It's 31ºC outside (that's 88ºF) and steamy too. Yesterday there was an evening rainstorm but it didn't actually manage to take the temperatures down – if anything it just seemed to make things feel even stickier. However, we all know the summer heat won't last. Already the sun is setting a little earlier each evening and the nights can have a bit of a cool edge. Before you know it you'll be looking for a cozy rug to spread over your knees or a blanket to throw on the bed as an extra layer.
So now's the time to start planning your autumn blanket knitting. Of course, it can be difficult to plan for the winter when it's quite so warm outside, so think back to last year for inspiration. Perhaps you would have liked a lap rug when the first of the cooler days arrived. Or a super‐cozy blanket that would tuck in securely and keep all the draughts away. That's always such a comforting feeling, isn't it. I suppose it reminds us of our childhood to be well tucked-in against the winter chills.
Blankets need to be soft and warm if they are to do their job well, but it is also really important that they are the right size. A narrow blanket that lets cold air in every time you turn over will not be your favourite item! And that applies to short lap‐rugs too. You don't want your feet to be getting cold every time you pull up a little bit of extra material to snuggle underneath while watching TV.
So I thought I would compile some sizes of blankets that work well for hand‐knitted projects. Compare these to some of your old stand‐bys and make any adjustments so that your next blanket will be your favourite of all time.
So now's the time to start planning your autumn blanket knitting. Of course, it can be difficult to plan for the winter when it's quite so warm outside, so think back to last year for inspiration. Perhaps you would have liked a lap rug when the first of the cooler days arrived. Or a super‐cozy blanket that would tuck in securely and keep all the draughts away. That's always such a comforting feeling, isn't it. I suppose it reminds us of our childhood to be well tucked-in against the winter chills.
Blankets need to be soft and warm if they are to do their job well, but it is also really important that they are the right size. A narrow blanket that lets cold air in every time you turn over will not be your favourite item! And that applies to short lap‐rugs too. You don't want your feet to be getting cold every time you pull up a little bit of extra material to snuggle underneath while watching TV.
So I thought I would compile some sizes of blankets that work well for hand‐knitted projects. Compare these to some of your old stand‐bys and make any adjustments so that your next blanket will be your favourite of all time.
1. Knee-Rugs & Lapghans:
Lap‐Rugs are great for throwing over your legs at any time you need a small amount of extra warmth, but they do need to be wide enough so that draughts don't creep in. I find that a width of 100cm/40" works well for most situations and gives warmth without bulk.
In terms of the length, this depends on how you will use the knee‐rug. For sitting in a chair or wheelchair, then work to about 115‐120cm/45‐48". If you like to relax with your feet up on a foot‐stool, then a length of 150cm/60" will keep your toes well covered.
You can even add another 50cm/20" if you want an extra snuggle factor so that you can have a fold‐over at the top or enough length to tuck underneath your feet.
The photo above shows the Ennismore Lap-Rug which has just the right weight to keep you warm in the evening, or if you would just like an extra layer over your knees when you are sitting for a while. It also works very well as a car rug for long journeys.
Lap‐Rugs are great for throwing over your legs at any time you need a small amount of extra warmth, but they do need to be wide enough so that draughts don't creep in. I find that a width of 100cm/40" works well for most situations and gives warmth without bulk.
In terms of the length, this depends on how you will use the knee‐rug. For sitting in a chair or wheelchair, then work to about 115‐120cm/45‐48". If you like to relax with your feet up on a foot‐stool, then a length of 150cm/60" will keep your toes well covered.
You can even add another 50cm/20" if you want an extra snuggle factor so that you can have a fold‐over at the top or enough length to tuck underneath your feet.
The photo above shows the Ennismore Lap-Rug which has just the right weight to keep you warm in the evening, or if you would just like an extra layer over your knees when you are sitting for a while. It also works very well as a car rug for long journeys.
2. Afghans/Throws:
The best size for these will depend upon the chair they are going to be draped over, but a size that works well for most sofas is 130cm/50" wide x 150cm/60" long.
If you like to use your afghan as an occasional throw for a bed, then you could make this both a little wider and a touch longer to give an overall size of 150/60" wide x 185cm/72" long. That will give a good extra layer over a quilt.
The photo shows the Kingsfold Dorm Room Throw which can be worked in a single colour or in a colour-block version as in the photo above. It can also be worked with stripes as a fun alternative.
3, Single / Twin-Sized Blankets:
A Single bed in the UK is a little narrower than a Twin in the USA. However, a good sized blanket for both places is 170cm/66" wide x 230cm/90" long.
4. Double / Full-Sized Blankets:
A Double/Full‐sized bed is usually about 130cm/54" wide. However, the depth of the mattress can vary considerably between different brands. For a standard depth of mattress, aim for a blanket that is 200cm/78" wide x 250cm/100" long to give good coverage.
If the mattress is extra‐deep, then add another 20cm/8" to the width and 10cm/4" to the length.
The best size for these will depend upon the chair they are going to be draped over, but a size that works well for most sofas is 130cm/50" wide x 150cm/60" long.
If you like to use your afghan as an occasional throw for a bed, then you could make this both a little wider and a touch longer to give an overall size of 150/60" wide x 185cm/72" long. That will give a good extra layer over a quilt.
The photo shows the Kingsfold Dorm Room Throw which can be worked in a single colour or in a colour-block version as in the photo above. It can also be worked with stripes as a fun alternative.
3, Single / Twin-Sized Blankets:
A Single bed in the UK is a little narrower than a Twin in the USA. However, a good sized blanket for both places is 170cm/66" wide x 230cm/90" long.
4. Double / Full-Sized Blankets:
A Double/Full‐sized bed is usually about 130cm/54" wide. However, the depth of the mattress can vary considerably between different brands. For a standard depth of mattress, aim for a blanket that is 200cm/78" wide x 250cm/100" long to give good coverage.
If the mattress is extra‐deep, then add another 20cm/8" to the width and 10cm/4" to the length.
5. Queen-Sized Blankets:
Queen size beds were not available at one time in the UK but they are becoming more popular over time as they do give a little extra room without being too dominant in a small bedroom. They are about 150cm/60" wide, so a little wider than a Double/Full‐sized bed, and usually have deeper mattresses too.
So for this size of bed, work a blanket 230cm/90" wide x 260cm/102" long.
The blanket pictured above and also at the top of this blogpost is the Henley Blanket worked in a 100% wool yarn. I will be talking about this more in my next blogpost, so please click here to read more.
Queen size beds were not available at one time in the UK but they are becoming more popular over time as they do give a little extra room without being too dominant in a small bedroom. They are about 150cm/60" wide, so a little wider than a Double/Full‐sized bed, and usually have deeper mattresses too.
So for this size of bed, work a blanket 230cm/90" wide x 260cm/102" long.
The blanket pictured above and also at the top of this blogpost is the Henley Blanket worked in a 100% wool yarn. I will be talking about this more in my next blogpost, so please click here to read more.
6. King-Sized Blanket:
In the UK King‐sized beds are 185cm/72" wide while in the USA they are about 10cm/4" wider. The mattress can also be quite substantially deeper in the USA.
So for a UK King‐sized blanket make this about 270cm/106" wide x 260cm/102" long.
However, for a US King‐size it would be better to be 290cm/115" wide x 275cm/108" long.
The photo above shows the King-sized version of the Ocean Currents Blanket which has been worked with many different yarns to give a lovely old-time quilt feel.
I hope this gives lots of good ideas for blanket sizes for future projects. If you would like to see all my available blanket patterns, please click here. Cozy winters are on the horizon!!
Happy Blanket Knitting!
Moira
In the UK King‐sized beds are 185cm/72" wide while in the USA they are about 10cm/4" wider. The mattress can also be quite substantially deeper in the USA.
So for a UK King‐sized blanket make this about 270cm/106" wide x 260cm/102" long.
However, for a US King‐size it would be better to be 290cm/115" wide x 275cm/108" long.
The photo above shows the King-sized version of the Ocean Currents Blanket which has been worked with many different yarns to give a lovely old-time quilt feel.
I hope this gives lots of good ideas for blanket sizes for future projects. If you would like to see all my available blanket patterns, please click here. Cozy winters are on the horizon!!
Happy Blanket Knitting!
Moira
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