How to knit a blanket with straight needles

How to Knit a Blanket With Straight Needles?

It can be a massive challenge to knit a blanket! But with a little preparation and practice the given tips, you will have a stunning and comfortable blanket as the outcome.

This article will guide you through step by step with helpful tips on how to knit a blanket with straight needles for a good outcome.

How to Knit a Blanket With Straight Needles – Expert’s Guide

Below is the step by step guided by an expert in knitting blankets by using straight needles.

1. Master the basic knitting techniques

First of all, you need to know a couple of simple knitting techniques. At least, master these three basic techniques to knit your blanket. The techniques are;

  • Cast On and Off
  • Knit Stitch
  • Weaving In Ends

If you are a beginner, a quick search for tutorials on Youtube or other platforms that deliver suitable videos for beginners to follow along with is highly recommended.

It will help you to master the basic knitting techniques in a short time. It makes smooth sailing in knitting a blanket.

2. Determine the size of blanket you want to knit

Consider and determine the size of blanket you want; the width and length. The size of the blanket will influence the process of knitting.

Nevertheless, always consider picking the ideal measurement for a better result. Besides, consider the width and length of the lap and legs of the user too for comfort.

3. Find suitable knitting needles with perfect yarn

A straight needle is the best choice for a beginner knitter as it is easier and quicker to handle. For most sizes, straight needles range from 9 to 14 inches long, but you can also find shorter or longer needles.

The most common materials for straight needles are steel, aluminum, plastic, bamboo, and wood. There are pros and cons to each material, but they can differ with each manufacturer as well.

When using straight needles in knitting,  make sure that they are long enough. It is to support and cover the total area of the blanket perfectly. Otherwise, it causes the blanket to bunch up.

Here is a good tip on how to select your needles; Look at the needle diameter. Different types of yarn require a different size of diameter and particular needles. Use a small diameter needle for finer yarn and use a thick needle for thicker/bulky/hairy yarn.

Also, do not forget to check the yarn label to know how many yarn balls you need to complete a blanket.

4. Choose the patterns and types of blanket desired

Make sure you already choose and know what patterns you want for your blanket to look alike. You must prepare the sample as a basic guide if you want to do specific designs for a nice & accurate outcome.

If you do not have any particular design in mind, make sure you know how your blanket will be. Choose a simple design if you are a beginner knitter.

Here are the examples of the common types of knit blanket you can do using a straight needle;

Garter Stitch Blanket.: The easiest and fastest type of blanket to complete. It accomplishes using a method of knitting every row one by one. Alternate the yarn colors to make it attractive.

Square Blanket Patterns: Knit square pieces and bind all the individual squares pieces at the end to make a blanket. Knit the square in one direction to make the joining process much easier.

Chunky Knit Blanket: Much faster to complete than using finer yarns.

5. Prepare all the required items for knitting

Ready all the items that you will use in knitting such as;

  • A pair of suitable & regular needles: Use plastic needles. For the convenience and safety purpose process of weaving the blankets.
  • A pair of scissors: Helps to alter and cut the yarn.
  • A Knitting Bag:  Hold everything from the knitting project in place. It is because the balls of yarn roll over the floor easily.

6. Cast on the stitches

The number of stitches determines from either by swatching or a pattern to cast on. You also can multiply the gauge with the necessary dimension to calculate the number of stitches.

To knit a 24-inch wide blanket with a gauge of 4 stitches per inch, 96 stitches need to be cast on which is suitable for small lap blankets. Meanwhile, 120 stitches and 160 stitches require for the medium and large lap blankets.

Tips: Be careful to not cast on the stitches too tight.

7. Ready to knit!

  • By using a pair of straight needles, start knitting the first row as the foundation of the blanket. Knit all the stitches by using a basic knit first and add different types of stitches later.
  • The border of the blanket on one side forms from the first row and be a garter. It does not curl like a stockinette. Continuously knit to create the border on the other sides of the blanket as you move on to the body part.
  • Switch on to the main body of the blanket once the border is complete. Complete the body part by following the guideline of the pattern that you already choose.

Tips: To memorize even a pattern, pay attention to it in detail while doing the repetition. Also, when changing the yarn colors.

  • You’re able to cast off once the final border is complete! Choose an elastic cast off so that there’s no tighter final edge than the others.
  • Here’s the tricky part; completion. Finishing indicates tying ends, stitching, and blocking any pieces together. Take and weave the loose ends resulting from the knot (to secure the yarn) into the blanket stitches with a yarn needle. To cover them, sew the ends of the blanket.

In the bottom line, make sure you follow all the guidance and tips above for a satisfying result. It will be a fun experience to knit a blanket using a straight needle!

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