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SIZING
Sizing
©Sandra Petit, http://www.crochetcabana.com
How big? What size? How many squares do I use to make an afghan?
These are all very good questions but with no definitive answer. How many squares you need for a particular afghan depends on your answer to a few questions. Before I get into that, however, I'll give you a very general guide to sizes. Remember if you are donating these somewhere, check with the coordinator of the project as there may be specific guidelines for that organization.
Before I give you the info I've gathered, I will mention there are many sites with sizes. Here are a couple.
Linda's - She gives number of squares in various sizes as well. Note that
this site uses Canadian sizing.
Bev's Country Cottage - one of my favorite sites (afghan sizes are toward
the bottom of the page)
Blankie approximate sizes (based on bed size).
Preemie (NICU preemies, tiny) - about 15" square
To cover Isolette - 36" square (some hospitals have asked specifically
for blankets large enough to cover the isolette and keep the light out so babies
can sleep even when nurses must have light to see adequately)
Baby (crib) - 30" x 36" if rectangular, or 36" around if
square. (The bed is longer, but the baby doesn't use the
entire bed, right?) Always
be careful when using afghans with babies - be sure their sweet little faces are not
covered and that the afghan is washed before being used. It makes it softer and also takes
out some of the harsh chemicals used in making the yarns.
Children - 42" x whatever length their bed is. A twin bed is 75" long,
but again small children won't use the entire length of the bed and you likely
will set the covering beneath where the pillow is. If you want the
child to be able to use the afghan as they grown, go ahead and make it 75" long.
If you want them to be able to carry it around, go with a shorter length, maybe
48" (4 feet).
Lapghan - 36" square or 36" x 48" Note that if it is too wide, it will drape over too
much and get caught in the wheels of a wheelchair or drag the floor, if your
recipient is wheelchair bound. Keep in mind the size of your recipient. A
larger person will have a larger lap area and perhaps need a wider ghan.
Adult - again, depends on bed size. minimum 48" x 75" which would be twin
length, and enough extra width to keep the blanket on an adult while sleeping.
Additional note: If you are making an afghan for a larger bed, but two people share the bed, you might prefer to make two afghans so each can wrap individually and not be pulling covers off each other through the night. Awww, that never happens, right? :-)
There are other kinds of beds and I'll talk about those later.
Here are the questions I was talking about and some possible answers.
1) What will you use the afghan for or what is its primary purpose?
a) to lay
over a bed as a bedspread
b) to drape over the top of a
sofa or love seat
c) to slip
under a mattress like a sheet
d) to wrap yourself in while
watching TV
e) as
a light covering or to keep warm on a snowy night
The last two would also affect what kind of yarn (material and thickness) that you would choose for this project.
2) How big do you want to make your squares?
Any size square can be used. Most notably I've seen requests for 6", 7", 8", and 12" squares
It is important that your squares are the SAME size since you will be joining them. A common question is how to measure squares. Squares are to be measured both horizontally and vertically. NOT diagonally. I suggest using a hard ruler rather than a flexible measuring tape.
CORRECT - Measure horizontally - CORRECT
CORRECT - Measure vertically - CORRECT
WRONG - Measure diagonally - WRONG
3) What size is the person or object you want to cover?
A larger person will need a larger ghan obviously.
Below is a list of sizes from bassinet to king including rollaway cots.
The finished size of your afghan will depend on what joining and border you use. If you are bordering each square and adding a border around the entire thing, that adds several inches to your overall size. If you are whipstitching as opposed to join-as-you-go, that will change your finished size as well. If you are working with your own squares, you likely have them already bordered included in the 12" size. If you are collecting 12" squares for a charity effort, then each square you receive is 12" and the border you add to give a common color will increase size.
A good way to figure how many squares you need would be to measure the area you want to cover. Then decide what size squares you want to make.
For example, say you have an area 36 x 75 that you want to cover. You just want your afghan to sit on top of the thing, not necessarily drape over. You want to use 9" squares. Since 9 x 4 = 36, you could use 4 of the 9" squares across, and since 9 x 8 = 72, you could use 8 squares down, allowing that you will have the borders for your squares. Your completed afghan, with dc borders around each square, would be approx. 38-40" ( a little more than you need but not much) across and about 74-75" down, allowing you to drape over slightly at the sides. Keeping in mind, that if this is a bed, one assumes there is a pillow at the head and the afghan would likely be folded anyway. On the other hand if you were using 6" squares, you would need to allow for at least 6 across (6 times 6 = 36) x 12 down (6 times 12 = 72). Note that the size of your border will make a difference in your finished size.
Sometimes, if it is a charity effort where you are collecting squares from others, you will find some squares won't "fit" into your color scheme or they won't all be the same size. I have handled this two ways. As to color scheme, one way is to just grab a square and join them with no particular color scheme. If you use black yarn to join, you get a stained glass look, which is quite lovely. The other is to place a cream or white square in between each square. That way there is a "buffer" so that squares that don't go together won't be so obviously out of place. It actually looks really nice both ways if you are careful in placement.
If the squares are not the same size, you may have to adjust the border you place on them or add a complementary or contrasting color to the square. Try to get them all within a quarter inch of each other to make it easiest to join them.
I always put a border using same color yarn around all of my squares first so that the joining will not be so visible if I am whipstitching. Your border can also be a part of the overall decorative effect if you use, for example, single crochet joining.
Think about who is going to be the recipient of your afghan. If it is a child, he/she might enjoy lots of smaller squares of different colors than just a few large ones. Depending on the child, they might prefer brighter colors as well. Some children do have a favorite color so if you know the recipient it is helpful. If it's for a charity effort, you likely will not have particulars about the person.
Most of the information below regarding sizes comes from the JC Penney bedding standards (in their Fall/Winter 2000 book), although I did use other sources as well. I also took measurements of our beds. Please use this as a guide only. Everything is approximate and also depends on if I did my math correctly. If you find any errors, do give me a holler but be gentle. :-) (Update: I found this neat information on bedding sizes at Bed Bath and Beyond. I thought it might be useful, too.)
Why not pay a visit to JC Penney yourself? No, I am not affiliated, just a satisfied customer. :-)
I have put the approximate number of squares necessary to complete an afghan to fit the measurements. In some cases this will mean just covering the top of a mattress. In others it will mean draping over or tucking under depending on the piece. Keep in mind always that the border you choose may change the number needed to get the proper size. Also, it depends on if you are covering the entire bed or just the area below the pillow. The pillow takes up about 18" at my house. Use the figuring method above if you need a different area covered.
Usually, I use a double crochet border around the entire afghan to bring all the sides of each square in line, adjusting where necessary along the ends if a square sticks out a bit and such, and then I do an additional, more decorative round to finish it off. As noted before, if you do this it will add a few inches to your completed piece. These are merely my personal suggestions, so feel free to change anything as you need or want to. I believe bigger is better so I am including more than one choice where necessary.
Do keep in mind how high off the ground your bed is, particularly in the case of bunk beds. You don't want the afghan trailing along the floor. The more often you have to wash it, the sooner you'll be maker a new one though I still have afghans I made for my husband before we got married, 20+ years and my Mom has some I made even before that.
Note: These suggestions are meant for afghans you are making for yourself or a loved one. If you are joining squares in bulk, or are part of a charity ministry, the sizes are determined by your group leader who knows the scope of the project and what can reasonably be managed with the resources available.
Just as a little aside, in the past couple of years I've also made pillowcases. That might be something interesting to give as a gift as well. A set of pillowcases and an afghan. Here is one I did (not in squares, but in a ripple pattern.)
Bed size standards (sizes approximate)
There are several other sites that have sizes. I think About.com has this information and I have seen it on other sites as well.
Note that for the twin size, a larger afghan width is preferred so it can comfortably and fully cover a person lying in the bed. For the other sizes, it is not as critical if one person is in the bed as the afghan is larger anyway. If two people are in the bed...well, we won't go there. LOL One will likely end up with most of it. Or you can make two twin size afghans so each will have their own. Two twins equal a king size bed in size. If it is the same pattern and colors, they can just overlap and the bed will look fine. If you don't care about decor, make each person's afghan in their preferred colors. A king size afghan, while gorgeous, is cumbersome to handle while working and difficult to wash.
Baby afghans, especially those
for a bassinet or cradle, should probably be worked in a fine yarn, like
fingering yarn, so it won't be too heavy for the baby.
Be very careful,
of course,
not to cover the baby's face and to keep a close eye, so the baby doesn't
chew on the yarn or get little fingers caught. Also, be sure to wash the item (to get rid of the sizing and such) and don't
use a heavy scented softener.
How many
squares ... (figured for entire bed, including pillow
area. To deduct pillow area figure for about 18" less)
Reminder: Borders add to the overall size so you might be able to make fewer
squares than that listed.
These numbers fit best if you are covering the entire bed, including pillow
area, and whipstitching with no additional border added to squares. I'm not
recommending or suggesting that you do that, just letting you know that the
figures will match better that way. You need to adjust figures if you are adding
border or don't want to cover entire bed.
Bassinet: 19-24" x 33-38"
using 6" squares:
For a preemie, try 3 x 5 [15
squares]. For a full term baby, I would go
a little larger: 4 or 5 across and 5 or 6 down.
Jenny Lind Cradle:
39 x 22.75 x 34.5 inches (this is how
it was listed. Not sure which is the height and which is the length)
using 6" squares: 7 x 4
Crib: 28 x 52
using 6" squares: 5 x 8
Rollaway beds: 30" 39" or 48" wide
using 6" squares: 5, 7, or 8 squares x 11 to 13 squares depending on whose
sleeping in it
You want to fully cover the person. Rollaways are not that comfortable to begin with. You don't want your guests freezing too.
Trundle: 35
x 70-75
using 6" squares: 6 x 12
Daybeds: vary, but generally about a twin bed size. (My daughter's daybed mattress is approx. 37 1/2" x 74" So see twin beds.
Blow up beds (no, not bombs, the kind where you stick a hair dryer in the hole to get air into it and it increases in size until you can lie down and sleep on it *grin*. I'm sure they have an official name too.) These come in different sizes. See the size you have below. You might call them air mattresses. :-)
For only the first section I will figure for 12" squares. For the rest only 6 and 9 inches.
Twin: 39" x 75"
using 6" squares - 6 x 12 (good-36" x 72" plus border) [72 squares], 7 x 13
(better-42" x 78" plus border) [91 squares], 7 x 14 (best-42" x 84"
plus border) [98 squares]
using 9" squares - 4 x 8 (good-36" x 72" plus border) [32 squares], 5 x 9
(best-45" x 81" plus border) [45 squares]
using 12" squares - 4 x 6 (48" x 72" plus border) [24 squares]
XL Twin: 39" x 80"
using 6" squares - 6 x 13 (good-36" x 78" plus border) [78 squares], 7 x 13
(better-42" x 78" plus border) [91 squares], 7 x 14 (best-42" x 84"
plus border) [98 squares]
using 9" squares - 4 x 9 (good-36" x 81" plus border) [36 squares], 5 x 9
(best-45" x 81" plus border) [45 squares]
using 12" squares - 4 x 7 (48" x 84" plus border) [28 squares]
Super Single (waterbed) 48" x 84"
using 6" squares - 8 x 14 (best- 48" x 84" plus border) [112 squares]
using 9" squares - 5 x 9 (good-45" x 81" plus border) [45 squares],
6 x 10 (best-54" x 90" plus border) [60 squares]
using 12" squares - 4 x 7 (48" x 84" plus border) [28 squares]
Full (also called standard): 54" x 75"
using 6" squares - 9 x 12 (good-54" x 72" plus border) [108
squares], 9 x 13 (best, 54" x 78" plus border) [117 squares]
using 9" squares - 6 x 8 (good-54" x 72" plus border) [48 squares],
6 x 9 (best, 54" x 81" plus border) [54 squares]
using 12" squares - 5 x 6 (60" x 72" plus border) [30 squares]
XL Full: 54" x 80"
using 6" squares - 9 x 13 (good-54" x 78" plus border) [117
squares], 9 x 14 (best, 54" x 84" plus border) [126 squares]
using 9" squares - 6 x 9 (best, 54" x 81" plus border) [54 squares]
using 12" squares - 5 x 7 (60" x 84" plus border) [35 squares]
Queen: 60" x 80"
using 6" squares - 10 x 13 (good- 60" x 78" plus border) [130 squares], 10
x 14 (best, 60" x 84" plus border) [140 squares]
using 9" squares - 7 x 9 (best, 63" x 81" plus border) [63 squares]
using 12" squares - 5 x 7 (60" x 84" plus border) [35 squares]
King: 78" x 80" (Our king size mattress is approx.
76 1/2" x 79 1/2")
using 6" squares - 13 x 14 (best, 78" x 84" plus border) [182
squares]
using 9" squares - 9 x 9 (best, 81" x 81" plus border) [81 squares]
using 12" squares - 7 x 7 (84" x 84" plus border) [49 squares]
California King: 72" x 84"
using 6" squares - 12 x 14 (best, 72" x 84" plus border) [168
squares]
using 9" squares - 8 x 10 (best, 72" x 90" plus border) [80 squares]
using 12" squares - 6 x 7 (72" x 84" plus border) [42 squares]
Here are the sizes for other items which you can use to judge your own project.
Keep in mind whether you are going to cover the entire bed
or just the area below the pillow. Count about 18" for the pillow area. Sizes
given include the entire bed.
Comforter sizes:
Twin: 66" x 86"
using 6" squares - 11 x 15 makes it 66" x 90" plus border [165 squares], a
pretty good size. If you have a really neat child who will make his/her bed perfectly
(ha!) it will go over the sides of the bed about 13" on each side. This is good
because it will allow the person to be fully covered while lying in bed, whereas if you
just cover the top of the bed, when someone gets into into the bed, it will no
longer fully cover the top and thus the person. However, if this is a bed that is low to
the ground, it may be too much. You'll have to measure to be sure. Note: Bunk bed said it
could be used with mattresses up to 9" thick, so adding the space between floor and
mattress, you should be okay with this size.
using 9" squares - 8 x 10 makes it 72" x 90" plus border [80 squares].
Should hang over about 16" on each side
Full: 80" x 90"
using 6" squares - 14 x 15 makes it 84" x 90" plus border [210 squares].
Hangs over about 15" each side.
using 9" squares - 9 x 10 makes it 81" x 90" plus border [90 squares].
Hangs over about 13" each side.
Queen: 92" x 96"
using 6" squares - 16 x 16 makes it 96" x 96" plus border [256 squares].
Hangs over about 16" each side.
using 9" squares - 10 x 11 makes it 90" x 99" plus border [121 squares].
Hangs over about 15" each side.
King: 110" x 96"
using 6" squares - 18 x 16 makes it 108" x 96" plus border [288 squares].
Hangs over about 16" each side.
using 9" squares - 12 x 11 makes it 108" x 99" plus border [132 squares].
Hangs over about 16" each side.
Bedspread size.
This is tricky because if you are making a bedspread, you
will want it to come close to the floor without touching it. You also
might like to consider using cotton for this rather than worsted weight
yarn. You may even want to combine a bed skirt with the crocheted piece. A solid
colored bedskirt behind a white crocheted cotton bedspread with an open-work design would
be very pretty.
My full and king size beds were 21" from floor to top of mattress but
I do not have a real thick mattress. The daybed was 23" from floor to top of
mattress.
Twin: 80" x 110"
using 6" squares - 13 x 18 makes it 78" x 108" plus border [234
squares]. Hangs over about 20" each side.
using 9" squares - 9 x 12 makes it 81" x 108" plus border [108 squares].
Hangs over about 21" each side.
Full: 96" x 110"
using 6" squares - 16 x 18 makes it 96" x 108" plus border [288 squares].
Hangs over about 21" each side.
using 9" squares - 11 x 12 makes it 99" x 108" plus border [132 squares].
Hangs over about 23" each side. Caution: Check the height from floor to top of
mattress as this might touch the floor.
Queen: 102" x 118"
using 6" squares - 17 x 20 makes it 102" x 120" plus border [340 squares].
Hangs over about 21" each side
using 9" squares - 11 x 13 makes it 99" x 117" plus border [143 squares].
Hangs over about 20" each side.
King: 120" x 118"
using 6" squares - 20 x 20 makes it 120" x 120" plus border [400
squares]. Hangs over about 21" each side.
using 9" squares - 13 x 13 makes it 117" x 117" plus border [169
squares]. Hangs over about 20" each side.
Blankets.
These could be tucked in so it doesn't so much matter how much it hangs
over the sides. However, if you definitely want it to tuck in and not just hang over, you
need to be sure you have enough to tuck - thus you must make it hang over at least as much
as your mattress is deep plus a few inches. Mattresses vary in size from 6" to
14" deep.
Twin: 66" x 90"
using 6" squares - 11 x 15 makes it 66" x 90" plus border [165
squares]. Hangs over about 14" each side.
using 9" squares - 7 x 10 makes it 63" x 90" x plus border [70
squares]. Hangs over about 12" each side.
XL Twin: 66" x 96"
using 6" squares - 11 x 16 makes it 66 x 96" plus border [176 squares].
Hangs over about 14" each side.
using 9" squares - 7 x 11 makes it 63" x 99" plus border [77
squares]. Hangs over about 12" each side.
Full: 80" x 90"
using 6" squares -13 x 15 makes it 78" x 90" plus border [195
squares]. Hangs over about 12" each side.
using 9" squares - 9 x 10 makes it 81" x 90" plus border [90 squares].
Hangs over about 14" each side.
Queen: 90" x 90"
using 6" squares - 15 x 15 makes it 90" x 90" plus border [225 squares].
Hangs over about 15" each side.
using 9" squares - 10 x 10 makes it 90" x 90" plus border [100 squares].
Hangs over about 15" each side.
King: 108" x 90"
using 6" squares - 18 x 15 makes it 108" x 90" plus border [270 squares].
Hangs over about 15" each side.
using 9" squares - 12 x 10 makes it 108" x 90" plus border [120 squares].
Hangs over about 15" each side.
Sheets (flat):
These could be tucked in so it doesn't so much matter how
much it hangs over the sides. However, if you definitely want it to tuck in and not just
hang over, you need to be sure you have enough to tuck - thus you must make it hang over
at least as much as your mattress is deep plus a few inches. Mattresses vary in size from
6" to 14" deep.
Twin: 66" x 96"
using 6" squares - 11 x 16 makes it 66" x 96" plus border [176
squares]. Hangs over about 14" each side.
using 9" squares - 7 x 11 makes it 63" x 99" plus border [77
squares]. Hangs over about 12" each side.
XL Twin: 68" x 102"
using 6" squares - 11 x 17 makes it 66" x 102" plus border [187
squares]. Hangs over about 14" each side.
using 9" squares - 7 x 11 makes it 63" x 99" plus border [77
squares]. Hangs over about 12" each side.
Full: 81" x 96"
using 6" squares - 14 x 16 makes it 84" x 96" plus border [224 squares].
Hangs over about 15" each side.
using 9" squares - 9 x 11 makes it 81" x 99" plus border [99 squares].
Hangs over about 14" each side.
Queen: 90" x 102"
using 6" squares - 15 x 17 makes it 90" x 102" plus border [255 squares].
Hangs over about 15" each side.
using 9" squares - 10 x 12 makes it 90" x 108" plus border. [120 squares]
Hangs over about 15" each side.
King: 108" x 102"
using 6" squares - 18 x 18 makes it 108" x 108" plus border [324 squares].
Hangs over about 15" each side.
using 9" squares - 12 x 12 makes it 108" x 108" plus border [144 squares].
Hangs over about 15" each side.
Quilt size:
Twin: 66" x 86"
using 6" squares - 11 x 15 makes it 66" x 90" plus border [165
squares]. Hangs over about 14" each side.
using 9" squares - 7 x 10 makes it 63" x 90" plus border [70
squares]. Hangs over about 12" each side.
Full: 76" x 86"
using 6" squares - 13 x 14 makes it 78" x 84" plus border [182
squares]. Hangs over about 12" each side.
using 9" squares - 9 x 10 makes it 81" x 90" plus border [90
squares]. Hangs over about 14" each side.
Queen: 88" x 90"
using 6" squares - 14 x 15 makes it 84" x 90" plus border [210
squares]. Hangs over about 12" each side.
using 9" squares - 9 x 10 makes it 81" x 90" plus border [90
squares]. Hangs over about 11" each side.
King: 104" x 90"
using 6" squares - 17 x 15 makes it 102" x 90" plus border [255
squares]. Hangs over about 12" each side.
using 9" squares - 12 x 10 makes it 108" x 90" plus border [120
squares]. Hangs over about 15" each side.
02/06/11
