How to Turn Any Blanket Into a Perfect Picnic Blanket



The weather has been absolutely beautiful lately—just the kind of sunshine and gentle breeze that makes you want to spend time outside. Picnics are calling! Whether you’re heading to the park, the beach, or just your backyard, having a reliable blanket that’s comfy and practical can make all the difference.

Today, I’m sharing a simple and clever way to take your usual crochet blanket (or any blanket you love) and turn it into the ultimate picnic companion by adding a shower curtain backing. This hack keeps you dry, clean, and comfortable, no matter where you settle down.


This post contains affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps to cover the running costs of the blog.  Many thanks.



Why Add a Shower Curtain Backing to Your Blanket?

Crochet blankets are soft, warm, and beautiful—but not always picnic-friendly. Grass stains, damp ground, or sandy beaches can quickly turn your favourite blanket into a mess.

Adding a shower curtain backing creates a waterproof barrier that protects your blanket from moisture and dirt while keeping the cosy feel on top. It’s an easy, affordable DIY upgrade that makes your blanket much more versatile.




What You’ll Need




Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Your Picnic Blanket

1. Choose the Right Shower Curtain

Pick a shower curtain that is the same size or slightly larger than your blanket. Shower curtains work great because they’re waterproof and easy to clean. You can find fun patterns to add a splash of colour or go simple with a clear or white curtain.

2. Prepare Your Materials

Lay the shower curtain flat on a clean surface, then place your crochet blanket on top, making sure the edges line up as closely as possible.

3. Secure the Layers

Use pins or clips around the edges to hold the blanket and shower curtain together. This helps keep them in place while you sew.

4. Sew the Edges Together

Using a sewing machine or needle and thread, sew around the edges of the blanket and curtain, about 1cm (½ inch) from the edge. 

5. Optional: Add Folding Ties or Velcro

To keep your picnic blanket neat when folded, sew small fabric ties or attach Velcro strips to the corners or edges.


What Blankets Work Best for Picnic Blankets?

Some of my own crochet blanket patterns are perfect for picnics and beach days — soft, cosy, and the right size for spreading out comfortably. Here are the ones I think would work well as a picnic blanket.


Beyond my patterns, here are some other crochet blankets that will work wonderfully for picnics, by some of my favourite designers.



Picnic Perfect: A Roundup of Free Crochet Blanket Patterns



Featured in our roundup today is the Rainbow Granny Square Blanket pattern from Raffamusa Designs. Its delightful colours and playful pom-pom border make it a truly eye-catching and fun project.





From Knitting with Chopsticks, discover the Lemon Zest Blanket  pattern. Its simple yet striking grid design offers a clean aesthetic that's easily adaptable from a cosy baby blanket to a generous picnic spread.




Annie Design Crochet presents the gorgeous Rainbow Harmony Blanket granny square blanket pattern. This colourful and versatile design is perfect for utilising your yarn stash, creating a wonderfully vibrant blanket, perfect for picnics.




From Pattern Princess, explore the lovely Royal Icing Blanket  pattern. This design features beautiful texture and delicate details, creating a wonderfully pretty and practical blanket ideal for your outdoor adventures.




Raffamusa Designs offers another fantastic pattern with their Colour Salad Baby Blanket. This modular design beautifully blends various shades, creating a harmonious project that can easily be made larger for a perfect picnic blanket.




For a touch of floral charm, discover the Tinted Mayapple Flower Blanket by Underground Crafter. This beautiful pattern features lovely textured flowers within each square, creating a delightful and beautiful blanket that would be perfect for al fresco dining.



The Ultimate Picnic Packing List: What to Take



A great picnic is about more than just the blanket. Here’s a list of perfect picnic essentials you’ll want to have on hand — many of which you can easily grab online (affiliate links ready!):






Final Thoughts

Turning your crochet blanket into a picnic blanket with a shower curtain backing is such an easy project that adds real function to your favourite blanket. Plus, with the perfect gear packed, your next outdoor day will be super comfy and fun.




If you try this DIY, I’d love to see your finished picnic blankets — tag me on social or reply to this post!

Happy hooking and happy picnicking!





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