Results tagged “Blankets” from Fabric.com Blog

I am a big fan of pom pom trim! It is a fun way to add some whimsy to pillows, drapes or apparel. Pom-pom trim can be used to attach a pop of color or to add a finishing detail to a project. Pom-pom trim is available in many combinations of colors and sizes but I felt limited to prepared trim and wanted something fresh and outside-the-box. So I made my own pom pom trim to fit my design ideas. By creating your own pom pom trim you can choose your size, spacing, color and texture. The world of yarns is open to you. For my project, a man-sized sofa blanket, I wanted larger than the standard ½'' pom pom trim to fit my larger than standard blanket. I also wanted more of a strand look to my pom pom instead of the fuzz ball that comes on trim. The look I wanted was more of an organic, mellow, masculine blanket (well, as masculine as you can get with pom pom trim) so I pulled out my pom pom maker and set to work. I determined a 1 3/8'' pom pom was the perfect size for my blanket and after selecting my color (cream to offset my green double napped flannel) I made 4-5 pom poms to try out my spacing. Setting out the pom pom on my cutting board I was able to get a good idea on the spacing I preferred and went with a 3'' spacing.

To make a man-sized sofa blanket just like mine you will need:

2 yards of double napped flannel

1 skein of wool DK weight yarn

1 skein of matching embroidery floss

Clover Small pom pom maker set

Begin by measuring the width of the ends of the flannel and dividing it into 3 (the spacing from above) to establish how many pom poms are needed and make that number for each end. My blanket was 45'' wide so I made 15 pom poms for each end. Next, finish the sides and ends of your blanket. I applied a rolled edge to the long sides and a double turned hem (first ½'' then 1'') to the end that will feature the pom pom trim. Then using an embroidery needle stitch into the fold of the hem about ¼'' from the edge. By inserting a needle under the loop that secures the pop pom you are able to stitch it directly to the end of the blanket. Pull the thread tight but not enough to pucker the fabric. Stitch back into the fabric close to where you came out (similar to a French knot) and then come back out 3'' further down and repeat until all your pom poms are attached. Knot your floss and clean up any messy pom poms. Repeat for the other end of your blanket.

This is a great way to add pom poms in any color, size, texture and spacing to any project. Creating your own pom pom trim can help you tie home décor projects together in a room to add consistency. Pom poms in one color but different sizes can also add visual interest and excitement to a design project. Try choosing one yarn color but different sizes pom poms for pillows, blankets and drapes in a room. 

If you haven't read Mason Dixon Knitting, you are seriously missing out. Many a knitter's obsessions have sprung from this book. I, myself, bought it after flipping through it for 2 min in a book store. I saw the pictures (didn't read a word), closed the book and took it to the check-out. I have since read it over and over and over. It is my knitting Pride and Prejudice. One project I have dreamed of but not yet attempted was log cabin. It is gorgeous and so simple. The way it is explained lends it easily to scrap yarn, mystery yarn and random yarn. You can knit till you run out and counting stitches is not really required. It is perfect TV knitting; you can knit it in squares for take-along knitting and it is great for beginners because it is just garter stitch. For those easily bored, just change colors when you tire of one. It is perfect for everyone! I began mine a couple of weeks ago from scraps of wool and wool skeins with missing ball bands. I would love to give you more info on the colors, etc but I cannot. I do know it is all wool. This blanket (oh, yes, it will be a blanket one day) will features pinks, browns, turquoise and maybe some cream; it will be for my sweet, little girl. I am picturing it as a nap blanket, for family movie nights and story time before bed. It will be lined on the back side with quilting cotton, muslin or Kona cotton once finished. I will probably hand stitch the lining on but I think it will be relaxing. The lining may make it possible for me to avoid weaving in all the loose ends (GOODY).  

My log cabin began with my scraps of yarn and grew from there. Once I gathered all my wool (it really is my favorite fiber to work with) and saw the color scheme my random bits leaned towards, I knew at once who the blanket would be for and I left out the colors I didn't need. I choose the center color from the smallest scrap of yarn and knit till it ran out. I bound off the edge but left the last loop on my needle, then turned the piece to the right and picked up a stitch for every garter ridge. I knit back and forth till I felt it was big enough and then bound off on the right side leaving one loop on my needle and turned the piece to the right. I will continue till I feel the blanket is big enough. I may add a border or not. I have yet to decide. But the greatest thing is you do not need to cast on 500 stitches and knit endlessly back and forth. You cast on a few, knit for a while then build from there. You can make squares and sew them together later. You can change directions, add increases and decreases. You are golden as long as the basic method is kept true: knit, bind off on the right side, leave on loop on your needle, pick up more stitches and knit.

This is a project to challenge the mind or a relaxing way to knit up all your random bits. It all depends on your approach.

More great fibers to knit a log cabin blanket with are:

Cotton

Wool Blends

Rayon Blends