Blankets, afghans, throws — they can be called by any name, sometimes it depends on what region of the country you’re in. But these no-sew, cozy fleece blankets are a fun, colorful touch for your holiday decorating. They are also so soft and cozy that you will enjoy being wrapped up in one of these during the chilly evenings. And when you need an inexpensive, but homemade gift — these can be well under $15- $20 each, just watch for the sales.
This year my Just-Friends group is making fifty of these to give to a children’s non-profit. Other charitable uses would be for homeless groups, cancer-chemo patients, the list goes on and on. If you make it, there will be someone who will love it.
Supplies:
- 1 1/2 yards of patterned fleece*
- 1 1/2 yards of coordinating (solid?) fleece
- sharp fabric scissors
- large pins (helpful when starting)
*Stick to basic fleeces that are machine wash and tumble dry. Almost all of them are, but there are a few novelty fabrics that will cause you fits when washing.
How to:
- Spread out both pieces of fabric on a large flat surface. With right sides facing OUT, smooth fabric out until there are no wrinkles or fabric bunching. If there is an ugly selvage, trim it off.
- Pin or place the two pieces together about five or six inches from the edges, don’t worry if one piece is slightly larger than the other, just trim off the excess.
- Cut a 4 – 5″ square off each corner, this is what size your fringe will be before tying. The fringe will “shrink” in size quite a bit once it is double knotted. I like to use a 5″ square and then cut the fringe in 5″ long slits all around the blanket, approximately 1″ apart.
- Now the fun part — tying the fringe. Starting at one corner tie the first two pieces of fringe together. Remember you are tying the patterned fleece to the plain fleece.
- Tie with a double knot — the knot shouldn’t be super tight.
- Tie a few fringes in on each corner (which helps keep the fabric straight).
- Finish tying the rest of the fringe around the throw.
That’s it. You’re finished and ready to start the next one.
