Learning how to knit a blanket with circular needles will require you two steps. While knitting with circular needles is not as beginner-friendly as using straight needles, it’s no reason for you not to go out of your comfort zone. It’s even perfect for large items like blankets.
Circular needles mean you’re not carrying the weight of the project on your arms. You’re even saving time doing the project because there’s no need to turn the blanket each time you finish a row. If you still don’t believe us that this project will be easy, then keep on reading!
How To Knit A Blanket With Circular Needles For Beginners
1. Cast on and knit your blanket pattern
There are different blanket patterns and designs that you can use to knit a blanket with circular needles. So depending on the pattern, you will cast on the required number of stitches. A valuable tip for more comfortable knitting is to cast on the left-hand needle because the stitches will eventually slide to the cable and keep the weight from your hands.
Your left hand will have the needle with stitches, and you will switch the needles after you finish the first row. Slide the yarn between the two needle tips and start the second row. Continue doing the switch until you finished the rows of the blanket.
2. Finish the blanket
After you finished the rows for the pattern, it would be best to check your gauge or the stitches per inch of your blanket. You might need to use smaller needles if the stitches are larger than the pattern requires or switch to larger needles if the gauge is too small. If not, you can proceed to finish the blanket and cast off the last row.
The finalizing step varies for every blanket pattern, but the main point is to weave the ends into the stitches to secure your knitted blanket. Cut the ends shorter, and you’re done. In some patterns, you may need to seam the edges together.
Can You Use Circular Needles To Knit A Blanket?
You can knit a blanket using circular needles, even though they are more commonly used for smaller garments. You’ll get several advantages in knitting a blanket with circular needles. For one, it’s a more comfortable way to knit something as large as a blanket since you’re not holding the weight of the blanket itself.
The cable that connects the two needles will take the weight from your arms and wrists. More so, you don’t have to turn in the project each time you finish a row. This makes knitting faster, especially for a blanket.
How Long Should A Circular Knitting Needle Be For A Blanket?
For knitting a blanket, circular needles between 32 to 36 inches are a good length. You don’t need to match the width of your project as if you’re knitting smaller items. The range mentioned would be helpful enough for a blanket as wide as 50 inches.
Those who are making more oversized size blankets can also get longer needles. A 40-inch long circular needle would be the best length to get for more significant projects. Here are some other considerations when using circular needles with blankets.
What type of circular needles should you use?
You can differentiate circular needles based on their material type and not just their lengths. Choosing between wood and metal will depend on your personal preference, but there are also some notable advantages that each type offers. For example, wooden circular needles have a good grip on them, but metal needles are more durable.
Those who are knitting wool blankets may also find metal to be smoother to help the wool glide quickly. But if you have arthritis, opt for wooden circular needles because they are warmer to touch. Keep these features and considerations in mind to make your knitting experience more comfortable.
What are interchangeable circular knitting needles?
You might also stumble upon interchangeable circular needle sets. From the name itself, these needles give you the freedom to change needles in the middle of knitting if your gauge doesn’t turn out the way you wanted. They come in different sizes and cords that you can adjust while in progress.
Interchangeable circular knitting needles differ in needle sizes, needle tip sizes, and cord length. You can even knit flat or in the round and lock the work if you have to stop or start another project. The joining cable also keeps the needles in place and helps distribute the weight evenly if you’re working on a large project.
How Many Stitches Do I Cast On For A Blanket?
The pattern you’ve selected for a blanket will mention the number of stitches you’ll need to cast on. The blanket size can also mean fewer or more stitches. If you’re unsure, you can always use cast-on calculators for your project.
Conclusion
If you’re tired of bearing the project’s weight as you knit, try using circular needles. In this article, we’ve taught you how to knit a blanket with circular needles in the most beginner-friendly way. You need to cast on stitches according to the pattern, check the gauge, and bind off.
Did we help you with this two-step guide? Feel free to leave any comments, and happy knitting!