At Yours, we think there’s nothing more satisfying than snuggling up on a couch with a cuppa and a cosy knitted blanket made by yourself, especially as the nights are starting to get a little chillier. If you’re a novice, don’t worry. We’ve put together this guide on how to knit a blanket for beginners.
Knitting is a fun and challenging hobby; its repetitive motion can help calm anxiety and relieve stress. According to one study, knitting can even keep dementia at bay.
As for its history, the exact origins of knitting are unknown. However, the earliest known examples are cotton socks found in the remains of the city of Fustat, now part of Cairo. How groovy!
Never knitted before but are keen to know how? Check out this article below:
Read More: Learn how to knit with our easy guides
However, if you’re a little bit more familiar with this relaxing craft, we’d love you to read on. Yours has written a thoroughly researched (and fun) guide on how to knit a blanket for beginners.
You will need:
A pair of needles
You can get straight or circular knitting needles.
These are commonly made out of either wood, bamboo, metal or plastic - and come in a range of sizes.
Straight knitting needles are used for knitting flat pieces - such as sweaters, scarves, and blankets. On the other hand, circular needles are used for knitting in the round - such as sweaters, socks and hats.
If you're a beginner, you need to start with a pair of wooden (or bamboo) straight knitting needles. Why? This is because your material will be less likely to slip off of them. As for the size of your needle, this depends on the type of yarn or item that you are knitting. For example, if you wanted to knit a chunky blanket, you’d use bigger needles. However, if you wanted a very fine blanket, then you’d use smaller ones.
So, we've included a pair of these Jumbo, Straight Wooden Knitting Needles:
AmazonPlus, they're available in two different sizes: 20mm and 25mm.
Review: "I had never knitted with such chunky needles before but found them easy to use. Managed to knit a nice chunky throw, so I am very pleased.”
Yarn
You can use any colour yarn you like for your project.
As a beginner, opt for a bulky or chunky weight yarn for ease - weight refers to the thickness of the yarn.
If you're a beginner, there's no need to make it hard for yourself.
Wool is great for beginners as it’s stretchy, therefore making it easier to knit and slip across your needles - not to mention it’s super warm and also a natural and recyclable material.
Wool and the Gangwww.johnlewis.com
This chunky soft yarn is super easy to use making it brilliant for beginners.
Available in several colours, this product is 100 per cent natural, renewable and biodegradable too!
Related: Knitting teds to touch hearts
A stitch pattern
You can either purchase a stitch pattern for your blanket online, download a free one - or even purchase a knitting kit which comes with yarn, needles and a pattern.
Read More: Chunky Knit Blanket Patterns
Basic Knitting Techniques
Before you start knitting there are a few knitting techniques you need to know…
Cast On (or Slipknot)
Casting on is where you place the first stitches of your yarn onto your needles.
The way you will place your yarn onto your needles is by making a slipknot.
Read More: How to cast-on in knitting: a simple technique for beginners
Cast Off
Casting off, also known as binding off, is the last step in your knitting project and will keep your project from unravelling. This is where you create an end to your knitting and take it off the needles.
So, it's well worth learning how to do it properly.
Read More: How to cast-off in knitting
Knit Stitch
This is the most basic type of knitting technique.
When you continue knitting in knit stitch it will eventually create a pattern known as the garter stitch.
Related: Free charity knitting patterns
How to knit a blanket
For beginners, the best blanket to knit is a chunky, patchwork blanket. They're easy to make, whilst still allowing you to get creative with colours, too.
This tutorial by Wool and The Gang using straight knitting needles is brilliant for beginners.
You will need:
• 5mm or US19 size knitting needles
• Wool
• A large sewing needle
Method
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Cast on your yarn. To do this, find the end of your yarn (tucked in the middle of your ball of wool) then make a slipknot.
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Then, cast on 14 stitches and knit a row.
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Continue knitting using the knit stitch technique until you’ve formed a 20cm long square (the finished square will be 20cm in length and width).
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Cast off your square. To do this, take the needle with all the stitches in your left hand. To cast off, you always need to have two stitches on your right needle. Start by knitting two stitches, then slip the first stitch over the second stitch, binding it off. Knit one more stitch and cast off one stitch again. Continue until the end of the row and you only have one stitch left on your right needle.
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Cut your yarn and leave a tail that’s about an arm’s length. Pull this through the last stitch and you will have your first square.
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Repeat this process to make around 35 squares.
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Once you’ve finished all your squares, sew them together with your large sewing needle. To do this, you’ll use the ‘perpendicular invisible seam technique’. To do this, place one of the squares with the stitches running horizontally and the other square with the stitches vertically. Insert the sewing needle under the first stitch on the square with a cast on or cast-off edge. Insert the needle under the horizontal bar on the square with a side edge and pull the yarn through. Repeat this and pull the yarn through so that the two pieces join together. Weave in the remaining yarn in the original pattern so that they’re hidden. Tie a knot and cut it off.
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You should now have a big cosy knitted blanket!
How to knit a blanket with your hands
If knitting with needles still seems a little too complicated, why not give hand knitting a go instead?
Related: How to finger knit
This tutorial by She’s Crafty and She Knows it simply requires chunky wool yarn, your hands and some patience to create a beautiful big cosy blanket.