HOW TO MAKE A CHUNKY KNIT BLANKET

If you’re ready to start leveling up your knitting skills and taking on a bigger, bolder project, a chunky knit blanket is a good start. Arm knitting is a great way to create beautiful, chunky knit blankets quickly and easily! All you need is some thick blanket yarn and your arms — no knitting needles required! 

In this beginner’s guide, we let you in on all the details you need to know on how to make a chunky knit blanket that will make for a great living room accent and keep you warm during the cold season. This project is super easy even for complete beginners with no knitting experience.

A DIY chunky knit blanket is a great way to add some extra warmth and coziness to your home. Best of all, it's relatively easy, requiring just a few simple supplies and some basic knitting skills. Before getting started on this big project, you first need to get your supplies. 

To arm knit a chunky blanket, you will need: 

1. A skein of chunky knit yarn
2. Scissors
3. Measuring tape
4. Pom poms or other embellishments (optional)
5. And a flat surface

If you’re not comfortable with arm knitting a blanket and want to make use of needles instead, you’ll need large knitting needles, typically 35mm in size, or giant knitting needles, if that's what you like best.

There are a few things to consider when choosing the right chunky yarn for your project. First, think about the weight of the yarn that you'll use for your chunky blanket. You’ll want to choose a chunky weight yarn that is thick and cozy. Tip: make sure to always check the yarn packaging before buying it.

Next, think about the fiber content of the yarn. Chunky wool, acrylic, and cotton are all popular choices for chunky blankets. Each fiber has its own benefits, so choose the one that best suits your needs. We recommend you opt for a super bulky weight yarn that is made from natural fibers like wool or cotton. This type of yarn is ideal for arm knitting because it's thick and easy to work with.

Finally, think about the color of the yarn. Choose a color that will complement your home’s decor or go for a neutral shade that will match anything. Although there are a lot of different yarns, knitters often go with three yarn options to create a DIY chunky knit blankets: Merino wool, acrylic, or Chenille. 

Merino wool is an excellent choice for a chunky knit blanket. It is often used in high-end clothing and fabrics because it offers a unique combination of properties that make it ideal for many different uses. 

It is extremely soft and has a different texture to it, making it comfortable to use. Additionally, merino wool is a natural insulator, meaning it will keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It is breathable, so your blanket won't trap heat and cause you to sweat. On top of all that, Merino wool is durable and easy to care for, so your cozy blanket will last for years to come.

Acrylic yarn is often used for arm knitting a blanket because it has a soft and smooth texture, making it comfortable to work with. Many knitters opt for this yarn option because it is typically less expensive than other types of yarn, making it a more budget-friendly, affordable option.

Despite its friendly price and cost-effectiveness, acrylic is easy to care for and it's a great yarn for a chunky hand knit blanket, as it is machine washable and dryable. This makes a huge difference compared to other yarns that are only hand wash.

It is also available in a wide range of colors, so you're sure to find one that suits your preferences. Check out Bernat Softee Chunky Yarn which is super bulky and 100% acrylic.

Chenille yarn is a type of yarn that is made from rayon, cotton, or acrylic fibers. It is known for being very soft and fluffy and is ideal for a baby blanket and for clothing. It can also be used to make adult clothing and home decor items, such as curtains and throws. This Bernat blanket yarn is one of the chenille-style and super bulky yarns that we carry which makes a beautiful blanket!

Because of its soft and cozy characteristics, Chenille is a popular choice for DIY chunky knit blankets. This type of yarn is made from cotton or viscose fibers that are twisted together to form a strand. The fibers are then cut into shorter lengths and brushed to create a fuzzy surface. Chenille yarn is available in a variety of colors, making it a versatile option for knitting projects.

If you're looking to knit a chunky blanket, you'll probably wondering how much yarn or how many skeins are required. Easy answer, you'll need to purchase quite a bit of yarn. A standard size DIY chunky knit blanket requires approximately 6-8 skeins of super bulky weight yarn. However, the amount of yarn you'll need will also depend on the specific pattern you're using. Check out these free knitting patterns for inspiration.

For example, if you're using a stitch that is very dense, you may need to use more chunky yarn than if you're using a stitch that is more open. Additionally, the blanket size will also affect the amount of yarn you'll need. A large queen size blanket will require more yarn than a smaller one.

Now that you’re aware of the basics involved in arm knitting a chunky knit blanket, you’re ready to get started on your project (probably will take you less than an hour). To guide you through it, here are step-by-step instructions. First, get your flat surface ready.

Making a simple slip knot is actually quite easy . You'll need to start by finding the end of your yarn, and then making a loop about six inches from the end. Take the end of the yarn and insert it through the first loop, then pull it tight. This will create a small knot at the base of the loop.

Next, you'll need to make a second loop with your other hand, holding the yarn behind your fingers. Again, take the end of the yarn and insert it through the loop, then pull it tight. You should now have two loops on your arms. Now, you'll need to hold both loops together and insert an arm through both loops. Finally, pull the yarn through both loops and tighten. You've now created a slip knot your DIY chunky knit blanket!

Once you've made a slip knot at the end of your chunky yarn, you can now get started on your first row. To create a chain, place the last loop over your arm, holding it in place with your other hand.

Now, take the working end of the yarn and wrap it around the back of your arm, over the top, and through the loop. This will create a new loop on your arm. Continue wrapping the yarn around your arm and through the loop until you have the desired length for your own blanket. To finish, cut the yarn and tie a knot in the end. As a recommendation, make the last stitch a bit tighter in each row to avoid a sloppy or loose look.

Starting the second row of an arm knit blanket can be done in one of two ways. The first way is to simply pick up the stitches from the previous row and knit them as normal. The second way is to slip the stitches from the previous row onto your other arm and then knit them as normal. 

Whichever method you choose, make sure that you knit the stitches tightly so that there are no gaps in your blanket.

The next thing you need to know is how to continue your knit stitch when you reach the very end of a row. The basic knit stitch is simple: just insert your right hand between the two loops on your left arm and pull the working yarn through. Then, transfer the newly formed loop to your left arm and let the old loop slip off. Repeat the same process until you've reached the end of your row. Make sure that all the loops are the same size.

When you're ready to move on to the next row, simply turn your work and start hand knitting again in this same way. In case you need it, here’s a quick guide to continue knit stitching:

1. First, make sure that you have two loops.
2. Insert your arm through the first loop.
3. Next, yarn over and pull through both loops on your arm.
4. Finally, insert your arm through the next loop and repeat step 2 onwards until you make the final loop and reach the end of the row.

If you're in the middle of arm knitting a blanket and run out of yarn, don't worry! It's easy to add a new yarn skein so you can keep going. Here's how:

1. Cut the old yarn skein, leaving a long tail.
2. Tie the tail of the old skein and the new skein together in a tight knot.
3. Continue knitting with the new ball of yarn.

That's all there is to it! Now you can keep arm knitting your blanket until it's the size you want.

To finish your DIY chunky knit blanket, you need to bind off the top and secure the tails. 

To bind off the top of your DIY chunky knit blanket, simply cut the excess yarn to make it a bit shorter, but leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through a tapestry needle and insert it through the first two stitches on your arm. Pull tight and repeat until you have one first stitch left. Cut the yarn and pull through the last stitch to secure. Weave in all loose ends.

After you have finished arm knitting your chunky knit blanket, it is important to secure the tails before cutting them. This will ensure that your blanket stays together and does not unravel. There are a few different ways that you can secure the tails:

• Tie a knot in each tail, making sure that the knots are tight
• Thread the tails and stitch them to the blanket
• Use a bit of clear glue or fabric adhesive to secure the tails

Whichever method you choose, make sure that the tails are securely fastened so that your finished, gorgeous blanket will last for years to come!

If you want to add some extra flair to your arm-knit chunky blanket, pom poms or other embellishments are a great way to do it! First, choose the location for your embellishments. You can either attach them randomly or create a pattern. Make sure the pom poms or other embellishments are securely attached to the blanket. You don't want them falling off!

Learning how to arm-knit a DIY chunky knit blanket can be a challenging experience. But with the right guidance and tips, you can turn it into a relaxing, fun, and rewarding hobby. Trust us, we've made many chunky knit blankets without any single video tutorial. Before you get started, here are a couple of our final tips.

It's important to make sure that the whole blanket is evenly knit so that it doesn't become lopsided and stays incredibly soft. Additionally, arm knitting can be quite tiring so it's important to take breaks often. However, the end result is definitely worth it. Take our step-by-step guide and you’ll be well on your way to making a chunky knit blanket to keep you warm and cozy. It makes a perfect gift for family or friends that they will love, because... who doesn't love gorgeous blankets?