35 Summer Crochet Blanket Patterns

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If you love making blankets, you might dread summer because it’s not the ideal weather for such big projects. However, there are loads of great summer crochet blanket patterns. In this post, I’ll show you five different Leisure Arts crochet books, each offering a variety of patterns perfect for summer crochet project ideas over the next few months.

You may think crochet blankets aren’t beginner crochet projects, but check out the books below, and I’m sure you’ll discover some are well within reach. And if the ones you like look a little difficult, I’m sure you’ll find a tutorial or two on-site to help you.

If you’re hunting for easy crochet projects, though these are larger projects, I think you’ll find some fairly simple and very rewarding.

Are you hesitant to make blankets in the summer? Check out our 17 summer craft tips. And if you’d prefer smaller crochet projects, check out our roundup of the best crochet shorts patterns. After all, we want you to keep your hands and crochet hook happy and sweat-free!

And now, let’s talk about summer blankets…

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Tips for Good Summer Crochet Blanket Patterns

summer crochet blanket patterns - 5 books - 35 patterns. Marly Bird

We often use crochet throw blankets in the colder months, so what exactly makes a great summer blanket? I’m so glad you asked! Here are some things you should look for when trying to find good summer crochet blanket patterns:

Choose motif-based designs. Of course, you’ll have lots of joining and weaving in ends after crafting. However, working on each individual motif keeps the work lightweight and cool. Motifs make granny square blanket patterns an instant hit.
Look for cotton, linen, and other lightweight yarn blankets to crochet. When the weather warms up, working with cooling summer yarns is fun.
Choose openwork crochet patterns. Openwork or lacy pieces are great for summer blankets because they let the air flow through.
Work on small crochet blankets. In other words, make baby blankets and lapghans rather than king-sized afghans.

Now that you know which blankets are good choices to crochet over the summer months, it’s time to show you the ideal crochet patterns. These great crochet blanket pattern books will happily fill your summer crochet calendar.

Are you ready with your crochet hook and project bag? Let’s check out these books!

5 Books for Summer Crochet Blanket Patterns

Leisure Arts has five books on crochet afghan patterns. Many of these crochet patterns are perfect for summer crafting. Altogether, you’ll find nearly three dozen crochet patterns in these books. That should keep you plenty busy with wonderful summer crafting and yarny fun.

Lacy Afghans Make Perfect Summer Crochet Blanket Patterns

Purchase Lacy Afghans - 8 lightweight throws and blankets

Inside this book, you’ll find eight lightweight crochet afghans. Although the book is about lace, the yarn weight of choice for all patterns is worsted weight. When people hear lace, they often think of lightweight, fingering yarn. In this case, the patterns have an open stitch pattern using a heavier yarn weight such as worsted. This combination of lace crochet stitch patterns and heavier yarn weight still works for comfortable summer crochet blanket making.

Using worsted weight yarn and a lace pattern, you can work up the patterns quickly. Open lace crochet stitches paired with post stitches and bobbles create an amazing texture for your blanket. There’s some great designs in here. And yet, you should still feel comfortable as you craft this summer.

Cotton Blankets and Throws Are Lightweight for Summer

Cotton Blankets and Throws - a Leisure Arts Book. Ideal summer crochet blankets.

Cotton is a great yarn choice for summer crochet blankets. This book includes half a dozen lightweight crochet blankets, which you can use indoors or outdoors this summer.

Looking at each of these blankets, I immediately think of spring and summer. Sitting around at night when it cools off a little and needing something for your lap as you chat about your day… A cotton crochet throw is the perfect choice. You could also use a linen blend of the same yarn weight.

There are some considerations when using cotton, but overall, it’s a great choice. When working with cotton, you do need to think about the fact that it will stretch out over time, that’s the nature of the fiber. Check your gauge before you start, even on these blankets, to know what size your blanket will be when finished. When your cotton is wet, it will stretch out a little, and the blanket size might grow. You can learn all this about the cotton you select by doing a gauge swatch and blocking it.

Red Heart’s Scrubby Cotton would be the perfect smooth cotton yarn for making these blankets. And did you notice the knot work and wonderful diamond tassels on the cover blanket sample? Love it!!

Scrappy Afghans Let You Work In Pieces To Stay Cool

Book Review: Scrappy Afghans - 8 crochet blanket patterns for scrap yarn.

Scrappy Afghans is a collection of 8 colorful projects that you can use to work through your stash. Have you kept small bits of leftover yarn after projects and aren’t sure how to use them? These different styles of granny blanket projects are the perfect way to use them! Each motif almost looks like a mini mandala in the center, whether the resulting shape is a hexagon or granny square.

Working with smaller bits of yarn instead of huge skeins is great for making summer crochet blankets that aren’t as hot to craft. It’s like making a quilt using lots of smaller pieces. That’s what makes granny square blanket patterns so popular as summer craft projects. Instead of a large section of crochet, it’s like working on several small crochet projects. Then you join them all together. Working this way means you can still fit the smaller pieces in your crochet project bag for your summer travels.

Most of these projects require a base color that you will need a good amount of. Your scraps are then used to fill in with color for the blankets. Look inside the book to see patterns that include fringe so you don’t have as many ends to weave in with all the color changes! I’m sure you’ll enjoy picking out scrap colors to make these beautiful projects.

Modern Southwest Afghans

Inside the book, you’ll find six crochet afghan patterns with modern Southwest flair. The Southwest style is often closely associated with the weaving patterns used for rugs. These blanket projects range from easy to intermediate crochet skill levels.

Color choices really make the Southwest feel. But you could easily change the colors to change up the style of these blankets. Pick your colors and start on one of these six amazing patterns. This book has some ideal crochet throw blanket pattern choices, perfect for decorating couches or chairs.

Of the five books in this roundup, this one is the least conducive to making summer crochet blankets. The blankets in this collection use heavier yarn weights. However, there are a few good options here. The blankets are so lovely that we couldn’t fail to include this title.

Afghans & Pillows to Love

Inside the book, seven new patterns use eye-catching colors and trendy twists on traditional styles. You will find a new take on the log cabin blanket, some beautiful motif blankets, a scrap blanket, and more.

Each afghan in this book is paired with a pillow that ties back to the pattern of the blanket. They can be used together on a couch or bed to make a full set. Don’t feel that you have to make both together, of course. You can pick and choose what you love and get started. When it’s too hot to crochet even the lightest of blankets, switch to a pillow!

The cover photo is one of my favorite blankets of the book. This is one of those perfect summer crochet blankets because it’s motif-based. But I also love the granny square blanket with its tassels on every point. It is such a great modern idea. Just remember, if you don’t like tassels or the color, don’t be afraid to change it up a little to something you love.

And if those aren’t quite your style…

Have you seen this mosaic blanket? You have to check this out. It looks fantastic in only two colors!

What about our Monet Crochet Blanket? It’s one of the most beautiful and functional crochet projects! Does it include a tutorial or two? Of course, it does!

And, if you haven’t heard of temperature blanket crochet projects, you need to check out our guide. Though they’re not motif-based, you’ll only be halfway done by summer, so it’s still not too warm to crochet.

Have we whet your appetite? Got your crochet hook at the ready?