Hi Everyone! Welcome to American Crochet Temperature Blanket CAL/KAL 2022! I am so excited to be crocheting and knitting this Temperature Blanket CAL/KAL.
You can find more of my crochet alongs over HERE
Temperature blankets are very popular at the beginning of each year. They are a perfect year-long project however, you can commit to just one month if you’d like. Making a crochet or knit temperature blanket allows you to focus on a project that keeps you crafting even when you aren’t feeling it. It keeps you motivated, inspired, and provides you with a visual record of your year.
In this post, we will discuss what a temperature blanket is and how you can make one. We will also cover how to choose a blanket design, select your data points, choose the right yarn color, etc. Let’s get started!
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What is a Crochet or Knit Temperature Blanket?
Temperature blankets provide a visual of the weather over a period of time in a specific location. These blankets can be crochet or knit and there is not a standard stitch pattern to follow, although I will share some stitches with you further down in this post. Basically you need to create a plan for tracking the daily or weekly weather, assigning colors for certain temperature ranges, and you craft accordingly throughout the year. Doing this allows your creativity juices to flow throughout the year and allows you to have a awesome blanket that visually shows the year’s experience.
If this is your first time stitching one of my awesome and fun filled crochet-alongs, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY! Grab your supplies–if you haven’t already (I’ve shared them below just in case you need a refresher)), your favorite snack and beverage, get comfy and start stitching up your blanket with me. Be sure to yell if you need help. I am here to guide you along the way. This is going to be lots of fun!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase something through these links I earn a small commission. You do not pay any extra for the item you purchase.
How to Crochet or Knit a Temperature Blanket
Each day we will work two rows, so at the end of the year you have a finished blanket. The colors you work is based on the highest and the lowest temperature of the day. Easy peasy, right? Feel free to personalize your blanket. Swap your colors or add colors for higher temps if you live in a warmer area.
Temperature Blankets Daily Alternatives
Work one or two rows each day of the year. This would give you 365 or 730 rows of your blanket. However, you could work one small motif daily. This would give you 365 motifs to connect into a blanket. You could also choose a larger motif and work it daily for a month.
If you aren’t able to crochet or knit daily, you can collect your temperatures so you can catch up later. Snag the Awesome Temperature Blanket Tracker? Just click HERE to get access to the document.
Make sure you save a version to your computer or Google Docs. This keeps you from loosing your information, as others will be accessing this document as well.
How to Locate the Temperature for Your Blanket
Skipped a day? No worries keep track of the daily temps in your Temperature Blanket Tracker or cute journal, so you can catch up later. If you did not write down that days temperature you can visit Accuweather. This allows you to look up past weather info in your area. Learn more about picking yarn and colors for your temperature blanket here.
Work the temperature of your current location, hometown, favorite vacation place or that of a family member or friend. You are the only one that will know which special place you are crafting. No matter the location you choose you will have a gorgeous blanket at the end as a keepsake. Throughout the blanket, you can note special days, such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc. with a specials yarn specifically for that day. Not only do temperature blankets record weather but they also record your life. They are used to showcase a particular time in your life.
Learn more about What Area and Time Period to Use for Your Temperature Blanket post.
Picking Out Your Temperature Blanket Design
Really there is not set design when making a temperature blanket. You can crochet or knit the project. You can work in rows, rounds, or motifs. Just be aware that depending on your method will depend on how long it takes to craft each day. Basically you can use any stitch pattern and color combo you desire. Although, that is a lot to consider, so I’ve put some ideas together below.
Temperature blankets are very customizable. You and your best friend could use the same color scheme and come up with two very different blankets due to living in different areas. Living in two different areas is not the only thing that can customize your blanket.
Even crafting the same pattern there are several ways you can make the blanket your own:
- Temperatures – using both high and low, using the daily average, using the week’s average, crafting only a part of the year
- Colors – using different grades of one particular shade, choosing only cool or warm colors, choosing random colors from you stash
- Stitches – crafting a different stitch per month, crafting an alternative on your stitch monthly
- Yarn – using different brands and weights of yarn ( I personally love using Red Heart and Caron for my temperature blankets!)
How to Be In Love With Your Blanket
I get why you may fall out of love with your temperature blanket over time. Working on the same project and using the same stitches can lose its happy place as time goes by, even with the color changes. So how do you stay in love with this project ALL year?
First, try a stitch sampler blanket pattern this way your are changing up your stitches periodically. Or try making your blanket out of motifs or strips to keep you engaged. These are great ways to build your crafting skills while continuing to be over the moon in love with your temperature blanket.
Another fantastic idea is to snag your best friend to craft on the blanket. Crafting with someone else keeps you both motivated and holds you both accountable. Is your best friend not the crafty type? No worries! Share your BIP (blanket in progress) on social media. Post weekly or monthly updates. This will also keep you inspired to continue crafting. As always you can share with us in the American Crochet Facebook Group and on Instagram #americancrochetpatterns or tag @americancrochet
Does a Temperature Project Need to Be a Blanket?
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the mere thought of working on a blanket for an entire year, instead think about making a smaller project. You could make a scarf, cowl, or a shawl. Keep in mind you will need to adjust the stitch pattern that you picked and plan the best way to work your days. Regardless your project will be beautiful and will feel like something you will accomplish.
If you choose to work on a smaller project it might be easier to keep track of one day per week verses each days temp for your project. Remember: do what works best for you! Modify this project as you see fit.
Do You Have to Start a Temperature Blanket in the Beginning of the New Year?
While the New Year is a great time to start a temperature blanket, you can start whenever your heart desires.
Learn more about how to begin and what the benefits are here.
That’s all you need! Just keep adding those rows and I will see you later on this month for our first update!
Be sure to share you work by using #americancrochetpatterns or tag @americancrochet on social media!
Save this pattern to your crochet or knit boards on Pinterest!
Happy Hookin!
XO, Mistie