Polar Fleece Tied Blankets—a Handmade Project for Anyone

I’m not much of a seamstress but this project doesn’t even require thread and could be fun to share with your family.

Several years ago my mom gave me a pattern for tied polar fleece blankets. They only require two of the same sized pieces of polar fleece and a scissors. I have made smaller ones for babies that were a yard by a yard finished, some that were toddler bed sized that measure about 1 1/3 yards by 1 ½ and even larger ones that fit twin beds that use 2 yards and the full 60 inch width that most fleece measures off the bolt. I wanted these blankets to last awhile so I didn’t choose cartoonish patterns but pretty plaids or polka dots with a solid color to match. Most of the time the solid colors are less expensive and if you wait till the cooler weather comes, the fabric is usually on sale. I’ve seen fleece at Walmart and at different fabric stores around town. The cost is usually between $5 and $9 a yard but some branded fabrics are more.

Here’s how you make the blankets. Trim the material to the size you need…realize that you will take about 4-5 inches off each side for your ties so add 2 times your tie length to the size you want when finished. If you have two pieces that are square you can lay the material so that the bias is not going the same way and it’s a bit easier to tie so your ties can be shorter. If not, make the ties longer because the sides without bias have no stretch to them.

I usually cut the two pieces at the same time if possible so I get the same number of pieces. Either be precise and cut a square of cardboard to use as your guide or I usually a mark on my scissors as a guide. First cut a square (ex. 4 X 4) out of each corner. Then start to cut ties one inch apart (or wider if you like). I started with a piece of cardboard cut 1” by 4” to guide me but after awhile I could eyeball it. Cut all four sides at once or rest your hand by cutting and tying one side at a time. Tie square knots…all the same way so the knots lie uniformly. Tie them firmly since they do sometimes slip particularly after washing. Just tie them again if they do.

These blankets are quite warm. Our church group has had a blanket making part and sent them on to orphans in the Ukraine—obviously these work better for people who live in cooler climates. I’ve made them for baby showers and Christmas presents and most recently my nephew “ordered one with a dinosaur” for his birthday. They make wonderful “blankies” and bedspreads for toddler or twin beds and make a box or table into a fort in no time flat. I think what I love most is sitting with the blanket spread around a table and tying with my friends or kids while chatting the day away. There’s nothing like getting something done and a good chat in the process!