Inside – This beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern uses super bulky yarn to create a thick, cozy blanket. No complicated stitches—just a simple, relaxing project for new crocheters.
Inspiration for the North Sea Crochet Blanket
The overall inspiration of the blanket is owed to my 10 year old son. He picked the yarn, the colorway, and the stitches he preferred in a blanket. But the deep memories of past adventures struck me when I read the colorway name – North Sea.
August 2023
My family took a Disney Cruise to Scandinavia and Northern Europe. Our favorite town we visited was Skagen, Denmark – a small coastal town right where the North Sea and Kattegat Sea meet. I remember walking along a shoreline that felt ancient and new at the same time.
The beach made me feel young that day.
July 2024
The following summer, I took a solo trip to the UK to visit a friend. She lived in a coastal town in NE England, and the whole week was incredible. She graciously hosted me, and drove me to all sorts of wonderful places.
Out of all the fantastic cities, castles, libraries, and tea shops we visited.. One of my favorite moments was walking along the beach with her family and two dogs. I was standing oh-so-far away from my home in the US, and yet I felt incredibly grounded to that sandy beach of the North Sea.
The beach was a balm for my soul that day.
November 2025
As a young(er) mom, I assumed my kids would adore anything I crocheted for them. Turns out, I was wrong. My kids don’t always like what I make them, and rarely ask me to crochet them anything. So, it shocked me that both kids wanted crocheted blankets for their Christmas presents.
What I learned from the blanket design process – let them choose the yarn and colorway no matter my opinions! I dared to go a step further, and asked my son what kind of stitches he’d like in his blanket. He preferred a smooth finish, and to use only one stitch.
But me, ever the creative, couldn’t stick to one stitch. I chose 3 beginner friendly stitches to give my holiday brain a break, while I kept my hands busy. What came of this super bulky, beginner blanket was the squishiest, coziest blanket I have ever made.
If you’re looking for a beginner level blanket, then look for further than the North Sea Blanket!
Beginner Friendly Crochet Stitches
The North Sea Blanket uses these 3 beginner stitches : Single Crochet, Half Double Crochet, Double Crochet. It does not get easier than that! I believe that once a person gains a solid foundation in these three stitches, there isn’t any crochet stitch that person can do.
Do you need help getting started with crochet? Here is a free crochet course that walks you through the beginning steps of crochet.
You will learn:
- Picking the perfect beginner yarn + hook
- Holding the yarn + hook
- Basic crochet stitches
- Reading a crochet pattern
- Creating your first project
Ready to take the class? Click here.
Super Bulky Yarn for this Crochet Blanket
On top of the beginner stitches, this crochet blanket pattern uses a super bulky yarn (category 6). Bernat Blanket yarn is not my all time favorite, but the SIZE of this yarn works up SO FAST. I was in shock that I could get through half a skein while watching a movie. Even for an experienced crocheter, the thought of starting a blanket can feel daunting.
As a mom to young kids, I don’t get much time outside of school hours to crochet. Using the super bulky yarn gave me a HUGE breath of fresh air, much like standing at the edge of the North Sea.
If you decide to double up a bulky weight yarn, or use an alternative super bulky yarn, I cannot recommend enough to make a gauge swatch. Use your gauge swatch to compare to the pattern’s gauge. Then, you can alter your starting chain count to your preferred size.
Save this free pattern to your favorite Pinterest board!
Prefer to crochet with a printable PDF?
You can purchase an ad-free PDF pattern through Etsy or Ravelry.
Click either button below.
NOTE ABOUT THIS FREE CROCHET PATTERN :
Thank you for choosing this free pattern as part of your crochet journey! It’s an honor for you to be here, browsing the High Desert Yarn Blog. This pattern is 100% free for you to crochet from, but please, do not screenshot, or copy+paste this pattern. However, work directly from this webpage. The ad revenue from this website allows me to offer free crochet patterns. If you do not like the scrolling, or ads, then you may purchase the ad-free PDF in my Etsy Shop or Ravelry Store. Thank you for your cooperation. Happy creating! -Joanna (Owner + Creative)
Materials
- Super Bulky (category 6) weight yarn
- I used Bernat Blanket Yarn in North Sea
- 100% polyester, 300g/220yds
- You need approximately 775 – 2,575 yds depending on size.
- I used Bernat Blanket Yarn in North Sea
- Crochet Hook – 9mm, or hook to meet gauge
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
Notes
- Experience Level – Beginner
- You will need to know how to create a Single Crochet, Half Double Crochet, and Double Crochet Stitch.
- Click here for beginner stitches video tutorials.
- CH 1 and CH 2 do not count as stitches.
- This pattern is worked in turning rows, and consists of a 3-Row Repeat.
- Stitch counts and sizes for this pattern are written as follows: A (B, C, D)
- Please see the “Finished Size” section for sizes and corresponding letters.
- Tip : Print out this pattern to circle/highlight your size and stitch counts throughout this pattern. This helps me avoid mix ups as I work a pattern written in multiple sizes!
- Advanced Beginners – You may substitute the ch 2 on Row 3 for a Standing Double Crochet.
- Odd numbered rows are the Right Side of the blanket.
Finished Sizes
Sizes measured before blocking.
A. Receiving (Baby) – 36” x 36”. You will need approximately 775yds of yarn.
B. Lapghan – 36” x 48″. You will need approximately 1,030yds of yarn.
C. Throw – 52” x 60”. You will need approximately 1,860yds of yarn.
D. XL Throw – 60” x 72”. You will need approximately 2,575yds of yarn.
Gauge
- 8 sts x 5 rows = 4×4” worked in the pattern repeat.
- Gauge is measured without blocking.
Stitch Abbreviations
US crochet terms used throughout.
- CH(s) – chain(s)
- SC – single crochet
- HDC – half double crochet
- DC – double crochet
- ST(S) – stitch(es)
Beginner Basics Series
Are you a crochet beginner? Then you will want to check out this free crochet course! This is a 6 Part course that takes you through picking your yarn (and hook) to helping you crochet your first stitches.
Click this link to head to the course page.
Video Tutorials
- Single Crochet – https://highdesertyarn.com/beginner-basics-crochet-class-lesson-3/
- Half Double Crochet – https://highdesertyarn.com/beginner-basics-crochet-class-lesson-4/
- Double Crochet – https://highdesertyarn.com/beginner-basics-crochet-class-lesson-5/
Written Instructions
Chain 74 (74, 106, 122)
Row 1: In 3rd ch from hook, DC, DC in each ch across, ch 1, turn. [72 (72, 104, 120) sts]
Row 2: HDC in each st across, ch 1, turn. [72 (72, 104, 120) sts]
Row 3: SC in each st across, ch 2, turn. [72 (72, 104, 120) sts]
Row 4: DC in each st across, ch 1, turn. [72 (72, 104, 120) sts]
Repeat Rows 2-4 until your blanket reaches 46 (61, 76, 91) rows. The last row of your blanket will be a DC row. Cut your yarn, fasten off, and weave in any remaining ends. Congrats! You’ve just made a beautiful new blanket. Enjoy, friend!
Lapghans for Charity Blog Hop
Crocheting to give is an incredible way to bless strangers. It’s captured my heart over the last two years as I crochet little baby hats to give to local hospitals. Of course I wanted to be a part of a blog hop that encourages crocheters to give back!
The North Sea Blanket Pattern will be available as a free PDF download on February 10, 2026 from 7am EST (New York Time) for 24 hours. Please click the button below to take you to the DIRECT DOWNLOAD from the HDY About Page. Thank you for participating in this blog hop and support crochet designers.
I hope you find a few new favorite patterns. 
