Hooded Woodland Squirrel Blanket

Hooded Woodland Squirrel Blanket by MJsOffTheHook

Project Overview

The Hooded Woodland Squirrel Blanket is an intermediate-level crochet blanket featuring a charming woodland squirrel design with an attached hood. This downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer MJsOffTheHook combines a cozy throw blanket with whimsical squirrel-themed details, making it an engaging project for crocheters with some experience. The design is available in two sizes: Child and Adult, allowing crafters to customize the finished piece for different recipients.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a rectangular blanket with an integrated hooded element designed to resemble a squirrel. The main blanket body serves as the base, while the hood adds a playful sculptural component featuring squirrel characteristics. The finished blanket includes dimensional paw details and facial features including button eyes, embroidered nose, and finger details, transforming a functional throw into a character-inspired wearable or decorative piece.

Finished Measurements

• Child Size: Blanket width 42 inches, length 34 inches; Hood width 20 inches, height 8.5 inches
• Adult Size: Blanket width 52 inches, length 46 inches; Hood width 22 inches, height 9.5 inches

Crochet Techniques Used

This intermediate project employs several foundational and intermediate crochet techniques. The primary construction uses extended single crochet (esc) for the main fabric, which creates a dense, sturdy fabric ideal for blankets. The pattern incorporates the loop stitch decrease (lp2tog) technique, adding textural interest and dimensional shaping. Slip stitches are used for joining and finishing edges, while single crochet stitches provide structure for specific elements. The paw fingers are constructed using smaller crochet hooks to create fine details, demonstrating the technique of changing hook sizes within a single project to achieve varying fabric densities.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

• Esc: Extended Single Crochet—the primary stitch used for the blanket body, creating the main fabric
• Sc: Single Crochet—used for structural elements and detail work
• Sl St: Slip Stitch—used for joining and finishing
• Lp2tog: Loop Stitch Decrease—a specialized decrease technique for shaping
• Rep: Repeat—indicates pattern sequences to be worked multiple times
• Sk: Skip—used to skip stitches as directed in the pattern
• Sp(s): Space(s)—refers to gaps or openings created between stitches

Yarn and Materials

The blanket is constructed using Bernat Softee Chunky, a 100% acrylic yarn in the super chunky weight category. This yarn choice provides quick project completion and soft, cozy drape ideal for blankets. The pattern calls for three coordinating colors: a Main Color (MC), Color A, and Color B, allowing for creative color combinations. Yarn requirements vary by size: the Child size requires 5 skeins MC, 5 skeins Color A, and 1 skein Color B (totaling 1,188 yards), while the Adult size requires 8 skeins MC, 7 skeins Color A, and 2 skeins Color B (totaling 1,836 yards). The pattern also incorporates scrap worsted weight yarn for embroidered details including nails and facial features.

Crochet Hooks Required

• US G/6 (4mm): Used for fine detail work on paw fingers
• US L/11 (8mm): Secondary hook size for specific pattern sections
• US P/16 (11.5mm): Primary hook size for the main blanket body; size may be adjusted to obtain proper gauge

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 6 stitches and 6 rows equaling 4 inches when measured in extended single crochet using the US P/16 (11.5mm) crochet hook. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and ensuring the blanket drapes appropriately. Crocheters may need to adjust hook size up or down