When I had Craft Boss over this weekend, I taught her how to spin and as she practiced I cast on Gigantic Blankie.
Gigantic Blankie
I had seen this idea in an FO Friday post from Tami’s Amis a few weeks ago, by A Stash Addict – the basic concept is that you take big needles and cast on with multiple strands of yarn. I had a huge amount of DK acrylic lying around that I’ve been trying to get rid of for ages – remember Kittylow!?
So, I’m using eight strands of yarn with 15 mm needles. The original plan was 12 strands with 24 mm needles, but I couldn’t find those ones…and the 15 mm are already hard enough to hold! My housemates were laughing at me and saying the needles are ‘comically big’.
I already love the Gigantic Blankie. The colour combinations have come out really well – I am just tying in a new ball of yarn when one runs out, and I’m taking full advantage of having loads of funky fur which looks incredible in the blanket. I am not sure how practical it is going to be…it may end up being one of those knits that you make and then it sits around collecting dust because you can’t actually use it.
That said, there are fewer things I love more than curling up under a blanket of an evening with a cup of hot chocolate and my knitting, so we will see. It’s not really wide enough at the moment – I may have to make another one and sew them together. We will see what happens!
All I need now is the cat….!
Have you ever tried something similar? What would you make?
Much love,
Corrie
PS have you entered the Knitted Cats and Kittens giveaway yet? Check out a review and details of how to do so here.
Ahhh yeah I seen A Stash Addict’s giant blanket, and yours looks amazing too! I think it would be really cool to try something like this and very snuggly too!
Ohhh thank you so much I had forgotten who it was! Have updated the post…definitely going to have to make another one to make it as wide as hers!
What a great idea. I will have to try that!
I recommend it! It knits up so quickly too :)
OMG I LOVE THE IDEA!!! lovely colors ! fun idea! I wish I had enough yarn to do that…
I’m using REALLY cheap yarn that I’ve had for years, if you want to do it visit some charity shops and look out for some bargains :)
I love it!!!!! What a great idea to use up your yarn, I may having a go at one myself. Deb x
I will look out for it!
The mix of wools looks beautiful together.
Thank you, I was a bit nervous because I didn’t plan it, but I suppose I must buy to a certain family of shades/colour pallets because it could have looked absolutely awful…
I saw A Stash Addict’s gigantic blankie and I was thinking of doing something similar. I really really love how yours is turning out! Are you using mostly full skeins or bits and pieces?
I’m using a mixture of each. Quite a lot of full skeins of light blue that I bought for a jumper then realised the colour would look awful on me…and bits and pieces of left-overs from other projects.
Oh yes, I knitted a sweater when I was about 16 years old. There was so much left over yarn from socks my mother had knitted for us 5 children. I also took four strands and just started knitting. The sweater turned out beautiful.
But I haven’t thought about it for a long time. Then on my little brother’s wedding someone showed photographs of him (and the bride of course) and there he was wearing my leftover sweater. I still tink it turned out beautiful. :-)
This is a lovely story! Any chance you could share the photos, I’d love to see it!
I love the collection of colours together, you’re going to have a very cosy blanket when you’re done :)
It’s already lovely to work on as the evenings get colder!
The giant blanket looks awesome. And yes, the fun fur just adds to it! It’s going to be glorious! Wanna knit one for me? LOL!
Haha, how much you wanna pay me?! :P Jokes, it is really easy you should definitely try it.
I do something very similar! I use four strands of acrylic or other yarn I know I won’t use, a size Q crochet hook or 15US knitting needles, and make cat mats to give to a local cat rescue! It’s an awesome way to use up acrylic, and the mats are only about 12″x18″, so they knit/crochet up fast. I don’t know if I could handle 8 strands of yarn, though :)
This sounds a lot more generous than what I am doing, now you make me feel bad! It’s OK, I haven’t had any tangles (yet…touch wood) but I am finding a few strands where one or other of the colours hasn’t been pulled tight with the others. It’s fine.
It looks lovely, so cozy! I would definitely use it – I’m sure you will too.
I hope so! Thank you.
Your giant blanket is really interesting with all its colours! It seems to be cosy too. Great project.
Thank you! No doubt I will update about it soon.
That looks amazing, what a great idea. I’m off to investigate my stash……
Your blanket in the works look already fabulous! Love all the colours together, really nice!
That’s similar to the Garter Squish pattern by Stephen West, but more colorful!