How to Finger Knit a Chunky Blanket for Beginners

I have always wanted to take up knitting…and never more than when the weather gets cooler. Make my own knit throw blankets? Yes! DIY cute winter hats? Of course! I’ve been too intimidated to try – until I discovered Bernat Alize Blanket EZ Yarn at JOANN!

EASY FINGER KNIT COZY BLANKET:

As much as I love looking at all the scrapbooking, cardmaking, and overall paper crafting items in the craft store, I LOVE strolling down the yarn aisle! 

Whether it’s soft yarn, chunky yarn, or acrylic yarn, I love looking at all the colors and imagining that I’m a professional knitter. However, if you know me, then you know that I’m not a knitter in any way shape, or form (LOL)! This is because instead of using balls of yarn to make knitted projects, I used them to make fluffy pumpkins! – Actually don’t get me started on fluffy pumpkins and how I LOVE Bernat Blanket Extra Thick yarn! That is another yarn project for another day.

Fluffy pumpkins aside, I wanted to try something in the knitting world and discovered loop yarn. I knew it was supposed to be easy, I knew it was to help beginners get started, but STILL I wasn’t sure I could do it. When JOANN came looking for “beginner knitters” I knew this was my chance to make my own knit throw blanket just in time for Fall! 

{FTC Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by JOANN – but the opinions and the project are mine all mine! This post also contains affiliate links which means I may make a commission on any purchases at no additional cost to you.}

BEFORE WE MAKE OUR BLANKET, LET’S TALK FINGER KNITTING AND LOOP YARN: 

Ok, so you might be staring at your screen asking what in the world is finger knitting and loop yarn.

To be honest they are exactly what they sound like. LOL 

Finger knitting is a form of knitting where you use your hands and fingers to create a knitted project. This means that you use your hands and fingers to create the knit stitches instead of knitting needles. Plus, the best part, is that you can make all types of projects, just like in traditional knitting, like blankets, trivets, baskets, cardigans, and more!

Loop Yarn is a special type of yarn that has loops pre-sewn into it. This type of yarn is chunky, fluffy, and fleecy in texture and the loops allow you to make projects without knitting needles. Also, this type of yarn is an easy way for beginners to get into knitting without needing all the different types of knitting tools, like needles, stitch markers, etc. Overall, it’s really a great place to start if you are brand new to the world of knitting, like me! 

So, in today’s post, I am going to show you the basics of finger knitting and how to make a beautiful blanket! This is a great first project for beginners and you will be amazed at what you can make in just a couple of hours. Also, along with the written instructions I do have a video tutorial here and there, so you can see the most crucial parts of the project.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• Six (6) skeins Bernat Alize Blanket EZ Yarn – I used Hedge Green but they have two dozen other fun colors to choose from!
• scissors
• paperclip.

NOTE ABOUT BLANKET SIZE: Make sure you have enough yarn to make your chunky knit blanket (LOL)! The worst feeling is getting to the end of your skein of yarn and realizing you don’t have enough to finish your blanket. I decided to go with six (6) skeins of Bernate Alize Blakent EZ Yarn to make my throw size blanket. However, you can use more or less skeins to get the desired length for your finished blanket.

NOTE ABOUT LOOP YARN: The Bernat Alize Blanket EZ Yarn is such a fun way to get into knitting and yarn projects in general without all the stress of traditional knitting. Plus, if you LOVE JOANN like I do, you will be happy to know that they carry a wide variety of Bernat Alize Blanket EZ Yarn in different colors. In today’s project, I used the color Hedge Green for all six (6) skeins of my yarn because it has a gradient effect in a green/blue color family. The great thing about this particular yarn was that it gave you the look of a variety of colors in ”one skien” of yarn. However, you don’t have to make your blanket in the same way, For example, you could choose alternating colors (like 3 skeins in one color and 3 skeins in another color) or you could choose a different color for every skein!

NOTE ABOUT CARE OF BLANKET: To take care of your blanket, follow the instructions on the Bernat Alize Blanket EZ Yarn packaging.

TUTORIAL FOR EASY FINGER-KNIT BLANKET:

1. To make your first row, count out 65 loops. Then lay them across a table or other flat surface with the loops facing up.

2. Move the skein of yarn above the row of loops and pull out a length of yarn about the same length – making sure the loops are facing down (so the loops are facing each other).

TIP: Put a paperclip between the 65th and 66th loop so you don’t lose track!

3. Take loop #66 and pull it through loop #65, then repeat for every loop in the row. As you work on the loops, make sure you angle them up. This will get easier the further you get down the row.

4. Once you get to the end of the row, repeat! The direction you are looping will alternate with each row – right to left, then the next row will be left to right. And you are well on your way to making a chunky blanket that is so warm and cozy!

TIP: With a blanket of this size, you want to start it on a table. Then, after a few rows, you can pick it up and easily work on it anywhere!

5. As this particular blanket takes six skeins of yarn you will need to add a new skein as you go. I found several different tutorials for ending one skein and starting another online, the easiest for me was to tie a knot in between loops.

There were also ideas for overlapping multiple loops and only starting new skeins at the end of the row – just use whatever option is easiest/works best for you!

FINISHING YOUR FINGER-KNITTED BLANKET:

6. When you have finished the last row of your blanket, you need to “bind off” the final row. First, cut any remaining yarn, leaving two or three loops as a “tail’. 

7. You will work in the same direction of your last row (right to left or left to right). Start with the second loop in the row and pull it through the first. Then pull the third loop through the second, and repeat until you have come to the last loop in the row.

8. Take the first loop on the tail (called the binding loop) and pull it through the last loop in the row, then cut off any excess loops on the tail and discard.

9. Cut the binding loop slightly above the edge of the blanket. Then use your fingers to gently weave the loose ends into the back edge of the blanket.

And YOU MY FRIEND, have just made your first gorgeous finger-knit blanket! Congratulations!

Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, the possibilities are endless! From baby blankets to scarves to stuffed animals and more, once you’ve tried looped yarn, you’ll wonder why you waited so long!

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How to Finger Knit a Chunky Blanket for Beginners

I have always wanted to take up knitting…and never more than when the weather gets cooler. Make my own knit throw blankets? Yes! DIY cute winter hats? Of course! I’ve been too intimidated to try – until I discovered Bernat Alize Blanket EZ Yarn at JOANN! 

Author: Beth Kingston

Materials

• Six (6) skeins Bernat Alize Blanket EZ Yarn – I used Hedge Green but they have two dozen other fun colors to choose from!
• scissors
• paperclip

Instructions

TUTORIAL FOR EASY FINGER-KNIT BLANKET:

• Count out 65 loops and lay them across a table or other flat surface with the loops facing up. 
• Move the skein of yarn above the row of loops and pull out a length of yarn about the same length – making sure the loops are facing down (so the loops are facing each other). TIP: Put a paperclip between the 65th and 66th loop so you don’t lose track!
• Take loop #66 and pull it through loop #65, then repeat for every loop in the row. As you work on the loops make sure you angle them up (this will get easier the further you get down the row).
• Once you get to the end of the row, repeat! The direction you are looping will alternate with each row – right to left, then the next row will be left to right. And you are well on your way to making a blanket!
• As this particular blanket takes six skeins of yarn you will need to add new skeins as you go. I found several different tutorials for ending one skein and starting another online, the easiest for me was to tie a knot in between loops. 

FINISHING YOUR FINGER-KNITTED BLANKET:

• When you have finished the last row of your blanket you need to “bind off” the final row. First, cut any remaining yarn, leaving two or three loops as a “tail’. 
• You will work in the same direction of your last row (right to left or left to right). Start with the second loop in the row and pull it through the first. Then pull the third loop through the second, and repeat until you have come to the last loop in the row.
• Take the first loop on the tail (called the binding loop) and pull it through the last loop in the row, then cut off any excess loops on the tail and discard.
• Cut the binding loop slightly above the edge of the blanket and use your fingers to gently weave the loose yarn in to the back edge of the blanket.

Notes

NOTE ABOUT BLANKET SIZE: Make sure you have enough yarn to make your chunky knit blanket (LOL)! The worst feeling is getting to the end of your skein of yarn and realizing you don’t have enough to finish your blanket. I decided to go with size (6) skins of Bernate Alize Blakent EZ Yarn to make my throw size blanket. However, you can use more or less skeins to get the desired length for your finished blanket.

NOTE ABOUT LOOP YARN: The Bernat Alize Blanket EZ Yarn is such a fun way to get into knitting and yarn projects in general without all the stress of traditional knitting. Plus, if you LOVE JOANN like I do, you will be happy to know that they carry a wide variety of Bernat Alize Blanket EZ Yarn in different colors. In today’s project, I used the color Hedge Green for all six (6) skeins of my yarn because it has a gradient effect in a green/blue color family. The great thing about this particular yarn was that it gave you the look of a variety of colors in ”one skien” of yarn. However, you don’t have to make your blanket in the same way, For example, you could choose alternating colors (like 3 skeins in one color and 3 skeins in another color) or you could choose a different color for every skein!

NOTE ABOUT CARE OF BLANKET: To take care of your blanket, follow the instructions on the Bernat Alize Blanket EZ Yarn packaging.

DO YOU NEED A BASKET TO STORE YOUR NEW KNITTED BLANKET IN? THEN CHECK OUT OUR FARMHOUSE DECOR TUTORIAL ON HOW TO PAINT A BASKET!