Wednesday, December 22, 2010

A Last Minute Gift Idea

Making a fleece knot blanket is so simple. Children can easily pitch in, having fun creating a sweet gift to give a favorite Aunt or a Grandparent. Our knot blanket project began with the kids picking out fleece in two colors, red and heather gray. I was strongly campaigning for two shades of gray...but was quickly outvoted!


The two lengths of 54 inch fleece were layered together, with the right sides facing outwards.


A line was traced along the length of each side, approximately one inch in from the edges...


...and used as a guide to cut off the selvages.



Next, a four inch square was cut from each corner.



Then four inch long cuts were made along all four sides of the fleece, at approximately one inch intervals.


Every other length was knotted...




...and then the blanket was turned over and the remaining lengths were knotted. Doing this results in the tie color alternating from tie to tie. (In theory. I think we messed up here and there, but it doesn't matter!)


Cozy and warm, Grandma will love this one!
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31 comments:

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Grandma?! I want this! I need this! It is great Janell...love how the kidlets participate!

Ali Rockwell said...

That is probably the most perfectly done fleece blanket I've ever seen!! :) I never measure my cuts... Yours looks so good though, I love it!

Angela said...

I really like the blanket! I think I'll run over to the fabric store tommorow.

Rene said...

Yay! I made these for my boys several Christmases ago and they both say that it was their favorite gift ever. Yours looks great.

-Rene

Mary said...

We have a new grandbaby on the way. This would be an easy gift for him/her.

JMW said...

Great project and fun that your daughter is able to join you in making it. As we speak, my kids are lounging on the fleece blanket that my MIL made. It's Hubby's school colors. So comfy!

Kelly @ Much To Do With Nothing said...

I made these too! You can click my blog and see them. I think I'm up to about 14 this Christmas. I wrote that I love getting lost in my thoughts about the person I'm making it for. I actually think of them the whole time!
And yes you're right...it is a great last minute gift. And so appriciated.
Kelly

Handbags*N*Pigtails said...

We made a bunch of these one year and our hands were shot! We do it just like you do...although ours were done on top of a pool table. :) They make great gifts for anyone of any age, are warm and the person will think of you every time they cuddle up in it. Merry Christmas!

Karena said...

Janell such a great idea!!! I have seen children;s scarves made in a similar way!

Come and enter my Giveaway from My Sparrow, you will love it!

Joyeaux Noel!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Mom of 2 Cuties @ Sprinkles of Joy and Laughter said...

Great idea! It's simple enough for the kids and they will be so proud to give it as a gift. Merry Christmas!
Maureen

Clean Design Fan said...

I really like how this turned out - It's always nice to have a blanket like this to reach for as the weather continues to turn.... I think even I could make this, well maybe...

Great touch on the edges as well,

Thanks

My Notting Hill said...

Very nice! I love red and gray together - somehow its starting to pop up in my family room, unintentionally, after the movement of a few things. Merry Christmas!

pk @ Room Remix said...

My nieces used to make these too and they are SO warm and cozy! Great project for kids and I'm sure Grandma will love it.

Merry Christmas, Janell!

Wendy said...

what a great idea - for anyone!!! ... love the colour combo :)

casey at loft and cottage said...

Love this idea! The grey and red are great together.

Danielle Oakey Interiors said...

these blankets are the best!

Judy said...

What a great idea. I love the color combination. Thanks for sharing. In case I don't get a chance to stop back, I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas.

Stella said...

Great idea ! Where do you get your energy?

Merry Christmas

Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating said...

Oh my...I just made five of these last week! My mom wanted to give them to her grandkids for Christmas, and she was running behind, so I volunteered to make some. After tying that many knots, I don't think I ever want to see one of these again!!! lol...just kidding. I'd actually like to make one for myself. They're quite simple, and a great project to do while watching a movie to make the time pass.

Marianne - Style For Living said...

These are the coziest blankets. Grandma will love it!

Michaela said...

I just love making blankets like these. One year I made 5- one for each of my best girlfriends. They're so snuggly and warm! Yours is so cute, Janell!

Cassie {Hi Sugarplum!} said...

You use that 90degree ruler in almost every project...I think I need to get one!

Great blanket..I commend you and Isabella for all those cuts! I make scarves out of fleece every year, but grow weary of the strips after only a few!

Courtney {a thoughtful place} said...

Could use that in all the rain we are getting. We made a bunch of these for women and children that had to leave their homes in a hurry. So warm and cuddly.

Design Esquire said...

How thoughtful! Grandma will love it even more because everyone had a part in making it! Have a Merry Christmas!

Allison said...

What a cozy gift and even more special having Isabella help out. I love that heather gray. It's chilly and rainy here. I could use that right now with my hot cup of tea.

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

If Grandma doesn't want it I'll take it! :)XO

sanctuaryhome said...

I love these, but have wanted to do it with an old army blanket on one side, that way I could capture the coolness of the blanket without the scratchiness on my skin.

Wendy @ The Shabby Nest said...

Love these...have done many a fleece knot blanket myself...and you're right, they are so easy and so cozy...a perfect gift!

Roxi Ameduri Marchettini said...

Janell, muchas felicidades en estas fiestas!! Saludos.

Linda in AZ * said...

*** Had HEARD of this but never actually SEEN it, Janell~~~ toooooo cute, and it APPEARS to be soooooo EASY-PEASY!!! Can that BE????????

ANYWAY, IT'S darling, as are YOU, and am sending all my best for a truly WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS for all of you!!!

Hugs,
Linda *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net

SHERRY HART said...

Dang...now that is what I call easy! Even I could do it! Merry Christmas Janell.