How To Knit A Blanket With Circular Needles

In this blog post, you will see how to knit a blanket with circular needles.

Knitting a blanket can be a rewarding project that keeps you cozy during colder months or adds a beautiful touch to your living space. 

Using circular needles not only allows you to work on larger projects without worrying about the length of straight needles but also helps to evenly distribute the weight of your work as it grows.

How To Knit A Blanket With Circular Needles 

Knitting a blanket on circular needles is a great way to manage the weight of a larger project while keeping your stitches manageable.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Are Circular Knitting Needles Good For Blankets?   

Circular knitting needles are excellent for knitting blankets! 

The main advantage of circular needles is their long cable, which can hold a large number of stitches comfortably, making them ideal for big projects like blankets. 

Unlike straight needles, where stitches can get crowded or heavy on your hands, circular needles distribute the weight across the cable, reducing strain on your wrists and hands. 

Circular needles also allow you to knit back and forth in rows, just like straight needles, so you can easily work flat projects without knitting in the round. 

They’re available in different cable lengths, so you can choose the one that best fits the width of your blanket. 

What Length Of Circular Needles For A Blanket?    

For knitting a blanket, the ideal length of circular needles generally depends on the size of the blanket, but a cable length of 32 to 60 inches is typically recommended. 

For smaller blankets, such as baby blankets, a 32-inch cable usually provides enough room to hold all the stitches without crowding. 

For larger blankets, like throws or bed-sized blankets, lap blankets, and afghans, a 40 to 60-inch cable is ideal, giving you plenty of space to comfortably accommodate a high stitch count. 

The longer cable also helps distribute the weight of the blanket, making it easier on your wrists and allowing you to see the full width of your project as you work. 

Using the right length of circular needles ensures a smoother, more enjoyable knitting experience, especially on larger projects. 

If you love knitting in the round, invest in a set with needle tips and cord lengths in different sizes. 

Check out interchangeable circular needle sets here. 

Related Post: How To Measure Circular Knitting Needles – A Guide

What Is The Best Yarn For A Knitted Blanket? 

The best yarn for a knitted blanket is one that combines warmth, durability, and ease of care, making wool blends, acrylic, or cotton-acrylic blends excellent choices. 

Wool and wool-blend yarns are ideal for blankets meant to be extra warm and cozy, as wool is naturally insulating and has a soft, luxurious feel. 

If you prefer a more budget-friendly or hypoallergenic option, high-quality acrylic yarn is a great choice; it’s soft, warm, and can withstand frequent washing without losing shape or color. 

Cotton-acrylic blends are also perfect for year-round blankets as they are breathable yet warm and are soft on the skin, making them suitable for anyone with sensitive skin. 

Whichever you choose, ensure the yarn is machine washable to make caring for your knitted blanket easy and convenient.

Learn everything about yarn fibers here – Yarn Types Explained: A Guide To Different Fibers 

What Is The Best Yarn Weight For A Blanket?

The best yarn weight for a knitted blanket typically depends on the desired warmth, drape, and texture. 

For a warm, cozy blanket with substantial thickness, bulky yarns (chunky #5) or super bulky (jumbo #6) yarns are ideal. 

These heavier weights make the blanket warm and work up quickly, creating a soft, plush feel. 

If you prefer a lighter, more versatile blanket, a worsted-weight (medium #4) yarn is a great option; it offers good warmth and durability without being overly heavy, making it suitable for all seasons. 

For a more lightweight, drapey blanket, especially for warmer climates or summer use, a DK (light #3) yarn provides a softer, airier fabric. 

Learn everything about the different yarn weights here – Yarn Weight Guide {+Conversion Chart}

Learn how to read a yarn label here – How To Read A Yarn Label (Step By Step)

How Much Yarn Do You Need For A Blanket?

The amount of yarn needed for a blanket depends on the size of the blanket and the yarn weight you choose. 

Worsted Weight Yarn: Throw Blanket: Approx 2,000 yds

Bulky Weight Yarn: Throw Blanket: Approx 1,500 yds

Super Bulky Weigh Yarnt: Throw Blanket: Approx 1,000 yds

These estimates provide a good starting point, but the exact amount can vary based on stitch pattern, tension, and personal gauge. 

Always buy a little extra to account for any adjustments.

Can You Knit Flat On Circular Needles?   

You can absolutely knit flat on circular needles! While circular needles are often associated with knitting in the round, they are also very versatile for flat knitting projects. 

To knit flat on circular needles, you simply turn your work at the end of each row, just as you would with straight needles. 

Related Post: Knitting Flat With Circular Needles (+ Video Tutorial)

Do you join the knitting when making a blanket with circular needles?

No, when you knit a blanket with circular needles, you generally do not join the knitting in the round. 

Instead, you use circular needles to hold a large number of stitches comfortably, allowing you to knit back and forth in rows just as you would on straight needles. 

The flexibility of the circular needle’s cable provides more room, making it easier to manage the width of a blanket without crowding your stitches. 

Joining the stitches is only necessary when you’re creating projects like hats or garments that require a continuous circular shape, but for a blanket, you’ll simply turn your work at the end of each row and continue knitting flat.

Related Post: How To Join Knitting In The Round With Circular Knitting Needles 

What Is A Good Knitting Stitch For A Blanket?

A good knitting stitch for a blanket depends on the look, texture, and warmth you want.

1. Garter Stitch 

This stitch is created by knitting every row, resulting in a soft, squishy fabric with a lovely texture.

It’s beginner-friendly, lies flat, and creates a warm, cozy blanket with a bit of stretch.

This is the perfect choice for your first blanket. 

Learn how to knit the garter stitch knitting pattern here – How To Knit Garter Stitch For Beginners (Tutorial) 

2. Stockinette Stitch

Made by alternating rows of knit and purl stitches, stockinette stitch creates a smooth, classic look on the front with a bumpy texture on the back.

It’s great for a sleek, modern blanket, but may need a border (like garter stitch) to prevent curling.

It’s a great choice for a new knitter.

Learn how to knit the stockinette stitch here – How To Knit Stockinette Stitch (For Beginners)

3. Seed Stitch (or Moss Stitch)

This textured stitch alternates knit and purl stitches within each row, creating a beautifully bumpy fabric that’s both visually interesting and lies flat.

Seed stitch is versatile and works well with both solid colors and variegated yarns. A seed stitch blanket will look amazing in a solid color. 

Learn how to knit the seed stitch here – How To Knit Seed Stitch For Beginners 

4. Ribbing (e.g 1×1 or 2×2)

Ribbing creates a stretchy, textured fabric, which can add structure and a cozy feel to your blanket.

This stitch is also reversible, so it looks good on both sides of the blanket.

This stitch makes for an easy-knit blanket pattern.

Learn how to knit ribbing here – How To Knit Rib Stitch Patterns (1×1 and 2×2 ribbing)

5. Basketweave

This stitch combines blocks of knit and purl stitches to mimic the look of a woven pattern.

It’s perfect for adding depth and texture, and it lies flat, making it ideal for blankets.

Learn how to knit the basketweave stitch here – How To Knit The Basket Weave Stitch – Easy Tutorial

6. Chevron or Wave Pattern

This decorative stitch uses increases and decreases to create a zig-zag pattern, giving your blanket a unique, stylish look.

It’s a bit more advanced but adds great visual interest.

Perfect for advanced and intermediate knitters.

Check out chevron stitch patterns here – 31 Free Chevron Knitting Patterns (+ A Stitch Tutorial)

Experiment with a new stitch pattern

These stitches can add something special to your blanket, whether you’re looking for simplicity, texture, or a decorative pattern.  

Choose the one that fits your personal preference.

To make sure you find the best stitch for you, make a gauge swatch with your preferred stitch and yarn before committing to a full project. 

What Supplies Do You Need To Knit A Blanket In The Round? 

To knit a blanket in the round, you’ll need a few additional supplies beyond yarn, needles, and the pattern. 

A stitch marker is essential to mark the beginning of each round, helping you keep track as you work. 

Tapestry needles (or darning needles) will help you weave in yarn ends neatly and seamlessly once you’ve finished. 

Scissors are a must for trimming yarn ends, and a measuring tape is handy to track the blanket’s size as it grows, ensuring it meets your desired dimensions. 

For larger projects, cable connectors or cable extenders may be useful to expand the length of your circular needles, giving you more room for the blanket as it gets wider. 

Finally, having a row counter or notebook nearby can help you keep track of row counts and pattern repeats for consistency throughout the project. 

With the right tools on hand, you’ll be set up for a smooth and organized knitting experience.

Knitting Lessons

If you are new to the craft and need help with the knitting basics, check out more free how-to resources here: Knitting Lessons (With Video Tutorials).

There, you will find step-by-step tutorials for all the different knitting techniques a newbie needs to know. 

This includes how to cast on, how to bind off, how to knit the basic stitches, how to knit short rows, and more. 

Also included is a list of knitting abbreviations (UK + US terms), a knitting needle size guide, and more.

If you need more video tutorials, check out my YouTube channel here – Handy Little Me – YouTube.

For extra help and to connect with more makers, check out the Handylittleme Facebook group.

More Free Blanket Patterns 

Check out more easy knitting patterns below…

• Easy Squishy Knit Throw Blanket Pattern
• Chunky Cable Knit Blanket Pattern
• Temperature Blanket Pattern
• How To Make A Chunky Knit Blanket For Beginners
• Christmas Blanket Knitting Pattern
• 20 Temperature Blanket Patterns (The Ultimate Guide) 
• Everyone Loves Free Knitted Blanket Patterns! 
• Super Easy Corner To Corner Baby Blanket Pattern (Knit)
• Easy Chevron Pattern Baby Blanket (Simple Knit)
• How To Knit A Baby Blanket (Free And Easy For Beginners)
• Cable Knit Baby Blanket Pattern 
• Easy Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern (Broken Rib Stitch)
• 31 Free Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns (Easy Knit Blankets) 
• Heart Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern 
• How To Wash A Knitted Blanket (The Complete Guide)
• 31 Free Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns (Easy Knit Blankets)
• Baby Blanket Pattern (Patchwork + 4 Stitch Patterns)
• The Best Yarn For Blankets