Free EZ Xs and Os Blanket Pattern Using Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ Yarn
If you have been looking for a cozy, modern, and absolutely beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern, you have just found your new favorite project. This free EZ Xs and Os Blanket pattern uses Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ yarn, and it is one of those rare combinations where the yarn does most of the heavy lifting so you can focus on the fun part: watching a beautiful blanket grow right before your eyes.
Whether you are completely new to crochet or you are an experienced maker looking for a quick and satisfying project, this pattern delivers on every level. The Xs and Os design gives the finished blanket that sweet, timeless look that works just as well in a nursery as it does draped across a living room sofa. Best of all, you do not need any special tools or advanced skills to make it happen.
Let’s dive in.
What Is Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ Yarn?
Before we get into the pattern itself, it helps to understand why this particular yarn makes this project so special. Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ yarn is a truly unique product. It is a pre-looped yarn, meaning the yarn comes with loops already formed along its length. These loops allow you to create a finished fabric by pulling loops through other loops with your fingers — no crochet hook required, though you can use one if you prefer.
The yarn is thick and squishy, producing that plush, chenille-like texture that has made loop yarn blankets so wildly popular over the last several years. It is super soft against the skin, which makes it ideal for baby blankets, lap blankets, throws, and anything else you want to feel like a warm hug.
Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ comes in a wide range of solid colors and beautifully coordinated ombre and variegated colorways, so you have plenty of options when it comes to matching your finished blanket to a room’s décor or a loved one’s personality. Each skein is generous in size, typically around 220 yards, giving you a good stretch of yarn per ball.
Working with this yarn is genuinely meditative. Once you get into a rhythm, the looping motion becomes almost automatic, and many crafters find that they can work on their blankets while watching television or chatting with friends.
Materials You Will Need
One of the best things about this pattern is how short the materials list is. Here is everything you need to gather before you start:
Yarn: Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ yarn in your chosen color or colors. For a standard throw-sized blanket measuring approximately 40 inches by 50 inches, you will need roughly 4 to 5 skeins depending on your tension and the specific colorway you choose. If you want a smaller lap blanket or a baby blanket, 2 to 3 skeins will likely be sufficient.
Your fingers: No hook is required for this pattern, though a large blunt tapestry needle or a large crochet hook (size US 50 / 25mm) can be helpful for weaving in ends or for those who find it easier to manipulate loops with a tool.
Scissors: A good pair of sharp scissors for cutting and finishing your ends.
Tape measure or ruler: Helpful for checking your stitch count and overall dimensions as you work.
Optional: Locking stitch markers to help you keep track of your stitch count, especially when you are first learning the pattern.
That is genuinely the entire list. No special equipment, no intimidating tools. Just yarn, your hands, and a little patience.
Understanding the EZ Finger Crochet Technique
If you have never worked with loop yarn before, let’s walk through the basic technique before jumping into the Xs and Os pattern itself.
Loop yarn fabric is created by pulling one loop through another, similar to the way traditional crochet works, but using your fingers instead of a hook. Each pre-formed loop on the yarn acts as your stitch.
To begin a foundation chain, you simply reach through the first loop and pull the next loop through it. Continue doing this until you have the number of loops you need for your starting chain. From there, working rows involves picking up the loops from your foundation and connecting them to new loops from the working yarn.
The Xs and Os pattern adds a fun twist to this basic approach by incorporating crossed stitches and open chain spaces that create the visual impression of Xs and Os — or hugs and kisses, as many crafters like to say.
Take a few minutes to practice the basic loop-through-loop motion before you cast on for your blanket. Most people find that they get comfortable with the technique after just one or two practice rows.
Abbreviations and Pattern Notes
To keep things clear throughout the pattern, here are the abbreviations used:
Ch: Chain (pull one loop through another to create a chain stitch)
Sl st: Slip stitch (insert finger through stitch, pull loop through both the stitch and the loop on your finger)
Sc: Single crochet equivalent (pull a loop through the stitch, then through the loop on your finger)
Sk: Skip the next stitch
Sp: Space (working into the open gap created by a previous chain or skipped stitch)
Rep: Repeat
RS: Right side
WS: Wrong side
Pattern notes:
The foundation chain count must be a multiple of 6, plus 2 for turning, if you want the Xs and Os to repeat evenly across your blanket. The sample pattern below is written for 38 chains, giving you a blanket that works up to approximately 38 to 42 inches wide depending on your individual tension.
Always turn your work at the end of each row. The pattern is worked flat in rows, not in the round.
Gauge is not critical for this type of project, but if you want a blanket close to the dimensions noted above, aim for approximately 3 stitches per 4 inches and 3 rows per 4 inches in the basic loop fabric.
Free EZ Xs and Os Blanket Pattern
Foundation Chain
Make 38 chains by pulling each loop through the previous one until you have a chain measuring approximately 38 loops. Count carefully before moving on, because having the right number of starting chains makes everything else fall into place.
Row 1 (Right Side)
Working back along your foundation chain, single crochet into the second loop from the end. Single crochet into the next loop. Now skip the next 2 loops, then make 2 single crochets into the next loop. Chain 2. Make 2 single crochets into the loop following the chain 2 space. Skip the next 2 loops, single crochet into the next 2 loops. Repeat this sequence of skip 2, 2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc, skip 2, 2 sc across the row until you have worked all the way to the end. Single crochet into each of the last 2 loops. Turn your work.
This first row establishes the open chain-2 spaces that will become the centers of your Os, and the crossed pairs will build into your Xs as you continue.
Row 2 (Wrong Side)
Chain 1, single crochet into the first 2 stitches. Working across, single crochet into the next 2 stitches, chain 2, skip the chain-2 space from the previous row, single crochet into the next 2 stitches. Repeat across, ending with a single crochet into each of the last 2 stitches. Turn.
Row 3 (Right Side)
Chain 1, single crochet into the first 2 stitches. Now work the cross stitch: skip the next 2 stitches, single crochet into the chain-2 space, chain 2, single crochet back into the 2 skipped stitches (working them from front to back creates the X crossing effect). Continue across repeating this cross stitch sequence over each chain-2 space. Single crochet into the last 2 stitches. Turn.
Row 4 (Wrong Side)
Repeat Row 2.
Row 5 (Right Side)
Repeat Row 1.
Rows 1 through 5 create one complete repeat of the Xs and Os pattern. Continue repeating these 5 rows until your blanket reaches your desired length. For a standard throw measuring approximately 40 by 50 inches, you will work approximately 12 to 15 total pattern repeats, depending on your tension.
Finishing
When your blanket has reached the length you want, cut your yarn, leaving a tail of about 6 inches. Pull the tail through the last loop to secure it, similar to the way you would fasten off in traditional crochet. Use your tapestry needle or fingers to weave the tail securely into the back of your work. Repeat this process for your starting tail as well.
Give your blanket a gentle tug in all directions to even out the stitches, and if the edges look a little uneven, you can work a simple border of single crochets around the entire perimeter to neaten everything up.
Choosing Your Color Palette
One of the most enjoyable parts of planning a new blanket is choosing colors, and Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ makes this particularly fun because the yarn’s large scale means your color choice really dominates the finished piece.
For a classic, clean look, a solid neutral like soft white, warm cream, or heathered gray lets the Xs and Os texture speak for itself. This kind of blanket has a timeless quality that fits almost any home and makes a beautiful gift.
If you want something more playful, a variegated colorway in pastels works beautifully for baby blankets or children’s room throws. The shifting colors add visual interest without requiring any extra effort from the knitter, since the yarn does the color work for you as you go.
For a bold, modern aesthetic, deep jewel tones like teal, navy, or burgundy create a striking finished product. These richer colors are particularly nice for living room throws or gifts for adults.
You can also experiment with using two different skeins of color and switching between them every few rows to create a striped version of this pattern. Because loop yarn is easy to join and fasten off, color changes require minimal fuss.
Tips for Success
Count your loops. Because loop yarn moves quickly, it is easy to accidentally skip a stitch or pick up an extra one without noticing right away. Checking your stitch count at the end of every row, at least for the first few rows, saves a lot of frogging (unraveling) later.
Keep your tension even. Loop yarn can get tight or loose depending on how relaxed you are while working. Try to pull each loop through with the same amount of ease throughout the project. If you notice your fabric getting stiff, loosen up a bit. If it’s growing sloppy and open, tighten your pull slightly.
Work in good light. The pre-formed loops on this yarn can be a little tricky to see in dim lighting, especially with darker colorways. Natural light or a good craft lamp makes a real difference when you need to count stitches or find your place in the pattern.
Don’t rush joining new skeins. When you run out of yarn and need to add a new skein, take a moment to weave in your ends securely before moving on. Loop yarn can work loose if the ends aren’t anchored well, especially with a well-loved blanket that will be washed regularly.
Store your work-in-progress carefully. Because the loops are pre-formed, if they get snagged or pulled out of order it can create headaches. Store your unfinished blanket in a bag or basket that keeps it contained and away from curious pets or small children.
Caring for Your Finished Blanket
Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ is machine washable, which is one of its most practical features and makes it especially suitable for gifts, baby items, and anything that will get regular use.
To wash, place your blanket in the machine on a gentle cycle with cold water. Use a mild detergent. To dry, lay the blanket flat on a clean surface or drape it over a drying rack away from direct sunlight, which can cause some colorways to fade over time. Tumble drying on low heat is generally fine, but air drying will help the blanket maintain its shape and plushness longer.
Avoid washing the blanket with items that have zippers, Velcro, or other rough hardware that could catch on the loops and distort the fabric.
With proper care, a loop yarn blanket can last for years and still look and feel as cozy as the day it was finished.
Why This Pattern Makes a Perfect Gift
There is something about a handmade blanket that communicates care in a way few other gifts can match. The Xs and Os design adds an extra layer of meaning, since Xs and Os have long been shorthand for hugs and kisses. That symbolism makes this blanket a particularly lovely gift for new babies, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, anniversaries, or really any occasion where you want to say “I love you” in fiber form.
Because the pattern works up relatively quickly compared to traditional crochet or knitting, you can realistically finish a lap blanket in a weekend if you have a few good stretches of uninterrupted crafting time. A full throw might take a week or two of evening sessions, which still makes it a very manageable handmade gift.
The beginner-friendly nature of the pattern also means you do not have to be an experienced crafter to make something that looks impressive. Plenty of people have made their very first loop yarn project using a simple Xs and Os pattern and ended up with something that looked professionally made.
Sizing Adjustments
The pattern as written produces a throw-sized blanket, but it is easy to adjust the size up or down.
For a baby blanket, start with a foundation chain of 26 loops (a multiple of 6 plus 2) and work until the blanket measures approximately 30 inches long. Two skeins of Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ should be plenty.
For a twin bed size, start with a foundation chain of 56 loops and work to approximately 70 inches in length. Plan on using 8 to 10 skeins.
For a queen or king size, you will be working a much wider foundation chain and using significantly more yarn, so it helps to swatch a small section first to estimate your yardage needs more accurately before purchasing all your materials.
Final Thoughts
This free EZ Xs and Os Blanket pattern using Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ yarn is the kind of project that reminds you why crafting is so satisfying in the first place. It is accessible, it is quick, it produces a beautiful result, and the finished product is genuinely useful and deeply cozy.
Whether you are making it for yourself, for a new baby in your life, or as a heartfelt gift for someone you love, this blanket delivers on every level. The hugs-and-kisses motif woven into every row gives it a warmth that goes beyond the physical softness of the yarn.
Print out the pattern, gather your materials, find a comfortable spot on your couch, and cast on. You will be amazed at how quickly this beautiful blanket comes together — and how much you will enjoy every loop of the process.
Happy crafting!
