Finally Loving Life

There’s nothing quite like the cozy comfort of a chunky knit blanket, perfect for snuggling on the couch, adding warmth to your bedroom, or gifting a loved one something handmade and special. What’s even better? You don’t need knitting needles to create this beautiful, soft throw! With just your hands and a few supplies, you can craft a stunning, oversized blanket that will make any space feel inviting.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from gathering supplies to creating your perfect, hand-knitted masterpiece.

Supplies You’ll Need

Creating a chunky knit blanket by hand is simple, but it requires a few key supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Chunky Yarn
   • Why it’s important: The thicker the yarn, the chunkier and cozier the blanket will be. You’ll want to choose a yarn that’s soft and fluffy, with a good balance of durability and comfort.
   • Suggested yarn: Look for yarn that’s specifically labeled as “chunky” or “jumbo.” Popular brands include Lion Brand Thick & Quick, Bernat Blanket, or Wool-Ease Thick & Quick.
   • How much to buy: For a throw blanket (approximately 40” x 60”), you’ll need about 5-6 skeins of yarn. For a full-sized bed blanket (around 60” x 80”), you’ll need 10-12 skeins.
   • Price range: $10 – $20 per skein, depending on the brand and material (wool tends to be pricier).
2. Scissors
   • Why you need them: You’ll need scissors to cut the yarn when you finish knitting your blanket.
3. A Comfortable Space
   • Why it’s important: This project can take a few hours, so having a comfortable space to work in is key—whether it’s your living room, bed, or even outside on a sunny day.

How to Make a Hand-Knitted Chunky Blanket: Step by Step

Step 1: Prepare Your Yarn

• Start by unraveling the yarn and cutting it into manageable lengths, about 6-8 feet long. You’ll need a lot of strands to make the blanket, and these will be the pieces you’ll knit with your hands.
• For a large blanket, cut about 30-35 strands for a throw or 60-70 strands for a full-sized blanket. You can always adjust depending on the thickness you want.

Step 2: Make Your Slip Knot and Cast On

• To start, make a slip knot by creating a loop with the yarn and pulling one end through. Secure this loop on your right hand (or left, depending on your preference).
• This is the first “stitch” of your blanket. Use your thumb and fingers to pull the yarn through the loop to make your first stitch.
• Keep pulling yarn through the loop to form a long line of stitches. Continue until you have enough stitches to create the width of your blanket. The width of your blanket will depend on your desired final size, but for a standard throw, cast on about 25-30 stitches.

Step 3: Begin Knitting the Rows

• With the stitches cast on, start knitting with your hands! To knit a row:
  • Step 1: Grab the working yarn with your left hand and pull it through the first loop on your right hand.
  • Step 2: Slide the loop you just made onto your left hand and continue until you reach the end of the row.
  • Continue repeating this process (pulling the yarn through each loop) until you’ve knitted the full row.

Step 4: Add More Yarn as Needed

• If you run out of yarn mid-row, simply tie a knot to attach the new strand of yarn. Make sure to knot it tightly so it doesn’t come undone. You can always weave in the ends later for a clean finish.

Step 5: Repeat the Rows

• Keep knitting until your blanket is the desired length. For a throw, you’ll want to aim for around 50-60 inches long. For a full-sized bed blanket, aim for 70-80 inches long.

Step 6: Bind Off

• Once you reach your desired length, you’ll need to “bind off” to finish the blanket. To bind off:
  • Knit two stitches.
  • Then, pull the first stitch over the second stitch and off your hand.
  • Repeat the process until you have just one stitch left.
  • Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail, and pull it through the final loop to secure it.

Step 7: Weave in the Ends

• Use the remaining yarn tail to weave in any loose ends. This can be done using your fingers or a tapestry needle, depending on your preference.

Step 8: Fluff and Finish

• Fluff up the yarn by gently tugging at the loops to make the blanket even softer. You’re done! Enjoy your beautiful, hand-knit chunky blanket!

Where to Find Supplies & Estimated Costs

Here’s a breakdown of where to find the yarn and supplies for your hand-knit blanket:

1. Yarn
   • Amazon: Large selection of chunky yarn with delivery options.Michaels or Joann Fabrics: Great craft stores with frequent sales and coupons. Wool and the Gang: Known for high-quality, eco-friendly yarns (also sold online).
   Price Estimate:
   • Small throw blanket (40” x 60”): 5-6 skeins, $50 – $120.
   • Full-sized blanket (60” x 80”): 10-12 skeins, $100 – $200.
   • Total Project Time: 3-5 hours for a throw, 6-8 hours for a full-sized blanket.
2. Scissors
   • You can find basic fabric scissors at any craft store or even Walmart, priced around $5 – $15.
3. Optional Tapestry Needle
   • A tapestry needle can help you finish off the edges neatly. It’s usually about $2 – $5.

Why You’ll Love Your Hand-Knit Blanket

Making a chunky knit blanket by hand is incredibly satisfying. It’s a simple, meditative process that results in a soft, beautiful, and functional piece that you can enjoy for years. Plus, it’s a wonderful gift idea if you’re looking for something meaningful and handmade.

By making your own blanket, you not only create a cozy item for your home, but you also get to enjoy the entire crafting process, from choosing your yarn to watching your blanket grow with each stitch.

If you’re more of a visual learner or need a bit more guidance, I’ve included a link to a video that will help guide you as you create your beautiful new piece!

Photo by Rachel Claire