Toni Lipsey’s 5 Designer Secrets for Temperature Blankets
Love them or hate them, temperature blankets are a staple project in the world of crochet. I made my first temperature blanket in 2019 and have designed a new afghan each year since. While I enjoy the process of choosing colors, creating a temperature gauge, and fashioning a new pattern, these steps can be overwhelming for beginners. Use these five tips from a crochet temperature blanket designer to help guide your own journey.
Above: Crochet designer Toni Lipsey shares her top five tips for Temperature Blankets, starting with finding your personal style. Image © Toni Lipsey.
What is a Temperature Blanket?
The basic idea of a temperature blanket is to crochet (or knit) a number of rows on a blanket each day for a full calendar year. The colors used each day correspond with the temperature outside. Ideally, the more colors in your palette, the more variance you will get in your overall blanket.
A temperature blanket typically begins with choosing your colors (8 or more) and pattern, then creating your temperature gauge. The gauge assigns your colors to different temperature ranges. Each maker’s gauge will be different, since it should reflect your local weather. Once these details are in place, you can begin your blanket, typically on the first of the year, and proceed each day through the end of the year.
5 Designer Secrets to the Perfect Temperature Blanket
The biggest pitfall to creating a stellar temperature blanket is overthinking the process. With a bit of planning, an open mind, and these insider tips, you’ll be ready to stitch your year in yarn.
1. Find Your Personal Style
Each temperature blanket is unique, so don’t be afraid to put your personal stamp on your project. Choose a color palette that you love whether that be neons, rainbows, pastels, neutrals, or anything in between. When it comes to the pattern, err on the simpler side while still choosing a design that inspires you.
2. Create a System from the Start
When it comes to a year-long project, it helps to stay organized. Choose how you want to document your blanket plans, where you want to keep your gauge, and how you will store your project throughout the year. I like to keep my blanket, yarn, and notions in a dedicated basket. My notes live in a digital note taking app that I can access on any device. This system ensures that I have everything I need nearby whenever I plan to sit down with my blanket.
3. Embrace Change
Even the best laid plans might need some tweaking once you start your blanket. For example, I chose what I thought was a stellar color palette for my 2021 temperature blanket. But, once I made it to the month of February, I realized that the colors I chose didn’t play well together in the pattern. Instead of scrapping the whole project, I reworked the palette by swapping out colors. Stay open to changing your colors, pattern, temperature gauge, and any other aspect of your project until you find the perfect combination.
4. Think Outside the Box
More recently, makers are branching out beyond blankets for their temperature projects. Afghans, while cozy, are a bit cumbersome to work on as they continue to grow. If you’d like an alternative to a blanket, consider a shawl, scarf, or even a snake (yes, there is a pattern for a temperature snake). More and more designers are publishing alternative temperature projects—find some ideas on Ravelry and Pinterest.
5. Making is Better with Friends
The question I hear most often when it comes to temperature blankets is how to stay motivated. The shimmer of a temperature project begins to wear off by about mid-February. My best advice to avoid this dilemma is to establish a support system early. Find a friend or group of friends to bounce ideas and keep you going when you get distracted. I’ve found great success in TLYC Makers, a small Facebook group of crochet enthusiasts, many of whom are making their own temperature blankets.
Starting Your First (or Next!) Temperature Blanket
A little bit of planning and a whole lot of support have made temperature blankets one of my favorite crochet projects. If you are looking for even more guidance to start your next temperature project, check out my free 5-day email course called Temperature Blankets 101.
Within the course, you’ll get insider tips on planning your blanket, choosing the best yarn and colors, and so much more.
Happy stitching, and I can’t wait to see your temperature masterpiece!
-Toni
Toni Lipsey is the designer and instructor behind TL Yarn Crafts. She strives to inspire other’s creativity through online tutorials and modern, approachable crochet patterns. Follow her daily crochet journey on Instagram @TLYarnCrafts or visit her website at www.tlycblog.com.
Originally published 2/17/2022. Updated 12/14/2022.
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