Looking for a fun and practical DIY project to get you through the new year? This adorable chunky knit blanket is the perfect piece to make your home and life even more comfortable. This has been a trendy do-it-yourself project for the past couple months (thank you, Tik Tok), but, in reality it’s a classic project for all crafty connoisseurs. It allows you to ignite some creative energy and not break the bank (some knit throws can cost up to $100). The good thing about this fun DIY blanket is there is no prior experience or fancy tools needed to complete it. Any age or level can master this craft by following a few simple steps!
Before beginning to make your super cozy blanket, the most important step is to choose your yarn. With the variety of blankets available to purchase and ones you want to recreate, this tutorial works with both a chunky chenille knit or merino wool (any color you prefer). Chenille knit tends to be on the cheaper side, but buying in bulk or cashing in coupons always helps! (I know I’m always someone searching for deals.) Whichever material you choose, they are both so warm and comfy that it truly is a personal preference. Each yarn can easily be found at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, or your local craft store. I ended up going with Yarn Bee Eternal Bliss yarn for my own blanket.
Now, how much yarn do you need? The real question is what size blanket do you want to make, and that will tell you how much you should get. When I made this cozy throw, I ended up making a large blanket and estimated my size. (Causing more than one trip to the craft store🙈) However to get you started, it is good to have an idea of what size it’ll be. Here is a size guide to help decipher how much yarn you will need for each size blanket:
Small – 4 pounds (Crib decorative blanket, lap blanket, twin bed throw, or small chair throw)
Medium – 8 pounds (full/queen size bed throw, small/medium size couch throw) – Most popular size!
Large – 12 pounds (king size bed throw, large bed throw)
After you have your yarn picked out, you can start to create your blanket! Requiring no tools, there are just 3 easy steps to follow to finger-knit this DIY blanket.
STEP 1
Begin your loops. To start, tie a knot at the end of your yarn and make a loop. Once you have your first loop, you’ll stick your hand in the loop and pull the working yarn through to continue to create new loops. This will start to create a chain, or a braid. The length of these loops will determine the width of your blanket.
STEP 2
Once your braid is at your desired width, you’ll need to make the next row. Lay your yarn straight across the top going back the other direction and begin to pull the yarn through to make more loops. Use the top half of the braid to stick your fingers through to pull and make these new loops. You will then have little bunny ear loops, roughly the same size. The smaller the loops, the tighter the knit; the larger the loops, the looser the knit.
When you get to the end of the row, you will continue the process by going the other direction and pulling the yarn through those new loops you created. You will want to skip the first loop of the row, so the trim around the blanket will have a finished, braided look. Continue the process until you get to the desired length.
*To add a new skein of yarn, simply tie a tight knot between the new yarn and working yarn. Hide the knot on the back of your blanket and cut any excess yarn, if need be.
STEP 3
To complete the blanket, you need to finish off the edges. You will need to grab two loops and pull the working yarn through to make another loop. Keep doing this across the whole row. The edges should have the same braided look as the rest of the trim once you are finished. To secure the last loop, pull the working yarn through and tie it in a knot. Cut off any remaining/excess yarn.
TA-DA! You should now have a finished chunky knit blanket! It is going to look amazing in your home décor and feel to die for during those afternoon naps. 😉 You’ll be sure to love all the happiness and joy a new blanket can bring to your life, so stay cute and cozy all season wrapped in this DIY throw!
Check out some of our other DIY and fashion style blogs here to rock all year round.