How To Knit A Throw (with Pictures) - WikiHow Fun

Skip to Content

• EXPLORERandom Article

• Home
• Random

Terms of UseHow to Knit a Throw Explore this Article parts 1 Designing Your Throw Blanket 2 Casting On Your Stitches 3 Working the Rows Other Sections Expert Q&A Things You'll Need Related Articles References Co-authored by Jen Webber

Last Updated: December 9, 2025 References

X

This article was co-authored by Jen Webber. Jen Webber is a Knitting Specialist and the Manager of The Quarter Stitch, a crafting store based in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. With over 17 years of knitting and crafting experience, Jen helps educate customers and the public on best knitting practices for their DIY projects. This article has been viewed 25,225 times.

A knitted throw blanket makes a great decorative addition to your home, a nice cozy cover up in the evening, or a unique gift for someone. You can knit a throw even if you are a novice knitter. You will just need some basic knitting skills plus some yarn and knitting needles.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Designing Your Throw Blanket

1. 1 Check out patterns for inspiration and guidance. Using a knitting pattern to create your throw may make it easier to achieve the design you want.[1] There are tons of free knitting patterns available on the internet that you can choose from, or you can pick up a beginner’s knitting pattern book at a local craft supply store.[2]
   • Having a pattern may also help to simplify some of the technical aspects of creating your throw, such as what type of yarn and yarn needles to use, how many stitches to cast on, and how long to make the throw.
2. 2 Choose the shape of your throw. Consider if you want a circular or square shaped throw. You can find patterns that will show you how to make a circular throw, a square shaped throw, or a rectangular throw. Knit your throw using 2 needles and working the stitches back and forth in rows to create a rectangular or square shaped throw, or knit your throw in rounds using circular needles to create a circular throw. Advertisement
3. 3 Decide on the dimensions of your throw.[3] A pattern will instruct you on how wide and how long your throw should be. If you are making a throw without a pattern, then you can decide on these dimensions yourself.
   • For example, you may choose to make a rectangular throw that is 70 inches (180 cm) by 40 inches (100 cm) or a circular throw that has a 50 inches (130 cm) diameter.
4. 4 Choose your yarn weight, texture, and color. Yarn comes in different weights, from light, to medium, to super chunky. Types of yarn also vary widely with some yarns having smooth, rough, or fluffy textures. You can use yarn in one color to make your throw or use multiple yarn colors to create your throw.
   • Try using a chunky or super chunky yarn to make knitting your blanket a little faster.
   • Try using two or more colors to create your throw, such as purple and green or red, white, and blue.
5. 5 Get a pair of needles appropriate for your yarn type. It is important to use a pair of knitting needles that will work well with the type of yarn you are using, or you may end up with stitches that are too loose or too tight. You can find the recommended needle size for the yarn you choose by checking the label.
   • For example, if you are using a size 6 super chunky yarn, then you will likely need a pair of size 11 or 8 mm knitting needles.[4]
6. 6 Decide on a stitch based on your skill level. There are many different types of stitches that you can use to knit your throw. Try browsing through some different stitch tutorials on wikiHow to find a stitch that will help you achieve the look you want and that matches your skill level.
   • If you are beginner knitter, then you might want to stick with basic stitches, like the stockinette stitch or garter stitch.
   • If you are an experienced knitter, then you might try working some cables into your knitting or use a trickier stitch, such as the basketweave stitch or herringbone stitch.
   Advertisement

Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Casting On Your Stitches

1. 1 Figure out how many stitches to cast on. Depending on the desired dimensions of your throw and the type of yarn you are using, you may need to cast on anywhere from 30 to 300 stitches. Check your yarn label to figure out how many stitches there are in an inch of the yarn after it has been knit, and use this as a way to figure out how many stitches to cast on. Multiply the number of stitches per inch by the length in inches you want your throw to be.
   • For example, if the yarn you are using produces 4 knit stitches per inch, and you want your blanket to measure 40 inches (100 cm) wide, then you would need to cast on 160 stitches.
2. 2 Create a slipknot. Casting on always begins with a slipknot. To make a slipknot, loop the yarn around your finger 2 times and then bring the first loop over the second loop. Pull the tail of your yarn to tighten the knot around the loop while it is still on your finger. Then, slide the loop onto your right hand needle and pull the tail to tighten it some more.[5]
3. 3 Loop your yarn around the left hand needle. As you do this, make sure that the slipknot stays on the right hand needle. Then, insert the right hand needle through the loop on the left hand needle as if you are going to knit it.
4. 4 Loop the yarn over the tip of the right hand needle. Tighten the yarn on the needle and then pull this loop through the other loop on the left hand needle. The loop that is now on the right hand needle will replace the loop you made on the left hand needle.[6]
   • Repeat this process until you have cast on the required number of stitches for your throw.
   Advertisement

Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Working the Rows

1. 1 Knit the first row or round. To get your throw started, you may only need to knit the first row. If you are using a pattern, check it to be sure. To knit, insert the right hand needle into the first cast on stitch on the left hand needle. Then, loop the yarn over the right hand needle and pull it through the stitch on the left hand needle. This will complete 1 knit stitch.[7]
   • Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round if you are creating a circular throw. This will make it easier for you to locate the beginning of each round and keep track of where you are in your pattern.
2. 2 Follow your pattern for working the rest of the rows or rounds. After you complete the first row, continue working the rows or rounds in the stitch or stitch sequence that your pattern describes. If you are not using a pattern, then just work the rows or rounds in the stitch you have chose to knit your throw.
3. 3 Continue working your stitches until the throw is the desired size. You can make your throw as large as you like. Measure the throw periodically when it starts to look like it might be close to the desired dimensions. If you are using a patterns, then use the guidelines provided in the pattern to determine when your throw is finished.
   • For example, if the desired dimensions of the throw are 80 inches (200 cm) by 60 inches (150 cm), then your throw will not be done until you achieve these measurements.
4. 4 Change yarn colors if desired.[8] You may knit your throw all in the same color, or you may switch colors as often as you like. To change to a new color of yarn, tie the new strand to the last stitch in the row. Then, use the new strand to knit the next row and as many other rows as you like.[9]
   • Try switching back and forth between two colors every 2 rows for narrow stripes, or every 6 rows for wide stripes.
   • Alternate between colors that look good together, such as orange, yellow, and brown. Or choose different shades of the same color, such as light blue, medium blue, and dark blue.
5. 5 Knit 2 stitches and lift the first 1 over the second 1. To begin casting off, knit the first 2 stitches in the row. Then, insert your left hand needle into the first new stitch on the right hand needle. Lift the first stitch on the right hand needle up and over the second stitch on the right hand needle.
6. 6 Knit 1 more stitch and loop the next stitch up and over this 1. Knit 1 more stitch so that you have 2 stitches on the right hand needle again. Repeat this process until you have cast off all of the stitches in the row.[10]
   • After casting off the last stitch, tie a knot through the stitch and cut the excess yarn to complete your throw.
   Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question

• Question What kind of yarn should I use on a throw blanket? Jen Webber Knitting Specialist Jen Webber is a Knitting Specialist and the Manager of The Quarter Stitch, a crafting store based in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. With over 17 years of knitting and crafting experience, Jen helps educate customers and the public on best knitting practices for their DIY projects. Jen Webber Knitting Specialist Expert Answer Opt for fluffy soft yarn for a throw that you plan to use to cover up with, or opt for a rougher, more durable yarn for a decorative throw. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
• Question How long would it take to knit a throw? Rebekah Armstrong Community Answer This depends on the size of yarn and needles you are using and the pattern you are using. Projects that are done with chunky yarns and big needles take less time than projects done with smaller needles and yarns. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 8

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Things You’ll Need

• Yarn
• Knitting needles
• Scissors

You Might Also Like

How toPass As a Guy and Still Be Scene or Emo (for FTM Teens) How toCreate a Custom List on IMDb How toAct Like Fluttershy How toBe a Creepy Girl How toAct Like a Mermaid at School How toBe a Scene Girl How toPlay Minecraft in Real Life How toMake a Waldorf Doll How toAct Like a Baby Again How toBe an Emo Girl in Middle School How toDrill Small Holes in Glass for Jewelry or Wind Chimes How to Play wikiHow to Meme (wikiHow's Limited Edition Card Game) How toClean Aluminum How toWin in Wonder Race in Age of Empires 2 Advertisement

References

1. ↑ Jen Webber. Knitting Specialist. Expert Interview
2. ↑ https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knit-Throws
3. ↑ Jen Webber. Knitting Specialist. Expert Interview
4. ↑ https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knit-Throws/Get-Fresh-Throw
5. ↑ https://www.woolandthegang.com/tutorial/how-to-cast-on-with-the-long-tail-cast-on-technique
6. ↑ https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/instructions_kn.php3
7. ↑ https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/instructions_kn.php3
8. ↑ Jen Webber. Knitting Specialist. Expert Interview
9. ↑ https://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knit-Throws/Get-Fresh-Throw

More References (1)

10. ↑ https://www.woolandthegang.com/tutorial/how-to-knit-casting-off

About this article

Co-authored by: Jen Webber Knitting Specialist This article was co-authored by Jen Webber. Jen Webber is a Knitting Specialist and the Manager of The Quarter Stitch, a crafting store based in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. With over 17 years of knitting and crafting experience, Jen helps educate customers and the public on best knitting practices for their DIY projects. This article has been viewed 25,225 times. 8 votes - 87% Co-authors: 14 Updated: December 9, 2025 Views: 25,225

• Print

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 25,225 times.

Reader Success Stories

• 

  Diane Slater

  Aug 17, 2019

  "I know how to stitch my blanket together a lot better and neater now, also to put squares different ways around and..." more

More reader stories Hide reader stories

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Jen Webber Knitting Specialist Co-authors: 14 Updated: December 9, 2025 Views: 25,225 87% of readers found this article helpful. 8 votes - 87% Click a star to add your vote

Diane Slater

Aug 17, 2019

"I know how to stitch my blanket together a lot better and neater now, also to put squares different ways around and..." more

Jennie Antonelli

Aug 2, 2019

"It gave me an idea of how to decide on the size of blanket I want to make for a friend." More success stories Hide success stories

You Might Also Like

How toPass As a Guy and Still Be Scene or Emo (for FTM Teens)How toCreate a Custom List on IMDbHow toAct Like FluttershyHow toBe a Creepy Girl wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Contact Us
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Follow Us

--466