How to Make a Cozy Chunky Knit Chenille Blanket – Step-by-Step Tutorial

There’s nothing better than snuggling up in a soft, handmade blanket—especially when you made it yourself! I have found that chunky knit chenille yarn makes one of the softest, coziest blankets around. 

If you’ve ever wanted to create a cozy chenille blanket but thought knitting was too complicated, I have great news: you don’t need knitting needles! This tutorial will guide you through the process of making your very own chunky chenille blanket using just your hands and a loom.

What You’ll Need to Make a Chunky Knit Blanket:

✔ 6 skeins of chunky knit chenille yarn
✔ A knitting loom
✔ Scissors
✔ A lighter (for joining yarn seamlessly)

Step 1: Making the Slip Knot & Starting the Chain

To begin, make a slip knot with your chunky knit yarn, leaving a loose loop that fits about three fingers wide. Attach it to the loom and start pulling loops through, creating your foundation chain. This step sets the base for the blanket and ensures flexibility for a soft, even weave.

I prefer to use a wooden loom my husband made. It’s 48 inches long with pegs spaced evenly apart down the loom. Looms create simple, regular stitches and help keep the shape of the final blanket.

Step 2: Creating the Braided Edge

After looping down the loom, remove the chain from the loom to form a braided edge. This gives your blanket a polished, professional look while keeping it from unraveling. The chunky knit yarn creates a simple but beautiful braided edge.

Step 3: Knitting the Blanket

Flip your chain over and begin finger knitting by pulling loops through the middle of each section. Once you’ve completed the first row, slide each loop back onto the loom and continue knitting upwards. Remember to keep your loops even but not too tight—this will ensure a soft, flexible blanket. Chunky knit yarn is very forgiving, but keep knitting loose. Tight stitches create a very dense blanket!

Step 4: Joining a New Skein of Yarn

When you reach the end of a skein, join the next one seamlessly by melting the plastic core inside the yarn and pressing the ends together. This prevents knots and creates a smooth, invisible transition.

Continue knitting and adding new skeins of yarn until your blanket reaches the desired length. A throw blanket size (60 inches x 40 inches) takes 6 skeins of traditional chunky knit chenille yarn.

Step 5: Casting Off & Finishing Touches

Once your blanket reaches the desired size (around 60 inches x 40 inches), it’s time to cast off. This step secures the final row and creates a beautiful braided edge. To cast off, leave the end loop on the loom. Pull off the second loop in from the end and pull a new loop through. Pull the end loop off the loom and loop it over the new loop you just created. Continue to pull a loop off, pull the yarn through and then loop over the previous loop until you reach the end of your loom.  On the last loop, pull the tail of the yarn all the way through to create your final knot.

Lastly, weave in the loose ends by following the braid down the side. Loop the tail into the braid and tuck the end in toward the blanket stitches to blend seamlessly.

Block the blanket by gently stretching and shaping it on a flat surface. Chenille does not require water for blocking like other knit projects – it is very forgiving and easy to shape on its own.

Your Cozy Handmade Blanket is Ready!

Congratulations! You’ve just made a luxurious, chunky chenille blanket that’s perfect for gifting, decorating, or curling up with on chilly evenings. We've got a fun online community that loves these blankets as well - join us in the Wellness Lounge and meet them!

Need to see these steps in action? Check out our video tutorial here.