A first blanket should be simple enough to repeat without thinking, and quick enough that you finish it.
Pick a stitch
- Double crochet: the fastest of the basic stitches because each row is tall.
- Half double crochet: a little denser, with more warmth.
- Single crochet: solid and slow, better for small pieces.
- Moss stitch: alternating stitches and chains give a soft woven look.
Pick a yarn
Worsted is a good start because stitches are easy to see. Bulky yarn is faster, but the blanket gets heavy. Choose smooth, light-coloured yarn for your first project, since dark or fuzzy yarn hides stitches.
Plan the size
Start with a baby or lap blanket rather than a bed size. Your foundation chain sets the width, so check it after a few rows. A long chain tends to tighten, so keep it loose or use a larger hook for the chain only.
Check your edges
Count stitches every few rows. Blankets that narrow usually lost a stitch at the row ends.
Use the yarn calculator for a first estimate, then build your stripes in the blanket maker.