Crochet Blanket Calculator (Size, Starting Chain, Rows, Yarn by Stitch & Skeins)
Plan a crochet blanket from a standard size or your own dimensions: starting chain and rows from your gauge, the yarn each stitch type eats (single, half-double, double, granny, corner-to-corner), total yards and skeins with a border allowance, cost and hours.
How it works
stitches = area ÷ (stitch width × row height) · yarn ≈ stitches × factor × stitch width (sc 4×, hdc 5.5×, dc 7.5×, granny 7×, C2C 8.5×, moss 4.5×, shell 8×) × border × 1.05 · starting chain = width × sts/cm + turning chain · hours = stitches ÷ stitches per hour
A blanket is a big rectangle of stitches, and the yarn it takes is the number of stitches times the yarn in each one — which depends heavily on the stitch: a double crochet is tall and uses nearly twice the yarn of a single crochet at the same width, and textured stitches more still. Working from your own gauge rather than a generic chart, the calculator gives the starting chain, row count, yardage and skeins for standard blanket sizes, plus the hours, so you know what you are signing up for before the first chain.
Worked example
A 130 × 170 cm throw in double crochet at 13 sts and 7 rows per 10 cm is about 20,100 stitches. At 7.5× the stitch width of yarn each, plus 6% for a simple border and 5% for ends, that is about 1,410 yards — four 364-yard skeins ($24) — starting with a chain of 172 and working 119 rows; around 80 hours at 250 stitches an hour.
Frequently asked questions
How much yarn does a crochet blanket take?
Roughly: baby 900–1,200 yd, throw 1,500–2,500 yd, queen 4,500–6,500 yd in worsted weight, with double crochet in the middle of the range, single crochet at the low end and textured stitches at the top. Your gauge and stitch change these a lot — calculate from a swatch.
Why does my starting chain curl or pull in?
The chain is tighter than the rows above it. Chain with a hook one size larger, chain loosely, or use a foundation single/double crochet row, which has built-in stretch. Blocking helps a little; a border hides the rest.
Does crochet use more yarn than knitting?
Yes, typically 25–30% more for the same size and yarn, because each crochet stitch wraps the yarn more times. Double crochet fabric is also thicker; if yarn budget matters, use a taller, more open stitch or a lighter yarn with a bigger hook.
Related calculators
Fibre-craft estimates depend on your tension, yarn, stitch pattern and blocking. Always knit or crochet a gauge swatch, wash and block it as you will the finished piece, and measure from that.