How many stitches to cast on for a blanket?

In worsted yarn, cast on about 225 stitches for a throw blanket, 202 for a baby (crib) blanket and 405 for a queen. That's the width multiplied by your gauge: enter your own gauge below for an exact count.

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Measure the stitches across your swatch in the pattern stitch. The gauge calculator can work it out from your swatch.

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Cast-on chart for knitted blankets

Stitches to cast on in stockinette or garter stitch, before any border stitches, at common gauges (stitches per 4 in / 10 cm).

BlanketDK
22 sts / 4 in		Worsted
18 sts / 4 in		Aran
16 sts / 4 in		Bulky
12 sts / 4 in
Lovey / security
12 in30 cm wide		66544836
Baby stroller
30 in76 cm wide		16513512090
Receiving
36 in91 cm wide		198162144108
Crib
45 in114 cm wide		247202180135
Throw / lap
50 in127 cm wide		275225200150
Twin
66 in168 cm wide		363297264198
Full / double
80 in203 cm wide		440360320240
Queen
90 in229 cm wide		495405360270
King
108 in274 cm wide		594486432324

How to work it out yourself

  1. Knit a swatch at least 6 in / 15 cm square in the stitch you'll use, and wash it the way you'll wash the blanket.
  2. Count the stitches across 4 in / 10 cm in the middle of the swatch.
  3. Divide by 4 (or by 10 for cm) to get stitches per inch (or per cm).
  4. Multiply by the width you want. Round to fit your stitch pattern's repeat, and add any border stitches.

Example: 18 stitches per 4 in is 4.5 per inch. For a 50 in blanket, 4.5 × 50 = 225 stitches. For a pattern with a repeat, such as 2×2 rib, round to the nearest number that fits; the calculator does this for you.

How much yarn for the blanket?

Once you know your cast-on, check you have enough yarn before you start: a worsted throw takes roughly 2,500–3,000 yd. Theblanket yarn chart gives yards and skeins for every size from lovey to king, in knit and crochet, and the yarn calculator works it out from your own swatch.

Common questions

How many stitches do I cast on for a throw blanket?
For a 50 in / 127 cm wide throw, cast on about 225 stitches in worsted yarn (18 sts per 4 in) or 150 in bulky yarn (12 sts per 4 in). Check your own gauge first, since it changes the number a lot.
How many stitches to cast on for a large throw blanket?
A large throw or twin-size blanket about 66 in / 168 cm wide needs about 297 stitches in worsted (18 sts per 4 in), or 198 in bulky. That's too many for a straight needle, so use a long circular.
How many stitches for a full size or queen blanket?
A full / double blanket (80 in wide) needs about 360 stitches in worsted, and a queen (90 in wide) about 405. Many knitters make big blankets in strips or squares instead and join them.
How many stitches for a baby blanket?
A 45 in / 114 cm crib blanket needs about 247 stitches in DK (22 sts per 4 in) or 202 in worsted. A smaller stroller blanket (30 in) needs about 165 in DK or 135 in worsted.
How long a chain for a crochet blanket?
For a 50 in throw in half double crochet at 13 hdc per 4 in, chain 164: 162 stitches plus 2 for the turning chain. The cast-on calculator above works it out for sc, hdc and dc.
Do I need a circular needle for a blanket?
Yes, for anything wider than about 20 in / 50 cm. A 32 in / 80 cm or 40 in / 100 cm circular needle holds all the stitches. You still knit back and forth, turning at the end of each row.
Should I add stitches for a border?
If you knit a garter or seed stitch border as you go, add its stitches on both sides: for example 5 border stitches each side is 10 extra. If you pick up a border afterwards, cast on for the width without it.

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