How many hours does it take to crochet a blanket?
Maybe you're thinking about starting a new project to gift a friend for their birthday, for a new baby in your life, or just for yourself and a blanket pattern has caught your eye (they do make amazing gifts!). You might be a beginner and find it the safest choice for starting your crochet journey as there's no shaping involved, there's typically less stitch counting than a more complex project like a sweater or an amigurumi, and you'll get your stitch reps in. Or, perhaps you find it a little intimidating to commit to such a large project and to purchase so many skeins of yarn.
Now you're wondering, what kind of commitment are we talking about here? Will this take days? Months? YEARS?
As with most things in life, the frustrating answer is: "it depends". I'd like to start by giving some context for why it depends and share some thoughts and tips on estimating the time commitment before you dive into your next project. But I hope you'll stick around to read a little more because, in typical Day With Rae fashion, I'd like to share some thoughts on why you might reconsider how to think about time commitment in crochet projects in any form.
Considerations that impact time commitments in crochet
There are lots of variables that will impact the number of hours it'll take to make a blanket, and it'll be different for everyone! And while you may have picked up that I'm not a huge fan of counting the hours it takes to crochet something, the following considerations are still important to be aware of for any crochet venture.
Your skill level
Newer crocheters will take longer than experienced crocheters. But rest assured that practicing your crochet skills through a blanket with lots of repetitive stitches will help hone your skills and you may find yourself moving along more naturally as you work through your pattern and get comfortable with the yarn and stitches involved.
Size of blanket
What size of blanket have you decided to make? The larger the blanket, the longer it will take to complete. Blankets come in literally any size... which is one of the things that makes crocheting blankets such a great project for beginners! If a blanket is 5 inches longer than you planned, it's still gonna fit!
For reference anyway, here are a few common sizes. Blanket patterns will often be for a specific size (baby blanket or queen for example), but usually the pattern will include directions on how to adjust the length and width to fit any size you like.
Type of stitches
The stitches are where it's at! This is where the texture and artistry comes in, in my opinion. But some stitches will require significantly more time to work up the same size area as another stitch.
For example, single crochets are a simple enough stitch, but they aren't very big. A double crochet, however, takes up more space. To get the same height as a row of double crochet, you'd have to work two rows of single crochets.
Blankets are a great way to explore more complicated stitches. Consider how many steps might be needed per stitch, and if the outcome is more robust stitches taking up more space, or delicate stitches that will require higher stitch volume to cover a large blanket-sized area.
Yarn thickness and hook size
A blanket made of chunky yarn and a large hook will work up much faster than a fingering weight yarn and small hook. If you're truly on a time constraint, consider a pattern that calls for chunky weight yarn.
Consistency
While the number of hours it takes might not change, a project could take you 2 days or 2 years! If you're on a deadline to someone's birthday, a holiday, or a baby shower, consider how often you'll be able to pick up your WIP between now and your deadline.
Ok, I get that it depends, but approximately how long will it take?
Considering all of the "it depends" commentary above, you'll notice the pretty broad ranges I've outlined below. If you're simply looking for "can I finish this before my friend's birthday", I think you'll find this helpful. However, next I'll share tips on how to better estimate for your particular pattern, with consideration to the stitches and yarn it calls for.
Tips on estimating time commitments
First step: use your gauge swatch and do some math. You ARE swatching right? Start a timer and make your swatch 10"x10". Crochet the whole thing with no distractions. Once you have your swatch, it's time for math:
(Blanket width × Blanket length ÷ 100) × Swatch time = Estimated total time
If working up the swatch felt good and you are still in the game but not fully convinced you want to commit your time, take the next step. Start the pattern and set a timer for an hour. See how much you can complete in that one hour of real crochet time, including pausing to make your tea, then pausing for sips of tea, and then suddenly time for a bathroom break! Those life moments will be there for the whole process, so consider them here for a more realistic calculation.
Don't forget to add a buffer for steps you have to take once the crocheting is finished. You'll need to weave in ends, potentially seam panels together, and block. Don't let this sneak up on you!
Now my argument to consider a different lens regarding time
I get it. We all have a lot going on and our free time is precious. I also get that you might be scrolling Ravelry or Pinterest or your favorite crochet designers on Instagram and you have a laundry list of projects you can NOT wait to start (I'm so guilty of that!). But, is time really the right metric for something handmade?
Think about the literal implications of what crocheting a blanket means. You are taking these strands of fiber and creating something that is beautiful, warm, thoughtful, and difficult to accomplish! To crochet a blanket takes skill, practice, patience, belief in yourself. It takes your love and consideration. You likely reviewed many, many patterns before you settled on the one that spoke most to you, then you reviewed the infinite colors and color combinations and settled on the ones you know are your friend's favorite colors or that would perfectly match the baby's room. Deciding to literally use your hands to create something this special shouldn't be measured by "how quickly can I be done with this?"
I remember I had a blanket when I was little that my grandma had crocheted me. I dragged that blanket everywhere with me until I wore holes in it. Literally some 35 years later I still remember that blanket fondly. A couple years ago I was so excited to make a baby blanket for my pregnant friend. I searched and searched for the perfect pattern that would fit her aesthetic, and chose the perfect beachy colors as I knew the family would spend so much time together on the beach once baby was born. And I told her I hoped he loved it so much he, too, would drag that blanket around until he wore holes in it.
These are the joys of crocheting and creating something with so much potential, so much meaning, so much permanence. I hope you'll consider focusing on who you are making the blanket for, what you love about the pattern and the colors you chose, the process of learning and perfecting your chosen hobby and art, and try not to tie the value of your piece to how quickly you can finish it.
If you're looking for a new blanket pattern yourself, I'd be honored if you checked out my blanket patterns here:
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