Did you know that learning how to knit a blanket with straight needles only takes two steps? Do not be intimidated by trying new ways to knit a blanket. After we have taught you how to use your arms, you can get your hands on straight needles this time.
Are you still unsure of carrying on? Compared to circular needles, straight needles are actually more beginner-friendly for knitting. You can position it under the arm, so even a project like a blanket won’t get you overwhelmed.
How To Knit A Blanket With Straight Needles For Beginners
1. Plan the blanket size and prepare your materials
Straight needles are beginner-friendly for knitting a blanket. Start on deciding the blanket size you want to make and ensure that your needles are long enough for the blanket’s width to keep the project from bunching up. You also want to ensure that the yarn is ideal for the needles you’re using, and you have enough balls to finish the blanket.
2. Cast on and start knitting
Check your pattern to know how many stitches you need to cast on. You can also multiply the yarn gauge by the blanket width to know the number of stitches you’ll need to finish knitting. Beginners can start knitting the first row using the basic knit until they reach the blanket size planned.
Once you’ve knitted the rows, you can finish the blanket by weaving any loose end of the stitches. Sew the blanket ends for a neater look, and your blanket is done! The pattern should recommend a method to clean up the edges, but you can also crochet a border after casting off.
Can I Use Straight Needles To Knit A Blanket?
You can use straight needles to knit a blanket, and it’s even the best method to choose for beginners. Straight needles also come in different lengths, so you can choose the right one to accommodate the size of your finished blanket. The only downside with straight needles for knitted blankets is the project can bunch up if you used needles that are too short for the blanket width.
The length range for straight needles is from 9 to 14 inches, and the material is either plastic, wood, steel, aluminum, or bamboo. Be sure to get the proper straight needles, not just for the blanket size but also for the yarn you’ll use. More so, straight needles are more ideal if you’re working on smaller blankets because they will hold all the stitches.
Straight needles vs circular needles for knitting a blanket
We mentioned the size limitation is the advantage of circular needles over straight needles when knitting something as extensive as a blanket. The weight may become awkward over time since your arms and wrists will hold it when working with straight needles. On the other hand, circular needles will allow you to work back and forth for quicker knitting, and the needles will bear the project’s weight.
How Many Stitches Do You Need For A Blanket?
The pattern dictates the stitches you’ll need for a blanket. However, you can use online calculators to get the number of stitches to cast on for a project. To help you know what number of stitches to expect with your blanket, here are some considerations besides the blanket size:
Yarn weight and needle size
Remember that the yarn’s weight will dictate your gauge. You’ll get a better idea of how many stitches to cast on by checking your yarn label. Additionally, know the needle size required by the pattern because if it’s smaller, you will need more stitches in your gauge or fewer stitches if you’re using a larger needle.
Gauge
Perhaps the most influential factor for stitches is the gauge of your project. It’s important always to check your gauge when working on your blanket to compare it to your yarn label. This way, you can reduce or increase the number of stitches if needed.
Pattern
Finally, you might be using a specific pattern that can affect the number of stitches needed. The most common stitches are garter or stockinette stitches, but some patterns may require a certain number of stitches per repeat. Remember that you should cast on the number of stitches that will complement every stitch repeat you’ll do.
How Many Stitches Will A Straight Knitting Needle Hold?
Throughout this article, we emphasized the importance of getting the right length of straight needles for your blanket’s intended width. This is because straight needles will hold all the stitches for your project. A quick tip you can never forget is that a straight needle can typically have twice its length, and anything over that can cause the yarn to bunch up.
It’s also worth noting that straight needles are best for smaller and rounder projects than vast ones like very large blankets. It will be hard to manage large projects in straight needles. You can always check what’s recommended by the blanket pattern, but be mindful of this rule.
Conclusion
Beginners in knitting can use straight needles. We have taught you how to knit a blanket with straight needles in two easy steps and also how to identify the number of stitches you must do. The main rule you must remember is to ensure that the needles are long enough to accommodate your blanket width.