Plush Yarn Easy Crochet Blanket:  Weekend Pattern for Beginners

Plush Yarn Easy Crochet Blanket: Pattern by Janice Jones

Are you one of those crochet enthusiasts who would love to give more blankets as gifts, but just don't have the time to make them?  

Are you new to crochet and want to practice your skills but hate making swatch after swatch?  Or perhaps you just want a bit more practice with tension issues?

When I first started to crochet, I thought that a granny square afghan was the only type of blanket I could make.  I soon found that this belief is unfounded.

Unfortunately, they do take time, especially when you consider how long it takes to weave in ends and assemble the final product.

Here is a super easy, fast blanket that allows you to practice those basic stitches, single, half double, double, and treble crochet all in a cozy blanket using plush yarn.

Plush yarn is used to make this queen sized crochet blanket

Jump right to the plush yarn crochet blanket or read a few more lines of explanation.

Why a Plush Yarn Crochet Blanket

Alghans are fun to make, but there are easier solutions today especially when you make use of chunky, bulky yarns and large crochet hooks.

This free pattern was made with the beginner in mind - a way to practice some basic crochet stitches and create something beautiful and warm at the same time.  

This blanket was created for my daughter who loves pink and craves soft textures.  I think this gift was well received.

How Big are Crocheted Blankets

You can make blankets in just about any size to meet your needs but if you want a more conventional sizing chart, I have provided one below.

Table of various sizes of blankets shown in inches and centimeters

What Type of Yarn Do I Need for a Blanket:  Weights, Fibers, Look and Feel

Generally speaking, the thicker the yarn you choose, the less time it will take to complete the blanket.  Here are some general guidelines for yarn weights from the Craft Yarn Council

Chart of Yarn Weights based on the Yarn Craft Council Standards

If you want a fast project, chose CYC's #5, 6, or 7.  Crochet Afghans normally use a worsted weight or #4.  If you go smaller than that, the speed of completing your project will be slower.

CKC #5 Bulky:  Use 7.00 mm, (L) 8.00 mm, (M/N) 9.00 mm

CKC #6 Super Bulky:  Use N/M) 10.00 mm, 12.00 mm

CKC #7:  Jumbo:  Use (P/Q) 15.00 mm, (Q) 16 mm

Choose a yarn that is durable and that can be easily washed, especially if you are making a baby blanket.  Some good choices include acrylic, cotton, polyester, and bamboo.

Superwash wools also make an excellent choice, but stay away from fibers that must be hand-washed such as wool and alpaca as it is difficult to manage a large blanket by hand.

Regardless of the fiber, pick one that is soft and feels good near your skin.  Plus yarn blankets are supposed to be cozy and you wouldn't want one that is scratchy or irritating your skin.

Color is another consideration.  If you are making a blanket for yourself, it's easy to choose.  Pick what you like.  Choose a coordinating color for your home décor or choose a bright flamboyant shade that will make your room pop.

If you are creating a blanket for someone else, find out their likes and dislikes.  After all, you want them to love and use the blanket that you so lovingly handcrafted.

Plush Yarn Easy Crochet Blanket:  Pree Pattern

How to make a knit stitch

How to make a purl stitch

How to cast on using the long tail cast on method

How to bind off

How to weave in ends.

Note:  This yarn requires a yarn needle with a very big eye. This yarn cannot be split into plies so if you don't have the right yarn needle, you can still weave the ends using a smaller sized crochet hook.

What the Plush Yarn Easy Crochet Blanket Stitch Looks Like in Cotton Yarn

It is often difficult to see what this stitch looks like in number 5 plush yarn, so, I created it in a 100% cotton so you can see what you will be creating in the yarn recommended for the blanket.

The plush yarn blanket stitch is worked in cottone to make it easier to see.Stitches used to make this plush yarn blanket

Instructions

Chain 127, placing stitch markers every 25 stitches, for convenience.

Row 1: Chain 1.  Sc in 2nd ch from hook and the each chain across row.

Row 2: Ch 4, turn.  Tr in 2nd st from hook and then in each sc across row.

Row 3: Ch 3, turn. Dc in 2nd tr stitch and then in each tr stitch across row.

Row 4:  Ch 2, turn.  Hdc in 2nd dc and then in each dc stitch across row.

Row 5: Ch 1, turn.  Sc in 2nd hdc from hook and then in each hdc across row.

Repeat rows 2 to 5 until the desired width of the blanket has been reached.

Fasten off. 

Weave in ends.

Add a Border

I created two rows of single crochet stitches around the blanket in a contrasting color.  The corners were created with two crochet stitches, one chain and then two crochet stitches all worked in the same corner crochet stitch.  

REMEMBER

To reach the correct height for each stitch at the beginning of the row:

For single crochet, chain one

For half double crochet, chain two

For double crochet, chain three

For treble crochet, chain four

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A plush yarn crochet blanket is folded at the end of a bed with a Shih Tzu dog resting on top.Plush Yarn Crochet Blanket: Please Pin for Future Reference

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