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The cold season can be challenging for seniors, both physically and emotionally. So, if you’d like to provide some comfort for your loved ones as the temperatures drop, gifting them a lap blanket is an excellent way to show your support and care while also making sure that they’ll stay warm all winter long. However, a $20 lap blanket from the store sometimes just isn’t enough to show your loved ones how much they mean to you, so why not make one yourself?
To make lap blankets for seniors, first, pick your preferred material and color. Then, gather your supplies and, if possible, invest in a pattern to make the process a bit easier. Next, find the yarn’s gauge and knit until you reach the desired size and shape. Weave in the ends, and you’re done!
If the explanation above doesn’t seem thorough enough, don’t worry! I’ll be taking you through the step-by-step process of making a lap blanket in the sections outlined below; however, keep in mind that some knowledge, experience, and, of course, trial and error might be necessary when it comes to getting the results you want. If by the end of this read, you still don’t feel confident in your knitting skills, I’ve included a no-knit blanket-making method just for you.
1. Pick a Size, Material, and Color
When it comes to DIYing a lap blanket, your possibilities are endless! That’s why you’ll want to start by picking your preferred size, material, and color for the project. Making these decisions right off the bat will make the rest of the process far easier and less time-consuming, as you’ll have a clear vision in your mind about what you’re trying to achieve.
Size
You’ll first want to decide on what size you want your lap blanket to be. Considering their name, you probably already know that these throws are usually smaller than their traditional counterparts – but how much smaller should they actually be?
Store-bought lap blankets generally come in three standard sizes:
- Small. Dimensions for these types of blankets include 24’’ by 30’’ (61 by 76 cm), 32’’ by 35’’ (81 by 89 cm), and 30’’ by 40’’ (76 by 101 cm).
- Medium. This is the standard lap blanket that you’ll find in most stores. Dimensions for these types of blankets include 40’’ by 48’’ (101 by 122 cm) and 45’’ by 50’’ (114 by 127 cm).
- Large. As long as you want to stay in the “lap blanket” territory, you want to stay away from excessive length and width. With that said, some large lap blankets can boast dimensions of 50’’ by 60’’ (127 by 152 cm) or even 60’’ by 60’’ (152 by 152 cm).
Your decision will ultimately depend on your budget, time constraint, and the amount of coverage you believe the receiver will need to stay warm. Moreover, your design choices might also need to be considered here. If you’re looking to create a certain pattern or image, bigger dimensions might give you some more leeway, especially if you’re a beginner.
Still, I want to urge you not to go too overboard with the size of your blanket, as you’ll still want to make it practical enough for its user to carry it around, even with limited mobility. That’s why medium-sized lap blankets are usually the gold standard – they’re big enough to offer some visual interest and to keep their user warm but not so big that they become impractical.
You can also check out my article talking about the ideal blanket weight for the elderly. A blanket that’s too large will also be too heavy, which can cause different problems for your loved one. How Heavy Should a Weighted Blanket Be for the Elderly?
Material
Next, you’ll want to settle on a material. Again, your budget will be a critical factor to consider here, but the good news is that you can get some warm, thick yarn varieties for excellent prices. However, keep in mind to stay away from delicate, lace-ish threads as they can easily get caught in clothes, accessories, and even hands.
With that said, make sure that the yarn you choose is still workable enough to allow you to create some interesting patterns, as these can provide some visual interest, which can be greatly appreciated by seniors who often find themselves bored with nothing to do for a portion of their day.
One thing’s for sure – you’ll want to make sure that the yarn you end up using is soft enough, so it doesn’t irritate a senior’s dry, fragile skin. So, if possible, spend a bit extra to get the smoothest, silkiest material you can find. Not only will the end product feel much more luxurious and pleasant to use, but it will also be gentle on your loved one’s aging skin.
Color
In the same vein, it’s best to stay away from beiges, grays, blacks, or other “boring” colors, as you don’t want to fuel winter blues by having your loved one stare at a lifeless gray blanket all day. Instead, opt for bright, lively colors that can put a smile on anyone’s face, and don’t be afraid to combine several shades to create a fun, eye-catching pattern.
The pattern doesn’t have to be anything crazy – a simple geometric sequence, for example, can do the trick. And if you’re not confident about your shape-creating skills, don’t worry! As I’ll explain in one of the sections below, there are plenty of resources that can help you achieve your desired result through an easy-to-understand set of instructions.
2. Gather Your Supplies
If you weren’t already sold on how approachable this type of project really is, you’d be once you see that you don’t need more than a couple of easily-accessible supplies. After you have a clear idea of the size and general design of the project, all you really need to bring it to life is your yarn of choice and some needles – that’s it.
If you want to get a bit more technical, there are a few extra materials and supplies you might need along the way, but chances are you won’t struggle to get your hands on them, either.
Yarn
Before we get any further, I want to discuss one of the two core supplies you’ll need: the yarn. The most important thing is to make sure you have enough on hand so that you don’t run out mid-knitting. Generally speaking, around eight standard-sized balls of yarn should be enough to make a medium-lap blanket. You can adjust the quantity depending on the size of your unique knit, but it’s usually best to err on the side of safety and get more than you think you’ll need.
For example, even if you’re planning on making a small 28’’ by 28’’ (71 by 71 cm) blanket, I still don’t recommend getting less than 4 yarn balls, as you never know when you might need to start a portion over again.
I also want to note that while most types of thread will work just fine in this context, going the extra mile and getting extra-large yarn created specifically for blanket knitting is advisable. Not only will the final product look and feel better, but you’ll also save a lot of time and effort in the process.
Knitting Needles
Now that you know everything you need to about selecting the right type of yarn, it’s time to discuss the other element that’s essential to knitting a good-quality lap blanket – your knitting needles. You don’t have to get too fancy with these, especially if this is a one-off project. A standard pair of circular knitting needles should suffice, like these CuteDIY Metal Needles (available on Amazon). They’re sturdy, flexible, and won’t break the bank.
However, though these types of needles will likely work well in most instances, it’s still best to get the yarn beforehand and check the manufacturer’s instructions on which types of needles work best with the material. A suggestion you want to pay especially close attention to you is needle size, as thicker yarn requires larger needles.
Other Supplies
Once you get your core supplies, there are only a few additional items to gather before you can finally start knitting. These include:
- A pattern. This is optional, but it can help you out a lot, especially if you’re knitting for the first time. I’ll dive more into the importance of using a pattern in the following sections.
- A large-eyed needle. While you’ll use your circular needles to knit the majority of the blanket, when it comes to weaving in the ends and finishing off the project, you’ll need a large-eyed needle to get the job done.
- A sharp pair of scissors. These come in handy more often than you’d think.
3. If Possible, Find a Pattern
Though this article provides you with some general guidelines on knitting a lap blanket for seniors, if you want to achieve a specific design or pattern, it’s best to look into getting a pattern. These are offered both online and in brick-and-mortar knitting stores and provide sets of easy-to-follow instructions on how to achieve a specific look or texture.
Check out a few different knitting patterns here.
4. Find the Gauge of Your Yarn
Now that all the prep work is done, it’s time to actually start the project.
First, you’ll want to find the gauge of your yarn, as that’ll help you determine the number of stitches you’ll need to cast on in order to get your desired dimensions. This information is usually provided on the yarn label, so make sure to check that out. Once you’ve found the material’s gauge, multiply that number by your desired dimensions, and the resulting number reflects the number of stitches you’ll want to cast on.
For example, if you find that your yarn’s gauge is 5 stitches per inch, and you want to make a blanket that’s 30 inches long, you’ll have to cast on 150 stitches length-wise. Repeat the same process to determine the number of stitches required for the blanket’s width.
Then, cast on the required number of stitches so that you can start knitting across them.
5. Knit
It’s finally time to knit! Depending on your knowledge, experience level, and time constraints, you can choose between different knitting styles, but a basic knit stitch should usually do the trick.
Once the first row is finished, the process becomes a bit easier, and you’ll find that the process will start to come naturally to you. Keep knitting additional rows until you reach your desired dimensions; however, beware that the process can take a bit of time (and getting used to).
If you’re a beginner, it may take up to a month to complete your lap blanket, so be patient and make sure to time your sessions accordingly if you’re looking to give your creation as a gift for a special occasion.
If you’re up to the challenge, I highly recommend adding a small pocket to the blanket, as that extra bit of storage space can be very convenient for elders who don’t like to move around too much.
6. Weave in the Ends
All that’s left to do is to weave in the ends! Using a large-eyed needle, weave in any loose ends and make sure to cast off the stitches. Be careful not to leave any threads poking out of the blanket, as yarn can easily get caught in surrounding objects, which means that there might be a possibility that the whole thing will start unraveling – so be careful during this last step.
No-Sew Method
If sewing is not your forte, this non-sew method will prove to be a lifesaver – it’s extremely quick and easy and will send the same heartfelt message that a knitted lap blanket would. Here’s what you need to do:
- Find some good-quality fleece. This RayLine Knitted Polar Fleece Fabric (from Amazon) is perfect for the job. It’s warm, good-quality, affordable, and comes in a wide array of fun colors.
- Align two pieces of fleece fabric together. Make sure they’re cut to the same dimensions (which should be a few inches bigger than what you want your final blanket to be).
- Cut some fringe along the edges. While the fleeces are lined up, cut 4-inch (10 cm) thick strips along the edges. These should be about an inch (2.5 cm) apart.
- Tie the fringe strips together. Tie the bottom and top fringe together to secure the two layers. Repeat the process all around the blanket until the creation is secure.
Final Thoughts
Winter can be very challenging for seniors, and few items can make them feel as loved, appreciated, and cared for as a handmade lap blanket. Luckily, you don’t have to have any previous experience to craft one for your loved one(s).
If you want to go that extra mile, you can read through the step-by-step guide above to learn how to knit the whole thing yourself; however, if knitting isn’t your strong suit or you’re a bit short on time, the no-knit approach requires very little time and effort and sends the same message of love and care.
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