Working the blanket

Once you have your loops, it’s time to start working your blanket. Flip your chain so that its tail is on the left hand side. Take the final loop you made and pull some more of the working yarn through it, creating a new loop. This is the first stitch of your next row. If you’d like, place three fingers through the loop and tighten the working yarn gently around your fingers. You can do this with each loop so that they’re a consistent size.

Then, put your fingers through the next chain over on the row below, and pull another loop of the working yarn through that. Repeat this process until you’ve finished creating new loops for your next row across the entire chain. For this blanket, that’s 24 loops. Congratulations – you’re hand-knitting!

Once you’re finished your first row, repeat this process going the opposite direction to create your second row. Continue in this manner going back and forth creating new loops until you only have about 6 inches of yarn left on your skein.

You Will Need:

• 6 skeins of Yarnspirations BERNAT Blanket BIG chunky chenille yarn (I chose 2 skeins each of 3 different colours for a striped blanket) OR
  • 8 skeins of this budget-friendly Amazon chunky chenille yarn: https://urlgeni.us/amzn/BalapetChunkyYarnCa (CANADA) or https://urlgeni.us/amzn/BalapetChunkyYarnUS (USA)
• scissors

The first step in creating your chunky knit blanket is to choose your yarn. The yarn you choose will depend on the weight and texture you want for your blanket. A chunky blanket requires super bulky yarn, and you’ll want to choose a soft yarn that’s comfortable against your skin. Merino wool roving is a popular choice for its natural warmth and durability, but there are plenty of acrylic and vegan options to choose from as well.

The Best Yarn For Chunky Blankets: Buyer’s Guide

Without compromising softness, they can also be light and comfortable. Wool, on the other hand, can be heavy for large-sized blankets too.

Durable yarn is an important consideration for blankets since many are possessions for life. If you are going to invest your time, as well as your yarn, into a blanket, then you may as well choose a yarn that is lasting and easy to take care of.

Read on to find out more about the best yarn for chunky blankets.

1. Chunky Yarn Material

There are many options for these chunky blankets.

Merino Wool – The Best Yarn For Chunky Blankets

If you are intending to make a large blanket for daily use, then you may want to consider wool alternatives.

Chenille – The Best Vegan Yarn For Chunky Blankets

Moreover, if you’re looking for a non-animal option then look no further than chenille yarn. It is made of synthetic material which is durable and lasting. It is also washable.

If you live a vegan lifestyle then chenille yarn is ideal. For a lightweight yet warm blanket, the chenille is also much lighter than traditional wool.

Acrylic – The Best Budget Yarn For Chunky Blankets

In addition, acrylic yarn, in general, is a great alternative to wool. Gone are the days when acrylic equals coarse plastic.

Acrylic yarn has evolved over the years to mimic wool and natural fibers. It can be soft, durable, warm as well as lightweight. It can be a great option if you are allergic to wool. It is also usually machine washable which is convenient if your blanket is going to be used daily.

Acrylic yarn, however, is made of substances which are non-biodegradable. This means it is not the best option for those who are seeking to live zero waste or plastic-free lifestyles. If that sounds like you, then natural yarn is going to be the better option.

2. Size Of The Blanket

The amount of yarn you need will depend on the size of your blanket.

Generally speaking, a blanket, which is 4 by 5 feet requires around eight pounds of yarn. But half this amount can also make a decent-sized blanket and throw for personal use.

Ensuring you have enough yarn before you start will save you disappointment in an incomplete project. Since blankets are so versatile, it is also possible to decide on a certain number of skeins that suit your budget and then make the blanket as large as your skeins allow.

Final Thoughts

Whether you like to snuggle up on the couch on a wintery evening, or you enjoy a cozy lie-in on a weekend morning, there is little comfort like that provided by a chunky blanket.

Wool is the ideal material for a chunky blanket. It is soft, bouncy, supple and will last for a long time. The main downside to wool yarn is that it can get heavy for large projects, and also can get tricky to keep clean. A wool blanket will need to be hand washed and dried flat to maintain its condition and quality.

Acrylic yarn is also available with the wool-like qualities of softness. Blankets made from chunky acrylic yarn can be thrown into a washing machine easily. They are also lightweight and ideal for daily use.

Now that you’ve selected your yarn, learn how to actually hand crochet your soft and fuzzy blanket with Kathryn on her YouTube channel, Do It On A Dime!