How to Repair a Crochet Blanket

Co-authored by Lois Wade

Last Updated: August 20, 2022

Crocheted blankets for children are much loved and greatly treasured items. So, you've got a lovely crochet blanket from Grandma that is coming undone? Here are tips to help you get that keepsake blanket back into a usable condition.

Steps

1
Obtain a crochet hook. Learn to crochet, if you do not already know how. Measure the stitch in mm to determine the right size. This is the start of the yarn and gap to the start of the next stitch.
2
Obtain matching yarn. It needs to match in both color and weight. Be aware that it may not always be a perfect match due to yarn dye lots.

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3
Make a test piece. With the crochet hook and yarn, crochet a small test piece to get the right tension. Too tight will cause bunching and too loose creates a stretched out area.
4
Determine how the blanket unraveled. Was it along a single crocheted seam? Torn in the middle? Unravels are easier to fix than tears!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Fixing Unravels

1
Restitch the unraveled area. If the original yarn is still attached, pull until you have a loose loop and then re-crochet the unraveled section. Take care to secure the yarn end when finished. If you run short of yarn by a stitch or two, use a tighter tension with a hook one size smaller.
2
Patching in yarn. If you cannot find an "end loop" or the unraveled yarn is missing, tie on replacement yarn in an inconspicuous spot and re-crochet the missing area.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Fixing Tears

1
Use glue. Apply Fray Check (or similar) fabric glue to the raw edges of the tear to prevent further raveling.
2
Stitch edges together. Sew the torn edges together using matching yarn, carefully crisscrossing the area. Use a chain stitch if you want to make a "crochet stitch" look.
3
Secure your stitches. Sew well into the surrounding area to ensure that your "patch" will not rip further with use.

Community Q&A

Question

Is there a way to soften up the edges of a blanket with hard knots at the end of every color changing row?

SarahB

Community Answer

It sounds like you are using a knot to join the yarn together. Instead, use a darning needle to thread the unused wool into the work on the wrong side.
Question

I accidentally unraveled my beginning rows of my almost-completed project. How do I fix without undoing it all?

Community Answer

This depends on the kind of stitching used. If you have a basic stitch like only single crochets, double crochets, etc., you unravel until you reach the end of the last partly intact row and crochet from there as if this side is the bottom of your project. Nobody will notice if the last few rows are upside-down. You could even do this for a simpler stitch out of the category of textured stitches like the moss stitch. For anything more complicated, whether it can be done depends on the type of stitching. You could unravel further until the last intact row and tie off there as if this was the intention, but that depends on what kind of project you have (a sweater would end up too short).
Question

Granny squares separated at the center of the four, how to repair?

Michele

Top Answerer

If the squares have separated where they were sewn together, you'll have to find some matching yarn and sew them again. Be sure to leave a "tail" that can be woven back into the squares for added security against coming undone.