It is difficult to imagine a person indifferent to special functional things. They always attract attention; you want to buy them or make them yourself. Take, for example, a blanket: thanks to the close attention of designers, such a product is both a stylish accent of the room and functional. Knitted blankets are unique; in their properties and performance characteristics they are not inferior to their textile counterparts, having a number of advantages.
Peculiarities
Knitted blankets are special types of bedspreads. Their main difference from conventional blankets is the manufacturing method: these products are knitted fabric. In most cases, such models are made of hypoallergenic material that does not irritate the skin. This is important for allergy sufferers and users with particularly sensitive skin that turns red from any contact with yarn. The production uses soft, body-friendly threads that do not have prickly inclusions.
Knitted blankets have a number of features. They:
- made from raw materials of natural or synthetic origin, as well as their composition (mixed threads);
- are carried out in bulk using professional equipment or are made by hand (for yourself and to order);
- have excellent elasticity and the ability to stretch, covering any type of surface without folds (relevant for cover models);
- depending on the type of yarn, they differ in thickness and relief (can be flat or voluminous);
- have no restrictions in choosing a pattern and flight of fancy;
- can be one-sided, double-sided, have a textile or fur base, or be an exclusively knitted product (depending on the model and the author’s imagination);
- based on the characteristics of the pattern and size, the quantities of yarn spent have different weights;
- They have not only the usual rectangular shape: they can be round, square, oval, hexagonal and unusual (in the form of animal skins, insects, envelopes);
- differ in the complexity and variety of patterns, allowing you to choose the most interesting option;
- are made for different sizes of beds (sofas) taking into account different age groups (for children, teenagers and adults);
- have a rich color palette, due to which they are an unobtrusive accent of any room and are able to visually change the space of the room in the right direction;
- are made in a single color or contrasting version, which is convenient for the color composition of interior items;
- Depending on the cost of the raw materials used, they have different prices, giving the buyer the opportunity to choose the most acceptable option, taking into account his taste and wallet.
Knitted blankets are unusual: you won’t find them in every home. These are not large-format extras, which is why they are popular. And if you take into account the creative approach with which craftswomen make such products, the results can often be called masterpieces of design art.
Often, “homemade” blankets are decorated with accessories (buttons, lace, fringe, cord, pom-poms, embroidery).
Functionality
Knitted blankets are not just beautiful capes. They are multifunctional. Along with the decorative function and the ability to add fresh colors to the usual design of the room, they:
- give a complete and neat look to the sleeping area (on the bed, sofa);
- can become a temporary cover for any upholstered furniture (sofa, armchair, modular design);
- can be used as a light blanket-blanket (relevant in summer and in the off-season);
- in products for infants, they are perfectly transformed into stylish envelopes, convenient for going for a walk or to the children's clinic;
- depending on the volume, the canvas can become a warm and soft rug, placed on top of the crib mattress or on the floor on top of the carpet (to maintain the baby’s warmth and hygiene);
- successfully replace a warm sweater or overalls, carefully enveloping the user sitting in front of the TV screen (relevant in a cold room);
- depending on the composition of the material used, they have healing properties (with regard to models made of sheep and camel wool);
- create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in the room.
Minuses
Alas, the best wool models are not suitable for everyone: despite the uniqueness of the threads and the best qualities of this material, some users are intolerant to it. Despite a lot of advantages, knitted blankets have several other disadvantages:
- in most cases, they cannot be placed on the mattress to vary the degree of softness (pressure on any knitting relief will leave “imprints” of the pattern on the body, which is harmful to blood flow);
- knitted blankets require a large amount of yarn in large sizes and a lot of time to make (at home);
- almost always problematic to care for and not resistant to machine washing (needs hand washing, gentle spinning, proper drying away from sunlight);
- dry after washing longer than textile analogues, requiring a large vertical surface (when dried in the usual way, they are stretched, deforming the pattern and reducing the width of the fabric);
- susceptible to dust accumulation, which creates a habitat for dust mites that cause allergies.
Types
Thanks to a creative approach, a knitted blanket can be of a special shape (with a hood, ears, buttons for transformation). According to the type of manufacturing, such a product can be made:
- By hand using knitting needles or crochet;
- By machine on a knitting machine or on production equipment.
The difference between the method of execution is immediately visible: the machine type often involves working with thinner yarn, using the maximum number of loops, an abundance of patterns and weaves. Such a product is created faster than its analogue manually, but requires an accurate count of the number of loops.
Blankets knitted on a production machine are always neat and uniform. Well-established technology allows knitting of any complexity and pattern, but is always limited by batch options.
Hand knitting differs in appearance: While the fabric is knitted, the degree of density of the loops may change. It is rarely as perfect as machine washing, but after washing, as a rule, the fabric looks more or less uniform. Manual labor is not limited by any technology, therefore it allows you to bring to life any fantasy of the author, demonstrating texture and pattern in the best light. In addition, it is easier to manually make composite fragments if the plaid model requires it.
Techniques and patterns
The methods for making a knitted blanket are different. In production, such products are knitted by machine using standard knitting. Homemade handcrafting is divided into four techniques:
- knitting in a straight line (from edge to edge with transition to the next row);
- in a circle (starting from the chain, adding loops in the corners with each new row);
- diagonally (oblique knitting technique);
- the method of creating and assembling individual fragments (from squares).
Each technology is individual, but before making a product, the knitting density (necessary for calculating the loops) and the description of the pattern are always taken into account.
Depending on the type of yarn, a blanket can be large or fine knitted, made with or without a three-dimensional pattern, with a pattern created using different colored threads in the form. The product can be made from:
- contrast stripes;
- geometric shapes;
- Norwegian ornaments;
- ethnic motives;
- New Year's theme;
- funny animals;
- African motifs;
- characters from children's cartoons.
One of the interesting techniques for making a blanket at home is to assemble a model from old sweaters. In this case, small-sized canvases cut into squares are used. The technique of assembling such a blanket requires a sewing machine and is generally reminiscent of working with patches in Patchwork. Knitted fragments of the same length and width are sewn together, finishing the edges with an overlocker (so that they do not spill out). In order for the blanket to have a “marketable” appearance, the reverse side is covered with a lining of fabric or fur.
As for patterns, they can be anything - from simple garter stitch to voluminous compositions.
Particularly popular decorations for knitted blankets are all kinds of braids, plaits, weaves, and combinations of stripes of alternating knit and purl stitches.
The most interesting plaid options can be created:
- Tunisian knitting - the “Afghan” crochet technique, in which the pattern is formed on the basis of a two-level row pattern;
- Bavarian knitting - crocheting in the round with composing fragments or a whole fabric in the form of a square;
- the Scandinavian way - knitting two-color jacquard garter stitch patterns in a Norwegian theme using knitting needles;
- double-sided knitting - simultaneously with two threads on knitting needles or one crochet.
The uniqueness of knitting may lie in its fragmentation: the fabric can be solid, but with different patterns, which is emphasized by the contrasting color of the yarn and other patterns.
Materials
Yarn for blankets can be absolutely any, but without adding metallized thread, which, although shiny, spoils the texture of the fabric and pricks the skin. Craftswomen often use leftover yarn to make such a bedspread, creating a colorful array of colors. In other cases, they buy especially thick yarn for hand knitting, which allows you to create a unique blanket scarf in a short time. The most popular raw materials used for knitted blankets are:
- cotton;
- acrylic;
- wool (Australian merino);
- wool mixture;
- "grass";
- a mixture of angora and acrylic;
- mohair;
- wool with acrylic.
Each type of material differs in its result: the “grass” options, knitted with knitting needles, are very soft, voluminous and pleasant to the body. Woolen and wool-blend blankets, complemented by a textile base, are worthy competitors to woven blankets.
Cotton models are lightweight, do not irritate the skin and are easy to care for.
Colors
The color palette of knitted blankets is multifaceted. Manufacturers offer a lot of options that can satisfy the most demanding preferences. More often, the lines consist of dark and practical tones: dark gray, burgundy, mustard, brick, blue, brown. The light range includes classic colors: white and beige, as well as pastel shades (pink, lilac, green, mint, lemon).
Homemade knitted blankets are often made in practical and rich colors. The favorites of the color palette of craftswomen are green, terracotta, orange, coral, crimson, melange (multi-colored from two to three tones). Products for children are distinguished by their colorful cheerfulness. These are the most interesting and bright blankets that have no limits in the choice of color.
Dimensions
The dimensions of a knitted blanket depend on the shape of the bed (sofa) and are individual in each case. For children, this figure can be 70x70, 80x100, 100x100, 70x125, 110x140 cm. Since such a product should cover not only the bed, but also the user, its size should be equal to height with a margin. Product sizes for adults can be 130x170, 140x180, 150x180, 150x200, 160x200, 160x220, 180x200 cm.
Blankets that are too voluminous are less comfortable, especially if they are made by hand.
Styles
The uniqueness of knitted blankets lies in the fact that they fit into any style of room - from Classic and Minimalism to Glamor and Empire. Typically, the basis of an idea depends on the pattern or color. A knitted blanket fits best into the style:
- Country;
- Provence;
- Vanguard;
- Art Nouveau;
- African;
- Baroque;
- Boho;
- Loft;
- Art Deco;
- Arab.
The type of room does not matter: a blanket is relevant in the bedroom, living room, hall, kitchen and even children's room, spacious loggia, veranda (decoration of a country house).
How to choose?
When buying a knitted blanket in a store, you should consider a number of nuances:
- availability of a certificate of quality and compliance with hygiene standards;
- availability of information about the composition of the material, the manufacturer, indicating the legal address and rules for caring for the blanket;
- heat index of the product;
- the presence of positive reviews about a particular store and the seller’s guarantee;
- correspondence between cost and quality (you can preview analogues and compare prices).
In order for the product to fit successfully into the type and design of the room, you cannot do without selecting a shade. If special functionality is planned (plaid-cocoon with a hood, blanket-envelope), “trying on” is advisable.
When ordering handmade work, it is worth specifying the design, knitting density, relief thickness and exact size. It is worth paying attention to quality: an excessively loose product is impractical: it is subject to mechanical damage, abrasion, and stretching of loops. You can take note of a couple of tips:
- It is better to choose options for winter (wool blankets) with a textile lining: they are warmer, and due to the woven base they retain the knitted fabric;
- an openwork handmade blanket is less practical than a 3D analogue of fine relief knitting made on a knitting machine;
- products made from fragments have a less durable connection and therefore require more careful handling;
- products with a large pattern are knitted faster, but are more airy, so they retain heat less (not suitable as blankets);
- woolen items have “dry” heat and lanolin, so if you need a healing effect, there is no better choice (antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect, prevention of colds);
- a product for a child must be functional, beautiful, but safe; various flat designs in the form of hearts, daisies, bears, hares with voluminous ears and other themes are acceptable, but ties, loops, hooks that can injure the baby are unacceptable;
- the item should be beautiful, functional, made from high-quality yarn that does not contain toxic dyes.
The blanket is knitted in one piece, the machines are knitted using the intarsia technique - each colored section is from a separate ball. The work is painstaking, but the result is worth it!
Size: approx. 77.5 x 86.5 cm (using recommended materials)
Materials:
- Lion Brand Vanna's Choice yarn - 100% high quality acrylic, 100 g / 156 m (or similar thickness yarn in the colors shown or in other colors):
A (149) – silver-gray – 3 skeins
B (151) - anthracite [dark gray] - 2 skeins
C (099) - flax [pale gray] - 1 skein
D (153) – black – 1 skein
E (172) - grass green - 1 skein
F (109) - blue - 1 skein
G (158) – mustard – 1 skein
N (134) - brick - 1 skein - ring needles 5.5 mm length 90-100 cm
- wool needles (no point)
Knitting density: 16 p. x 22 r. = 10 x 10 cm (stitch stitch on 5.5 mm needles)
Check the tightness of your knitting and use larger or smaller needles if necessary. If the knitting density matches, the finished product will be the same size, and the specified amount of yarn will be enough for you.
EXPLANATIONS
Chain stitch:
Facial surface: knit all stitches in knit rows, purl in purl rows.
Garter stitch: knit all stitches in knit and purl rows. The first and last 8 rows of the blanket, as well as the first and last 5 stitches along the edges, are knitted in garter stitch, forming a border that prevents the edges of the blanket from curling up.
Pattern "Road"(the number of loops is a multiple of 5 + 2 loops for symmetry)
Row 1 (persons): With yarn of color B, knit all sts.
Row 2 (purl): With yarn color B, knit all stitches purlwise.
Rows 3 and 4 are knitted using the jacquard technique.
Row 3:*yarn B 2 knits, yarn C 3 knits; rep. from *, knit the last 2 stitches. yarn B.
Row 4:*yarn B p2, yarn C k3; rep. from *, knit the last 2 sts. yarn B.
Row 5: With yarn B, knit all sts.
Row 6: With yarn B, knit all stitches purlwise.
Highway pattern(width 5 loops)
Row 1 (persons): yarn B k2, yarn C k1, yarn B k2.
Row 2 (purl): yarn B p2, yarn C k1, yarn B p2.
Repeat rows 1-2.
NOTES:
1. Circular knitting needles were used because they are more convenient for knitting large items. Knit them as usual, in forward and reverse directions.
2. Knit patterns using stockinette stitch, reading knit rows from right to left and purl rows from left to right.
3. When knitting using the jacquard technique, pull the non-working thread along the wrong side.
4. When knitting using the intarsia technique (in sections of different colors), do not pull the non-working thread along the wrong side, but knit each section from a separate ball (pre-wind the required amount). At the junction of sections, cross threads of different colors.
5. If desired, small sections of the pattern can be embroidered along the loops after finishing the knitting.
6. The border is knitted simultaneously with the blanket itself.
SCHEME
PLAID
Cast on 122 stitches with Yarn A.
Work 8 rows in garter stitch (border).
In the next persons. row, start knitting the “Road” pattern, while continuing to knit the first and last 5 loops of each row (border) in garter stitch.
First section with cars
Having completed 6 rows of the “Road” pattern, next. persons R. start knitting according to the patterns using the intarsia technique:
yarn A 5 stitches of the border, yarn B and C 5 stitches of the “Highway” pattern, yarn A 13 knits, 30 stitches of the 1st row of the “Orange Machine” pattern, yarn A 12 knits, 34 stitches of the 1st row of the “Truck” pattern, yarn A 13 knits, yarn B and C 5 sts of the “Highway” pattern, yarn A 5 sts of the border.
Continuing the first and last 10 sts of each row accordingly, knit according to the “Orange Car” and “Truck” patterns until the end of the patterns, knitting the loops between them with yarn A.
Having completed 26 rows according to the patterns, knit 10 rows, continuing to knit the first and last 10 sts of each row as indicated, and between them - all the loops with yarn A.
Second section with cars
yarn A 5 stitches of the border, yarn B and C 5 stitches of the Highway pattern, yarn A 9 knits, 30 stitches of the 1st row of the Blue Machine pattern, yarn A 9 knits, 5 stitches of the Highway pattern ”, yarn A 9 knits., 30 p. 1st row of the “Green Machine” pattern, yarn A 10 knit., 5 p. pattern “Highway”, yarn A 5 p. border.
Following the indicated sequence, knit 26 rows according to the patterns.
For the next 12 rows in height, knit the first and last 10 stitches of each row as indicated, the middle 5 stitches in the “Highway” pattern, and between them all stitches with yarn A.
Third section with cars
yarn A 5 stitches of the border, yarn B and C 5 stitches of the “Highway” pattern, yarn A 14 knits, 7 stitches of the 1st row of the “Traffic Light” pattern, yarn A 13 knits, 34 stitches of the 1st row pattern “Truck”, replacing yarn F (blue) with E (green), yarn A 13 knits, 7 p. 1st row of the “Traffic Light” pattern, yarn A 14 p., yarn B and C 5 p. pattern “ Highway", yarn A 5 p. border.
Then knit 10 rows, continuing to knit the first and last 10 sts of each row as indicated, and between them - all sts with yarn A.
The fourth section with cars
yarn A 5 sts of border, 5 sts of the “Highway” pattern, yarn A 9 knits, 30 sts of the 1st row of the “Blue Machine” pattern, yarn A 9 knits, 5 sts of the “Highway” pattern, yarn A 9 knits, 30 sts of the 1st row of the “Orange Machine” pattern, yarn A 10 knits, 5 sts of the “Highway” pattern, yarn A 5 sts of the border.
Observing the sequence, knit 26 rows according to the patterns.
For the next 12 rows in height, knit the first and last 10 stitches of each row as indicated, the middle 5 stitches with the “Highway” pattern, the remaining stitches with Yarn A.
Using Yarn A, knit 8 rows in garter stitch (border).
Close all loops.
Shutdown
Using Yarn D, chain stitch the outline of each wheel. Using yarn B, use a chain stitch to embroider the outline of each traffic light; using yarn E, G and H, respectively, embroider the traffic signals.
Hide all loose ends of the threads.
Size 1.5 x 15 m
You will need: yarn “Alpaca” (50% alpaca, 50% wool. 50 g/185 m): 400 g each of brown and ecru, 100 g of blue; yarn for finishing (50% wool, 50% acrylic, 50 g / 200 m): 50 g of zryu color.
Weave
Cooking surface.
Knitting density: 30 p. x 41 r. = 10 x 10 cm. Knitted in stockinette stitch on a Silver Reed knitting machine at density 6.
Attention! The blanket is made of three parts, connected to each other during knitting on a Silver Reed knitting machine at density 6.
Description of knitting
For the 1st part, use 150 needles (in zone 75-0-75). Cast on stitches using brown yarn in a pigtail (or cast on with waste thread). Knit in stockinette stitch. Having knitted 6 rows from the beginning of work, *on the right side of the fabric, use a decker to transfer the loop from the 4th needle to the 5th. Leave the freed needle in use. Knit 5 more rows in stockinette stitch*. From * to * repeat until the end of the details. On the 205th row, change the brown yarn to ecru yarn and knit another 204 rows. After 408 rows, change the yarn to brown and knit another 204 rows. After knitting 612 rows on the counter, remove the loops from the needles onto a waste thread.
For the 2nd part, use 150 needles (in zone 75-0-75). Cast on stitches using ecru yarn in a pigtail (or cast on with waste thread). Knit in stockinette stitch. After 6 rows (carriage on the right), start making holes on the right side of the fabric, as on the 1st part. At the same time, on the left side, begin to attach the 1st part as follows: take the part with the wrong side facing you, the holes are located on the right. Insert the three-needle decker into the first hole from the bottom, remove the 3 leftmost loops of the 2nd piece from the needles, pull them through the first hole of the 1st piece and put them back on the needles. Transfer the loop from the 1st needle to the 5th. Knit another 5 rows in stockinette stitch, then again make a hole on the right side and a connection on the left side. After 204 rows, change the yarn to blue. After another 204 rows, change the yarn to ecru yarn. Continue making holes on the left side and connecting parts on the right until row 612. Slip the stitches off the needles onto a waste thread.
For the 3rd part, use 150 needles (in zone 75-0-75). Cast on stitches using brown yarn in a pigtail (or cast on with waste thread). Knit in stockinette stitch, alternating the color of the yarn, as in the 1st part. Connect to the 2nd part on the left side, as described above. After knitting 612 rows on the counter, remove the loops from the needles onto a waste thread.
Assembly:
Steam the blanket. Crochet open loops and remove waste thread. To finish the edge of the blanket with finishing yarn, cast on 4 stitches with a braid. The carriage is on the right. On the same needles, place 4 internodal bows of the edge of the blanket. Knit 8 rows. *Place the next 4 interstitial edge arches on the same needles, knit another 8 rows*. Repeat from * to * along the entire perimeter of the blanket.
Size 1.5 x 15 m
You will need: yarn “Alpaca” (50% alpaca, 50% wool. 50 g/185 m): 400 g each of brown and ecru, 100 g of blue; yarn for finishing (50% wool, 50% acrylic, 50 g / 200 m): 50 g of zryu color.
Weave
Cooking surface.
Knitting density: 30 p. x 41 r. = 10 x 10 cm. Knitted in stockinette stitch on a Silver Reed knitting machine at density 6.
Attention! The blanket is made of three parts, connected to each other during knitting on a Silver Reed knitting machine at density 6.
Description of work
For the 1st part, use 150 needles (in zone 75-0-75). Cast on stitches using brown yarn in a pigtail (or cast on with waste thread). Knit in stockinette stitch. Having knitted 6 rows from the beginning of work, *on the right side of the fabric, use a decker to transfer the loop from the 4th needle to the 5th. Leave the freed needle in use. Knit 5 more rows in stockinette stitch*. From * to * repeat until the end of the details. On the 205th row, change the brown yarn to ecru yarn and knit another 204 rows. After 408 rows, change the yarn to brown and knit another 204 rows. After knitting 612 rows on the counter, remove the loops from the needles onto a waste thread.
For the 2nd part, use 150 needles (in zone 75-0-75). Cast on stitches using ecru yarn in a pigtail (or cast on with waste thread). Knit in stockinette stitch. After 6 rows (carriage on the right), start making holes on the right side of the fabric, as on the 1st part. At the same time, on the left side, begin to attach the 1st part as follows: take the part with the wrong side facing you, the holes are located on the right. Insert the three-needle decker into the first hole from the bottom, remove the 3 leftmost loops of the 2nd piece from the needles, pull them through the first hole of the 1st piece and put them back on the needles. Transfer the loop from the 1st needle to the 5th. Knit another 5 rows in stockinette stitch, then again make a hole on the right side and a connection on the left side. After 204 rows, change the yarn to blue. After another 204 rows, change the yarn to ecru yarn. Continue making holes on the left side and connecting parts on the right until row 612. Slip the stitches off the needles onto a waste thread.
For the 3rd part, use 150 needles (in zone 75-0-75). Cast on stitches using brown yarn in a pigtail (or cast on with waste thread). Knit in stockinette stitch, alternating the color of the yarn, as in the 1st part. Connect to the 2nd part on the left side, as described above. After knitting 612 rows on the counter, remove the loops from the needles onto a waste thread.
Assembly
Steam the blanket. Crochet open loops and remove waste thread. To finish the edge of the blanket with finishing yarn, cast on 4 stitches with a braid. The carriage is on the right. On the same needles, place 4 internodal bows of the edge of the blanket. Knit 8 rows. *Place the next 4 interstitial edge arches on the same needles, knit another 8 rows*. Repeat from * to * along the entire perimeter of the blanket.
