Blanket Starting-Chain Calculator

Calculate your inner target blanket width, compatible stitch multiples, extra edge stitches, and starting foundation chain counts.

Blanket Width & Starting Chain Calculator

Enter your desired finished width, optional side border width, swatch stitch gauge, and pattern stitch multiple.

Measurement Unit

Desired Total Width (cm)

Border Width Per Side (cm)

Measured Stitch Gauge (from your swatch)

Stitches Counted

Over Width (cm)

Measure across the flat center of a swatch worked in your main blanket stitch pattern (not the yarn label estimate).

Repeat Multiple (m)Stitches per repeating motif (use 1 for plain single/double crochet).

Extra Stitches (e)Added once per row for edge symmetry (enter 0 if none).

Foundation Chain Offset (c) (from pattern)

Where to find m, e, and c: Look for your pattern or stitch dictionary’s foundation note (e.g., “Multiple of 6 + 2; add 1 for foundation chain” → m=6, e=2, c=1). Because turning-chain rules vary by designer, leave c blank if unspecified—Yarnivo will output first-row stitch counts without guessing.

Compatible Stitch OptionsRaw unconstrained target: 100.0 stitches

Option A: 16 RepeatsClosest Match

98 first-row stitches

Estimated width: ~49.0 cm (-1.0 cm)

Foundation chain: 99 chains

Option B: 17 Repeats

104 first-row stitches

Estimated width: ~52.0 cm (+2.0 cm)

Foundation chain: 105 chains

Inner stitch count determines fabric width; border width is added to both left and right sides.

Report a problem

Step-by-Step Input Instructions

1Select Centimeters (cm) or Inches (in) and enter your Desired Total Width for the finished blanket.
2Enter the Border Width Per Side (enter 0 if your blanket has no side border). The calculator subtracts twice this value from the total width.
3Enter the Stitches Counted and Over Width from your measured gauge swatch.
4Enter your stitch pattern Repeat Multiple (m) and Extra Stitches (e) required once per row for edge symmetry.
5Optionally enter the Foundation Chain Offset (c) specified in your pattern to calculate the starting chain total.

How This Calculation Works

Planning a blanket requires distinguishing between four distinct quantities:

Finished Width vs Inner Width: If your blanket has a border of width B on each side, the inner fabric worked in the main stitch pattern targets W_inner = W_finished - 2B.
Repeat Multiple (m): The number of stitches each pattern motif occupies.
Extra Stitches (e): Stitches added once per row for edge symmetry. The first-row stitch count formula is S = n × m + e.
Foundation Chain Offset (c): The number of additional chains needed beyond the first-row stitch count so the hook can turn and insert into the first stitch. The starting chain formula is C = S + c.

Yarnivo evaluates the compatible repeat integers immediately below and above your raw target width, showing the estimated finished width for each option so you can choose whether to round slightly narrower or wider.

Assumptions

The blanket consists of a main stitch pattern repeated across an inner width, with optional uniform borders added to both left and right sides.
Valid first-row stitch totals follow the formula S = n × m + e, where m is the repeat multiple and e is the extra edge stitch count.
Foundation chain offset c must be obtained from your pattern; Yarnivo does not assume turning chain heights equal foundation offsets.

Practical Limitations

Does not design border stitch transitions or corner increases.
Cannot predict how much a heavy blanket will stretch or narrow under its own weight.
If foundation chain offset c is left blank, the calculator outputs first-row stitch counts without guessing the foundation chain total.

Worked Examples

Worked Example 1

50 cm Blanket Panel Without Border

Target width 50 cm, measured gauge 20 stitches per 10 cm, stitch repeat multiple m=6, extra stitches e=2, pattern offset c=1.

Inputs: Target width 50 cm, border 0 cm, gauge 20 st / 10 cm, m=6, e=2, c=1.

Math: Raw stitches = 50 × 2.0 = 100. Lower: 16×6+2 = 98 st (~49.0 cm). Upper: 17×6+2 = 104 st (~52.0 cm). Foundation chains = 98+1=99 or 104+1=105.

Estimated Result: Closest option is 98 first-row stitches (~49.0 cm estimated width), requiring 99 foundation chains.

Worked Example 2

90 cm Afghan with 5 cm Borders on Both Sides

A throw blanket with a 90 cm finished width including a 5 cm border on both left and right edges. Gauge is 18 stitches per 10 cm, pattern multiple m=6, e=2, c=1.

Inputs: Finished width 90 cm, border 5 cm/side, inner width = 80 cm. Gauge 18 st / 10 cm, m=6, e=2, c=1.

Math: Inner target = 90 − (2×5) = 80 cm. Raw stitches = 80 × 1.8 = 144 st. (144 − 2) ÷ 6 = 23.67. Lower (23 rep): 140 st (~87.8 cm total). Upper (24 rep): 146 st (~91.1 cm total).

Estimated Result: Closest option is 146 first-row stitches (~91.1 cm estimated finished width), requiring 147 foundation chains.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

✕Confusing finished width with inner target width: forgetting that side borders add width to both the left and right edges.
✕Assuming turning chains always equal foundation chain offsets: a turning chain of 3 for double crochet may require chaining an offset of 1, 2, or 3 depending on whether the chain counts as a stitch.
✕Neglecting extra stitches (e) needed to balance symmetrical motifs like shells or ripples.