How many chains do I need for a blanket is probably the most common question I get asked. The answer is…well, there is no definitive answer! The size of your crochet blanket doesn’t just rely on chain number, it also takes personal gauge, yarn thickness, size of hook and the blanket pattern into account. So, what may make a baby blanket for one person, might make a lap blanket for another. But here’s the great thing about blankets. They don’t need to be worn or sized to body of the person using the blanket. So, the truth is, you can make it ANY SIZE YOU LIKE!
That said, there ARE ways to ensure you don’t end up with a tiny doll-sized blanket instead of a full adult sized one! We’ve all seen the internet stories of people ordering furniture for their house, only to end up with a miniature-sized rug or chair. While it might make for fun viewing, you don’t want to recreate the crochet version.
So, if you can’t rely on chain number to get the right size…what can you do? You can measure your chain! It’s simple. I’ve created a quick reference guide on blanket sizes so you can measure your chain with a measuring tape and make sure you avoid any teeny-tiny blanket nightmares!
Instead of asking “how many chains do I need for a blanket?” it’s better to ask, “how long should my chain be for a blanket?”
tips for measuring your chain
Whilst measuring your chain may seem quite simple, there are a few things to bear in mind when doing this:
- Try making a swatch. Create a swatch which measures 10cm X 10cm or 20cm x 20cm. Then count the amount of stitches within that swatch and you’ll be able to gain rough calculation of how many stitches you will need to create your chosen size.
- Give your chain a very gentle stretch when measuring so it lays flat but try not to pull too much to prevent it from pulling the chains.
- Take into account any turning chains needed. Add these after you have measured your chain. Ideally, you will want your first stitch to be placed in the last chain you made before you measured the chain.
- Work your first row of stitches and re-measure the work to see if there are any differences in sizing.
- Be mindful of what stitch you are working. Are you doing a simple stitch which doesn’t require a multiple? Or do you have to take into consideration how many stitches you will need? For example, if your stitch is a multiple of 4+2, you will need to keep chaining 4 until you reach as close to your desired size.
Now you’ve taken the above into account, you should hopefully have a better understanding of how to work out your chain count.
Ready to get your hands on the guide?
free blanket size guide

Whether you save, pin or print this guide and stick it to your fridge, it’s the perfect handy reference for your crochet blanket making. So, now you’ve no excuse – get hooking!
pin for later
blanket inspiration
Why not create a beautiful Patchwork blanket whilst you learn new stitches. If you’re looking for a project to work on throughout the year and learn new stitches along the way the Patchwork Blanket might be the answer to your crochet cravings!
You will enhance your crochet skills as you work through this pattern Ebook and have a beautiful blanket to show off your efforts at the end of it.
or
Browse my collection of crochet blankets here?
Alternatively for more blanket inspiration you can view my Crochet Blanket board on Pinterest!
17 Comments
Margaret Davies
July 9, 2020 at 2:22 pmThank you
Doreen
July 16, 2020 at 11:02 amI understand measuring instead of counting chains, but when I lay out my chain over a bed for example, The finished blanket ends up larger than needed because I must be laying the chain too loose. I’m thinking I should give it a tug, not tight, but stretching it a bit because once the blanket is completed it has weight to it and as you’re spreading it out on the bed it ends up longer. Does that make sense?
marieaspencer
September 28, 2020 at 4:59 amI just finished my first ever crochet project, it was the lilac and vanilla baby blanket, I just learned to crochet a few weeks, by watching your videos, which are absolutely brilliant, you make it so easy to follow, with the way you explain and demonstrate everything, I can not thank you enough, Sarah-Jayne, I think we can simply say I am now “hooked” can’t wait to attempt my next project, thank you again. x
BellaCocoTeam
September 29, 2020 at 5:37 pmYou are very welcome 🙂
janet
November 6, 2020 at 12:55 pmWhat blanket size is ok but how many chains and how many do you add to it like chain 100 + 1 that is what i need to know it is no good saying do a blanket by 10x 10 how many chains do you do afterwards like a turning chain
BellaCocoTeam
November 10, 2020 at 4:21 pmHi Janet It’s not as simple as saying how many to chain unfortunately as the size you end up with will all depend on your yarn, hook and personal tension A good idea is to crochet a small swatch which you can then measure and use to work out how many to chain. I also have a blog post explaining blanket sizing in more detail here: https://blog.bellacococrochet.com/how-many-chains-for-a-blanket/
Anne
April 27, 2021 at 3:04 pmWhat is the design for this blanket please? Love the pattern and love your colour scheme!
BellaCocoTeam
April 29, 2021 at 8:42 amDo you mean the bobble stripe blanket? here is the link if this is the one you mean – https://blog.bellacococrochet.com/?s=bobble+stripe+blanket
Liz
August 7, 2021 at 2:25 pmHow many chains do I need for pram blanket in waffle stitch using DK yarn and for Aran yarn please?
Paula Johnston
October 17, 2021 at 9:17 pmHELP I am using Hometown yarn super bulky 6 and I assume N hook and single crochet. Someone wants me to make them a queen size blanket so how many chains should use . never have made one this big with this kind of yarn
BellaCocoTeam
October 19, 2021 at 6:58 pmHi Paula, The best way to figure this out would be to crochet a small sample square using this yarn and hook. If you use a starting chain of around thirty, and work several rows in the stitch you are to be using, you will be able to measure it and then work out from this how many to chain for the size you want
Marilou
June 13, 2023 at 12:22 amHow many do I chain for a single crochet blanket in the rectangle for a twin size using bulky size 6 weight yarn?
BellaCocoTeam
June 13, 2023 at 2:27 pmIt’s hard to give an exact figure as it will depend on the hook you are using as well as your own personal tension; I would work up a small swatch of twenty chains or so that you can then measure and use to work out how many to chain for the full size blanket
janet
August 31, 2023 at 4:32 pmI still not getting the measuring item do i crochet multiples of 18 and then when i have got my chain ready then do i do 6 more stiches .
Why can you not say multiples of 18 + 6 instead of having to measure your chain and then adding more stitches it would be a lot easier than measuring and making swatches and just get on with the blanket .
I did find your youtube video helpful and it was a good tutorial thank you
BellaCocoTeam
September 6, 2023 at 8:29 amThank you, I’m glad you found it helpful The measuring is just to ensure that you get the most accurate results for the size you’re wanting to make.
Josephine
September 9, 2023 at 3:06 amAm doing my first a granny square lap blanket, not up to anything bigger being a newbie to crochet it’s to be a Christmas present for my grand daughter, with the join as you go method but the joins aren’t nice and straight like your mood blanket is. Have watched the tutorial, several times, (well lots more actually) is it something that just comes with practice. Josephine
BellaCocoTeam
September 12, 2023 at 6:42 pmHi Josephine, I’ve recently uploaded a new video for the Continuous Join as You Go method which I’d really recommend watching if you haven’t already. You can find the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jggZDHbOoFE I would make sure that you’re working your slip stitches in the correct spaces, otherwise it may be down to a tensioning issue which will improve with practise. In the meantime you can block your blanket which will help