If you’re looking to create a useful yet budget-friendly gift or try your hand at a beginner’s knitting project, a chunky knit blanket is a tried and true winner. Chunky knit blankets have recently become a popular design trend and, compared to a traditional knitted blanket, is much easier and quicker to knit, thanks to the thick yarn often used.
As your trusted source for knitting blocks, we thought we’d also help beginner knitters master their first chunky knit blanket creation with four basic tips for the utmost knitted blanket success.
4 Tips For Mastering The Chunky Knit Blanket
1. Stay Within Your Budget
Knitting blankets is certainly fun, but it can quickly become stressful if you are constantly purchasing materials that don’t quite line up with your budget. In the world of chunky knit blankets, there are several oversized yarns you can choose from, all ranging in price. Chenille and acrylic yarn are much more cost-effective than real wool yarn. Speaking of wool…
When it comes to chunky knit blankets, merino wool is the crème de la crème yarn choice, offering a luxuriously soft look and feel but at a steeper price point. If knitting a chunky knit blanket from wool is a must, there are other middle-of-the-road options you may consider.
For instance, generic chunky wool yarn, which will still offer the soft feel of wool at a better price point than merino. You can also opt-in for a single-ply wool yarn for a less chunky, chunky knit blanket, which would make a wonderful baby blanket.
Keep in mind that the amount of wool you’ll need will depend on the size of your blanket. Where baby blankets may only need a pound of yarn, larger-sized blankets and throws will likely require about four pounds of yarn. Check the specific yarn you plan to use for your chunky knitted blanket to ensure you have enough yarn before starting your project.
2. Choose Your Yarn Wisely
Aside from price point, there are other considerations to make when choosing yarn for your chunky knit blanket, like whether it’s washable, who will be using it, and whether the material will be too heavy or warm enough for the intended user.
For instance, merino wool, while soft and luxurious, can sometimes be too heavy when knitted into a large blanket. Furthermore, merino wool, along with other wool yarns, are often not machine washable and are prone to shedding, which means they require extra care. Wool yarn should also only be air-dried and must be fully dry before use. Otherwise, it may lose its shape.
If you are looking for a low-maintenance yarn for knitting blankets, acrylic and chenille are excellent options. They are both still warm and soft, won’t shed, and can be machine washed. Chenille, however, should only be air-dried.
3. Take Your Time
There are plenty of chunky knit blanket tutorials out there to show you exactly how to make a chunky knit blanket, either by hand or with the help of large knitting needles. While the knitting guru in the video may move quickly, it doesn’t mean you should. In fact, when it comes to knitting blankets as a beginner, you’re going to have more success when you take the time to do it right.
Counting your stitches will ensure you don’t miss any, which also means you won’t have to unravel your hard work and start over. Take the time to measure the size of your stitch so your blanket ends up to be the size you want, and be consistent with your sizing all the way through. Otherwise, you will likely end up with an uneven blanket.
4. Have Fun With It
The last but vitally important tip to remember is to have fun with it. Chances are, you started this activity as a way to unwind or create something completely new with your hands. Don’t let the reason you started get lost in the frustrating moments you may experience as you master the art of the knitted blanket, chunky or not.
As your skills progress and you choose to move onto a more intricately knitted blanket or even onto creating garments, be sure to use We Sell Mats™ blocking mats as a helping hand. These knitting blocks are a customer favorite for their unwavering quality and functionality.
Now, get to knitting that chunky knit blanket you or your loved one will enjoy for years to come!