What’s the Difference Between a Blanket, a Throw, and an Afghan?

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What do you call that big piece of knit or crocheted fabric draped over the back of your couch or folded at the foot of your bed? Is it a throw? A blanket? An afghan?

Above: Zigtarsia Blanket by Amy Gunderson

For those of us tasked with naming knitting and crochet projects, this is not an idle question. Why would we choose one label over another? Is it a question of size, function, or construction? Come along with me and let’s find out.

Blankets, throws, and afghans are all pieces of fabric that provide warmth. Beyond that, the terms overlap and there are no hard-and-fast definitions. In general, the purpose of a blanket is to provide warmth, usually as bedding. It may be larger than a throw or an afghan. A throw is a smaller-than-bed-size blanket used as a decorative element. It may be finished with fringe instead of hemmed or bound. An afghan is usually a blanket that is crocheted or knitted rather than woven.

What Size Is It?

Blankets are defined by the size of the bed they are intended to cover. They will cover the entire top of the mattress, plus drop down several inches on three sides.

Commercial throws are typically 40–50 inches wide and 50­–60 inches long. Of course, if you’re making it yourself, it can be whatever size you choose.

Afghans can be any size. On the smaller end, lap-sized afghans (about 36 inches by 45 inches) are sometimes called lapghans. Curiously, those sized for babies (30–36″ square) are almost always called baby blankets, rather than baby afghans.

How Is It Used?

Blankets are usually functional; their purpose is to provide warmth. They may be hidden under other bed coverings.

Throws and afghans are primarily decorative. They add texture and pattern to your décor. Nothing looks cozier than a beautiful soft throw folded over the arm of a sofa. Of course, decoration isn’t their only purpose. Who doesn’t love to snuggle down under an afghan while watching TV on a chilly evening?

How Is It Made?

Blankets are often, but not always, woven. Because they are functional textiles, the edges are often hemmed or bound to prevent fraying.

Throws can be woven, knit, crocheted, quilted, or pieced together from materials like fur. The edge is often treated as a focal point and finished with fringe, tassels, or a contrasting border.

Afghans, by definition, are hand knitted or crocheted. In the late 1700s, Afghan entered the English language to refer to the tribal peoples of Afghanistan. By the mid-1800’s, the patterned textiles of that region became fashionable and were referred to as Afghan shawls. This was shortened to afghan and came to apply to handmade and colorfully patterned crocheted or knitted blankets.

What’s In a Name?

That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet. —William Shakespeare

Whatever you call them, we think no maker’s home is complete without at least a few handmade blankets, throws, or afghans. And they always make most welcome gifts! Do you have one name you gravitate to more than the others? Let me know in the comments!

Sandi Rosner
Technical Content Editor, Yarn

Related: How to Turn a Scarf Pattern into a Blanket Pattern

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Favorite Blankets, Throws, and Afghans from Interweave