Easy Beginner Crochet Afghan Blanket Pattern With Video Tutorial (2024)

This beautiful blanket is crocheted with a super bulky yarn and large hook so it works up quickly. Using a slight variation on double crochet stitches, this blanket is great for the beginner crocheter who wants to crochet their first afghan. The free version of the Olive Branch Blanket pattern is available in the afghan size (which makes a wonderful gift) and includes a video tutorial showing you how to make this blanket.

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Grab a printable, ad-free PDF version of this pattern which includes the instructions to make this blanket in 14 different sizes (stroller through king size) PLUS a printable pattern cheat sheet/checklist to help keep you on track in my Ravelry and Etsy shops .

When making your first crochet blanket, it’s best to keep it simple, using basic crochet stitches and avoiding color changes (unless you have experience with this).

For beginners, I recommend using a super bulky weight yarn for their first blanket as it will work up much more quickly than a thinner yarn and you’ll feel more accomplished sooner. Unless you have a ton of patience, making crochet afghans (or larger blankets) for the first time with a thinner yarn can really take the wind out of your sale and make you lose interest fast.

This simple pattern uses simple stitches (double crochet and a simple variation on double crochets) to create a beautifully textured fabric.

This stitch pattern has a two row repeat and is relatively mindless so it can be done while watching t.v. or having a conversation – perfect for new crocheters or those looking for an easy project to work at the end of the day.

Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick & Quick Yarn

The type of yarn that I used for this project is called Lion Brand Re-Spun. It’s a 100% recycled, super bulky weight yarn that I really loved working with. Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick & Quick is a lovely soft yarn that is currently available in 18 different colors. I used the color Olive Branch for my sample which looks great in my living room.

To crochet this beginner crochet afghan, you’ll need 7 skeins of yarn to make this size (when matching gauge).

The hook size that I used was a 10mm (N/P) Streamline crochet hook from Furls Crochet. When you’re crocheting an afghan blanket, you’re spending hours to crochet it so you want a comfortable crochet hook that can ease the strain on your hands.

Cozy at Home Crochet Along

I designed this easy beginner crochet afghan pattern for theCAL Central Cozy at Home CAL. See the full schedule of patterns and all the event details in themain CAL post. Then join in the fun and share your projects on theCAL Central Crochet Facebook group!

Other Free Crochet Blanket Patterns Using Easy Crochet Stitches to Check Out:

• Easy Crochet Baby Blanket (video tutorial) – makes a great baby shower gift and uses worsted weight yarn
• Holiday Snuggles Throw Blanket (video tutorial) – a super cozy blanket using chunky yarn
• Tranquil Tides Blanket – Easy Ripple Pattern – (video tutorial)

Making the Olive Branch Blanket in a Different Blanket Size

For those that may not want to make this project in the afghan size, I have written this pattern up to include the following sizes:

• Stroller
• Baby
• Crib
• Toddler
• Small, Medium, Large & XL Throws
• Small, Medium, Large & XL Afghans
• Twin, Queen & King

The size available on the blog is the Medium Afghan but you can all the sizes in one convenient printable file with a cheat sheet to help you stay on track for a small fee in my Ravelry and Etsy shops.

Tips For Crocheting This Beginner Crochet Afghan

Here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re following along with this pattern:

• Read the pattern in full before starting to crochet.
• When creating your foundation chain place stitch markers every 20 or 50 chains so that if you lose count, you don’t have to count every chain stitch all over again.
• Choose the right yarn. This blanket is designed using a super bulky weight yarn so substituting a different yarn weight will drastically alter your blanket size. If you don’t have access to Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick and Quick some other great alternatives are:
  • Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
  • Lion Brand Hometown
• Count your Stitches. Make sure you have the same number of stitches every row. The CH 3 counts are your first DC stitch so make sure you’re counting that in your stitch count.
• Use Stitch Markers: It’s a good idea to place a stitch marker in the last stitch and the top of the first stitch of every row to avoid losing stitches.

Disclaimer:

Feel free to sell the finished product created by this easy afghan pattern but please provide pattern credit back to me when posting online, and please provide a link to my blog: https://theloopylamb.com. This pattern is for personal use only. Please do not resell, distribute, duplicate, or share this pattern in any printed or digital form, or claim this pattern as your own original design. Please do not use my photos when selling your finished items.

Skill Level:

• Beginner

Terminology:

• U.S. Terminology

Supplies:

• 10 mm (N/P) Crochet Hook
• Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick & Quick (100% Premium Acrylic, Worsted Weight (4), 218yds/200m, 100g/3.5oz) in Olive Branch, 7 Skeins or 1493 yds
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle
• Stitch Markers (Optional)

Abbreviations:

• CH = Chain
• FO = Finish Off
• DC = Double Crochet
• RS = Right Side
• SK = Skip
• SLST = Slip Stitch
• ST(S) = Stitches
• WS = Wrong Side
• XDC = Crossed Double Crochet (See Special Stitches)
• YO = Yarn Over

Special Stitches & Techniques:

• Crossed Double Crochet (XDC): SK 1^st ST and DC into the next stitch. Working behind the DC you just completed, DC in the skipped stitch.

Approximate Finished Size:

• 48” wide x 60” long

Gauge:

• Approx. 8 sts x 5 rows = 4 inches

NOTES:

• This pattern is worked back and forth in turned rows.
• Gauge is not vital to the project but it may affect the amount of yarn needed for the project and the size of the blanket.
• CH 3 at the beginning of every Row counts as your first stitch. Start working in the 2^nd ST of the Row.
• Optional: I recommend that beginners use stitch markers to keep track of the CH 3s at the beginning of each row to avoid missing this stitch.

Grab a printable, ad-free PDF version of this pattern which includes the instructions to make this blanket in 14 different sizes (stroller through king size) PLUS a printable pattern cheat sheet/checklist to help keep you on track in my Ravelry and Etsy shops .

Check Out The Video Tutorial for This Pattern

Olive Branch Blanket – Easy Beginner Crochet Afghan Pattern

CH 98.

Row 1 (RS): DC in the 4th CH from the hook and each CH across. Skipped 3 CHs count as first ST. (96)

Row 2 (WS): CH 3 and turn. SK 1^st ST, XDC across until 1 ST remains. DC in the last ST.

More Easy Crochet Blanket Patterns To Check Out For Your Next Project

• Eleventh Hour Throw Blanket
• Timeless Teal Chevron Blanket (Great for baby showers)
• Striped Thicket Stitch Blanket (lap blanket size)

Row 3: CH 3 and turn. SK 1^st ST, DC in each remaining ST across.

Rows 4 –75: Repeat Rows 2 – 3.

FO and weave in ends.

I’d love to see your crochet creations!Share your crocheted afghans made with this beginner crochet afghan pattern with me on social media by tagging me @theloopylamb or using #theloopylamb in your posts.