DIY CHUNKY KNIT BLANKET

I saved HUNDREDS of dollars by making my own chunky knit blanket! These are popular in home decor during the winter months, but they can easily cost $250+. But with a few bags of yarn and some arm knitting techniques, you can create one of your own in about an hour!

To watch the video tutorial, check out my Instagram profile. It is saved in my story highlights. Look for ‘DIY ChunkyThrow.’ I recommend watching the videos for a comprehensive understanding of the process.

Supplies

1. Chunky yarn
2. Scissors

That’s it!

I prefer this Loops & Thread Free Spirit yarn from Michael’s. Try to snag it on sale – they’re originally $35 per bag, but I’ve found them on clearance for less than $10 per bag during the summer.

The more bags of yarn you purchase, the larger your blanket can be. I wanted to create a throw-size blanket, and 3 bags of chunky yarn did the trick. It took me 1.5 hours and created a blanket around 6×2 ft.

Before beginning, remove any rings or bracelets from your hands and arms. You won’t want any chance of them snagging into the material. You’ll also want to do this in a clean area. If you’re doing this project on the floor, be sure to vacuum. This material is the type that will pick up everything: dirt, pet hair, crumbs, etc.

Step one: create a loop with the end of one bag of yarn. Cross one end, pull it underneath and thru, then tighten. Slip this loop onto your right arm. (Watch the video tutorial on my Instagram profile for visual instruction)

• 

• 

• 

  Step two: Grab the long tail of yarn. Pull it up against the back of your right hand and drape it over onto your palm. Then, push your left hand underneath the long tail and through the loop you created. Grab the long tail with your left hand, and pull it back through to create a loop. Then place your right hand through that loop you just created and tighten the knot.

  • 

  • 

  • 

  • 

  • 

  • 

  • 

  • 

  • 

    *This is the most complicated step to master and will take a little practice (watching the videos will help), but it is the bulk of the tutorial.

    Continue to repeat this step until you have 16 loops on your right arm. If you want your blanket to be wider than 2 feet, create more than 16 loops on your arm.

    Step three: Place the long tail of the yarn over the back of your right thumb and down into the palm of your hand. Grip it in your fist. Using your left hand, pull the last loop on your right arm (the one closest to your hand) over your right hand that is holding the tail. Pull your right hand up through the loop and tighten the piece you just pulled over your hand. This will create a new loop which you will then place your left hand into.

    • 

    • 

    • 

    • 

    • 

    • 

      Repeat this step until you have all of the loops on your left arm.

      Continue to repeat this process, going back and forth from your left to right arm, then back from your right to your left again. Always place the yarn over the thumb that has all of the loops on that same arm. For example, when switching from the left to the right arm (opposite of the photos above), you will place the tail over your left thumb, grip with your left hand, then pull over your left hand before moving to your right arm.

      This process creates more and more rows of your blanket. As you do this, you’ll notice your blanket begin to grow. Continue to do this until you run out of yarn.

      Once your first bag of yarn is complete, find the tail of a new bag and tie the two ends together tightly. Cut off any excess, then continue in the process of creating new loops back and forth between your arms. Do this until you are ready to finish your blanket.

      When you are coming near the end of your yarn and you want to finish your blanket, stop once you have all loops on one arm and some excess length in the tail.

      Step four (to finish): Using the same process as in step three, make 2 loops on the arm that currently has none. Then, grab the loop that is furthest up your arm and pull it overthe other loop, over your hand, and off your arm. Tighten this.

      You should now only have 1 loop on that arm.

      Using the step three process, create another loop so you have two loops again. Then repeat step four again. Continue to repeat step four until you no longer have any loops left on either arm.

      • 

      • 

      • 

        Once you are out of loops, tie a tight knot at the end of your blanket and cut off the excess. Then you are done!

        • 

        •