Like many people in online crochet communities, I’ve hopped on the trend of using plastic pony beads to make a weighted bead blanket.
However, the thought of making a blanket in rows did not appeal to me at all. So I took a hook, my yarn, and some beads and spent an evening figuring out how to make a bead blanket in the round.
And now I’m here to show you how I did it! The following instructions are taken from my TikTok profile, where I originally posted them.
Adding the Beads
It’s easiest to show you how I attach the beads, so here is a link to my TikTok video where I show how I attach them.
Don’t wanna watch the video? Here are the steps to attaching the bead to a double crochet:
- Slip a pony bead onto your hook.
- Yarn over, as you would to start a double crochet, resting the yarn between the bead and the tip of the hook.
- Pull up a loop.
- Yarn over and pull through two loops.
- Finally, yarn over and pull through a loop, the bead, and the final loop.
Making a Bead Blanket in the Round

For this project, you just need worsted weight yarn, 9x6mm pony beads, and a 3.75mm (F) hook. To see the exact materials I used for my blanket, check out the supplies list here.

Chain 5 stitches.
Slip stitch into the first chain, creating a circle.
Alternatively, you can create a magic ring if that is the method you prefer.

Round 1: Ch 3. [BDC*, dc, BDC, ch 3] x 4 times. Sl st into the first BDC.
*BDC is a beaded double crochet. You can learn how to do this stitch here.


Round 2: Ch 3. Start each round in the chain space before the ch 3 for that round. dc, BDC in the chain space.
[dc, BDC, dc] in the dc/BDC stitches from the previous round.
[BDC, dc, ch 3, dc, BDC] in the chain 3 space from the previous round (except the last space, where you will ch 3 and then sl st into the first dc of the round).

Round 3 (and all ODD rounds): Using the method described for working the previous round, alternate between dc and BDC stitches. Start ODD rounds with a BDC.
Round 4 (and all EVEN rounds): Start with a dc.
Continue working odd and even rounds until the blanket is your desired size.
Thank you
Thank you for sharing your idea for free. I completely agree about the cost and not selling your work. I only give things I make to people that I know will appreciate the time and love that goes into a project.
Is there a small video actually showing the stitching and you doing the beginning steps mentioned in instructions. I’m new to crocheting think a small vid would be great just to ensure people can confirm they’re doing it well with visual instruction example.
There will be soon! I’ve had this requested by several people and I’m working on filming and editing a video – hope to get it online sometime within a week!
Thank you:-)
Thank you free patters are so nice of you.
Hi – this looks gorgeous, and perhaps I’m being really stupid! Should we be turning our work between rounds? I’m really struggling to work out how to start round 2 after the chain 3 – do we go back on ourselves and then work in the usual direction, or should we be turning?
You are definitely NOT being stupid! This was a huge oversight on my part (one I’ll be clarifying, for sure)! I work backwards for those first few stitches in that first corner. I tried turning every round, but the beads look different on the front than they do on the back, so I do not turn my work between rounds.
Hello, so I’ve been trying to get started on this. I’m getting a feeling it’s like a granny square pattern and that’s the one pattern I keep getting confused with (yet I can make a Pikachu, Stitch and Angel from Lilo and Stitch, and Oogie Boogie lol) I’m mainly getting stuck on the corners. Do you have any tips to help me with the pattern? Thank you so much!
It is like a solid granny square, just with beads! I am working on editing a video tutorial – it’s possible that could help once it’s done. Do you want me to email you the link once I have it posted?
I would also LOVE a link to the video once you finish it! I have the ‘basic’ concept down, but the corners and alternating ways to start the even/odd rows keeps throwing me off.