When you’re thinking of starting a large crochet project like a double bed blanket, it can feel very overwhelming. So let’s talk about how you prep for a big project and what you need to consider so that you can start your project with confidence.

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Let’s Start With The Yarn

Big patterns need lots of yarn and the cost of that can add up very quickly. It’s tempting to buy some yarn now then buy the rest later after the next payday. But that’s not a good idea, and dye lots are to blame.

Yarn is produced in batches, and those batches each use a different batch of dye. Even though the dye is supposed to be the same colour, different batches of dye will never quite match. There’s nothing more annoying than getting partway through a project, starting a new ball of yarn and realising that the colour is ever so slightly different. You’re going to see it every time you look at that project now.

When you buy yarn there is no guarantee that the next time you buy that yarn you’ll be able to find the same dye lot. Some yarn sellers like Wool Warehouse will show you the different dye lots they have available for that yarn and how many balls are available. But this is the exception rather than the rule. The only way to make sure you get the same dye lot is to buy all your yarn at the same time for that particular colour.

I would always buy the amount of yarn advised in the pattern plus an extra ball just in case.

Gauge And Tension

One thing to bear in mind when crocheting a big pattern is how your gauge can drift. It’s funny the things that affect our tension. We get tense while watching the latest thriller on Netflix and that makes our tension tighter. We listen to some gentle music and we loosen up and our tension loosens with it.

It’s not generally speaking a big problem when you crochet, but it is something to be aware of especially if you’re making lots of squares or small pieces which need to fit together later. If you find that your crochet is starting to ripple and not looking as flat in places, it could be a change in your tension that is to blame.

If this starts to happen, then check your gauge. Are you still crocheting to the same gauge as when you started? If you’re worried about catching changes in your tension before they happen then just check in with yourself — are you feeling relaxed, do you feel more stressed than usual, then either crochet for a few minutes and check your gauge or try and relax into your usual crochet state before picking up your hook.

Know Your Timeline

If this big project you’re going to be making is intended as a gift then knowing your timeline is important. Are you sure you have enough time to get it finished by the time the gift is needed? It’s so easy to underestimate how much time it’s going to take to crochet something as big as a double bed blanket.

Some people have lots of time and can get it made within a couple of months. Others only have an hour a day to crochet and will need closer to a year to complete the blanket. Only you can know how much time you have and how much you can crochet in that time. But it’s better to overestimate how much time you need and get it finished early than to over commit and miss the big day.

To know how much time you need, make one row of the pattern and time how long it takes. Then multiply that time by how many rows you need to make. If you are working in the round then time 10 rounds. The round you are working on now will take half the time of the one you’ll be making in 10 rounds time.

Storing Your Project

Big crochet projects mean storage issues. Double bed blankets don’t fit into an ordinary size project bag after a while, especially if you’re keeping the yarn you’re going to be using in the same place too. You can get extra large storage bags including these collapsible ones so you can store them easily when not in use. Storing your crochet in a bag or a basket is the best way to keep pet hair out of your crochet and your yarn, so it’s a good investment to make.

If you plan to crochet on your travels, then a project bag with zipper and carrying handles would be a better bet. You can also get these in a large size too.

Hook Comfort

Let’s talk hooks. Large projects can mean you end up crocheting for longer periods than you would for smaller ones. So a hook that sits comfortably in your hand is a must. Ergonomic hooks have a thicker handle than the basic beginners hooks you find on Amazon. Some just have a straight, thick handle, others have been shaped to follow the contours of your palm to make them even more comfortable. Which ones you will prefer is entirely down to personal preference, so it might be worth asking if you can try out a friend’s hooks to find out which you’d prefer.

Thankfully ergonomic crochet hooks are fairly affordable. My go-to hooks are Clover Amour, I can crochet for hours with these without my hand tiring out. Other popular brands include Furls, which look amazing but are more on the expensive side. Susan Bates, a popular US brand and KnitPro which are similar to Clover Amour hooks.

Keeping Track Of Your Progress

One of the biggest issues of making a big crochet project is keeping track of where you’re up to. If life gets a bit busy you may not pick your project back up for a week or more, so it’s important to be able to keep a record of where you got to. I recommend using a WIP tracker like this. In it you can record all the details of your project including the hook size, yarn, dyelots, and keep notes of where you are in the pattern every time you put your project down. It saves a lot of head scratching and confusion the next time you go to work on it some more.

Breaking It Into Chunks

If you’re used to working only on small projects like hats, scarves and baby items, suddenly taking on a large project can feel very daunting. It can be useful to break it into chunks in your head. If it’s a project made in rows, then how many rows do you need to make until you hit the 10% mark? That breaks it down a bit and stops it feeling like the never ending pattern.

If you’re working in rounds, the middle gets made really quickly and the later rounds feel like they take forever. It can help just to take it one round at a time once you get to that stage and keep reminding yourself that you’re adding more stitches with every round that you make.

If you’re making a project made in several pieces, then just take it one piece at a time. But don’t leave all the joining until the end if you can help it. This can be where all those beautifully made squares can end up being abandoned in the WIP pile, because you can’t face the tedious task of joining them all together – and it would be such a shame to waste all that work.

Join A Crochet Along

One of the best ways to make a large project less daunting is to join a community make along – crochet alongs. Crochet alongs are where a group of people come together online, or sometimes even in person to make the same pattern at the same time. These communities are often hosted on Facebook and it’s also a great way to meet new people in the crochet community and turns a solo hobby into a great community activity.

My next crochet along is called The Study Of Corners and starts on the 24th of July 2026. I’ve been hosting these community projects since 2020 and some of the crocheters who joined my very first one come back year after year and I really enjoy seeing the familiar names every year. The community aspect of these projects mean that you always have support when you need it, motivation when you feel like the size of the project is overwhelming you and cheerleaders when you tackle something challenging which you’re proud to show off.

Come and join the Study Of Corners, it’s free to take part and it’s a sampler blanket too, so you get to try out lots of new crochet stitches. All the information you need can be found here.

Ready To Get Started?

Large crochet projects have their challenges, but they are also super satisfying to make. When you see that finished make in all its glory and know that you made that is the best feeling ever.

If you’re looking for a large crochet blanket to make, then check out the free ones on my blog here. They are all sampler blankets, so you get to try out lots of new stitches too and if you ever need to ask any questions or need to find a friendly group of crocheters to spur you on, then come and join my Facebook group Froggity Frog’s Ribbit And Stitch here.