Knitting is a wonderful and relaxing hobby that allows you to create beautiful and functional items with your own hands. One of the most popular projects for knitters is a large blanket, which can be both cozy and decorative. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of knitting a large blanket using straight needles.
Materials: To start knitting a large blanket, you will need the following materials:
- Size 10 or 11 straight knitting needles
- Super bulky weight yarn in the color of your choice
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
Step 1: Casting On
Begin by casting on the desired number of stitches for your blanket. This will depend on how wide you want your blanket to be. Make sure to leave a long tail of yarn for later use. You can use the long tail cast on method or any other cast on method you prefer.
Step 2: Knitting
Once you have cast on your stitches, start knitting the first row. You will be knitting every stitch in this row. Repeat this row for the desired length of your blanket. Make sure to keep the tension of your yarn consistent to create an even and smooth fabric.
Step 3: Changing Colors (Optional)
If you want to add a color change to your blanket, simply cut the yarn of the current color and tie on the new color. Make sure to leave a long enough tail of both colors to weave in later. Continue knitting with the new color until you want to switch colors again.
Step 4: Binding Off
When you have reached the desired length of your blanket, it’s time to bind off. Knit the first two stitches as usual, then insert the left needle into the first stitch on the right needle and lift it over the second stitch and off the needle. Repeat this process for the remaining stitches until you have one stitch left. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail, and pull it through the last stitch to secure it. Weave in all loose ends.
With these simple steps, you can create a beautiful and cozy large blanket using just straight needles. Knitting a blanket can be a time-consuming project, but the end result is definitely worth it. So grab your materials and start knitting today!
Choosing the Right Yarn and Needles
Before starting your knitting project, it is important to choose the right yarn and needles to achieve the desired outcome.
Yarn:
When selecting yarn for your large blanket, consider the following factors:
- Weight: Choose a yarn weight that suits the desired drape and warmth of your blanket. Bulky or super bulky yarns are often preferred for blankets as they knit up quickly and create a cozy texture.
- Fiber: Decide on the fiber content based on the desired feel and care requirements of the blanket. Options include wool, cotton, acrylic, or a blend of fibers.
- Color: Select a color or color combination that complements your home decor or personal style. Take into account the recipient’s preferences if the blanket is a gift.
Needles:
Choosing the right needles is crucial for a comfortable and efficient knitting experience:
- Size: Match your needle size to the gauge recommended on the yarn label or in the knitting pattern. Larger needles are usually used for bulky yarns, while smaller needles are used for finer yarns.
- Type: Straight needles are the most commonly used for flat knitting like a blanket. Choose a material that feels comfortable in your hands, such as wood, bamboo, or metal.
Remember to swatch before starting your project to ensure that your chosen yarn and needles produce the desired stitch pattern and gauge.
Calculating the Number of Stitches
Before you begin knitting your large blanket, you’ll need to calculate the number of stitches you’ll need to cast on. This will depend on the size of the blanket you want to make and the gauge of your chosen yarn and needles.
Materials:
- Yarn of your choice
- Straight knitting needles
- Measuring tape
Step 1: Determine the size of your blanket
Decide how large you want your blanket to be. This could be a specific measurement in inches or centimeters, or you can use a standard blanket size as a guide.
Step 2: Determine your gauge
Knit a swatch using your chosen yarn and needles. Measure the number of stitches per inch or centimeter to determine your gauge. This will help you calculate the number of stitches you need to cast on.
Step 3: Calculate the number of stitches
Take the desired width of your blanket and multiply it by your gauge. For example, if your desired width is 50 inches and your gauge is 4 stitches per inch, you would multiply 50 by 4 to get 200 stitches.
Step 4: Adjust for borders
If you want to add a border to your blanket, subtract the desired width of the border from the total number of stitches calculated in the previous step. This will give you the number of stitches to cast on for the main body of the blanket.
Step 5: Double-check your calculations
Before casting on, double-check your calculations to ensure you have the correct number of stitches. It’s always a good idea to knit a small swatch and measure it to confirm your gauge before starting your project.
Once you have calculated the number of stitches you need to cast on, you’re ready to begin knitting your large blanket with straight needles!
Casting On
To begin knitting your large blanket, you will first need to cast on your stitches. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cast on using straight needles:
- Hold one knitting needle in your dominant hand and leave the other needle empty in your non-dominant hand.
- Make a slipknot by creating a loop with the yarn, crossing the working end over the tail end, and pulling the working end through the loop.
- Slide the slipknot onto the knitting needle in your dominant hand, leaving a small tail of yarn.
- Hold the needle with the slipknot in your dominant hand and the empty needle in your non-dominant hand, making an “X” shape.
- With your dominant hand, hold the yarn coming from the ball between your thumb and index finger, creating tension.
- Insert the needle in your non-dominant hand into the slipknot, going from top to bottom.
- With your dominant hand, bring the yarn over the needle in your non-dominant hand, creating a new loop.
- Pull the new loop through the slipknot, creating a new stitch on your needle.
- Repeat steps 6-8 until you have cast on the desired number of stitches for your blanket.
After casting on, you will be ready to start knitting the first row of your large blanket. Make sure to keep the tension of your stitches consistent for an even and professional-looking blanket.
Knitting the First Row
Once you have cast on the desired number of stitches for your blanket, it’s time to knit the first row. This row will set the foundation for the rest of your project.
- Hold the knitting needle with the cast-on stitches in your right hand. Make sure the working yarn is at the back of the needle.
- Insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle from left to right, going under the left needle.
- Wrap the working yarn around the right needle, crossing it over the left needle.
- With your right hand, pull the right needle and the loop of yarn through the stitch, bringing the new stitch onto the right needle.
- Slide the stitch off the left needle, leaving the newly knitted stitch on the right needle.
- Repeat steps 2-5 for each stitch on the left needle until all stitches have been knitted. You should now have all stitches on the right needle.
Continue knitting subsequent rows using the same technique until your blanket reaches the desired length. Remember to always keep the working yarn at the back of the needle and to knit into the stitches from left to right.
Switching Colors
Switching colors in your knitting project can add a beautiful and eye-catching design element to your large blanket. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to switch colors while knitting with straight needles:
- Start by knitting until you reach the point in your pattern where you want to switch colors.
- When you are ready to switch colors, simply drop the old yarn and pick up the new yarn.
- Leave a tail of the old yarn (approximately 6 inches) to weave in later when finishing the blanket.
- Make a slipknot with the new yarn and place it onto the right-hand needle.
- Hold the new yarn in your right hand and the old yarn in your left hand.
- Continue knitting with the new color as you normally would.
- If desired, you can carry the old yarn along the edge of your knitting and incorporate it into the stitches as you go.
- When switching colors back to the previous color, simply repeat the same steps, dropping the current yarn and picking up the old yarn.
- Remember to leave a tail of the new yarn to weave in later.
- Continue knitting with the new color for the desired number of rows or until the pattern instructs otherwise.
Switching colors in your knitting project can create stripes, patterns, or color blocks, depending on your design choice. It adds visual interest and allows you to incorporate multiple colors into your large blanket.
Experiment with different color combinations and patterns to create a unique and personalized blanket that reflects your style and creativity.
Creating a Stripe Pattern
If you want to add some visual interest to your large blanket, you can create a stripe pattern. Here’s how:
- Choose the colors you want to use for your stripes. You can use a single color for each stripe or mix different colors.
- Decide on the width and number of stripes you want to include in your pattern. You can create narrow or wide stripes and vary the number of stripes to achieve your desired effect.
- Once you have your colors and stripe dimensions planned, you can start knitting your blanket.
- Follow your knitting pattern, but when you reach a point where you want to introduce a stripe, switch to the desired color by joining the new yarn.
- Continue knitting with the new color until you reach the desired width of the stripe.
- When you’re ready to switch back to the main color or introduce a new color for the next stripe, simply join the new yarn and continue knitting.
- Repeat this process for each stripe, alternating colors as desired.
- If you want to create a clean edge between your stripes, you can knit the first and last couple of stitches of each row in the main color to create a border.
- Continue following your knitting pattern, incorporating the stripe pattern as you go.
- When you’ve finished knitting your blanket, bind off your stitches and weave in any loose ends.
Creating a stripe pattern can be a fun and creative way to personalize your large blanket. Experiment with different color combinations and stripe dimensions to achieve the look you want.
Adding Fringe
Adding fringe to your large blanket can add a decorative and stylish touch. Here’s how you can add fringe to your blanket:
- Start by cutting several strands of yarn, each measuring twice the desired length of your fringe plus a few extra inches for securing.
- Take one strand of yarn and fold it in half to create a loop.
- Insert the crochet hook through a stitch along one edge of the blanket.
- Hook the looped yarn and pull it through the stitch, creating a small loop on the edge of the blanket.
- Take the loose ends of the yarn and pass them through the loop, pulling them tight to secure the fringe to the blanket.
- Repeat steps 3 to 5 along the entire edge of the blanket, spacing the fringe loops evenly.
- Once you have finished adding fringe to one edge, move on to the next edge and repeat the process.
- After adding fringe to all four edges of the blanket, use scissors to trim the fringe to your desired length and shape.
Remember to have fun with your fringe and experiment with different lengths and styles to achieve the look you want for your blanket.
Finishing the Blanket
Once you have completed knitting all the rows and have reached your desired size for the blanket, it’s time to finish off the project. Follow these steps to complete your large knitted blanket:
- Weaving in the Ends: Start by cutting your working yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail onto a yarn needle and insert it into the first stitch. Weave the tail in and out of the stitches along the edge, going in one direction and then back in the opposite direction. Trim any excess yarn.
- Blocking: To give your blanket a polished look and ensure that it lays flat, consider blocking it. Fill a sink or large basin with lukewarm water and a little bit of gentle detergent. Gently submerge the blanket and let it soak for about 15 minutes. Carefully remove the blanket from the water and squeeze out the excess moisture, being careful not to wring or twist it. Lay the blanket flat on a clean towel and gently stretch it to its desired shape. Allow it to air dry completely before removing it from the towel.
- Adding a Border (optional): If you want to add a decorative border to your blanket, this is the time to do it. You can knit or crochet a border directly onto the edges of the blanket, or you can sew on a fabric border using a needle and thread.
- Finishing the Corners: If you want to add corner tassels or pom-poms, now is the time. Cut several strands of yarn and fold them in half. Insert the folded end through the corner stitch, making a loop. Pull the loose ends through the loop tightly to secure. Repeat on all four corners.
Once you have completed these steps, your large knitted blanket is ready to use or give as a gift. Enjoy the warmth and comfort of your handmade creation!
FAQ:
Can I knit a large blanket with straight needles?
Yes, you can definitely knit a large blanket with straight needles. Although it may take longer compared to using circular needles, it is still doable.
What size of straight needles should I use for knitting a large blanket?
The size of the straight needles will depend on the yarn weight you are using and the desired drape of your blanket. Generally, larger needles between US size 10 and 15 (6.0mm and 10.0mm) are recommended for knitting a large blanket.
How much yarn do I need to knit a large blanket?
The amount of yarn needed for a large blanket will depend on the desired size, yarn weight, and stitch pattern you are using. As a rough estimate, you can calculate the yardage by multiplying the desired length and width of the blanket in inches by the average yardage per square inch for the yarn you are using.
Are there any specific techniques I need to know for knitting a large blanket with straight needles?
While knitting a large blanket with straight needles is similar to knitting any other project, there are a few techniques that might be helpful. These include using stitch markers to keep track of pattern repeats, using a long circular needle to accommodate the large number of stitches, and using a lifeline or stitch holder to prevent unraveling if you make a mistake.