Crafting Cozy Crochet Cable Blankets For Beginners

If you're looking to take your crochet skills to the next level, a cable blanket is a great project to try. Crochet cable blankets are beautiful and timeless, and with different colours of yarn, they can fit anyone's style. While crochet cables can be challenging, even beginners can create a stunning blanket with the right pattern and some patience.

There are many crochet cable blanket patterns available online, ranging from simple to complex. Some patterns are free, while others require a small fee to access. When choosing a pattern, pay attention to the required materials, stitches used, and skill level recommended. It's also a good idea to read reviews from other crocheters to get a sense of the pattern's clarity and any potential challenges.

In addition to yarn and a crochet hook, you may need additional supplies like stitch markers and a yarn needle for weaving in ends. Remember to consider the purpose of your blanket—will it be a decorative piece for your couch, a warm throw for movie nights, or a snuggly blanket for bed? This will help you select the right yarn weight and colours to suit your needs.

Whether you're an ambitious beginner or a seasoned crocheter, taking on a crochet cable blanket project can be a rewarding experience. So, get your hooks ready and happy crocheting!

Crochet cable blanket pattern

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn (also known as category #4 yarn) is the most common type of yarn for crochet cable blankets. It is thicker than some yarns, which means it will create a warm blanket.
• You will also need a crochet hook, with the size specified by your pattern. For example, a 6.5 mm / K Hook or a size H (5mm) crochet hook.
• Other useful tools include a yarn needle, stitch markers, and scissors.

Stitches

Crochet cables are created by skipping a set of stitches and then crossing front and back post stitches to achieve a twisted effect. The specific stitches you will need to know are:

• Chain stitch (ch)
• Crab stitch (also known as reverse single crochet)
• Double crochet (dc)
• Front post treble crochet (FPTR)
• Back post double crochet (BPDC)
• Half double crochet (hdc)

Patterns

There are many different cable crochet blanket patterns to choose from, ranging from beginner to advanced skill levels. Here is a selection of patterns:

• The Nancy Afghan Cabled Crochet Blanket Pattern (intermediate skill level)
• Gray Skies Cable Crochet Afghan Pattern (intermediate skill level)
• Double Cabled Crochet Blanket Pattern (intermediate skill level)
• Hudson Cable Afghan Crocheted Pattern (beginner-friendly)
• Lullaby Cabled Braided Blanket Crocheted Pattern (beginner-friendly)
• Sweet Slumbers Cabled Afghan Pattern for Crochet (beginner-friendly)
• Diamond Crochet Cabled Blanket Pattern (beginner-friendly)
• Aran Green Cabled Throw Crochet Blanket Pattern (intermediate skill level)
• Heritage Cable Crocheted Blanket Throw Pattern (intermediate skill level)
• Easy Beginner Cable Blanket Pattern (beginner-friendly)

Tips

• The pattern will tell you what type of yarn and hook size to use.
• Cabled fabric is denser and requires more yarn than other crochet projects, so make sure to have extra yarn on hand.
• Cable stitches can be confusing, so use stitch markers to help you keep track.
• If you are a beginner, consider watching video tutorials or reading step-by-step instructions to help you get started.
• You can add a border to your blanket for a finishing touch, such as a simple single crochet border or a crab stitch border.

Stitches and rows

To start, you will need to get your materials ready. For this project, you will be using size 4 yarn, approximately 940m of it, and 5mm and 5.5mm crochet hooks. You will also need a tapestry needle for weaving in the yarn ends.

The stitches used in this pattern include chain (ch), crab stitch or reverse single crochet (rsc), double crochet (dc), front post triple crochet (fptr), half double crochet (hdc), and skip stitch (sk). The pattern will also include instructions like "skip 1 dc stitch" or "going in front of the last 2 stitches", which refer to specific stitch techniques.

Now, let's dive into the rows! The blanket begins with a foundation row of single crochet (sc) stitches.

Row 1: Chain (ch) 100, then place 1 sc into the second chain from your hook and into each stitch across.

Row 2: Ch 3 (this counts as your first double crochet, dc), and turn your work. Place 1 dc into each stitch across.

Row 3: Ch 1 and turn. Put 1 sc into each stitch across.

Row 4: Ch 3 and turn. You will now begin the cable pattern. Place 1 dc into the next 2 stitches. Then, you will work a front post triple crochet (fptr) around the 4th stitch of the previous dc row. Skip 1 dc stitch, then work 1 fptr around the next 2 stitches. Now, here's the tricky part: going in front of the last 2 stitches you made, work 1 fptr into the skipped dc stitch, then 1 fptr around the next dc stitch. Finish this section with 1 dc into the next 3 stitches. Repeat the instructions between the asterisks (*) until the end of the row.

Row 5: Ch 1 and turn. Put 1 sc into each stitch across.

Row 6: Ch 3 and turn. Place 1 dc into the next 2 stitches. Work 1 fptr around the next fptr, then skip 2 fptr. Work 1 fptr around the next 2 stitches. Going in front of the last 2 stitches, work 1 fptr around the skipped stitch, then 1 dc into the next 3 stitches. Repeat the instructions between the asterisks (*) until the end of the row.

Repeat rows 5 and 6 to your desired blanket length, always ending with a row 6.

Once you've reached your desired length, you will work a final row of dc stitches across. At this point, you can choose to add a border or leave the blanket as it is. If you decide to add a border, you have a few options:

• Single crochet (sc) all the way around, placing 3 sc together in each corner for a rounded edge.
• Crab stitch border
• Ribbed border

For a simple and elegant finish, you can also change to a 5mm hook and work a round of half double crochet (hdc) stitches all the way around the blanket. This will create a neat edge.

And there you have it! A beautiful crochet cable blanket, perfect for snuggling up on the couch or adding a stylish touch to your home décor.

Materials needed

To make a beginner crochet cable blanket, you will need the following materials:

• Yarn: A worsted weight yarn in size 4 is recommended. You will need approximately 940m of yarn for a beginner crochet cable blanket. The amount of yarn you need may vary depending on the size of your blanket. For a crib-size blanket, you will need approximately 1200 yards of yarn. For larger sizes, such as a twin or full/queen, you will need to adjust the amount of yarn accordingly.
• Crochet Hooks: A 5mm and a 5.5mm crochet hook are suggested. The pattern may specify the size of the crochet hook required.
• Yarn Needle: This is needed to weave in the ends after you have finished crocheting your blanket.
• Stitch Markers: Stitch markers can be helpful when working with crochet cables as they can be confusing at times.
• Scissors: To cut the yarn when needed.

You may also want to have a video or written tutorial on hand to guide you through the process of crocheting a cable blanket, especially if you are a beginner.

Common questions

Crochet cables are made by skipping a set of stitches and then crossing front and back post stitches to create a twisted effect.

Cabled fabric is denser and does require a bit more yarn. Be sure to have extra yarn for your crochet cable projects.

Depending on the type of crochet cables, it may be hard or easy. But if you are a quick learner, then the cable stitch should be easy.

No, crochet cables can be challenging. My advice would be to watch a few crochet cable tutorials first and then get started.

The pattern will tell you what yarn to use. A common recommendation is worsted weight yarn, which works up fairly quickly and is thicker, making it perfect for blankets.

Different cable crochet blanket patterns

There are many different cable crochet blanket patterns to choose from, ranging from beginner to intermediate skill levels. Here are some patterns to try:

The Nancy Afghan Cabled Crochet Blanket Pattern

This pattern is highly rated by users for being very detailed and suitable for those who are new to crocheting. The blanket has a great texture and would make a lovely neutral gift. It requires worsted weight category #4 yarn.

Gray Skies Cable Crochet Afghan Pattern

This pattern is also rated 5 out of 5 stars by users. It is detailed and easy to follow, even for those who have never crocheted cables before. The designer has other cable crochet blanket patterns to try as well.

Double Cabled Crochet Blanket Pattern

This pattern is perfect for those who want to try a chunky cabled throw blanket. It has clear instructions and photos, making it ideal for those who are visual learners. The blanket turns out beautifully and is a great first blanket to make from a pattern.

Hudson Cable Afghan Crocheted Pattern

This pattern is highly rated for being easy to follow, with clear written instructions and helpful photos. It includes instructions for a matching pillow, so you can create a coordinated set.

Easy Beginner Cable Blanket Pattern

As the name suggests, this pattern is suitable for beginners. It comes with a helpful tutorial to guide you through the process.

Sirin's Crochet Easy Beginner Cable Blanket

This pattern features a simple 2-row repeat and requires less yarn than other cable blanket patterns. It is a great way for beginners to improve their crochet skills. The pattern includes instructions for a border, and you can also purchase an ad-free PDF version.

Frequently asked questions