Fun and Easy DIY: Hand Knit a Chunky Blanket with Kids

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Materials Needed
3. Making the Initial Knot
4. Creating the Bottom Chain
5. Building Rows
6. Tying in a New Skein
7. Finishing Off the Blanket
8. Optional Step: Gluing the Knots
9. Weaving in the Remaining Yarn
10. Conclusion

How to Make a Chunky Rainbow Blanket

Are you eagerly waiting for winter, just like our family, so you can snuggle up with cozy blankets? Today, we're going to teach you how to make a hand-knitted chunky rainbow blanket. This project is a fun and creative way to spend time together as a family, while also creating a warm and colorful blanket for the colder months.

Materials Needed

Before we jump into the knitting process, let's gather all the materials we'll need:

1. Chunky yarn in various colors
2. Knitting needles (size will depend on the thickness of your yarn)
3. Scissors
4. All-purpose tacky glue (optional)
5. Time and patience

Make sure you have all these items ready before we begin. Once you have everything prepared, we can start making our beautiful rainbow blanket.

Making the Initial Knot

To get started, we need to make a knot at the beginning of our yarn. Follow these steps:

1. Hold the end of the yarn in your hand and make a loop.
2. Flip the loop so that the little tail is pointing towards the rest of the working yarn.
3. Take your thumb and pointer finger, and pull them through the back of the loop.
4. Pull the working yarn through the loop and tighten it.

Ensure that the loop is about the size of your thumb or approximately two inches. This initial knot will anchor your blanket and serve as the starting point for the knitting process.

Creating the Bottom Chain

Now, we move on to creating the bottom chain of our blanket. Follow these steps:

1. Insert your fingers through the center of the loop.
2. Pull up the working yarn and lay it down.
3. Repeat this process to create 25 loops, all of the same size.

It's recommended that parents assist their children during this step, as it can be a bit challenging. Once you've completed the chain, flip it over. The next part is the most difficult, so parental guidance is suggested.

Building Rows

To build the rows of your blanket, follow these steps:

1. Leave the last loop empty in each row, as it will become part of the chain that forms the edge of the blanket.
2. Find the knot in between each row, insert your finger, and pull the working yarn through to create a loop.
3. Repeat this step until you reach the other edge of the blanket. Parents should help with this process for younger children.

As you continue knitting, make sure the loops are all the same size to maintain consistent thickness throughout the blanket. Keep repeating these steps until you have completed the desired length of your blanket.

Tying in a New Skein

If you need to join a new skein of yarn, follow these simple steps:

1. Make a knot with the new skein, close to the end of the previous yarn.
2. Pull the knot tight and secure it.
3. Gently rock the knot back and forth until it is secure and doesn't move.

Leave the excess yarn as is for now. We will come back later to secure all the knots.

Finishing Off the Blanket

You're nearly done with your rainbow blanket! Follow these steps to finish it off:

1. Tie off the end of the blanket by creating a chain, just like the one you made at the beginning. You can do this from either side.
2. Take the loop on the end and the first loop and put them together.
3. Pull the working yarn through and repeat this step for all the loops until you reach the last loop of the top row.
4. Take the end of the working yarn, pull it through, and make a knot to secure it tightly.

Congratulations! You have successfully completed knitting your beautiful rainbow blanket.

Optional Step: Gluing the Knots

To ensure the knots in your blanket are secure, you can use all-purpose tacky glue. This step is optional but recommended to prevent any unraveling. Follow these steps:

1. Find all the knots left long when joining new skeins.
2. Apply a small amount of glue to the center of each knot.
3. Press the glue into the knot to seal it closed.
4. Cut off any excess yarn and work it back into the blanket.

By following this step, your knots will blend seamlessly into the design of the blanket. Now, you can safely wash your blanket without worrying about it coming undone.

Weaving in the Remaining Yarn

To complete your rainbow blanket, you'll need to weave in the remaining yarn. Follow these steps:

1. Locate the tail that was initially left hanging.
2. Weave it in and out through the bottom of the blanket until it's completely hidden.
3. Cut off any excess yarn if necessary.

Now, your blanket is complete, and there's only one last step to consider.

Conclusion

Creating a chunky rainbow blanket is not only a fun project for the whole family but also a cozy addition to your winter essentials. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a personalized and unique blanket that will keep you warm for many winters to come. Remember the precious moments spent together while using this blanket and enjoy the comfort it provides.