52 x 60 |
| Medium throw | 54 x 66 |
| Oversized throw | 60 x 72 |
Bed blankets
Bed sizes include about 12 to 16 inches of “drop” on each side, so the blanket hangs over the edge of the mattress.
| Size | Mattress (inches) | Blanket (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38 x 74 | 66 x 90 |
| Twin XL | 38 x 80 | 66 x 90 |
| Full / Double | 54 x 75 | 80 x 90 |
| Queen | 60 x 80 | 88 x 92 |
| King | 76 x 80 | 104 x 92 |
| California King | 72 x 84 | 102 x 96 |
Want the blanket to tuck over the pillows too? Sarah Maker suggests adding about 16 to 20 inches to the length.
How to Choose the Right Size
Step 1: Think about how it will be used. A couch throw needs to cover one adult from shoulders to feet. A stroller blanket needs to fit without dragging on the wheels. A bed blanket needs to cover the mattress plus the drop.
Step 2: Measure what you have. Grab a blanket you already love and measure it. That is often the best size guide of all.
Step 3: Measure the bed. For bed blankets, measure the mattress width and length, then measure from the top of the mattress down the side to where you want the blanket to stop. Add that drop to both sides of the width and to the foot of the length.
Example: A 60 x 80 inch queen mattress with 14 inches of drop: 60 + 14 + 14 = 88 inches wide, and 80 + 14 = 94 inches long (or more if you want a pillow tuck).
How to Hit Your Size: Swatch Math
Step 1: Crochet a swatch at least 6 x 6 inches in your blanket stitch, with your blanket yarn and hook.
Step 2: Wash or block it the way you will treat the blanket.
Step 3: Count the stitches across 4 inches and divide by 4. That is your stitches per inch.
Step 4: Multiply stitches per inch by the width you want. That is roughly how many stitches you need across.
Step 5: Adjust to fit your stitch pattern’s repeat. If the pattern says “multiple of 3 + 2,” round to the nearest number that fits.
Example: Your swatch has 12 stitches in 4 inches, so 3 stitches per inch. For a 50 inch throw, 3 x 50 = 150 stitches across.
For Granny Square Blankets
For square-based blankets, divide the blanket width and length by the size of your blocked square. For example, 6-inch squares for a 54 x 66 inch medium throw: 9 across and 11 down, so 99 squares. See our granny square blanket size chart for the full table.
How Much Yarn Will It Take?
Yardage depends on your stitch, yarn, hook and tension, which is why patterns list it for their exact design. A few real examples help set expectations:
- Sarah Maker’s free Granny Square Blanket, about 38 x 50 inches in worsted weight, uses about 1,757 yards.
- A single skein of Lion Brand Pound of Love holds 1,020 yards of worsted yarn, which gives you a sense of how many skeins a project like that needs.
For your own blanket, weigh your washed swatch, figure out how many swatches fit in your blanket, multiply, and add extra for the border.
Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
- Skipping the swatch. Your tension decides your size. A swatch takes a little time now and can save you hours of ripping back later.
- Measuring while the blanket is bunched up. Lay the blanket flat on a floor or bed, without stretching it, every time you measure.
- Forgetting the border. A wide border can add several inches to each side. Plan for it before you finish the body.
- Making a bed blanket the size of the mattress. Without drop, it will look too small. Add the drop to the sides and foot.
- Mixing up width and length. Most charts list width first. Check before you start your foundation chain.
Tips
- Measure the blanket every few inches. Rows can get looser or tighter as you relax into a project.
- Use stitch markers every 20 or 50 stitches in your foundation chain so you do not lose count.
- A foundation single crochet row is easier to count and stretchier than a long chain.
- If you are running short on yarn, a narrower blanket with a wide border can still reach your size.
- Write your final size and stitch count in your notebook. Future you will want to make another one.
FAQ
What is the standard size of a crochet throw blanket?
There is no single official standard, but throws usually range from about 50 x 50 inches for a square throw up to 60 x 72 inches for an oversized one, according to Sarah Maker’s size chart. A small throw of about 52 x 60 inches is a popular choice for one person on the couch.
What size is a crochet baby blanket?
An average baby blanket is about 42 x 52 inches. Smaller options include a stroller blanket at about 30 x 36 inches and a receiving blanket at about 40 x 40 inches. A crib blanket is larger, around 45 x 60 inches. Check what the parents will use it for before you pick a size.
How big should a crochet blanket be for a queen bed?
A queen mattress is about 60 x 80 inches. With 12 to 16 inches of drop on each side, the blanket is usually around 88 x 92 inches. Measure the actual bed and decide how far you want the blanket to hang, then add that drop to both sides and the foot.
Save this chart, measure twice, and your next blanket will be exactly the size you dreamed of.