Mastering the Art: Step-by-Step Guide on Knitting a Blanket with Circular Needles

Curling up on the couch with a soft, handmade blanket is one of life’s simple pleasures. But have you ever wondered how to create your own cozy covering using circular needles? Knitting a blanket may seem like a daunting task, but fear not! In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of knitting a blanket with circular needles and guide you through each step of the process. So grab your yarn and needles, let’s dive into the world of circular needle knitting and create a blanket that will not only keep you warm, but also be a source of pride for years to come.

Knitting a blanket is a popular pastime for many people. While traditional straight needles are commonly used, circular needles offer many advantages for creating beautiful and functional blankets. In this article, we will explore the step-by-step process of how to knit a blanket with circular needles, offering tips and techniques to help you create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Understanding Circular Needles

Circular needles are two tapered knitting needles connected by a flexible cable in the middle. These needles come in various lengths, materials, and needle sizes. They are most commonly used for knitting in the round, but they can also be used for flat knitting such as creating blankets.

One of the main advantages of circular needles is that they can hold more stitches than straight needles, making them perfect for creating larger projects like blankets. They also eliminate the need to constantly join smaller lengths of yarn as you would with straight needles when working on a large project.

Choosing the Right Yarn

When it comes to creating a blanket with circular needles, selecting the right yarn is crucial. The weight and type of yarn you choose will ultimately determine the look and feel of your finished blanket.

For beginners, it’s best to use bulky or super bulky weight yarn as it will knit up faster due to its thicker texture. It’s also easier to see your stitches as you work with bulkier yarns. However, if you prefer a lighter and more delicate blanket, you can opt for worsted weight yarn.

It’s important to make sure that all your yarn used for the project matches in terms of weight and fiber content. Mixing different types of yarn may lead to an uneven tension in your finished project.

Preparing Your Needles

Before starting your project, it’s essential to prep your circular needles properly. This includes checking their length and making sure they have no bends or breaks in the cable.

If your needles are shorter than the desired width of your blanket, you can use a technique called magic loop knitting. This involves knitting with one half of the stitches onto one needle while the other half is on the cable. As you work through those stitches, you slide them down the cable and continue knitting with the remaining stitches on the other needle.

Casting On

Once your needles are prepped and ready to go, it’s time to cast on your stitches. This is when you create loops on your needle using a method of casting on known as a long-tail cast-on. This technique works well for circular knitting as it creates an even tension around all the stitches.

To make sure you have enough yarn for your cast-on, measure out a length 3-4 times longer than your desired width. Then, using both needles and casting on as usual, you will create all of your stitches directly onto one needle.

Joining Your Stitches

After casting on all of your needed stitches, gently place both needles together and knit a few rows straight across while making sure not to twist them. Once you have knit several rows, place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each row.

Then, continue knitting until your blanket reaches its desired length, using the stitch marker as a guide. If you’re new to working with circular needles, it may take some practice to get comfortable with joining and working in the round without twisting.

Knitting Techniques

Now that your project is underway, there are several different techniques that can be used while working with circular needles to add interest and texture to your blanket. These include cables, lace patterns, and colorwork such as stripes or Fair Isle designs.

It’s important to remember that as you move from one side of your project to another when knitting in rounds, each row will be knit from the right side, meaning knit stitches look different on each side. This may impact some techniques that involve knitting different variations of stitches.

Binding Off and Finishing Your Blanket

Once you have reached the desired length of your blanket, it’s time to bind off. This is the process of taking your stitches off the needles in order to secure them and finish your project.

Similar to casting on, there are a variety of methods for binding off, such as a traditional bind-off or an i-cord bind-off. You can also experiment with different options such as adding fringe or tassels to finish off your blanket and give it a unique touch.

In conclusion, knitting a blanket with circular needles offers many benefits such as versatility, ease of use, and ability to create larger projects. By choosing the right yarn, understanding how to properly prep your needles, casting on, and joining stitches, you can create beautiful blankets using various techniques. So next time you’re looking for a challenging yet rewarding knitting project, grab your circular needles and start creating your own cozy blanket!

What Are Circular Needles?

Circular needles are knitting tools that have two short needle tips connected by a flexible cable. They are a popular choice among knitters because they allow for seamless knitting of larger projects, such as blankets. The needle tips are typically made of wood, metal, or plastic, while the cable is made of nylon or steel. Sizes range from small 9-inch needles to longer 60-inch needles for bigger projects.

Why Use Circular Needles to Knit a Blanket?

Using circular needles to knit a blanket offers several advantages over traditional straight needles. Firstly, the flexible cable of circular needles allows you to easily fit all the stitches on the needle without worrying about them falling off. This eliminates the need for frequent stops and turns in your work, making the process faster and more efficient.

Moreover, circular needles distribute the weight of your project more evenly across your lap or table as you knit. This helps reduce fatigue and strain often associated with knitting large projects such as blankets.

Finally, since you do not have to switch between multiple straight needles when knitting a blanket with circular needles, there is less risk of losing stitches or creating noticeable seams in your work.

Materials Needed

To knit a blanket with circular needles, you will need the following:

– A suitable yarn: Depending on your preference and budget, you can choose from a wide variety of yarns including wool, acrylic blends, cotton, and others. Just make sure it is soft and not too thick for easier use with your circular needles.
– Appropriate needle size: The size of your circular needle will depend on your yarn weight and desired tension. Check the label of your yarn for recommended needle size.
– Scissors: For cutting yarn.
– Stitch markers: To keep track of stitch count while working on your project.
– Tapestry needle: Used for weaving in loose yarn ends.
– Measuring tape: For measuring gauge and finished size of your blanket.

Preparing Your Needles and Yarn

Before starting to knit, you need to prepare your circular needles and yarn. This ensures smooth knitting process and a professional-looking finished product.

Begin by checking the length of your cable. If it is tightly coiled, soak it in hot water for a few minutes and then stretch it out. This will straighten the cable and prevent it from curling up while you knit.

Next, attach one of your needle tips to the cable by inserting the pointed end into the hole at the end of the cable, about half an inch deep. Ensure that it clicks into place securely. Repeat this process with the second needle tip on the other end of the cable.

Then, unravel your yarn and make a slip knot on one of your needle tips. To do this, take the end of your yarn in your non-dominant hand (left hand for most people) leaving about 6 inches tail and wrap it around your first two fingers twice to make a loop. Pull one end through both loops, tighten to form a knot on your needle tip.

You are now ready to start knitting!

Casting On Stitches

To begin casting on stitches onto your circular needles, make sure that you have an even number of stitches as directed in your pattern or according to desired width of your blanket.

To cast on using a single strand method:

1. Hold both needle tips together with wrong sides facing each other.
2. With left hand holding both strands together tightly, insert right needle tip between the two strands to form a loop.
3. Bring right needle tip over top strand and catch bottom strand from below, pulling it through top strand.
4. Transfer new stitch onto right needle tip by sliding left index finger under right needle.
5. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of stitches on your needle.

Knitting

Once you have cast on all your stitches, it is time to start knitting! Remember to always keep the right side of your work facing you as you knit.

To knit a basic stitch:

1. Hold needle with cast-on stitches in left hand and empty needle in right hand.
2. Insert right needle into first stitch on left needle from left to right.
3. Wrap the yarn from back to front over the tip of your right needle.
4. Draw the tip and wrapped yarn through the stitch (also called “yarn over”).
5. Slide old stitch off left needle and transfer new loop onto left needle.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 until you reach the end of your row.

To knit additional rows, keep repeating these steps, making sure to periodically check your stitch count.

Switching Needles for Larger Projects

If your blanket calls for more stitches than can comfortably fit on one circular needle, do not worry! You can simply switch to longer circular needles when needed.

To switch needles:

1. When approaching the end of a row and there are not enough loops sliding easily over the cable

1. What materials do I need to knit a blanket with circular needles?
To knit a blanket with circular needles, you will need yarn, circular needles, stitch markers (optional), and a tapestry needle for weaving in the ends after completing the project.

2. Can I knit any size of blanket using circular needles?
Yes, you can knit blankets of any size using circular needles, as long as the cable length is long enough to accommodate the number of stitches needed for your desired size.

3. Do I need to know how to purl to knit a blanket with circular needles?
No, you don’t need to know how to purl if you’re knitting in the round on circular needles. You only need to know how to knit stitches.

4. What’s the best cast on method for knitting a blanket with circular needles?
The long-tail cast-on method is recommended for knitting blankets on circular needles as it creates a sturdy and stretchy edge that is perfect for large projects like blankets.

5. How do I switch from one skein of yarn to another while knitting my blanket?
To switch yarns seamlessly, hold both yarns together and knit 5-6 stitches before cutting off the old yarn and continuing with the new one. This will create a smooth transition between colors or skeins.

6. Can I use any stitch pattern for my knitted blanket with circular needles?
Yes, you can use any stitch pattern that you like when knitting a blanket with circular needles. Just make sure that the number of stitches in each row matches the number of stitches needed for your chosen stitch pattern.

In conclusion, knitting a blanket with circular needles can be a satisfying and enjoyable project for both beginners and experienced knitters. By following the basic steps of casting on, knitting in the round, and binding off, you can create a cozy and versatile blanket that will be cherished for years to come.

Using circular needles allows for easy portability, eliminates the need for seaming, and creates a seamless finished product. Additionally, choosing the right yarn and needle size can greatly impact the overall look and feel of your blanket. It is important to do some research or consult with experienced knitters before starting your project to ensure success.

While there may be some challenges when first using circular needles, such as managing tension or joining new balls of yarn, practice makes perfect. With patience and determination, anyone can successfully knit a beautiful blanket using circular needles.

Moreover, knitting is not just a practical skill but also a form of self-expression that can provide numerous benefits such as relaxation, stress relief, creativity, and mindfulness. By incorporating this craft into your daily life, you not only create something tangible but also enhance your overall well-being.

However, it is also important to recognize that knitting does require time and effort. It is essential to set realistic expectations for yourself and exercise patience throughout the process.