How to Make a Hooded Blanket (Free Pattern Adult & Child)

Learn how to make a Hooded Blanket with this free pattern that comes in sizes child and adult.  This warm fleece blanket DIY is perfect for cold weather months. With it’s soft hood and warm hand pockets it’s sure to be a favorite.  The additional side pockets are perfect for slipping a phone or remote into while you’re curled up in this easy to make blanket.   

The best part about this blanket tutorial is that it’s simple – perfect for a beginning sewing project.  One of my favorite things about fleece is that it’s easy to sew on and easy on the wallet!  Hate the Ads?  You can purchase this pattern with printable instructions here.

 For this fleece sewing project you will need:

3 yards of fleece (if you want to have the hood/ pocket in a different color it’s 1 yard fleece and 2 yards for the blanket)*

Rotary Cutter, Ruler and Mat

Sewing essentials (Sewing machine, pins, thread)

Fleece Fun’s Free Pattern (Available at the end of the post by filling out the form)

*For men you will need and additional 1/2 to yard for their arm span.  Also if you desire to to make the blanket longer than 58″, consider using extra wide fleece 85″ to make the blanket bigger.

How to Make a Hooded Blanket (Free Pattern Adult & Child)

Step 1 – Cut Out the Free Pattern

Assemble the pattern.  If you are unfamiliar with digital patterns and hoe to assemble them you can find instructions here.

Decide if you are making a blanket for an adult or child.  Cut the pattern to the correct size of hood (all other pattern pieces are the same size).

On folded fabric cut out the Hood and outer pockets.  You should have two of each.

On folded baric cut out 2 of the handwarmers.  

If you are making the fleece hooded blanket out of just 1 fabric you will need to square of the end ( make it even – straight across) after cutting out the pattern pieces.  If you are using 2 fabrics, make sure the ends of the fabric that will be the main body of the blanket are even.

Finally for the fabric that will make up the main body of the blanket cut off the selvages.  These are the edges of the blanket that are a different texture, have holes in and sometimes writing/ and the pattern stops.

So you should have 2 hood pieces, 2 pockets, 2 handwarmers…

And the body of the blanket ready to go with the selvages cut off and the ends even.

Step 2 – Make the Hood to the Blanket

With right sides together, sew the back of the hood using a .5 inch seam allowance.

Once sewn, snip tiny notches in the curve to help the hood lay nicely.

Turn Right side out.

Turn under the front edge of the hood 1″.  Sew down along the edge using a zig zag stitch along the edge.

Set the hood aside.

Step 3 – Prep the Pocket and Handwarmers

Take the two pocket pattern pieces.  Turn the tops (the end that is NOT rounded) and turn it under 1″ so the it folds to the back of the pocket (wrong sides touching). Sew down along the edge using a zig zag stitch on each pocket.

Set the pockets aside.

Grab the two handwarmer pieces.  Turn the long diagonal edge under .5 inch.  It should fold back to the wrong side of the fabric.

Sew down along the edge using a Zig Zag stich on each handwarmer.

After sewing you’ll notice a little “tail” sticking out from the triangle, snip it off, taking care not to cut through your seam.

Repeat with the other handwarmer. Set the Handwarmers aside.

Step 4 – Add the Hood and Handwarmers to the DIY Fleece Blanket

Get the main blanket piece. We want the length of the blanket to be 56″ -58″ the width of the fabric.  

Mark the center on one of the sides that the selvage was cut from. This can easily by done by folding it in half and marking it with a pin. Right side should be facing up at you.

Line up the center seam with the pin/ marking we just made.  Pin the hood to the blanket, right sides together.  Sew on using a .5 inch seam allowance.

Now it’s time to sew on the hand warmers to each side.

With right sides together pin one handwarmer to the left corner of the blanket.  The same side as the hood.  Sew into place using a .5 inch seam allowance.

Repeat this process with the right side of the blanket.  Sew the other handwarmer into place using a .5 in seam allowance.  Note: it’s ok if there is a little overlap with the hand warmer and the hood, just make sure the hood is under the handwarmer.

Now that it’s sewn.  Let’s make sure that it lays nicely.

Carefully trim some of the excess off of the corner of the handwarmer and blanket to eliminate bulk. Repeat on the other side

Be careful not to trim through the seam.

Turn the handwarmers right side out.

Now it’s time to finish up the blanket.

Step 5 – Sew on the pockets and finish the edges of the Hooded Blanket

Time to add the pockets and finish up!

The pockets should be placed about 1/3 of the way down – the tops should be the same direction as the hood and placed six inches from the edge.

Pin and sew into place using a zig zag stitch along the edge.

Once the pockets are in place it’s time to finish off the edges of the blanket.

Turn under the edges of the blanket .5″ (wrong sides touching) and sew into place using a zig zag stitch along the edge.  If desired you can top stitch the handwarmers and hood as well.

That’s it! You completed the Hooded Blanket Tutorial.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE PATTERN HERE.

You can get a free copy of Adobe reader here. By downloading  you are agreeing to pattern terms of use.  Fill out the form to get it sent right to you. Can’t see form?  Try here.

MORE FLEECE BLANKET TUTORIALS:

• How to Make a No Sew Tie Quilt  
• Traditional Fleece Tie Blanket (with templates and 3 methods!)
• Duvet Cover
• Stitch ‘n flip quilt
• Rag quilt (Easy Beginner’s Guide)
• How to crochet the edge of a Fleece Blanket
• Fleece Blanket with a Satin Binding
• Self Binding Fleece Blanket
• Fleece Ribbon Throw
• You can see all of the blanket tutorials here

Additional Fleece Sewing Projects:

• Bow Ear Warmer Headband
• Fleece Scarf with Pockets
• Red Riding Hood Cape
• Washable Duster
• Warm Mittens
• Quick Sew Hobo
• Child’s Fleece Robe
• Child’s Fleece Pants