Chunky knit blankets are very on trend right now and have grown in popularity because of their cozy, luxurious look and feel. And with the increasing popularity of different ways of knitting it’s become easier than ever to DIY one but before you get started you may be wondering how much chunky yarn do I need to make a blanket? The answer depends on a number of variables and to answer that I’m going to walk you through this easy guide for how much chunky yarn to make a blanket taking into account blanket sizes, knitting methods, and yarn weights.
Factors That Affect How Much Chunky Yarn to Make a Blanket
1. Blanket Size
Different sizes of blankets require different amounts of yarn. Clearly the bigger the blanket, the more yarn you will need. So let’s talk about some of the standard blanket sizes out there:
- Baby Blanket: 30” x 40”
- Throw Blanket: 50” x 60”
- Twin Blanket: 70” x 90”
- Queen Blanket: 90” x 100”
- King Blanket: 108” x 108”
BUT the amount of yarn needed isn’t just determined by blanket size, it also depends on your knitting method for your cozy blanket and yarn weight as well.
2. Knitting Method
There’s basically 3 different ways you can knit a blanket and the one you choose will significantly affect your yarn usage:
- Finger Knitting: This is a great method for beginners who don’t know how to use needles. The good news is you use your fingers to create stitches so you don’t need any special tools. It produces a looser texture, which might use slightly less yarn than other methods.
- Arm Knitting: This is another good method for those who don’t know how to use knitting needles. To arm knit you use your arms as giant knitting needles, which results in larger stitches and a more open weave. Usually you will use more yarn with arm knitting than with finger knitting.
- Knitting with Needles: Traditional knitting with knitting needles allows you to make tight, controlled stitches. This method typically requires more yarn, especially if you use smaller needles to knit a dense blanket.
For a chunky blanket arm knitting is probably the best choice of method but you can make a chunky blanket the other ways too.
3. Yarn Weight
Yarn is organized into size categories based on weight. The weight of the yarn that you choose will affect how much you will need. For a chunky blanket you will want to use a yarn from the higher weight categories.
- Bulky (Weight 5): This is thicker than standard yarn but still fairly lightweight. Using bulky will require more yardage than a higher weight.
- Super Bulky (Weight 6): Some people like to use this weight for chunky blankets because it offers a balance between yardage and texture.
- Jumbo (Weight 7): This category is the thickest yarn available and is the most ideal for finger or arm knitting. It will require the least amount of skeins compared to the other weights above. This is a popular choice for chunky knitting.
You always want to read the yarn label for what you buy because it will list yardage and tool recommendation information.
Yarn Requirements by Blanket Size
So let me make some more specific recommendations for how many skeins of yarn you need. Here are some estimates of how much chunky yarn to make a blanket for different blanket sizes and knitting methods:
| Blanket Size | Finger Knitting (Jumbo Yarn) | Arm Knitting (Jumbo Yarn) | Needles (Bulky Yarn) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby (30″ x 40″) | 3-4 skeins | 4-5 skeins | 5-6 skeins |
| Throw (50″ x 60″) | 6-8 skeins | 8-10 skeins | 9-12 skeins |
| Twin (70″ x 90″) | 10-12 skeins | 12-14 skeins | 14-16 skeins |
| Queen (90″ x 100″) | 15-17 skeins | 16-18 skeins | 18-20 skeins |
| King (108″ x 108″) | 18-20 skeins | 20-22 skeins | 22-25 skeins |
Important Note: The above estimates are based on standard skeins of jumbo or bulky yarn, which typically have 20-25 yards per skein. Adjust if your skeins contain more or less yardage.
My Experience
I recently finger knit a throw blanket that is 42 inches X 60 inches. This is a bit smaller than the typical throw size blanket but I was eyeballing it a little. I used Yarnspirations Bernat Blanket Extra Thick yarn. The packaging says that it is size 7 Jumbo. One package of yard weighs 21.2 ounces and has 72 yards of yarn. To make my chunky hand knit blanket I used 3 packages of it.
I’ll be sharing a blog post with a video tutorial for how I made my chunky knit yarn blanket soon so that you can make your own blanket. I will provide a step-by-step guide from how to start with a simple slip knot to adding each new loop to finishing off the very last row until you have a beautiful blanket.
How to Calculate Yarn Needs for Your Specific Blanket
If you want to figure out exactly what amount of yarn you will need then you can do the following:
Step 1: Decide Your Blanket Dimensions
Figure out the length and width size you want your blanket to be. Use the guide above or make up your own.
Step 2: Choose Your Knitting Method
The next step is to determine which knitting method you’re going to try for your chunky knit project- finger knitting, arm knitting, or needle knitting. As discussed above each method will impact stitch density and how much yarn you will use.
Step 3: Pick Your Yarn Weight
Taking into account your chosen knitting method pick out a yarn weight that is appropriate and that you like the look and feel of. Bulky yarns are good for arm and finger knitting projects.
Step 4: Swatch and Measure
Before starting your actual blanket, knit a small 10” x 10” swatch. Keep track of how much yarn you use or unravel the swatch and measure how much you used to make it. Use that number to then calculate the total yardage you will need for your full blanket. For example:
- If you used 20 yards to make your swatch and your blanket size is 50” x 60” (3000 square inches), you divide 3000 by 100 (the size of the swatch) and get 30, because the blanket is 30 times the size of your swatch. You then multiply by 20 (yardage used for the swatch), to get 600 yards of yarn, which is what you would need to make the entire blanket.
Advice for Choosing the Right Chunky Yarn
1. Types of Chunky Yarn
- Wool Roving: This is best yarn for decorative throws because it is soft and luxurious but is also prone to pilling and shedding. I have seen some very pretty ones made from chunky merino wool and these gorgeous blankets look the best in my opinion but they are not the most livable for real life with a family.
- Acrylic: This type of yarn is great for everyday use because it is affordable, durable, and machine washable.
- Blended Fibers: This is exactly what it sounds like, a blend of natural and synthetic materials to get the best of both worlds.
- Tube yarn: This is yarn that is made by weaving of knitting fabric on the outside and filling it with fibers (often polyester filling) on the inside. This super fat yarn is a popular choice for making a chunky throw.
2. Texture and Durability
You need to think about how you’ll use the blanket. Choose tightly spun yarns that resist wear and tear for high-use items.
3. Budgeting for Yarn
The chunky yarns are expensive and you use a decent amount of it to make a blanket. I try to wait for sales and/or use coupons. And be sure to buy an extra skein or two in case you run out in the middle of the project. Most stores allow you to return extra yarn if it’s unopened and if you have your receipt.
Tips for Making a Chunky Yarn Blanket
1. Underestimating Yarn Needs
Buy a little more yarn than you think you will need. The extra trip to the store when you run out of yarn is annoying and sometimes you can’t find an exact match when you don’t buy it all at the same time.
2. Choosing the Wrong Yarn Weight
Try to match your yarn weight to your method. You want a heavier yarn for arm and finger knitting so that you can get that truly chunky look.
3. Skipping the Swatch
Swatching is annoying but it is the best way to accurately calculate what you’re going to need.
FAQs About Chunky Yarn Blankets
Can I mix different types of chunky yarn?
You can mix and match but I would make sure they look good together and that the yarns have similar care instructions.
What if I run out of yarn mid-project?
If you do run out of yarn try to find the same dye lot of the same yarn.
How do I care for a chunky yarn blanket?
Caring for your blanket will depend on what the yarn is made of. Check your specific yarn for washing instructions but in general:
- Wool Roving: You want to handwash gently and then lay flat to dry.
- Acrylic or Blends: You can machine wash your blanket on a gentle cycle and then lay it flat to dry to maintain shape.
Chunky yarn blankets are very beautiful and stylish, fun projects to make. I hope that this guide helped you figure out how to determine how much chunky yarn to make a blanket. Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments below and good luck with making your chunky knit blanket!
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