How to Make a Pet Portrait Blanket

A pet portrait blanket turns your pet's photo into a crocheted pixel grid — each “pixel” is a stitch or small square in the right color. The result is a blanket that looks like your pet from a distance, made entirely by hand.

There are 4 main techniques for making one. They all start with the same thing: a color grid (your pet's photo converted to pixels). The difference is how you crochet that grid.

Quick Comparison

1. SC Pixel (Single Crochet Colorwork)

Each pixel = 1 single crochet stitch in the right color. You work flat rows left-to-right, right-to-left, carrying unused colors behind the work (tapestry crochet technique).

How it works

• Convert photo to a pixel grid (e.g., 60×80 pixels for a small blanket)
• Each row: follow the grid left-to-right (odd rows) or right-to-left (even rows)
• Change colors by pulling the new color through the last 2 loops of the previous stitch
• Carry unused colors behind the work, crocheting over them to hide

Pros

• Best pixel clarity — SC stitches are nearly square, so the image looks most like the original photo
• No assembly — the whole blanket is one piece
• Highest resolution — can show fine details like whiskers, eye color

Cons

• Slow — SC is the shortest stitch, so each row takes longer
• Not reversible — carried yarn shows on the back
• Color management is tricky — with 5+ colors per row, untangling bobbins gets messy
• Dense and heavy — SC fabric with carried yarn is thick

Typical size: 60-100 pixels wide. A 70×90 SC blanket ≈ 25″ × 32″ in worsted weight.

2. C2C (Corner to Corner)

Each pixel = 1 C2C block (ch 3 + 3 dc). You work diagonally from one corner, increasing until you reach full width, then decreasing to the opposite corner. Color changes happen at block boundaries.

How it works

• Convert photo to a pixel grid (typically 72×96 for a throw-size blanket)
• Work diagonal rows — each row adds or removes one block
• Each block: sl st to move, ch 3, 3 dc into the previous row's ch-space
• Change colors by joining new yarn at the start of each block

Pros

• Fastest technique — DC-based blocks work up quickly
• Uses the least yarn — open construction with ch-spaces
• Reversible — both sides look clean
• Light and soft — great drape for blankets
• No assembly — one continuous piece

Cons

• Diagonal construction is confusing at first — the chart reads differently than the work
• Edges curl inward — needs a border to flatten
• Pixels are not perfectly square — DC blocks are slightly taller than wide (1.5:1 ratio)
• Many yarn ends — each color change leaves tails to weave in

Typical size: 72×96 blocks for a throw (≈ 47″ × 63″). This is the most popular technique on Etsy for custom pet blankets.

Popular patterns: PixelCrochetLab sells detailed C2C pet portraits (Border Collie, Golden Retriever, etc.) for $5-10.

3. Granny Pixel (Join-As-You-Go Squares)

Each pixel = 1 solid granny square (2-3 rounds) in the right color. Squares are joined together using JAYG (join-as-you-go) or sewn after. The result is a chunky, textured blanket.

How it works

• Convert photo to a small grid (25-50 pixels wide — each square is ~3″)
• Crochet each square individually in the assigned color
• Join squares in rows using JAYG (sl st into adjacent square while crocheting the border round) or whip stitch after
• Add a border around the entire blanket

Pros

• Portable — make squares anywhere, assemble later
• Beginner-friendly — each square is a simple 2-round granny
• Reversible — solid granny squares look good on both sides
• Chunky, cozy texture — thicker than SC or C2C
• No color management — each square is one color, no carrying yarn

Cons

• Assembly required — 500-2000 squares need joining
• Lower resolution — 3″ squares mean coarser detail (fine features like whiskers get lost)
• Uses the most yarn — solid squares are dense
• Many yarn ends — every square has a start and end tail
• Large blankets get heavy

Typical size: 25×35 squares for a small blanket (≈ 75″ × 105″). For a pet portrait with enough detail, you need at least 25 pixels wide.

4. Mosaic Crochet

A 2-color technique where you work in flat rows, alternating between two colors every 2 rows. The pattern is created by strategically skipping stitches and working into rows below, creating the illusion of colorwork without carrying yarn.

Pros

• Only 2 colors at a time — no messy color management
• Reversible — clean on both sides
• No assembly — worked as one piece
• Dramatic geometric patterns

Cons

• Limited to 2 colors — can't do full-color pet portraits
• Best for silhouettes only — cat outline, paw print, not detailed faces
• Complex chart reading

Best for: Stylized pet silhouettes (paw prints, cat profiles, dog outlines) rather than photorealistic portraits.

Which Should You Pick?

• Want the fastest result? → C2C. It's the most popular for good reason.
• Want the sharpest image? → SC Pixel. Best pixel clarity, but slowest.
• Want a cozy, chunky blanket? → Granny Pixel. Portable and beginner-friendly.
• Want a simple 2-color design? → Mosaic. Great for paw prints and silhouettes.
• First time? → Start with C2C or Granny Pixel. Both are forgiving of gauge variation.

Make Your Pet Blanket

Upload your pet's photo and choose your technique. CrochetPop generates the pixel grid and pattern for you.

Sources:

• Bubanana — 3 Ways to Crochet Pixel Art
• Pixel Crochet Lab — C2C Pet Portrait Patterns
• Repeat Crafter Me — Pixel Crochet Squares
• Make & Do Crew — C2C Dog Blanket