How to Knit a Chunky Blanket?

Are you ready to create a large, easy, and quick project? You can knit a unique and cozy project like a chunky blanket. Oversized designs are in the spotlight these days. These large blankets make wonderful gift items for your loved ones and are created easily with knitting needles. Moreover, the structure is luxurious compared to a normal knitted blanket. Let's go through all the details and successfully knit a chunky blanket. You can read our blog on how to knit a blanket on circular needles.

 

Which Yarn is Considered for Knitting a Chunky Blanket?

 

Use wool or acrylic fiber, machine washable, for knitting a chunky blanket. Another point you can consider is to choose a yarn that is not 100% wool in its weight; becuase woolen can be heavy and weigh up to 5 or 6 pounds. These bulky throws are perfect for people suffering from a sleep disorder or ADHD syndrome. Choose a lightweight or fluffy yarn for those who are not suffering from the above diseases. Read our blog for everything you need to know about chunky yarn.

 

Bulky yarn is labeled as 'weight 5'. These yarns are thicker than the worsted-weight yarn and take fewer stitches to complete the project. For example, if you buy a yarn between 24 and 34 yards per skein, it could be super bulky or jumbo, which is best for a chunky blanket.

 

Rough Estimation for Chunky Blanket (between 24 and 34 yards)

 

For Adults: 10+ skeins of yarn (depending on the size)

For Toddlers: 8-10 skeins of yarn  (depending on the size)

 

What Type of Knitting Needles are Best?

 

Arm knitting is possible for making chunky blankets. But using needles will save your hand from strains. KnitPro's Jumbo circular needles are made from birchwood and available in various lengths and sizes, with a smooth finish and amazing strength. The flexible cable ensures the weight is divided proportionally, allowing you to work on big projects.

 

Which Stitches Are Perfect?

 

If this is your first time, we recommend starting with a simple pattern. Garter stitches are the easiest ones; you just know the basic cast-on method and knit stitches. If you are working with the garter pattern, which means all knit stitches will appear as purl stitches on the other side, making it ideal for a blanket. Enjoy the complex patterns as well if you know the basic stitch knowledge.

 

Step-by-Step Instructions to Knit a Chunky Blanket

 

Follow these simple guidelines below and make your first project:

 

Step 1: First, cast on 60 stitches following the longtail cast-on method and knit six rows in a garter.

 

Step 2: In this pattern, knit three stitches for the edges on the RS (right side) of the work. Knit one stitch and Purl one until you reach the last three stitches, which are to be crafted in a knit stitch.

 

Step 3: Knit the first three stitches on the wrong side (WS) of the item. Then, Purl the first stitch and knit the next. Repeat the pattern until you reach the last three stitches and knit them again.

 

Step 4: Repeat 2 - 3 steps till you reach the desired length in your blanket.

 

Step 5: Trim extra yarn and weave the loose end with a darning needle.

 

Tips for Beginners

 

• Choose the right needle and yarn for this project. The needle sizes that work are generally 5.5mm (US 9) - 8 mm (US 11). Make sure the chunky yarn weight matches the needle size.
• Bigger-sized needles and yarn are quick to work with, but ensure a relaxed tension, otherwise, you can get tight stitches.
• Make sure to start your project by making a swatch to see how your yarn will behave.

 

Knitting needles play a significant role when working with a bulky or chunky yarn. KnitPro includes top options for wooden and metal. Wood offers a good grip and ensures the chunky yarn does not slip, ideal for beginners.

 

You can also work with Knitpro's Dreamz collection, which is available in vibrant colors and is lightweight. The polished surface ensures swift knitting, ideal for chunky yarn. Explore circular knitting needles from KnitPro in the Mindful collection, which are perfect for knitting large projects such as blankets. Symfonie, Ginger, Bamboo, Nova Platina, and even Cubics help you with chunky knitting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knitting Needle Materials (What to Choose!)[pros and cons]

The material of the knitting needles plays an essential part in making your creation elegant. As a knitter when you plan your knitting journey, you will find various options on the way such as wood, metal, plastic, or carbon. Hence it's become tricky to make the right decision, so let's unravel the pros and cons and suggest some good options in this blog.

Materials Used in Knitting Needle?

Choose the knitting material that matches your project requirements. Every material has distinct features, some of which help in your fast knitting process, however, the beginner must consider the material first.

1. Wooden Knitting Needle

When thinking about wooden needles- you get a warm and natural feel. You will find several options besides you, like needles in birch, rosewood, and bamboo. KnitPro's wooden needles, including the popular Symfonie series, Dreamz, Basix, and J'dore cubics, are famous due to their smoothness and great quality.

Pros

• These wooden needles are perfect for long sessions due to their warm nature.
• Beginners will love to work on these needles because of the wood's texture which prevents yarn slippage.
• These needles are lightweight and affordable, making them suitable for beginners starting out their knitting adventure.

Cons

• In wooden needles, thinner ones are not the best choice, becuase they are more prone to splitting or breaking if more pressure is applied to them.
• If you are looking for speed then metal needles are best to consider due to additional fraction.

2. Metal Knitting Needles

Expert knitters love the speed and accuracy of metal knitting needles made of stainless steel or aluminum. KnitPro provides various ranges of smooth and long-lasting needles such as Zing, Nova series, SmartStix, and Mindful collection.

Pros:

• Strong and resilient.
• Due to the smooth surface, yarn glides easily and helps in quick knitting.
• Metal needles are suitable for tight twists or slippery fibers.

Cons

• Especially during the winter, metal needles become cold and it's become hard to hold them.
• Beginners can drop the stitches due to excessive slickness.

3. Carbon Fiber Knitting Needles

A more recent invention is a carbon fiber knitting needle that combines the greatest qualities of wood and metal. You can explore the exceptional quality of Karbonz from KnitPro.

Cons

• Despite being extremely lightweight, they are strong and long-lasting.
• These needles are warm and comfortable for knitting in winter.

Pros

• The needles are expensive compared to other materials.
• The carbon needles can break or shatter if used beyond their limit.

4. Plastic Needles

Due to the low price of these needles, these are considered best for beginners to start their knitting adventure.

Cons

• Inexpensive, lightweight, and good grip, a perfect combination.

Pros

• It can be bent or broken under high tension, so these are not as durable as other needles.

 

A Quick Guide on Knitting Needles (Materials)

 

	Wood/Bamboo	Stainless Steel	Carbon	Plastic	Aluminium
Speed	Slow while knitting	Fast while Knitting	Medium	Medium	Fast
Weight	Light	Heavy	Light	Very Light	Medium
Sound	Quite	Noisy while knitting	Medium quiet while Knitting	Medium while knitting	Noisy while knitting
Temperature/feel	Warm feel when touching	Cold feel	Cold feel	Warm/ slight texture	Cool/smooth

 

Type of Needles according to the Shape

The next step is choosing the type of needles available in various forms. Here are some examples:

 

1. 1. Single Pointed Needles

 

The majority of starter kits come with these traditional needles. For flat knitting projects like blankets and scarves, they are ideal.

 

2. Circular needles

 

Because of their versatility, circular needles can be used for round and flat knitting. They work well for larger projects like Afghans and sweaters. The Nova Cubics and other interchangeable circular needle sets from KnitPro provide simplicity and versatility. Learn more about circular needles by checking our blog on 10 reasons why we love circular knitting needles.

 

3. Double Pointed Needles

 KnitPro's DPNs such as Symfonie, Bamboo, or Karbonz are available in a set of five and are used for small circumference projects such as socks, hats, or gloves.

 

These needles are available in various lengths, while choosing these, consider the project requirements. Read our blog on how to choose the perfect knitting needle for your yarn.

 

When choosing the material for your needle, it ultimately depends on your preferences and the kinds of projects you're working on. Due to the inexpensive and lightweight nature of plastic, metal needles offer speed