Once you’ve learned the knit and purl stitches, what would be a good first project? A blanket is a straight forward easy choice. You will be able to see results quickly in comparison to other, more complicated projects.
What size blanket should I knit first?
I never enjoyed knitting doll blankets. They always seemed too small for me to be able to really “get into” the pattern. BUT, for a first-time blanket knitter, that might be a good choice.
To know that you’ll be able to actually gift your first project, you can never go wrong by choosing a baby blanket for a number of reasons. First, a baby blanket lets you get the feel of the yarn and the needles. That way, if you hate a particular yarn or a particular set of needles, you’ll know by the time you’ve knitted a couple of rows. Second, baby blankets are big enough to let you get comfortable with a pattern or stitch that your pattern may call for without getting so disgustingly bored that you want to throw your knitting needles in the trash! (BLASPHEMY!!!) And third, baby blankets are (fairly) portable projects, so you can take your knitting along on any road trips if you’re so inclined.
How long does it take a beginner to knit a blanket?
Short answer: that depends.
Long answer: that depends upon a number of factors, such as the size of the yarn and the needles you use, the size of the blanket you wish to knit, the ease of knitting with your selected yarn, the time you have to dedicate to the project, any distractions you may have in your environment (such as a toddler or a fur-baby or a needy partner or an addiction to House or some other type of distraction), and how fast you can knit.
I’m sure there are other factors, as well, but those are the most important ones. Here are guesstimated times for various sized blankets:
| Type of blanket | Width (inches) | Length (inches) | Hours to knit for a beginner |
| Very small doll blanket | 10 | 12 | 3 |
| Barbie-type doll blanket | 14 | 18 | 5 |
| Doll blanket | 24 | 24 | 6 |
| Baby blanket | 30 | 40 | 12 |
| Swaddling Blanket | 36 | 36 | 15 |
| Nursery blanket | 45 | 55 | 20 |
| Small lap blanket or wrap | 24 | 48 | 18 |
| Medium lap blanket | 30 | 50 | 18 |
| Large lap blanket | 50 | 60 | 24-30 |
| Twin size blanket | 68 | 86 | 36-48 |
Of course, times will vary greatly by individual. These times represent total time probably spread over several sessions.
How many balls of yarn do I need for a blanket?
Short answer: that depends.
Long answer: that depends upon what size yarn and needles you use, what size blanket you want to knit, what pattern you choose to knit, whether you are a loose knitter or a tight knitter or a knitter who works to gauge, and whether you want to add a binding in knit or crochet.
Sounds like Greek, doesn’t it?
The thinner the yarn, the more it takes to achieve a specific size of project.
The smaller the diameter of your needles, the more yarn it takes to achieve a specific size of project.
A doll blanket takes considerably less yarn than, say, a king-size blanket for your bed. (Duh!)
Most recent knitting patterns will give you an approximation of the yardage of yarn. Don’t worry about weight! Yarn weight merely tells you how light or heavy your finished project will be. The most important yarn measurement is the yardage. If a specific yardage number isn’t provided, Google the specific type of yarn suggested for the project and look up the yardage on the yarn description. If the pattern calls for 8 balls of Berocco superwash wool in DK size, for example, you search for Berocco superwash wool in DK size. This yarn is 217 yards to the ball. Eight balls would be 1,736 yards of yarn. If you don’t want to use the recommended yarn, you can just purchase enough of a similar-size yarn (DK, fingering, worsted, bulky, whatever) to know that you have enough to knit the blanket.
If you are a tight knitter, you will likely use a little bit less yarn than the project calls for…a little bit less. If you knit loosely, you will need more yarn. If you knit to gauge, the number given in the pattern should work for you. TIP: Always take time to make a gauge swatch with the selected yarn to make certain you’ll have enough yarn!
Adding a binding in the same yarn, either knit or crocheted, will almost always require that you buy extra yarn.
Can you knit a blanket with straight needles?
Sure you can! The question should be “do you WANT to knit a blanket with straight needles?” Blankets get pretty heavy in your lap and on straight needles, that weight could make your hands ache, as well. It can be done; I’ve done it myself…before I discovered the miracle that is circular knitting needles!
How to knit a blanket with circular needles
Circular knitting needles are two needles that are joined with a flexible cable. The whole point of circular needles is to be able to knit in a circle, which allows knitters to avoid those nasty things called SEAMS.
However, if you’re going to knit a blanket, you don’t need to knit in a circle. You just need to be able to knit straight, or back and forth. Using a circular needle actually allows the bulk/weight of your knitting to rest on the flexible cable, instead of at the end of a straight needle. Having all the bulk of your knitting on your lap instead of on one end of a straight needle protects your hands and wrists from the strain of trying to support the weight of a blanket on the end instead of in your lap.
Beginning knitters also asked:
What is the easiest thing for a beginner to knit?
| Dishcloth | Absolute easiest project. I wrote about knitting a dishcloth in an earlier post: https://knittingwithanita.com/how-to-knit-a-dishcloth/ |
| Scarf | Knitting a scarf is a very good choice for a first project, too. It just takes more time than a dishcloth. |
| Shawl | Knitting a shawl can be challenging and might not be suitable for an absolute beginner unless you have an extreme about of patience and attention to detail. |
| Poncho | Just like a shawl, knitting a poncho might not be the best project for a beginning knitter. |
Should I learn to crochet or knit first?
Short answer: that depends.
Long answer: that depends on a number of factors. (Haven’t you heard this song before?!) Crocheting requires only 1 hook versus 2 knitting needles…unless you’re using circular needles, in which case you’re technically only using one device. Crocheting uses more yarn, interestingly enough. Crocheting is also faster, generally. Crocheting has a multitude of different stitches, whereas knitting only really has two–knit and purl. All the different stitch combinations in knitting are based upon those two stitches. Crocheting can result in a more lacy-type fabric, unless you’re knitting lace.
Final answer? What you knit first is completely up to you!
Happy knitting!
~Anita