Any time I’d go into a craft store I’d see a “no sew blanket” kit which would always tempt me. I’d never made a blanket before and if it required no sewing then it seemed like a good place to start. Always tempted but I never actually took the step to make one. One year I got a tie blanket as a present and it was an awesome gift. It was soft and fleecy and sooo cozy. I wanted more.
I’m the kind of person who’s constantly cold, I feel like this is a common affliction and I’m not alone in this. I stash scarves and jackets everywhere. My office is too cold, restaurants are too cold, the biggest offenders though are movie theaters. When I watch a movie, regardless of the location, I just want to cuddle up and be enthralled. Losing focus on the world the movie created was not worth it just because I was cold. Tie blankets were the best solution. I could make them whatever size I wanted and easily bring them into the theater. I made one for my car and one for my husband’s so that I would never be without.
That first time I made one for myself, it was a small lap blanket whose only purpose is for the theater. It took me about 2 hours to cut and tie. Now I can make one big enough for a twin or full bed in about 40 minutes. My secret? I’m not perfect with my tie blankets. I never measure, I don’t square the fabric, I don’t even out the fringes. With this type of blanket you can’t see the imperfection, you feel the warmth. Tie blankets are really simple. You’ll see most made out of fleece but I’ve mixed fabrics (one side fleece and one side flannel) in the past and it’s tied just fine. It is also and easy thing to do with children. When I’ve babysat I’ll come with one side already done and the other three cut and ready for tying. I can definitely see this being a great project for a rainy day at home if you’re teaching your kid how to tie knots.
This year for Christmas I made a few people tie blankets for their presents. Crafts are great for me! Because I can’t ever just sit and do one thing, crafts provide an outlet for me to multi-task while I decompress in front of a tv. Being able to give someone a handmade present is a thoughtful way to show care and love. Sometimes I feel a little self-conscious giving a home made present. There are all sorts of negativity and insecurity pop up. “What if they don’t like it,” “what if it’s ugly,” “what if it’s not appreciated,” but honestly, I have never seen that on anyone’s face. It is literally the monster in my own thoughts that create these sayings. The gifts I make are truly one of kind and everyone who receives one recognizes the time and dedication to them that it took to make.
If you’re interested, here are a tutorial I found helpful:
https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Tied-Fleece-Blanket/
