Crochet blanket size guide: dimensions, gauge and what fits where
When you start a graphghan, the question that decides everything else is how big it’s going to be. This guide gives you the standard sizes for every type of crochet blanket and the stitch counts that get you there in DK or worsted weight, in single crochet or corner-to-corner.
Standard blanket sizes
| Type | Inches | cm | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lovey / mini | 14×14 | 35×35 | Newborn comforter, doll blanket |
| Pram / car-seat | 30×36 | 76×91 | Baby blanket |
| Crib / cot | 36×52 | 91×132 | Cot blanket |
| Lap / toddler | 40×50 | 102×127 | Knee blanket, toddler bed |
| Throw | 50×60 | 127×152 | Sofa throw, single bed top |
| Single bed | 66×90 | 168×229 | UK single duvet top |
| Double bed | 80×90 | 203×229 | UK double duvet top |
| King | 108×90 | 274×229 | UK king duvet top |
These are finished dimensions, not yarn-on-the-cone dimensions. Blocking adds about 5% to most acrylic blankets, so build your stitch count for slightly under the target.
Stitches per inch — the gauge that matters
Gauge varies by yarn weight, hook size and personal tension. The numbers below are typical averages and they’re close enough to plan from, but always swatch before starting anything bigger than a throw.
| Yarn weight | SC stitches per inch | C2C blocks per inch |
|---|---|---|
| DK (Light worsted, 8-ply) | ~5 | ~3 |
| Worsted (Aran, 10-ply) | ~4 | ~2.5 |
| Chunky (Bulky) | ~3 | ~2 |
Stitch counts for common sizes
Multiply finished inches by stitches-per-inch to get your chart dimensions. Examples:
| Blanket size | SC DK chart | C2C DK chart | SC worsted chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pram (30×36 in) | 150×180 | 90×108 | 120×144 |
| Lap (40×50) | 200×250 | 120×150 | 160×200 |
| Throw (50×60) | 250×300 | 150×180 | 200×240 |
| Single (66×90) | 330×450 | 198×270 | 264×360 |
| Double (80×90) | 400×450 | 240×270 | 320×360 |
The big-blanket numbers should give you pause. A double-bed graphghan in SC DK is a 400×450 stitch chart — 180,000 stitches. That’s a multi-month project even at speed. If you want a bed-sized graphghan, C2C in worsted is the only sensible option for most people.
How chart resolution affects detail
A 100×100 chart will look like the photo at room distance. A 50×50 will look like a pixel-art version. A 200×200 will look almost photographic — at the cost of much more time. As a rule of thumb:
- Under 40 squares per side: only suitable for very graphic images (logos, silhouettes, simple icons).
- 40–80 squares per side: good for stylised images — pets, simple landscapes, abstract patterns.
- 80–150 squares per side: recognisable photos — pet portraits, family snapshots.
- 150+ squares per side: near-photographic, but only worth it for special pieces.
How to plan a custom size in Bobble
When you upload a photo to Bobble, the app asks for the chart dimensions before generating the pattern. Pick the stitch count that matches your target finished size from the tables above, and Bobble does the rest — automatic palette quantising, chart preview, and (for Pro accounts) PDF export with row-by-row written instructions.
FAQ
What size blanket should I make for a newborn?
A pram blanket at 30×36 inches (76×91 cm) is the standard newborn size. It fits a car seat and a pram, but is small enough to be portable.
Does the blanket pattern look stretched if I change the dimensions in Bobble?
Bobble preserves the aspect ratio of the source photo by default. If you change one dimension, the other adjusts to match. To force a non-photo aspect ratio, change both numbers manually.
How long does a graphghan take to crochet?
Very roughly: SC at 4-5 hours per 1000 stitches, C2C at 1.5-2 hours per 1000 blocks. A pram-sized SC DK graphghan (27,000 stitches) is around 100-130 hours of work; a C2C version is 25-30 hours.
Plan your blanket in Bobble
Pick the dimensions and Bobble builds the chart and written instructions to match.
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