Chunky knit blankets are just everywhere, it seems, and they make wonderful gifts.The warm throws are so cozy to snuggle up with, and the extra-thick stitches are worthy to be statement-making in the decoration scheme of your living area or bedroom. Moreover, the structure of such an item has a considerably plusher feel to it compared to your average knit blanket.
Another plus for starting your chunky blanket right away is that it makes for a fairly fast project. If you are still looking for a quick, yet impressive present for a loved one, you have come to the right place. In our tutorial we will walk you through all the steps of how to successfully craft your first chunky blanket.
What yarn to choose for your blanket?
Our chunky knit blanket is made from a mixture of wool and acrylic fiber that is perfectly machine-washable whenever it needs a refresh. Another plus for choosing a yarn that is not 100 % wool is its weight. Woolen blankets can be heavy, and bulky ones can weigh up to five or six pounds. Now, weight blankets have their own, good use and are perfect for people with a lot of anxiety, sleep problems or ADHD symptoms. But if your throw is supposed to be for someone who does not suffer from any of the above disorders, we recommend to opt for either a very lightweight, fluffy wool or a mix of wool and acrylic yarn. The latter would be more economic, too.
So if you buy new yarn, anything between 24 and 34 yards per skein should make for a fine outcome. How many balls of yarn you will need depends on the size of your planned blanket. For a small throw, you should consider knitting a project of at least 40 x 60 inches, whereas a larger blanket that will keep you entirely bundled up can well reach 60 x 80 inch-proportions.
Of course, you can also craft your bulky blanket from scrap yarn, or incorporate sections of scrap yarn into your item, if you feel like it. Just use several threads together until reaching the desired thickness. Whenever any of your threads runs out, replace it with another one. This way, you will additionally create cute color effects.
What kind of knitting needles should I use for a chunky blanket?
Although arm knitting is a possibility, and there are many tutorials out there for arm knitted blankets, using knitting needles will not only result in a more even outcome, it will also save your arms and wrists from suffering. Especially, if you use circular knitting needles. Our Jumbo circulars are made from birchwood which is strong enough to make you confidently maneuver through all your stitches, but still feels light in your hands. The knitting cord connecting the needle pair ensures that the prime weight of your project will rest safely in your lap and not put any strain on your hands and wrists.
What stitches do I have to know?
To craft your first knit blanket, it is enough to just know how to cast on and make a plain knit stitch, this would make for what is called a garter stitch pattern. Although you use circular needles, your project is knitted flat, i.e. in rows. It means that all your knit stitches will appear as purl stitches on the other side, and vice versa. Garter stitch makes for a reversible pattern and is just perfect for a blanket. If you can knit and purl, a whole universe of possible stitch combinations and patterns will open up to you. Have a look at our blog post on how to master the basic knit stitches here. Why not try an alternation of knit and purl stitches and use the seed stitch? It is a simple, two-row repeat pattern and will give your item an eye-catching structure. Plus, it is reversible, too.
- Cast on 56 stitches and knit six rows in garter stitch.
- Now your pattern starts. On the right side of your work, knit 3 stitches for the edge, knit one stitch (K1) and purl one stitch (P1) and repeat until reaching the last three stitches which are to be crafted in knit stitches.
- On the wrong side of your item, knit the first three stitches. Then purl the first stitch and knit the next, thus alternating the pattern of the previous row. Repeat until reaching the last three stitches, and knit them again.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 until your work reaches its desired length. Finish with a six-row garter stitch edge.
- Cut your yarn tail, leaving at least three inches to weave in with a darning needle. Check our tutorial on different methods of weaving in your yarn ends here.
How do you like your cozy, chunky blanket? What would be your next project with your KnitPro Jumbo needles?
