It’s the last Friday in September, and I’m kicking off my second annual series of 12 weeks of roundups for the handmade holidays! I’m sharing 50 free patterns and tutorials for handmade blankets, quilts, lovies, and throws, including crochet, knitting, sewing and quilting projects, along with a no-sew and a finger knit project! While some are holiday-themed and would make great seasonal decorations, others make great gifts because they can be used year round. Find your next project for someone on your handmade holiday gift list in this roundup.
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Handmade Holidays Gift Ideas Roundup: Week 1
50 Handmade Blankets That Make Great Gifts
Roundup by Underground Crafter
Blankets make wonderful gifts. They can be used to decorate and to keep warm. The recipient will think of you whenever they cuddle underneath your project. Since blankets can take longer to make than other projects, I thought it would be a perfect start to this 12-week series with inspiration for making your own winter holiday gifts.
21 Free Crochet Patterns
These patterns include motif and one-piece blankets; baby blankets, throws, and larger blankets; and standard crochet, Tunisian crochet, and intermeshing crochet patterns.
Left column, from top to bottom:
- Triangle Lap Blanket, free crochet pattern by Sue Pinner: This pattern from Granny Squares & Shapes: 20 Crochet Projects For You and Your Home uses triangles and circles to create a stunning design.
- Boardwalk Baby Blanket, free crochet pattern by Yarn and Chai: This striped blanket combines a self-striping yarn with four coordinating solid colors.
- Afternoon Tide Throw, free crochet pattern by Kim Guzman: This pattern uses an ombré yarn to make the colorwork easy.
- Happy Planned Color Pooling Blanket, free crochet pattern by Marly Bird: If you’re new to planned color pooling, you can find helpful tutorials on Marly’s blog here.
Second column, from top to bottom:
- Wavy Navy Afghan, free crochet pattern by J Crochet: This three-color striped blanket includes a candy cane border. The pattern includes both written and charted instructions.
- Scrapsadelic Groovy Blanket, free crochet pattern by Creative Crochet Workshop: This pattern, available in eight parts, is designed to use up your scrap yarn from other projects.
- Lakeside Throw, free crochet pattern by Petals to Picots: This pattern uses a one-row repeat and includes both written and charted instructions.
- Jazzberry Blanket, free crochet pattern by Stitches n Scraps: This stunning intermeshing crochet pattern is available in parts with video and photo tutorials to help you through each section. If you’re an experienced intermeshing crocheter, you can get the full pattern here.
Third column, from top to bottom:
- Berry Cobbler Ripple Blanket, free crochet pattern by Underground Crafter: This textured, ripple blanket makes a beautiful heirloom gift.
- Lunar Crossings Rectangle Blanket, free crochet pattern by Kim Guzman: This is one of six free crochet patterns in the Lunar Crossings series.
- Color Block Blanket, free crochet pattern by Maria’s Blue Crayon: This gender-neutral blanket uses post stitches to create texture.
- Robin Baby Blanket, free crochet pattern by Jessie At Home: This simple, striped pattern is designed so you can carry the unused yarn colors up the side and avoid weaving in many yarn tails.
Fourth column, from top to bottom:
- Alyssa Throw, free crochet pattern by Rescued Paw Designs: This cozy throw uses just single crochet and double crochet stitches, so it is beginner friendly.
- Marshmallow Twist Baby Blanket, free crochet pattern by Kim Guzman: This striped, Tunisian crochet blanket is reversible. The pattern includes links to video tutorials.
- Sherpa Baby Blanket, free crochet pattern by Kim Guzman: This pattern is designed to look like a shearling blanket.
- Creighton’s Blanket, free crochet pattern by Heart Hook Home: This sampler blanket combines seven different squares.
- Throw, free crochet pattern by Rosa P: This motif throw is a charted/symbol pattern from Great New Ways with Granny Squares.
Right column, from top to bottom:
- Derek Baby Blanket, free crochet pattern by The Lavender Chair: This blanket pattern uses a main color and an accent color to highlight the different stitch patterns used.
- Moss Stitch in a Square Blanket, free crochet pattern by Repeat Crafter Me: This continuous rounds blanket uses a self-striping yarn to make the colorwork easy and is embellished with pom poms.
- Pineapple of My Eye Baby Blanket, free crochet pattern by Nana’s Crafty Home: The main part of this pattern features a one-round repeat that can be continued to adjust it to your preferred size. A video tutorial is also available.
- Tunisian Crochet Log Cabin Sampler Blanket, free crochet pattern by Underground Crafter: This classic pattern is made using five different Tunisian crochet stitches, each of which is linked to a video tutorial.
16 Free Knitting Patterns
These knitting patterns include a range of sizes from as small as preemie blankets to as large as bedspreads.
Left column, from top to bottom:
- Striped Baby Blanket, free knitting pattern by Imaginacres: This striped blanket is knit on the bias.
- Chunky Ribbed Blanket, free knitting pattern by All About Ami: This fringed blanket works up quickly with two strands of yarn held together throughout.
- Brick & Mortar Baby Blanket, free knitting pattern by See Love Share: This pattern uses five colors for the stripes, but a self-striping yarn would also be lovely.
- Grandma’s Favorite Holiday Afghan, free knitting pattern by Patons for AllFreeKnitting: This festive plaid blanket is perfect for spreading holiday cheer.
Second column, from top to bottom:
- Holiday Squares Blanket, free knitting pattern by Bernat for AllFreeKnitting: This mitered square blanket makes a bold statement in any room.
- Stained Glass Afghan, free knitting pattern by Lion Brand: This blanket, knit from the center out, uses three colorways of a self-patterning yarn.
- Highgate Tweedy Afghan, free knitting pattern by Lion Brand: This asymmetrical striped blanket uses seven colors to create a vibrant look.
- Edgy Triangles Afghan, free knitting pattern by Lion Brand: This stunning pattern uses eleven different colors.
Third column, from top to bottom:
- Ollie and Polly Blankets, free knitting pattern by Jem Weston: These simple striped garter stitch blankets brighten up any room.
- Ten Stitch Cable, free knitting pattern by Frankie Brown: This textured blanket is part of Frankie’s ten stitch series.
- Drops of Love Baby Blanket, free knitting pattern by Lee Lee Knits: This textured blanket uses an easy to remember stitch pattern.
- Eyelet Column Chevron Blanket, free knitting pattern by Mama’s Stitchery Projects: This striped, chevron blanket includes instructions for five sizes.
Right column, from top to bottom:
- Baby Bird Blanket, free knitting pattern by Underground Crafter: This textured blanket is written for three infant sizes, but also includes instructions for upsizing.
- Levi the Super Easy Lovie, free knitting pattern by Marianna’s Lazy Daisy Days: This adorable critter makes a cute gift for a little one.
- Get Fresh Throw, free knitting pattern by Bernat for AllFreeKnitting: This beginner-friendly blanket uses wide stripes to create a bold look.
- Mermaid Blanket Pattern, free knitting pattern by Bernat for AllFreeKnitting: These cozy sack blankets are available in adult and child sizes for your favorite mermaid lover.
11 Free Sewing and Quilting Tutorials
These tutorials include blankets that are sewn, ranging from low-sew projects through detailed quilted blankets.
Left column, from top to bottom:
- Cuddle Squares Quilt, free quilting tutorial by Pieces by Polly: This is a project that kids can make, and Polly includes tips for quilting with children.
- Easy Modern Geometric Quilt, free quilting tutorial by Maker Style: This tutorials includes instructions for working with your Cricut Maker to cut out fabric pieces.
- Easy Fringed Fleece Blanket (No Knots!), free sewing tutorial by It’s Always Autumn: This tutorial shares how to make a low-sew fringed fleece blanket without knotting the edges.
- Raw Edge Quilt, free sewing tutorial by Sisters, What!: This frayed edges blanket tutorial includes lots of helpful pictures.
Center column, from top to bottom:
- Photo Collage Blanket, free sewing tutorial by It’s Always Autumn: This low-sew photo collage blanket makes a great, customized gift.
- Rainbow Quilt, free quilting tutorial by Sew What Alicia: This pattern is great for busting through small fabric stash.
- Tie Dye Sampler Quilt, free quilting tutorial by Always Expect Moore: This pattern gives you detailed instructions on tie dyeing the fabric, but assumes you know how to assemble the quilt.
Right column, from top to bottom:
- Easy Layer Cake Quilt, free quilting tutorial by Heather Kojan Quilts for Fairfield: This quilting pattern is designed for using up a layer cake of pre-cut fabric.
- Mermaid Tail Blanket, free sewing tutorial by Sweet Red Poppy: This cozy sack blanket comes in toddler, child, and adult sizes for your favorite mermaid lover.
- Faux Chenille Blanket, free sewing tutorial by Life Sew Savory: This flannel blanket pattern includes instructions for using four or five layers.
- Triangle Baby Quilt, free sewing tutorial by Life Sew Savory: This quilt-look blanket pattern includes a time lapse video of the entire project from start to finish.
And, Last (But Not Least)
These two blankets are perfect for the yarn or fabric lover who doesn’t have the time or tools on hand to knit or sew!
- Hand-Painted Baby Blankets in Bubble Gauze (at left), free fabric painting tutorial by A Happy Stitch: Use a pre-cut blanket and fabric paint for this project. It’s light enough to gift to those living in a warmer climate.
- Finger Knit Throw Blanket (at right), free finger knitting pattern by Everyday Jenny: This blanket is finger knit using a loop yarn, so no needles are required.
Need more blanket inspiration? Check out these roundups!
37 Patterns for Handmade Blankets That Make Great Gifts
9 Free Crochet Patterns for Christmas Blankets
