The sentimental value of a handmade blanket cannot be overstated. Others argue that they are more comfortable and loved than their store-bought alternatives. So, it is no surprise that homemade blankets are excellent gifts.
There is a wide range of designs and techniques covered in these blanket tutorials. All but a few of these blankets can be personalized for your family’s needs. All sewing patterns here are free; some are available with video tutorials.
Best Fabrics for Throw Blankets
The ideal fabric for a throw is highly dependent on the intended usage. Insulation or breathability don’t matter as much if the item is purely aesthetic. Choosing a lightweight material for a throw is particularly important if you plan to use it throughout the house.
If you’re looking for a throw that can be used year-round, it’s best to look at breathable and warm materials simultaneously.
Cotton
There are numerous advantages to owning a blanket that is made entirely of cotton. Allergy sufferers, newborns, or those with sensitive skin will appreciate the softness of cotton blankets.
Breathability is another benefit of cotton blankets in the summertime since they assist regulate your body’s temperature and will prevent you from waking up sweating at night.
Fleece
Known for being a popular fabric choice for throws, fleece is the best wool alternative if you’re short on cash or if you’re allergic to wool. It’s comparable to wool in terms of warmth and softness even if it’s made with synthetic fibers.
Fleece can wick away body moisture and has good insulation properties if you want to make a throw blanket to keep you warm. It’s more lightweight than wool and is also machine-washable.
Wool
When it comes down to keeping warm, nothing beats wool fibers. If you make a wool throw blanket, you’ll notice how great it is at insulating heat, keeping you nice and toasty during chilly days and nights.
It has high-temperature adaptability, which means that if you sweat under the blanket, it can wick away moisture and even provide some breathability. It’s fire-resistant, meaning you can safely use the blanket around heat sources. Because of all these benefits, wool tends to be pretty expensive.
Polyester
Polyester is a great material for a blanket if you are looking for a choice that is economical and durable. Polyester can be washed and dried indefinitely without altering its color or shape, and its price is typically lower than that of natural materials.
You should choose polyester fabrics that are combined with cotton if you want to get the best of both worlds. When you make a throw using poly blends, you get the durability of polyester combined with the breathability of natural fiber, such as cotton.
Acrylic
This particular fabric is a good alternative to more expensive materials, such as cashmere or wool. It’s hypoallergenic, costs less, and is more lightweight. Acrylic can mimic the feel of natural fibers, yet it is significantly easier to care for than genuine fibers.
Acrylic blankets can be washed in the washing machine, making it simple to clean them at home, and their colors remain vibrant even after repeated washes. Because of its synthetic nature, acrylic is not susceptible to being eaten by moths after it has been stored.
Tips on Making a Throw Blanket
Do you need more ideas on starting your throw blanket-making journey? No worries, I’ve got you covered.
Choose Beginner Patterns
If you’ve just started crocheting, you shouldn’t try to tackle a complicated pattern that uses a lot of different stitches all at once. This is an excellent pattern for novices since it allows them to learn to change colors while maintaining a straightforward striping pattern. In addition to that, the product’s final appearance is quite pleasing to the eye.
Add Embroidery on Simple Throws
By embellishing it with large-scale embroidery, a simple throw blanket can be transformed into a stunningly bohemian accent. To accomplish this, you need at least three different colors of chunky yarn. Having a broad concept of where to begin is much easier to achieve if you plan your pattern out in advance.
Tie the Ends on a Fleece Blanket
If you don’t want to spend time stitching, you may just knot the fleece blanket’s edges together. Consider using some of your excess yarn to make tassels for the edges instead
Patch Felt Pieces Together
You can use old wool sweaters for this project and felt fabric remnants from previous projects. To avoid the need for sewing, a yarn pom-pom is used to secure the corners of the pieces together. Because of its fragility, this throw is probably best suited for use by adults only and should not be given to children or dogs.
Use Pom-Poms as Embellishments
Think bigger while making a throw blanket if you want it to have a more opulent feel. This blanket will be more comfortable with a larger pom-pom. Alternatively, you can learn how to make your own pom-poms.
Fringe the Edges
Fringing the edges of a blanket is a quick and easy technique to finish without a sewing machine. You may achieve a store-bought look by using this technique on plaid flannel. There is no better present or addition to your collection than this rustic and squishy blanket.
Free Sewing Pattern Ideas for Throw Blanket
Aspen Mountain Throw Blanket
The super chunky yarn and an all-over gorgeous texture combine to create a classic throw blanket. Whether you’re decorating an Aspen chalet or your own living room, this classic winter blanket is the ideal fit. People of all ages will love the stitch pattern in your house. With big needles, it knits up swiftly and easily for beginning knitters. This wool blanket is the perfect project for cold winter days.
Flannel & Fur Blanket
You’ll need two different kinds of cloth to make this blanket. While this tutorial uses faux fur and flannel, you can combine the other two materials you’re more comfortable with. You’ll need about two and a half yards of each fabric, some thread, a sewing machine, a hand needle, pins, and scissors.
Chunky Knit Blanket
Using a large hook and simple stitches, the Bernat Big Ridge Crochet Throw is finished in no time! This video tutorial is perfect for people who are visual aid learners, as the tutorial shows you all the steps needed to see this project through. The result is a chunky blanket you can cuddle with during chilly days and nights.
Finley Crochet Blanket
This modern-looking blanket has a beautiful texture because of the use of two stitches that complement one another. You’ll appreciate the blanket’s rapid finishing time and perfect weight on those chilly summer nights. You will use a bean stitch and half-double crochet for this project. There’s even a handy video tutorial available for this sewing project.
DIY Throw Blanket
What can you do with a sewing machine and 2.25 yards of flannel? A cozy summer throw blanket that serves anyone who loves to spend their evenings outside. You can spice up this blanket in two ways, and both are covered in this guide. But, you can get this done in a jiffy. This throw blanket could be made in under an hour if the stripes weren’t painted on.
The Squishy Home Blanket
What a massive throw! With bulky yarn, finding a free crochet pattern for such a large blanket is rare. It’s fine if you don’t want an oversized blanket. Changing the size of the pattern is as simple as pulling a thread. Increasing or decreasing the length of your chain in two-step increments is all that is required.
Herringbone Crochet Blanket
An all-time favorite, this herringbone crochet blanket is admired for its rich appearance and straightforward design. Never before has a slipped stitch looked so nice! The classic herringbone texture can be achieved by strategically placing slipped stitches and carrying the yarn across the front of your creation. Bernat Blanket takes this well-known design to the next level of coziness with its luxuriously plush texture.
Afghan Throw Blanket
Crocheting blankets and Afghans is a great way for novices to get started. This new crochet throw blanket allows you to experiment with new yarns and stitches. Beginning crocheters will like working on the Saltwater Afghan due to the simple stitch pattern and limited usage of color variations. As opposed to working with stripes, you deal with blocks of color, which means you can only have one color on your project at a time.
FAQ
How many yards of fabric do I need for a throw blanket?
It honestly depends on what size you want the throw blanket to be. For a crib throw with a 29-inch width, you need about one yard of fabric, while an adult throw needs about 2 yards of fabric for a 48-inch-wide blanket.
What is the size of a throw blanket?
Most throw blankest can be found in various sizes, but the standard size for a throw is 50 x 60 inches. Of course, when you make your own throw, you can make it as small or as big as you want.
How do you finish the edge of a fleece blanket?
When you’re ready to finish the edge of a fleece throw blanket, you can fold by adding edge fringes or weaving fringe loops around the edges.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re making a throw blanket from old sweaters or investing in fleece or wool yarn to make the whole thing from scratch, the result will likely prove satisfactory. Making your own blanket isn’t just a money-saving idea – it gives you something to do in your free time. You just need a good idea and the perfect fabric, so be sure to have a look at our awesome selection!