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I created my first temperature blanket back in 2017, on a whim, for no special reason other than I was curious to leave all the color planning to the weather. While that crochet project was time-consuming and is still one of my favorites to this day.
In 2020, I decided to give another temperature project a try but a less time-consuming one this time, which ultimately ended with me creating a knit temperature scarf.
It seemed fitting to make a temperature project for my (eldest) son’s first year of life! It took some time for me to come up with an idea I felt worthy, but I’m loving how it ultimately turned out!
Pattern Description: This temperature blanket is a yearlong project during which you work a small square for each day. The daily temperature of a specified location determines that day’s square colour, creating a beautifully colourful blanket. Unlike a typical temperature project which starts on January 1st, this blanket is meant to start on your baby’s birth day as a special way to commemorate their first year of life.
Skill level: Beginner
Materials and notions:
Hook
Yarn
You will need an array of 13 colours of worsted weight (size 4) yarn; one for each range of temperature (total of 12 colors) + one accent color for the squares separating and/or completing the months and the border. See detailed colour chart below.
As for yarn quantities, each square uses less than 1g of yarn (2.25 yds or 2 m). I had more than enough with one skein of each colour but that could vary depending on your location and weather. I recommend getting one skein of each colour to start and purchasing more as needed.
You will however need 3 skeins of your accent colour or at least 320g (715 yds or 653m).
Notions
Gauge: One granny square, using 5,5 mm (I/9) hook) = 1-1/8” x 1-1/8” (2,9 cm x 2,9 cm)
Final measurements: The finished blanket including the border measures roughly 29″ wide x 48″ long which is the perfect stroller sized blanket.
Notes:
- This pattern is written in standard US crochet terms.
- You may need to adapt the temperature chart to fit your location’s climate. A quick online search can help you determine the range of temperature you are more likely to encounter in your chosen location, I would recommend adjusting the temperature ranges rather than cutting colours.
- Even though all the yarn colours I used are from the same brand, I found some colours to be thicker than others, it may be worth making a square in a few different colours to confirm gauge.
Abbreviations:
- Ch: chain
- Dc: double crochet
- Sl st: slip stitch
- St(s): stitch(es)
Color chart:
Using Loops & Threads Impeccable
- 30°C & up (86°F & UP) = Deep Forest
- 25°C to 29°C (77°F to 85°F) = Sphagnum
- 20°C to 24°C (68°F to 76°F) = Forest
- 15°C to 19°C (59°F to 67°F) = Fern
- 10°C to 14°C (50°F to 58°F) = Laurel
- 5°C to 9°C (41°F to 49°F) = Green Lagoon
- 0°C to 4°C (32°F to 40°F) = Misty Blue
- -5°C to -1°C (23°F to 31°F) = Smoke
- -10°C to -6°C (14°F to 22°F) = Glacier
- -15°C to -11°C (5°F to 13°F) = Blue Moon
- -20°C to -16°C (-4°F to 4°F) = Navy
- -21°C & lower (-5°F & LOWER) = Sapphire
- Accent Colour (to separate/complete the months & work the borders) = White
Pattern
Construction
Your blanket will be made up of 384 squares.
- 365 or 366 of those (depending on if there is a leap year involved or not) will be your daily squares representing each day and its temperature.
- 12 squares will serve as monthly separations. The first month of life, will most likely include two calendar months, the monthly separations are meant to separate them. If the birth day you are using is on the 1st of any month, I would move these squares to the end with the month completion squares.
- The 6 or 7 remaining squares will serve as month completion squares and will essentially only serve the purpose of making each monthly row even with a total of 32 squares.
These squares will be seamed into 12 rows, one for each month. Each of these rows will be completed by a border.
These 12 rows will be seamed together, and a final border will be added around the perimeter to complete the blanket.
Daily squares
Each square is made up of a one row solid granny square worked in the daily temperature’s colour as dictated by the colour chart.
Round 1: In magic ring work ch 5, dc 3, ch 2, dc 3, ch 2, dc 3, ch 2, dc 2, sl st in the 2nd chain of the chain-4 group from the beginning. (5 sts per side)
Repeat this process for each day’s square, each monthly separation square (you will need 12 of these) and each month completion square.
JOINING ONE MONTH
Using the whip stitch method (or your preferred joining method), join your first month’s 32 squares together in one row making sure to keep the correct order.
Note: Now is a great time to weave in all the ends of that month. Trust me, it seems painful to do it now, but it will be even worse if you wait until the entire blanket is done. Future you will thank you, so put on your favorite show and go!
MONTHLY BORDER
Using your accent colour (the same one you used for the monthly separations and month completion squares):
Round 1: Sl st in the corner space of the last square of the row, ch 5, dc 160 (one in each dc + one in each corner or five per square), ch 2, dc 5, ch 2, dc 160, ch 2, dc 4, sl st in 2nd chain of the chain-4 group from the beginning. Leave a long tail measuring at least twice the length of your monthly strip or roughly 8′ (2.44 m).
Continue this way until you’ve completed all 12 monthly strips!
JOINING THE MONTHS TOGETHER
Using the whip stitch method (or your preferred joining method), join your first two months together making sure to align each square with its counterpart. Repeat the process with all 10 remaining monthly strips.
Final border
Using your accent colour (the same one you used for the monthly separations; month completion squares and monthly borders):
Round 1: Sl st in the corner space of the monthly border, ch 5, dc 162 (one in each dc + 1 in each corner), ch 2, dc 84, ch 2, dc 162, ch 2, dc 83 and sl st in 2nd chain of the chain-4 group from the beginning.
Round 2: Ch 5, dc 164, ch 2, dc 86, ch 2, dc 164, ch 2, dc 85 and sl st in 2nd chain of the chain-4 group from the beginning.
Weave in any remaining ends and enjoy your new blanket!
Though there are much nicer fibers available, it is crucial for me that the yarn I pick for baby items be machine washable making acrylic an easy pick for this project. The fact that it is inexpensive is also a bonus.
This temperature blanket is such a fun and unique way to commemorate baby’s first year of life. It makes for the most thoughtful gift. This one will absolutely be going in my son’s keepsake box in a few years once he’s all done snuggling with it.
Now the question is, should I follow my own pattern and make one for his little brother’s first year or should I come up with a new idea?
If you like this pattern, please share on social media using #KcoTempBlanket or #FirstYearTempBlanket and tag @KnitalieCo.
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This pattern is an original pattern by Nathalie Bouffard of Knitalie Co. Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint it on your site.
Please feel free to sell items made using this pattern but remember to clearly give credit to Knitalie Co. for the design in your listing and link back to www.knitaliecoblog.com. You may not share, sell, or distribute this pattern in full or in part. The photos used in this pattern may not be used for resale purposes. Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you for being respectful and for your understanding.
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