Crocheting offers a wonderful way to express creativity while creating functional and beautiful items for your home. Among the many projects available, making a blanket is one of the most rewarding. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of crocheting a cozy Bernat blanket, using soft yarn and simple techniques. This project is perfect for beginners, so grab your materials and let’s get started!

Materials Needed

To crochet your Bernat blanket, you will need a few essential materials:

• Bernat Blanket Yarn: This super-soft yarn is ideal for blankets, providing both warmth and comfort.
• Crochet Hook: While a 6 mm hook is recommended, a 9 mm hook will also work well, creating a nice texture for the blanket.
• Tapestry Needle: For weaving in yarn ends once your blanket is finished.
• Scissors: For cutting your yarn as needed.

Getting Started

Making the Initial Slip Knot

1. Create a Loop: With your yarn, form a loop.
2. Secure the Yarn: Take the long end of your yarn and wrap it behind the loop.
3. Pull Through: Use your hook to snag the yarn from the middle and pull it through the loop, forming your slip knot.

Creating the Foundation Chain

A chain serves as the foundation of your blanket, determining its width. For our blanket, we will create 125 chains.

1. Yarn Over: Hold the yarn with your hook and yarn over the hook.
2. Pull Through: Pull the yarn through the loop on your hook. Repeat this until you have a total of 125 chains.

Working in Single Crochet

Once your foundation chain is ready, you’ll begin the first row using single crochet:

1. Skip the First Chain: As you start, skip the first chain closest to the hook.
2. Insert Your Hook: In the second chain from the hook, insert your hook.
3. Yarn Over and Pull Through: Yarn over and pull through. This will give you two loops on your hook.
4. Complete the Stitch: Yarn over again and pull through both loops to complete your first single crochet.
5. Continue Across the Row: Single crochet into each chain until you reach the end. You should have 124 stitches after skipping the first chain.

Setting Up for the Next Row

After completing your first row:

1. Turn Your Work: Chain one, turn your work around to begin the next row.
2. Identify the V’s: Look for the "V" shapes at the top of your stitches; this is where you will work your next row.
3. Repeat the Process: Skip the first stitch and start single crocheting into the next stitch and keep working across the row.

Continuing Your Blanket

To create the desired length for your blanket:

1. Repeat Rows: Continue with single crochet across each row, turning and chaining one at the end of each row.
2. Measure Your Blanket: As you progress, you can measure your blanket. A good size is approximately 180 centimeters, but feel free to adjust according to your preference.

Finishing Touches

Once you have achieved your desired length, it’s time to finish your blanket:

1. Weave in Ends: Use your tapestry needle to weave in any loose yarn ends.
2. Cut Excess Yarn: Trim off any extra yarn with your scissors.

Enjoy Your Cozy Creation!

Congratulations on completing your Bernat blanket! You’ve not only learned how to crochet, but you’ve also created a beautiful item that adds warmth and comfort to your home. Whether you cuddle under it while watching movies or use it as a decorative throw, your hand-crocheted blanket is sure to be a beloved addition.

Now that you’re familiar with the process, feel free to experiment with different colors and patterns. Happy crocheting!