Readers Respond: How Soon Should You Start Working on a Baby Afghan?

Responses: 65

By Amy Solovay, About.com Guide

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It takes me approximately 40 hours when there is a simple pattern. I like to make my baby blankets slightly over sized so the baby can use it longer. The amount of time it takes for more intricate design all depends on how difficult or repetitious the pattern is. If I can "zone out" and crochet like I am in the race of my life or have to pay attention so, hopefully, I won't have to do the "ribbit" thing. I am sure everyone has had a "ribbit" moment or 2. I know I have had many times where I get lost in the pattern only find that I need to take out a row or 2 or even more than that, UGH! So, you see, it all depends on the pattern (yea, that sounds good!)
—Guest sydwaze

Most of the baby afghans that I make take a maximum of 2 months for a standard 24" x 30 or 36". Most can be completed in one month.
—Guest Cathy Lewis

I start thinking about which crocheted afghan I want to make just about the time when I hear that a new baby is expected. It usually takes me about a month or so to complete the blanket, so I am ready to give it as a gift for the shower or when the baby arrives. I love the crocheted afghans for babies rather than a knitted one.
—BobbieMP

My aunt .. who was a real pro! always used to make and keep spare baby afghans, then she always had one ready for when her sisters-in-law popped a new baby!
—Guest the_nana_jackson

It takes only about a week to make a baby afghan. I always have several on hand. They're quick, easy, and good therapy!
—Guest Donna

It usually takes me about 2 months to finish a baby afghan working on it in the evenings. I have done 3 in the last six months. Every pattern and person works up differently. Used to take my sister 3-4 months, my grandmother less than a month.
—Guest Dee

Knowing that we'd all love to work on our projects non-stop until they're complete, you could definitely finish a baby afghan sooner. However, life frequently has other plans for us. I've been commissioned by my cousin to make a baby afghan for her friend's baby that's due this summer. I told her I would need a minimum of 4-6 weeks because I would like to be able to sit in the evening and enjoy making it instead of cramming it all into every possible minute I have, thereby taking all the enjoyment out of it!
—surshire

I start with in a couple of days of being told someone is going to have a baby it depends on the pattern how long it takes usually within a couple of months from starting
—Guest grammieb

I have made several blankets for family & friends and our church works with Newborns in Need. I can usually finish one in my spare time in about a week to 10 days for a simple pattern that measures about 30" square and 14-16 ounces of yarn. If you don't have a little one to make one for, consider working with a local charity!
—Guest Judy W

It usually takes me 2-3 months to get a baby afghan done. But, I work on them after work in the evenings and not constantly. I have been crocheting for about 40 years.
—Guest grammamel

I usually start after I find out the due date. If I am given short notice [like 2 months prior] I usually make a large granny square out of chunky yarn and a large hook. If I am informed when mom-to-be is only three months, I usually crochet with a more intricate stitch and set a deadline of one month before the due date.
—GloriaHunter

It depends on the pattern; how complicated it is, etc. But I can knock one out in a couple of weeks.
—Guest Darlene Talmadge

I have made baby afgans for years. When I started, I was about as quick as Sylvia (finished for the 2nd child). Since then I have found patterns that I enjoy more and therefore spend more time on them, plus more experience helps. If I work on one for at least 5 to 6 hour per week I can finish it in 4 to 6 weeks. The key is a pattern that is easy and fun to work. The one I use now is an open v-stitch pattern. It does use 3 colors, and so it does require a couple of hours to weave in all of the ends. As you begin, estimate the number of rows you will need, or find it on the pattern. Then, after you complete a few rows, estimate the time it takes per row and calculate from there. Hope this helps.
—Guest Joey Bailey

I knit a blanket with 40 - 7" squares and little animal designs in the middle of each square. (I also have the same design in crocheted squares.) I then crocheted a border on each square. This took about 60 hours in total - I worked on it every evening for about three weeks. Hope this helps.
—donnabeaton

It took me about three months to make a baby afghan. However, it was made entirely out of different-sized granny squares, so it was pretty simple. I didn't work on it constantly, either. All said and done, it probably only took about 12 hours.
—Guest Meg

Amy Solovay
Crochet Guide