Crocheting animal blankets and blocks has become a beloved way to create charming and cozy pieces for children and even adults. Whether you’re crafting a blanket for a baby or designing an adorable animal-themed playmat, crochet animal blankets and blocks are versatile, fun, and can be personalized in countless ways. These crochet projects bring to life animals of all kinds through the magic of yarn and stitches, turning ordinary blankets into a warm, whimsical experience.
In this article, we’ll explore various crochet animal blankets and blocks patterns, offering step-by-step instructions on how to make the cutest animals using crochet techniques. We’ll also cover tips for making the design process easier and more enjoyable, so you can confidently create your very own animal-inspired crochet projects.
Whether you’re looking to create a full animal blanket, or simple animal blocks to join together in a larger design, these projects are perfect for gifting or decorating nurseries. Let’s dive into the world of crochet animal blankets and blocks and explore how to make them.
1. How to Crochet Animal Blankets
Crocheting an animal blanket is an exciting and rewarding project that combines creativity with functionality. You can create entire blankets that resemble animals or incorporate animal shapes into larger projects. Here’s how to get started with creating your very own crochet animal blanket.
DISCOVER MORE FREE PATTERNS HERE!
Step 1: Choose Your Animal
The first step in creating a crochet animal blanket is choosing the animal you want to feature. You can choose from various animals such as a bear, bunny, cat, lion, or even a more exotic animal like a giraffe or elephant. The key is to choose an animal that resonates with the style you want for your blanket.
Step 2: Select the Right Yarn and Hook
The next step is choosing the right yarn for your animal blanket. For soft, cuddly blankets, you may want to use a baby yarn or a plush yarn that’s gentle on the skin. Worsted weight yarns work well for a variety of designs, and they are easy to find in a wide range of colors. Choose a yarn that matches the animal’s features (like brown for bears, yellow for lions) and a crochet hook that complements the yarn weight.
Step 3: Start Crocheting the Animal Features
For an animal blanket, you typically crochet the body and head separately and then join them to create the full design. Depending on the animal, you might also crochet the ears, limbs, or tail separately and sew them onto the blanket. Many animal crochet patterns follow a similar method, using basic stitches like single crochet, double crochet, and slip stitches to shape the body and facial features.
Step 4: Incorporate Animal Details
To bring the animal to life, crochet facial features such as eyes, a nose, and a mouth. For animals like bunnies or cats, you might also crochet a set of whiskers, and for bears, adding a cute little snout or eyebrows can make the design more lifelike.
You can personalize the blanket with additional embellishments, such as adding a scarf to a fox or using multi-colored yarn to create patterns in the animal’s fur. The sky is the limit when it comes to creativity with crochet animal blankets.
2. Crochet Animal Blocks: The Basics
If you’re looking to create smaller projects or a series of animal-themed designs, crochet animal blocks are a wonderful option. These blocks can be joined together to form a larger blanket, or you can use them individually for wall hangings, pillows, or even blankets. Here’s a guide to creating crochet animal blocks.
Step 1: Design Your Block Shape
Begin by deciding what shape you want the block to take. Typically, crochet blocks are square, but you can also make rectangular or circular blocks. The shape of the block will depend on the animal design you choose, as some animals work better with a square format (such as a lion’s face), while others might suit a round or more abstract shape.
Step 2: Crochet the Animal’s Features
Once you’ve decided on the block’s shape, you can begin crocheting the animal’s face and features. For an animal block, it’s important to keep the features simplified so they work well within the constraints of the block size. For example, a lion’s mane might be crocheted around the edges of the block, or a cat’s whiskers can be added to the sides.
Many crochet animal blocks are made in parts: the background of the block (which could be a solid color or a pattern), and then the animal face or body features. You’ll likely start with the block’s background, crocheting the first few rows in one color before moving to the next color for the animal’s face.
Step 3: Assemble the Animal Block
After completing the animal’s facial features and any additional details like ears, eyes, or a nose, you can finish the block by crocheting the remaining rows to create the overall shape. Keep in mind that the block should be sturdy enough to hold its shape when sewn together with other blocks or used as a standalone item.
Step 4: Join the Blocks Together
Once your blocks are complete, you can begin to join them together to form a larger project. This can be done using several methods, such as slip stitch joining or whip stitch. Be sure to leave a little room between each block when joining to avoid stretching the design.
3. Popular Animal Patterns for Crochet Blankets and Blocks
The best part of crochet animal blankets and blocks is the variety of animals you can create. Let’s take a look at some popular animal patterns that are perfect for baby blankets, nursery decor, or as special gifts.
1. Bear Blankets and Blocks
A bear is a popular choice for crochet animal blankets and blocks due to its cuddly nature. To make a bear blanket, focus on creating a rounded head with a wide snout, small ears, and an oversized nose. The paws and body can be added for a complete look. Bear blocks often feature a simple face, making them ideal for beginners.
2. Bunny Blankets and Blocks
Bunnies are another favorite animal for crochet. Bunny-themed blankets often feature long floppy ears, soft fur, and a cute little tail. For bunny blocks, you can create a block with a bunny face or crochet the entire bunny with its body and ears. These designs work well for spring or Easter-themed projects.
3. Cat Blankets and Blocks
Cat-themed crochet blankets and blocks can be styled in many ways, from simple, geometric faces to fully formed cuddly cats. Cat blocks might focus on the iconic feline face, with whiskers, pointy ears, and big eyes. Cats are perfect for making adorable, playful designs that are sure to charm anyone who sees them.
4. Lion Blankets and Blocks
Lions are a majestic and fun animal choice for crochet blankets. The lion’s mane, which can be made from long, flowing yarn, creates a dramatic effect. Lion blocks often feature a bold face with thick yarn around the edges to form the mane. These are great for making bold and colorful baby blankets or playmats.
5. Elephant Blankets and Blocks
Elephants are gentle and adorable animals, making them perfect for crochet animal blankets. These blankets often feature large, floppy ears, a long trunk, and round feet. Elephant blocks can include the full body or just focus on the face and trunk for a smaller design.
4. Tips for Creating Crochet Animal Blankets and Blocks
Creating crochet animal blankets and blocks is a fun and rewarding experience, but there are a few tips and tricks to help make the process easier and more enjoyable:
1. Keep Your Stitches Consistent
When making animal blankets and blocks, try to keep your stitches consistent in size. This helps the piece maintain a smooth and even texture. If you find that your stitches are uneven, it may help to adjust your tension or use a different size crochet hook.
2. Use Safety Eyes and Nose
For amigurumi-style animals or for safety reasons, consider using plastic safety eyes and noses instead of crocheting them yourself. These are easy to attach and add a realistic touch to your animal designs, especially for baby blankets.
3. Experiment with Colors
Crochet animal designs allow you to experiment with color combinations. Don’t be afraid to mix and match colors for the animal’s fur, mane, or background. You can also create fun patterns for your animals to make them more lively.
4. Don’t Forget the Details
Small details like ears, paws, tails, and whiskers are what really bring the animals to life. Take your time on these details to make sure each animal is as cute and realistic as possible.
FAQ: Crochet Animal Blankets and Blocks
1. How do I crochet an animal face on a block?
Start by creating a foundation block in the color of the background. Then, crochet the animal’s eyes, nose, and mouth separately and sew them onto the block. Be sure to keep the facial features centered and evenly spaced.
2. What kind of yarn is best for crochet animal blankets?
Soft, durable yarns like acrylic, cotton, or blended yarns are great options for crochet animal blankets. Choose a yarn that’s soft to the touch but also easy to care for, especially if the blanket will be for a baby.
3. How do I make sure my crochet animal blanket is safe for babies?
When making a crochet animal blanket for a baby, ensure that all embellishments like eyes and noses are securely sewn or use safety eyes. Additionally, choose yarn that is hypoallergenic and machine washable.
4. How do I join crochet animal blocks together?
You can join blocks together using various methods, including whip stitch or slip stitch joining. You can also use the join-as-you-go technique, which is ideal for joining squares or blocks seamlessly.
Conclusion
In this guide, we’ve explored the wonderful world of crochet animal blankets and blocks, sharing techniques and patterns for creating adorable crochet designs. Whether you’re making a full animal blanket or individual animal blocks, these projects are perfect for bringing joy and warmth to any nursery or play area. Let your creativity run wild with different animals, yarn colors, and personalized details to create unique, cozy, and cute crochet pieces.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your experience with crochet animal blankets and blocks in the comments below and let us know how you plan to incorporate these designs into your next project. Happy crocheting!
