Are you a beginner looking to learn how to knit a blanket? Look no further! In this easy guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of knitting a blanket from start to finish. Whether you’re a complete novice or have some basic knitting skills, this tutorial is perfect for anyone wanting to create a cozy and beautiful blanket.
First, gather all the necessary materials. You will need a pair of knitting needles, yarn in your choice of color (bulky or super bulky yarn works best for blankets), and a pair of scissors. Once you have everything ready, it’s time to cast on. Casting on is the process of starting a knitted piece by creating the first row of stitches on the needle.
Next, start knitting the first row. Depending on the pattern you choose, you can use basic knitting stitches such as the knit stitch or purl stitch. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with these stitches yet, our guide will explain them in detail. As you knit each row, make sure to keep your tension consistent and check periodically to ensure your stitches are even.
Continue knitting row by row until your blanket reaches the desired length. You can choose to knit a small lap blanket or a larger throw blanket, depending on your preference. Once you’ve knitted the last row, it’s time to bind off. Binding off is the process of finishing the edge of your knitting, securing the stitches and preventing them from unraveling.
Finally, weave in any loose ends and give your blanket a gentle blocking to even out the stitches and make it look more polished. And voila! You’ve successfully knitted your very own cozy blanket. Whether you keep it for yourself or give it as a handmade gift, knitting a blanket is a rewarding and satisfying project that will keep you warm for years to come.
Getting Started: Gather Your Supplies
To knit a blanket, you will need a few basic supplies. Here are the essentials you’ll need to get started:
- Yarn: Choose a soft and cozy yarn in your desired color. The amount of yarn you’ll need depends on the size of the blanket you want to make.
- Knitting Needles: Select knitting needles that are appropriate for the yarn you have chosen. The size of the needles will also influence the final appearance and texture of your blanket.
- Tapestry Needle: A tapestry needle is used for weaving in loose ends and sewing pieces together. Make sure you have one at hand.
- Scissors: A pair of sharp scissors is essential for cutting yarn and trimming loose ends.
- Measuring Tape: A measuring tape will come in handy for checking the dimensions of your blanket as you work.
- Stitch Markers: Use stitch markers to mark specific stitches or sections of your pattern. They can be helpful for tracking your progress and decreasing the chances of mistakes.
Once you have gathered all of these supplies, you will be ready to start knitting your blanket. It’s important to have everything in place before you begin, as it will make the knitting process smoother and more enjoyable.
Choosing the Right Yarn and Needles
When it comes to knitting a blanket, choosing the right yarn and needles is essential for a successful project. The yarn and needles you select will determine the final look, feel, and size of your blanket. Here are some factors to consider when making your choices:
- Yarn Weight: The weight of the yarn refers to its thickness. There are different yarn weights available, such as bulky, medium, and lightweight. For a cozy blanket, you might want to choose a bulky or medium weight yarn.
- Fiber Content: Yarns come in various fiber contents, including wool, acrylic, cotton, and blends. Each type of fiber has its own characteristics, such as warmth, durability, and softness. Consider your preferences and the intended use of the blanket when choosing the fiber content.
- Needle Size: The size of the needles affects the tension and drape of your knitting. When knitting a blanket, you will need longer needles to accommodate the large number of stitches. Circular needles with a long cable are a popular choice to accommodate the width of the blanket.
- Gauge: The gauge refers to the number of stitches and rows per inch. It is important to match the gauge specified in the pattern or your desired gauge if you are not following a pattern. This ensures that your blanket will turn out the right size.
- Color and Texture: The color and texture of the yarn can greatly impact the appearance of your blanket. Consider the color scheme and the type of stitch patterns you plan to use to achieve your desired look.
| Yarn Weight | Needle Size (US) |
|---|---|
| Fingering | 1-3 |
| Sport | 3-5 |
| DK | 5-7 |
| Worsted | 7-9 |
| Bulky | 9-11 |
| Super Bulky | 11+ |
*These are general recommendations and may vary depending on the individual knitter’s tension and desired fabric density.
Casting On: Starting Your Blanket
When you’re ready to start knitting your blanket, the first step is to cast on. Casting on is the process of creating the first row of stitches on your knitting needle.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cast on for your blanket:
- Choose your knitting method: There are several different methods of casting on, such as the long-tail cast on, the knit cast on, or the cable cast on. Choose the method that you feel most comfortable with.
- Hold your knitting needle: Hold one knitting needle in your right hand, with the pointy end facing your left.
- Make a slipknot: Create a slipknot by making a loop with the yarn, crossing the end over the loop, and pulling the end through the loop. Tighten the knot by pulling the yarn end.
- Insert your needle: Insert the knitting needle into the slipknot loop, making sure it goes from front to back.
- Secure the slipknot: Hold the slipknot loop with your left thumb and index finger, while holding the yarn tail with your other fingers.
- Work the first stitch: With your right hand, bring the knitting needle under the yarn tail and over the yarn coming from the yarn ball, forming a loop on the needle.
- Pull the loop through: Pull the loop through the slipknot, creating a new stitch on the needle.
- Repeat: Continue steps 5-7 until you have cast on the desired number of stitches for your blanket.
Once you have cast on all the stitches, you’re ready to start knitting your blanket! The cast on row will serve as the foundation for your blanket, and you can begin following your knitting pattern or stitch instructions from there.
Knitting the First Row: Basic Stitches
Before you begin knitting your blanket, it’s important to master the basic knitting stitches. In this section, we’ll cover the essential stitches you’ll need to know for knitting the first row of your blanket.
1. Cast on
- Start by making a slip knot with your yarn and placing it on one of the knitting needles.
- Hold the needle with the slip knot in your right hand, and use your left hand to hold the second needle.
- Insert the right-hand needle into the slip knot from left to right, wrapping the yarn around the needle.
- Pull the right-hand needle through the slip knot, creating a new stitch on the right-hand needle.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 to cast on the desired number of stitches for your blanket.
2. Knit stitch
- Hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand, and the empty needle in your right hand.
- Insert the right-hand needle into the first stitch on the left-hand needle, from left to right.
- Wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle, crossing it over the left-hand needle.
- Using the right-hand needle, pull the yarn through the first stitch, sliding the stitch off the left-hand needle.
- Repeat steps 2-4 for each stitch, knitting across the row.
3. Purl stitch
- Hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in your left hand, and the empty needle in your right hand.
- Insert the right-hand needle into the first stitch on the left-hand needle, from right to left.
- Wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle, crossing it under the left-hand needle.
- Using the right-hand needle, pull the yarn through the first stitch, sliding the stitch off the left-hand needle.
- Repeat steps 2-4 for each stitch, purling across the row.
4. Ending the row
Once you’ve completed knitting or purling across the row, you’ll want to end it properly.
- If you ended the row with a knit stitch, simply turn your work around.
- If you ended the row with a purl stitch, you’ll need to purl the last stitch instead of knitting it, then turn your work.
Congratulations! You’ve learned the basic stitches for knitting the first row of your blanket. Now you’re ready to continue knitting and create a beautiful blanket to keep you warm.
Continuing the Pattern: Knitting and Purling
Once you have completed the first row of your blanket, you will continue to work the pattern by alternating between knitting and purling stitches. This creates the classic stockinette stitch, which is a smooth fabric with V-shaped ridges on one side and purl bumps on the other.
To knit a stitch, insert your right needle into the front of the next stitch on your left needle from left to right. Wrap the yarn around the right needle counterclockwise, and pull the new loop of yarn through to the front of your work.
To purl a stitch, insert your right needle into the front of the next stitch on your left needle from right to left. Wrap the yarn around the right needle counterclockwise, and pull the new loop of yarn through to the back of your work.
Continue to alternate between knitting and purling stitches for the rest of the row. Remember to keep your tension consistent and your stitches even.
| Row | Stitch |
|---|---|
| 1 | Knit |
| 2 | Purl |
| 3 | Knit |
| 4 | Purl |
| 5 | Knit |
| 6 | Purl |
| 7 | Knit |
| 8 | Purl |
Repeat these eight rows until your blanket reaches the desired length. You can also add additional rows of plain knitting or purling for variety.
Remember to always knit the first stitch of each row to maintain a clean edge. This is called the selvedge stitch.
As you continue knitting and purling, you will see your blanket grow and take shape. Feel free to experiment with different patterns and stitches to create a unique design. Happy knitting!
Adding Color and Patterns
Once you have mastered the basic knitting stitches and techniques, you can start experimenting with adding color and patterns to your blanket. This will give your project a unique and personalized touch.
1. Stripes: One of the easiest ways to add color to your blanket is by knitting stripes. You can knit a few rows in one color, then switch to another color and knit a few more rows. Repeat this pattern to create stripes in different colors. You can choose colors that complement each other or create a bold and vibrant look with contrasting colors.
2. Fair Isle: Fair Isle is a technique that involves knitting with two or more colors in the same row. You can create intricate patterns and motifs using this technique. To knit in Fair Isle, you will need to carry the unused yarn along the back of your work. This creates a double-layered fabric that is warm and cozy.
3. Intarsia: Intarsia is another colorwork technique that allows you to create large blocks of color. Unlike Fair Isle, where the colors are carried along the back of the work, in Intarsia, each color is worked as a separate section. This technique is ideal for creating geometric designs or pictures on your blanket.
4. Textures: You can also add visual interest to your blanket by incorporating different knitting textures. For example, you can experiment with ribbing, cables, bobbles, or lace patterns. These textures can create a sense of depth and dimension to your blanket.
- Ribbing: Ribbing is created by alternating knit and purl stitches. It creates a stretchy and textured fabric.
- Cables: Cables are created by crossing stitches over each other. You can create simple or complex cable patterns to add a decorative touch to your blanket.
- Bobbles: Bobbles are small, raised stitches that can be added to create a textured pattern. These stitches are knit or purled several times into the same stitch and then decreased to create a raised bump.
- Lace: Lace patterns are created by making yarnovers and decreases to create holes and openwork designs. This adds a delicate and airy look to your blanket.
5. Appliques: You can also consider adding appliques to your blanket for extra customization. Appliques are small knitted or crocheted shapes that are sewn onto the surface of your blanket. You can create flowers, hearts, stars, or any other shape you desire.
By adding color and patterns to your blanket, you can create a unique and eye-catching piece. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with different techniques. The possibilities are endless!
Increasing and Decreasing Stitches
When knitting a blanket, it’s important to know how to increase and decrease stitches. These techniques allow you to shape the blanket or add decorative elements to your design.
Increasing Stitches
There are several ways to increase stitches:
- Make one (M1): This method involves picking up the horizontal strand between two stitches and knitting into the back loop of it.
- Knit front and back (KFB): In this method, you knit into the front of the stitch and then into the back of the same stitch, creating two stitches out of one.
- Yarn over (YO): To create a yarn over, simply bring the yarn over the right-hand needle and continue with the next stitch.
You can choose the method that suits your design and preferences. Make sure to increase evenly across the row to maintain proper shaping.
Decreasing Stitches
Decreasing stitches is equally important for creating different shapes or making decorative elements in your blanket. Here are some common decreases:
- Knit two together (K2tog): This decrease involves knitting two stitches together as if they were one stitch.
- Purl two together (P2tog): Similar to K2tog, this decrease is done by purling two stitches together.
- Slip slip knit (SSK): In this decrease, you slip two stitches one by one as if to knit, then insert the left needle into the front loops of both slipped stitches and knit them together.
Again, choose the decrease method that suits your design and follow the pattern instructions to ensure proper shaping.
Practice and Experiment
As a beginner, it’s essential to practice increasing and decreasing stitches to become comfortable with these techniques. Consider knitting small swatches using different methods for increases and decreases to see how they affect the fabric.
Once you feel confident, you can apply these techniques to create unique patterns and designs in your blanket. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different combinations of increases and decreases to achieve the desired effect.
Remember to always follow the pattern instructions and take your time with each stitch. With practice, you’ll become more skilled and confident in creating beautiful blankets with various stitch patterns and shaping techniques.
Finishing Off: Binding Off and Weaving in Ends
Once you have completed knitting your blanket, it’s time to finish off the project by binding off and weaving in any loose ends. This final step will give your blanket a clean and polished look.
- 1. Binding Off: To bind off, start by knitting the first two stitches of the row as you normally would. Then, using your left-hand needle, lift the first stitch over the second stitch and off the right-hand needle. Continue knitting one stitch and then lifting the previous stitch over until only one stitch remains. Cut the working yarn, leaving a tail that is long enough to weave in later.
- 2. Weaving in Ends: To weave in the loose ends, thread a tapestry needle with the tail of yarn and insert the needle under several stitches on the wrong side of the blanket. Pull the yarn through, being careful not to pull too tight. Repeat this process in different directions to secure the end and ensure it doesn’t come undone. Trim any excess yarn.
Once you have bound off and woven in all the ends, take a moment to inspect your blanket and make any necessary adjustments. Check for any missed stitches or loose ends that still need to be woven in. Gently steam or block the blanket if desired to give it a smooth and even finish.
Congratulations! You have successfully completed knitting a blanket for beginners. Now you can proudly display or gift your cozy creation.
FAQ:
What materials do I need to knit a blanket?
To knit a blanket, you will need a pair of knitting needles, a ball of yarn, and scissors. You may also want to use stitch markers to help keep track of your stitches.
Is knitting a blanket difficult for beginners?
Knitting a blanket can be a bit challenging for beginners, but with the right instructions and a little practice, it is definitely doable. Just take it slow and be patient with yourself.
How long does it usually take to knit a blanket?
The time it takes to knit a blanket depends on the size of the blanket and your knitting speed. On average, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to complete a blanket.
What knitting stitches should I use to make a blanket?
There are many different stitches you can use to knit a blanket. For beginners, it is recommended to start with basic stitches like the knit stitch and the purl stitch. Once you get more comfortable, you can experiment with different stitch patterns.
Can I use a different color of yarn for my blanket?
Yes, you can definitely use a different color of yarn for your blanket. In fact, using different colors can help create interesting patterns and designs in your blanket.
Do I need to follow a specific pattern to knit a blanket?
While it is not necessary to follow a specific pattern, it can be helpful for beginners to have a pattern to guide them. There are many free knitting patterns available online that you can use for inspiration.
How do I wash my knitted blanket?
To wash your knitted blanket, it is best to follow the washing instructions provided on the yarn label. In general, most knitted items can be hand washed or machine washed on a gentle cycle using cold water and a mild detergent. It is important to avoid wringing or twisting the blanket when drying it.