Updated at: 03-08-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Using straight needles to knit a blanket might be challenging, especially for a novice. As a beginner, it might be really frustrating. Knitting a blanket with straight needles, on the other hand, is possible.

Straight needles can be used to knit a blanket, yes. It will be thicker and denser than if it were knit on circular needles, but not noticeably different. Knitting using straight needles results in a fabric that is less elastic since there are more stitches per inch.

Inexperienced knitters should begin with a smaller item, such as a scarf, before moving on to larger projects such as a baby blanket. A simple pattern like this one can be tried after mastering the fundamentals.

What You’ll Need:

  • A set of straight needles in the correct size for your yarn
  • Make sure the yarn you choose is a worsted weight yarn before you begin knitting.
  • An emery board needle
  • Scissors

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The first step is to cast on the quantity of stitches you’ll need to make the blanket. You’ll need 120 stitches for this pattern.

How to Knit a Blanket - Step By Step - YouTube

The Blanket: How to Knit It:

Knitting the blanket begins with the casting on of stitches. Row 1: All stitches are knitted.

During the second row, purl all of the threads

In order to make your blanket long enough, keep repeating these two rows.

Knit until your blanket is 60 inches (152 cm) length for this pattern.

Removed from consideration:

Once the desired length has been reached, it’s time to fasten off and finish your project. Make a slip stitch by knitting two stitches together and then removing one of the stitches.

You should keep doing this until you just have one stitch on your needle.

You can fasten the yarn by pulling it through the last stitch with a long tail.

To Finish It Off, Add The Strings:

Afterwards, you’ll need to weave in the ends of your stitches. The tail of your yarn can be threaded through a tapestry needle to accomplish this.

Pull the needle through the stitch’s back loop after inserting it. Weave in each end until all of the yarn is weaved in.

Your blanket has now been completed.

Can I use straight needles to knit a blanket?

A blanket can, of course, be knitted with straight needles, but the process is likely to be more complex than using circular needles.

If your stitches are too wide, knitting using straight needles will require you to keep them all on one needle at a time.

In the round, circular needles allow you to keep track of your stitches and prevent them from becoming too tight.

The thickness of the yarn should be taken into consideration when selecting the needle size for your blanket if you plan to knit it using straight needles.

Read Can I Crochet with Knitting Yarn? to learn more. Insightful Hints and Recommendations

What you need to knit a blanket on straight needles

If you want to keep warm during winter, consider knitting a blanket. It’s not just snug and pleasant; it can be therapeutic as well.

Knitting a blanket on straight needles requires the following:

  • Yarn in your preferred shade
  • needles of the correct size for the yarn you’re using
  • Scissors
  • An abacus or tape measure

Blanket Pattern

Knitting a blanket on straight needles can be accomplished with a plethora of different patterns. The garter stitch pattern is one of my personal favorites.

All you have to do is knit every row to work in garter stitch. Blankets benefit greatly from this process since the resulting fabric is thick and durable.

The ripple stitch pattern is another popular design for blankets.

You will need to cast on an odd number of stitches in order to complete this pattern. Then, adhere to following guidelines:

  • Stitch 1, purl 3, then knit across the row one more time.
  • Knit 2 rows (or until your work measures the desired length)

Bind Off Stitches

Bind off your stitches when you’re done knitting your blanket to prevent it from unraveling.

Simply knit two stitches, then take the first stitch off of the needle with your left needle’s tip. One stitch is currently on the right needle.

How to Use Long Circular Knitting Needles to Knit a Blanket — Fifty Four Ten Studio

To finish, snip the yarn and pull it through the last stitch on your needle to make it a finished piece.

Your very own knitted blanket has now been created.

How to cast on stitches for a blanket

When beginning to knit a blanket, there are several ways to cast on stitches. It’s the Long Tail Cast On, which will be explained in detail below.

Cable Cast On, Provisional Cast On, and Double Pointed Needle Cast On are some of the other options. Each has its own set of perks and cons, so pick the one that best fits your needs.

A deeper look at the Long Tail Cast On is warranted.

Long Tail Cast On

There are many ways to cast on stitches, but novices should stick with this one. It’s simple to execute and gives you a clean edge.

Make a slipknot out of your yarn and thread it onto your knitting needle to get started. Tails should be around four times the width of your blanket.

To begin knitting, grasp the needle in your right hand while holding the yarn’s tail with your left hand. Put the yarn that connects both ends over your left index finger as well.

To do this, place the needle underneath your left index finger’s yarn strand and then over the top of the yarn on your left thumb.

Check out this article: How To Prevent Yarn From Fraying As Detailed As Possible In Six Ways.

Make a loop with your left index finger, then slide the needle back through it and over your left thumb’s strand of yarn to complete the stitch.

Now, from the front to the back, put the needle through the loop on your left thumb.

Your left index finger’s threading needle should be inserted from back to front under that strand of yarn.

As a result, your needle now has two loops. A slipknot and the first stitch you’ve ever made are both included. Pull all strands of yarn together to finish the stitch.

Repeat these steps until you have cast on the desired number of stitches.

How to knit a basic stitch for a blanket

Cast on as many stitches as necessary by repeating these steps.

To begin knitting a simple blanket stitch, you’ll need a few ingredients and the following instructions:

  • Start with the number of stitches needed to complete the blanket’s width. Make a 30-inch blanket by casting on 30 stitches, for example.
  • Every row should be knit until the blanket reaches the required length. When knitting a 60-inch-long blanket, you’ll need to knit 60 rows.
  • Finish the project by weaving in all of the loose ends.

You’ve finally mastered the fundamentals of knitting a blanket stitch! This stitch can be used to create a wide range of different blankets, each with their own distinct appearance.

Create a one-of-a-kind blanket by experimenting with different yarns and colors.

How to bind off stitches for a blanket

When it comes to binding off stitches for a blanket, there are a few different methods you can use.

If you’re making a blanket, there are a variety of ways to end the stitch work.

Knitting two stitches together (k2tog), binding off knitwise, and binding off purlwise are the three most popular techniques. In addition, you’ll get some pointers on how to pick the best approach for your project.

Let’s start with the k2tog approach first. Knitting two stitches together is a basic way.

This method is a time-saver because it’s simple and straightforward. In order to avoid this, you’ll need to loosen up your tension before you begin.

Knitwise bind-off is the next method we’ll discuss. It takes a little more time and effort than k2tog, but the end product is worth the extra effort.

First, slip the first stitch over the second stitch. Knit the next stitch, then knit the one after that, and so on until all of the stitches have been bound off.

The knitwise method of binding off can be time consuming, but it’s worth it for a finished product that looks polished.

Find out which yarn is best for yarn tails and choose wisely.

Finally, we get to the purlwise way of binding off. Even though it’s the most time-consuming, this technique yields the cleanest cut of the three.

First, slip the first stitch over the second stitch. After that, you’ll purl the next stitch and keep going until you’ve finished binding off all of the stitches.

So, how do you go about it? The k2tog method is an excellent choice for a fast and easy bind off.

If you want a clean finish, use the bind off knitwise or bind off purlwise procedures.

In the event that you aren’t sure which procedure to go with, we recommend trying out a swatch of each.

Tips and tricks for knitting blankets on straight needles

If you have the appropriate techniques, knitting a blanket on straight needles can be a piece of cake.

We’ve covered everything you need to know about knitting beautiful blankets on straight needles in this final section. Let’s get started without further ado.

  • Selecting the correct yarn for your project is the first step in the process. You want a yarn that is soft and cuddly so that your blanket will keep you warm. Acrylic yarns and wool blends are both wonderful choices.
  • It’s time to pick a knitting needle size after you’ve chosen your yarn. Measure the thickness of the yarn you’ve selected to get an accurate reading. Size 10 needles should be used if your yarn is between 0-3 US (or 2-14 UK). Use size 11 needles for yarn that is between 3 and 5 US (14-19 UK), and size 12 needles for yarn thicker than 5 US (or 19 UK).
  • It’s time to begin knitting, now that you know what kind of yarn and needle size you want to use. Slip knot and then begin knitting the number of stitches you need to build your blanket.
  • It’s time to begin knitting your blanket once you have cast on your stitches. Basically, knit each stitch until the end of the row, and you’ll be done. Then, switch to the other side and continue knitting. Continue to do so until your blanket reaches the required size.
  • It’s time to bind off your stitches when you’ve finished knitting your blanket. Two stitches should be knit together and the first stitch should be passed over the second stitch. Continue doing this until your needle is down to its last stitch. You can secure your yarn by wrapping it around the last stitch and pulling it tight.

When knitting a blanket, use these tips and strategies the next time you begin a new project. Beautiful blankets may be made quickly and easily with a little skill.

Can I Use Straight Needles To Knit A Blanket?

Straight needles can be used to knit a blanket, and beginners should use them. Straight needles are available in a variety of lengths, allowing you to customize your final blanket to your desired size. Because of this drawback, it is best to use circular needles for knitting blankets if you want to avoid a clumpy finished product.

There are a variety of materials available for straight needles, ranging from plastic to wood to steel to aluminum to bamboo. When purchasing straight needles, make sure they’re the right size for your blanket and your yarn.. Because they hold all the stitches, straight needles are better for smaller blankets.

How to Use Long Circular Knitting Needles to Knit a Blanket — Fifty Four Ten Studio

Straight needles vs circular needles for knitting a blanket

When it comes to knitting a large blanket, circular needles have an advantage over straight needles because of their size restriction. As you work with straight needles, you’ll be holding the weight in your arms and wrists, which might be awkward. Circular needles, on the other hand, allow you to work back and forth more quickly while also supporting the weight of the project.

How Many Stitches Do You Need For A Blanket?

A blanket’s stitch count is determined by the pattern. The number of stitches to cast on for a project can be determined using internet calculators. The following factors, in addition to the blanket’s size, can help you estimate the approximate number of stitches needed to complete your project:

Yarn weight and needle size

Consider the weight of the yarn while determining your gauge. Your yarn label will help you determine how many stitches to cast on. You should also know the needle size required by the design, since if it’s smaller, you’ll need more stitches in your gauge, or less stitches if you’re using a larger needle.

Gauge

The gauge of your project has a significant impact on the quality of your stitches. When working on your blanket, be sure to match your gauge to the label on your yarn. Using this method, you can adjust the amount of stitches as needed.

Pattern

When it comes to the quantity of stitches, you may also be working with a specific pattern. Garter and stockinette stitches are the most frequent, however certain patterns call for a specific amount of stitches to be worked in each repeat. Always remember to cast on a sufficient number of stitches for each stitch repeat.

How Many Stitches Will A Straight Knitting Needle Hold?

In this post, we stressed the necessity of using the correct length of straight needles for the width of your blanket. The reason for this is that straight needles can hold all of your stitches. Always remember that a straight needle can normally be double its length, and anything more than that can cause the yarn to bunch up.

For smaller and rounder crafts, such as baby blankets, straight needles are preferable to tapered ones. Large projects will be difficult to manage with straight needles. If in doubt, consult the blanket pattern, but always keep this rule in mind.

Conclusion

Straight needles can be used by beginners in knitting. Using straight needles and two simple stages, we’ve shown you how to knit a blanket and how to count the number of stitches. The most important criterion to keep in mind is that your needles must be long enough to accommodate the blanket’s overall breadth.