Apr
So You Wanna Work With Bernat Blanket Yarn
okay so I made this huge blanket back in spring 2022 when my sister was pregnant and let me tell you, Bernat Blanket yarn is chunky as hell but also kinda tricky if you’re not used to it. The velvet version especially because it’s got this pile thing going on that makes it harder to see your stitches.
First thing you gotta know is that this yarn is thick. Like really thick. I was using a 9mm hook for most projects but honestly some people go up to 10mm or even 12mm depending on how loose they want the fabric. The baby blanket I made used the regular Bernat Blanket in that seafoam color and I think I went through like 6 skeins? Maybe 7. I wasn’t keeping great track because I was also binge-watching Succession at the time and kept losing count.
The Velvet Situation
Bernat Blanket Velvet is different from the regular Blanket yarn because it has this chenille-type texture. It’s super soft but here’s what annoyed me SO much – you can’t see your damn stitches. The pile goes in one direction and if you’re trying to find where to insert your hook, especially in something like a half double crochet, you’re basically going by feel half the time. I made a throw pillow cover in fall 2023 using the Stormy Night color and I had to rip out the same row THREE times because I kept missing stitches.
The regular Bernat Blanket is easier to work with honestly. It’s still got that plush feel but you can actually see what you’re doing. I’ve used both and if you’re new to chunky yarn I’d start with the regular version first.
Basic Pattern Types That Actually Work
Most Bernat Blanket patterns are pretty simple because the yarn is doing all the heavy lifting texture-wise. You don’t need fancy stitches – actually fancy stitches kinda disappear in this yarn anyway.
Single Crochet Blankets
This is gonna be your most basic option. Just chain however wide you want the blanket, then single crochet back and forth. The thing is, with yarn this thick, single crochet makes a DENSE fabric. Like really dense. The baby blanket I made was single crochet and it’s basically a weighted blanket now. Which my sister actually loves but it wasn’t intentional.
For a throw blanket you’re looking at maybe 60-70 stitches wide if you want it to be like 40 inches across. But measure your gauge because everyone crochets different tension. I crochet pretty loose so my stitches were bigger than the pattern suggested.
Half Double Crochet
This is actually my preferred stitch for Bernat Blanket. It works up faster than single crochet and the fabric has more drape. Still warm and cozy but not as stiff. I made a lap blanket for my couch in summer 2024 using half double crochet and the Plum Parfait color from the Velvet line – it took me maybe 8 hours total spread over a few days while my cat kept trying to lay on the working yarn.
The pattern was literally just: chain 80, hdc in third chain from hook, hdc across, chain 2, turn, repeat until you run out of yarn or patience. That’s it. Nothing fancy.
Corner to Corner
C2C patterns are popular with chunky yarn because they work up in sections and you can see progress fast. The diagonal thing also looks more interesting than just rows. I started a C2C blanket with Bernat Blanket in like early 2023 but never finished it because – okay this is where the Velvet yarn really got annoying – the increases and decreases in C2C mean you’re working into corners and specific spots, and with that velvet texture I kept putting my hook in the wrong place.
If you’re gonna do C2C use the regular Blanket not the Velvet. Trust me.
Actual Yarn Amounts
So Bernat Blanket comes in these big skeins that are 220 yards each for the regular and 250 yards for the Velvet I think? Don’t quote me on that but it’s around there. For a decent sized throw blanket like 50×60 inches you’re looking at anywhere from 6-10 skeins depending on your stitch choice and tension.
The baby blanket I made was maybe 30×36 inches and that took 5 skeins of the regular Bernat Blanket. I had like half a skein left over that’s still sitting in my closet.
One thing nobody tells you is that this yarn is HEAVY when you buy a bunch of skeins. I ordered 8 skeins online once for a big project and the box was like 10 pounds. My mail carrier was not thrilled.
Hook Size Reality Check
The label says use a 6.5mm hook which is insane to me. That’s gonna make such a tight dense fabric with yarn this thick. Most people I know use 8mm-10mm hooks. I have a 9mm Clover Amour hook that I use for basically all my Bernat Blanket projects and it works great.
The Velvet yarn specifically I go up to 10mm because again, that pile texture makes it seem even thicker than it is. You want the fabric to have some drape and movement, not be like cardboard.
Try a swatch first with different hook sizes and see what you like. I know everyone says to do swatches and nobody actually does but with expensive chunky yarn you really should because you don’t wanna buy 8 skeins and then realize the fabric is too stiff or too loose.
The Tension Thing
Your hand is gonna get tired working with this yarn. It’s thick and you’re manipulating a lot of fiber with each stitch. When I made that baby blanket in 2022 I could only work for like 45 minutes at a time before my hand cramped up. Now I’m more used to it but it’s still not like working with regular worsted weight where you can just zone out for hours.
Also your working yarn gets heavy as the project grows. Once you’ve got like 30 rows done on a blanket, you’re holding multiple pounds of fabric in your lap while trying to crochet. I usually work on these projects on my couch with the bulk of the blanket spread next to me instead of in my lap.
Washing This Stuff
Bernat Blanket is polyester so it’s machine washable which is honestly the main reason I use it for blankets. You can just throw it in the washer on gentle cycle, cold water, then tumble dry low. I’ve washed that baby blanket probably 20 times by now and it still looks fine.
The Velvet version gets a little matted after washing but not terrible. The pile kind of… I don’t know how to describe it, it gets a little flat? But it’s still soft. My couch blanket has been through the wash maybe 5 times and it’s holding up okay.
Don’t use fabric softener though. It makes the yarn feel weird and slippery. Just regular detergent is fine.
Color Choices and Dye Lots
This is important – BUY ALL YOUR YARN AT ONCE. Bernat Blanket has dye lot variations and they’re really noticeable with solid colors. I learned this the hard way when I ran out of yarn halfway through a project and bought two more skeins from a different store. The color was technically the same (Coastal Cottage or something like that) but you could totally see the difference between the old dye lot and new dye lot.
The Velvet line has really pretty colors honestly. I love the Plum Parfait and there’s a gray one called Silver Steel that’s nice and neutral. The regular Blanket line has more variety though – they’ve got variegated colors and some really nice heathered options.
Avoid the really light colors if you’re making something that’ll get used a lot. I made a cream colored pillow cover once and it showed every speck of dirt within like two weeks.
Pattern Sources
Bernat’s website has free patterns specifically for their Blanket yarn. Most of them are pretty basic but they give you good starting points for yarn amounts and sizing. Yarnspirations is the parent site I think? They’ve got a whole section for chunky blanket patterns.
Honestly though you don’t really need a pattern for most blanket projects. Just decide how big you want it, what stitch you’re using, and start chaining. The yarn is forgiving enough that you can kinda wing it. That’s how I approach most of my projects anyway – I’ll look at a pattern for the general idea then just do my own thing.
Ravelry has tons of user-submitted patterns for Bernat Blanket too. Search for “chunky blanket” or “super bulky” and filter by free patterns. Some are better than others but you can usually tell from the photos if it’s worth trying.
What Doesn’t Work Well
Okay so things I’ve tried with this yarn that were mistakes: anything with a lot of texture detail. Like I tried to make a basket weave pattern once and you literally could not see the texture at all. The yarn is too thick and fluffy – it just looks like regular fabric from a distance.
Also cables don’t really work. I mean you CAN do cables but they don’t pop the way they do with smoother yarn. Same with lace patterns or anything with chains spaces – it all just kind of mushes together.
Granny squares are weird with this yarn. They work but they’re HUGE. Like one granny square is the size of your whole hand. If you’re making a granny square blanket you only need like 12-20 squares depending on size. I started one during the 2023 holidays and each square took probably 30 minutes which felt wrong for granny squares but that’s just the reality of chunky yarn.
Wearables Are Questionable
I’ve seen people make cardigans and sweaters with Bernat Blanket and honestly they look really bulky. Not in a cute oversized way but in a “I’m wearing actual blankets” way. The yarn is just too thick for most garments unless you’re going for a very specific aesthetic.
Scarves and cowls can work though. I made an infinity scarf with the Velvet yarn in maybe 2023 or early 2024 and it’s nice because you want that bulky cozy thing for winter accessories.
Cost Breakdown
Bernat Blanket is not cheap. A single skein runs like $8-12 depending on where you buy it and if there’s a sale. Michaels usually has it for around $9 and they do 20% off coupons pretty regularly. Joann’s carries it too. I’ve found it cheapest at Walmart honestly but their color selection isn’t great.
If you’re making a full size blanket you’re looking at probably $60-100 in yarn costs. Which is still cheaper than buying a nice blanket at the store but it’s not nothing. This is why I only make these for people I actually like.
The Velvet version is usually a dollar or two more per skein than regular Blanket. Worth it for some projects but not necessary for everything.
Working in Ends
This is actually easier with chunky yarn than regular yarn because you’ve got more room to weave the ends in. I just use a yarn needle and weave through like 4-5 stitches then double back. The thickness of the yarn means it stays put pretty well without needing to do anything fancy.
Joining new yarn is simple too – just leave like 6 inch tails and weave them in later. Some people do the whole knot thing but I never bother.
Storage
These blankets take up SO much space when you’re storing them. That baby blanket I made folds down but it’s still like the size of a large pillow when folded. They don’t compress well because of the chunky texture. Just something to keep in mind if you’re thinking about making multiple blankets – you need somewhere to put them.
I keep my finished projects in those big plastic storage bins from Target. One blanket per bin basically because they’re so fluffy they don’t stack well.
