Knitting large blankets requires a bit more patience and yarn, but it’s definitely worth it in the end. You can choose to use circular needles or knit in smaller sections and sew them together. Make sure to keep track of your tension and count your stitches to ensure the blanket is even throughout. Once you’ve completed your blanket, you can snuggle up and enjoy your cozy creation.
If you have ever tried to knit a large blanket, you know that it can be an intimidating task! Many of us have had the experience of getting halfway through and realizing that there is no way we can finish without help.
But with the right tools and techniques, knitting a large blanket doesn’t have to be so daunting. Think about it this way: when building a house, you don’t use one single nail to hold up the roof – instead, you use many small pieces working together in harmony to support the structure.
Knitting large blankets is similar: by using circular needles or knitting smaller sections and then sewing them together, you can create beautiful masterpieces that are sure to keep your family warm for generations.
What You'll Learn
Gather Materials
Gather the supplies you need to craft your beautiful blanket – there’s no time to waste!
First, consider what type of yarn you want for your blanket. Choose a bulky weight yarn for a warm and cozy product, or use a lighter-weight option if you want something thin and comfortable. You may also opt for wool yarn if you need an all-season material or cotton yarn if you desire a summertime feel. There are many different colors and textures to choose from when selecting your yarn choice, so take some time to look around and find the perfect one for your project.
Next up is the needle type selection. If you plan on knitting in smaller sections that will be sewn together later, traditional straight needles will suffice. However, if you have ambitions of creating an entire blanket with circular needles in one go, then make sure that they are size 15 (10mm) or larger; these large needles should provide enough room to cast on enough stitches for even the largest blankets. Additionally, having two sets of circular needles can help speed up the process by allowing faster stitching without having to worry about transferring stitches from one needle set to another.
Before beginning any knitting projects, it’s important that all materials are accounted for in order to avoid any costly delays down the line. After all, nothing is worse than having incomplete supplies halfway through a project!
Once everything’s been gathered and double-checked, it’s time to move onto casting on…
Cast On
To begin your blanket-making journey, cast on the stitches like a spider spinning a web. You need to create an even tension throughout the entire piece, so be sure to use needle sizes that correspond with your chosen yarn weight.
To get started, you can use the long tail cast on method, which allows you to adjust the tightness of each stitch as you go. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something different, try using a cable cast on technique to introduce texture and depth into your project. This will give your end product a unique look that everyone will love!
It’s important to remember that casting on is just one step in creating your blanket – it’s certainly not the most exciting part of knitting! That said, taking time to perfect this skill will pay off down the line when you have an evenly knitted base from which to work from. It might take some practice at first but once you get comfortable with it, casting on won’t seem so intimidating anymore!
Now that you’ve got all of your stitches securely fastened onto the needles and are ready for action – let’s talk about how we’re going to knit our large blanket.
The two most popular methods for making big pieces like this are circular knitting or working in smaller sections and sewing them together afterwards. Both approaches have their pros and cons so let’s explore each option one by one and decide which is best suited for us.
Knit with Circular Needles
Grasping your circular needles, you begin to weave a web of yarn, creating a soft and cozy blanket with each stitch.
When knitting large blankets, it’s important to choose the right type of circular needle for the job. Circular needles come in various sizes, so you can find one that best suits your project.
The type of yarn you select will also be important when working with circular needles; wool or acrylic blends are good choices as they are durable and easy to work with.
When using circular needles to knit a blanket, there is no need to worry about seams as the entire piece is worked in one continuous loop.
To begin, cast on a few extra stitches than what the pattern calls for then start knitting in rounds until it reaches your desired size. As an added bonus, if you make any mistakes while knitting this way, they can be easily corrected without having to unravel the entire piece.
Another advantage of using circular needles is that they allow you more freedom when knitting intricate patterns like cables or lace motifs because there isn’t any turning involved, unlike flat knitting with straight needles where each row must be turned at the end of every round.
This makes it much easier and faster to produce beautiful designs that would otherwise take hours if done by hand stitching after seaming all pieces together separately. Furthermore, since there aren’t any seams created by joining multiple sections together, it eliminates any bulkiness in your finished project resulting in a smoother and even look overall.
Circular knitting offers many benefits when making larger projects such as blankets and afghans but does require some practice beforehand before attempting complicated stitches or designs due to its unique construction method compared to other types of needlework tools available today!
With just a little bit of patience and dedication though, anyone can soon become an expert knitter producing stunning creations from their own hands!
Knit in Smaller Sections
You can create intricate designs and patterns with ease, without having to worry about connecting multiple pieces by hand-sewing – all you need to do is start knitting in smaller sections! This method is great for larger projects such as blankets since it eliminates the need for long rows.
Before starting, be sure to check your gauge swatch and make any necessary adjustments. With this technique, you’ll be able to knit small motifs that can later be seamed together into one large piece.
When knitting in small sections, it helps to use stitch markers or even a contrasting yarn color to keep track of where each section begins and ends. Once the individual pieces are complete, sew them together with a tapestry needle and matching yarn.
When joining panels together, take care not to twist them as this could cause problems when blocking or washing the finished blanket later on. Be sure also not to pull too tightly when stitching or else your work will bunch up unevenly.
To ensure that your seams look professional and secure, use an invisible seam method such as mattress stitch or whip stitch. These techniques are especially useful when working with garter stitch fabrics since regular sewing methods can leave visible lines on the surface of the fabric due to their raised texture.
With these tips in mind, you’ll soon have a beautiful handmade blanket ready just in time for the cold winter months!
Knitting in smaller sections is an easy yet effective way of creating large projects such as blankets without having to commit yourself entirely from start-to-finish – now all that’s left is joining these individual pieces together!
Seam Sections Together
Joining your individual pieces is the final step to creating a cozy blanket – and it’s simpler than you think! Depending on your yarn selection, stitch patterns, and desired look, there are several methods for joining different sections together.
The simplest way to join knit pieces is by using the ‘invisible seam’ technique. To do this, lay one piece flat with the wrong side facing up. Lay the other piece over it so that the right sides of both pieces are touching each other. Thread a tapestry needle with a length of matching yarn and begin sewing in an up-and-down motion along the edges of both pieces as if you were stitching on a line. This will create an invisible seam when finished.
The second option for connecting two knitted sections is to use mattress stitch. To complete this method, hold your two knitting pieces side by side with their wrong sides facing outwards. Begin at one corner and thread a tapestry needle with yarn that matches the color of your knitting project. Working from left to right (or right to left), go under one bar between two stitches on each section simultaneously while keeping even tension throughout – repeat this process until all stitches have been connected and you reach end corner of your knitting projects.
For larger projects like blankets or afghans, whipstitch seams may be more appropriate as they provide extra stability when connecting multiple sections together due to its looser texture compared to other seaming techniques mentioned above such as invisible seams or mattress stitch seams.
For whipstitch seaming, start by laying your knit pieces flat right sides outwards next to each other and make sure both edges align evenly together then insert a blunt ended tapestry needle threaded with matching yarn at one corner moving towards adjacent corner in an up-and-down motion through both loops simultaneously – making sure not to pull too tight but also maintain even tension throughout entire process until reaching opposite edge of knitting project where last stitch will meet initial starting point completing seam connection process properly .
Now that all sections have been securely joined together it’s time for some finishing touches before finally enjoying your beautiful handmade piece!
Finishing Touches
After the hard work of joining sections together, it’s time to give your project the finishing touches that will make it truly unique! To achieve this, you have several options.
You can use blocking techniques such as wet-blocking and steam-blocking to increase your blanket’s size and shape. Blocking also helps emphasize stitch patterns, making them look sharper and more defined.
If you want to add a bit of extra flair, consider adding embellishments like buttons or tassels. These simple additions can really bring out the beauty of your blanket.
Finally, don’t forget about weaving in any loose ends or securing any buttons that you added. A good way to secure buttons is by using a needle and thread. Weaving in loose ends requires some basic hand sewing skills but doesn’t take too long once you get the hang of it.
Even if these tasks seem daunting at first, don’t let them stop you from completing your project – practice makes perfect!
Now that all the finishing touches are taken care of, all that’s left to do is admire your gorgeous new blanket! It may have taken some effort and dedication on your part but it was worth every minute spent knitting each individual section together.
The best part is knowing that someone special will be able to enjoy something made with so much love for years to come!
Conclusion
You’re almost done! With some patience and practice, you can create a cozy large blanket for yourself or a loved one.
You’ve learned a few tricks to make it easier: circular needles, knitting in sections, and seaming them together. You can take pride in your handmade masterpiece.
Now that it’s complete, wrap yourself up in its warmth and enjoy the fruits of your labor! From the softness of the fabric to the intricate stitch work, you’ve created something truly special.
