10 Free Chunky Blanket Knitting Patterns

How do you knit a big blanket for beginners?

Statistically, most knitters start out by making a small project, like a scarf or hat.

But if you're looking to knit something a bit more ambitious, like a big blanket for beginners, there are a few things you need to know first.

In this blog post, we'll go over the basics of knitting a big blanket, including the right yarn and needles to use, as well as how long it takes to knit a chunky blanket. So here’s what you need to get started plus 10 free big blanket patterns.

How long does a chunky blanket take?

If you like hand knitting, you can knit a chunky personal sized blanket in usually five to twenty hours.

That is considered a very quick project in the knitting world!

The amount of time needed to knit a blanket varies on several things including your knitting speed, the overall size of the blanket, the number of stitches, and the thickness of the yarn and needles.

Chunky blankets take much less time to knit than thinner weight blankets because you’ll be using thicker yarn and needles.

You also won’t need as many stitches on your needles as with thinner weight yarns and that will help speed up your knitting.

How many skeins of yarn do i need for a chunky blanket?

The number of skeins or rolls of yarn you’ll need to knit a blanket varies due to several factors - the size of the blanket, the thickness of the yarn, and the knitted gauge.

What size yarn do i need for a chunky blanket?

Most chunky blankets are created using bulky or super bulky weight yarns.

If you’re following Craft Yarn Council yarn weight standards, you’ll need #5 or 6 weight yarn. I’ve even seen a few blankets using #7 jumbo weight yarn for ultra-quick projects.

For all of the chunky blanket patterns featured below, I have included the yarn weight, the Craft Yarn Council yarn number in ( ), as well as links to recommended yarn for each project.

What size knitting needles do i need for a chunky blanket?

Chunky blankets are knitted on thick needles usually between size US 11 and 50. To determine which size will work best for the yarn you’ve selected, take a look at the needle size recommend on the yarn label.

Because of the size and number of stitches on the needle, it’s also best to choose a circular needle for a chunky blanket. You won’t be knitting in the round, you’ll be knitting back and forth - but the circular needle will enable you to hold many more stitches than straight needles.

In this post, I’ve rounded up 10 chunky knit blanket pattern that are all free to download.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure for more information.

10 Free Chunky Blanket Knitting Patterns

#1. Wonderful Big Stitch Throw Free Knitting Pattern

Knit this superbly cushy throw on big knitting needles and update your favorite relaxing spot in modern style. This acrylic yarn with just a bit of wool means you can get the mega-thick look at a budget-friendly price.

Uses jumbo weight (#7) yarn

Designed by Heather Lodinsky

#2. Colorful Corner Blanket Free Knitting Pattern

The Colorful Corner Blanket was created using Purl Soho’s joyfully soft Gentle Giant merino. At 1 1/2 stitches to the inch, this beauty is incredibly fast to knit. Six skeins of the Main Color and one skein each for the stripes make this an easy stitch for the holiday season, for those who have had their first snow or those who are still waiting.

Uses jumbo weight (#7) yarn

Designed by Purl Soho

#3. Ocean Waves Blanket Knitting Pattern

Rows of stockinette and reverse stockinette create an interesting yet easy to create throw.

You’ll use two strands held together at the same time and switch colors to create the slow and elegant ombre effect off this blanket.

Uses aran (#4) + aran (#4) = super bulky (#6) weight yarn

Designed by Melanie Adams

#4. Continuation Blanket Knitting Pattern

Just three colors yield seven distinct blended hues in this simple but effective gradient blanket. Working up fast with chunky needles, it makes a great baby gift; and in a cozy washable wool blend, it will last long enough to be passed down to the next baby.

Holding three strands together, switch out one at a time to generate the smooth continuous colour shift from corner to corner. The blanket is worked in Garter Stitch on the bias. Three strands of yarn are held together throughout. This pattern has no char

Uses worsted (#4) + worsted (#4) = super bulky weight (#6) yarn

Designed by Holli Yeoh

#5. All These Places Blanket Knitting Pattern

All These Places blanket knitting pattern is fun to knit with bulky weight yarn. The design features a basket weave texture and a garter stitch border and includes instructions to knit blanket in 6 sizes.

Uses bulky weight (#5) yarn

Designed by Fifty Four Ten Studios

#6. Hiberknit Chunky Blanket Free Knitting Pattern

Here is the new Hiberknit Knit Blanket, stitched in classic colors of Bernat Blanket. It’s a quick, chunky-knit features easy-to-knit stripes and color blocks. It’s the perfect project for TV knitting or for a beginner knitter looking for a next step project.

Uses super bulky weight (#6) yarn

Created by Yarnspirations Design Studio

#7. Double Moss Faded Throw Free Knitting Pattern

Reversible striped color work

Uses super bulky weight (#6) yarn

Designed by Vanessa Ewing

#8. Afternoon Nap Blanket Free Knitting Pattern

Afternoon Nap is a basket weave variation knitted with two strands held together and produces this thick, versatile blanket perfect for any room.

Uses aran (#4) + aran (#4) = super bulky (#6) weight yarn

Designed by Sherri Hoch

#9. Easy Squishy Knit Throw Free Blanket Pattern

Make a HUGE squishy knit throw blanket with this free pattern.

Perfect for gift giving and fur baby snoozes - just what you need on a cold wet day to snuggle up in. This easy knitting pattern makes a squishy, cuddly throw blanket in a short amount of time!

It uses big needles and super bulky yarn to create a blanket that’s quicker than most while the broken rib stitch gives it an awesome texture.

Completely beginner-friendly - take a look and make your own.

Uses super bulky (#6) + super bulky (#6) = jumbo weight (#7) yarn

Designed by Handy Little Me

#10. Eleventh Hour Blanket Free Knitting Pattern

Doubling Cascade’s very soft and very bulky Magnum means not only a quick knit, but a deep and toasty blanket, perfect for cuddling and snoozing. It may not be the eleventh hour to the holiday season, but as far as knitting blankets goes

Uses super bulky weight (#6) yarn

Designed by Purl Soho

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blanket patterns, knitting patterns, knitting ideas, home decor knittingNancy Queen1 Comment