Instructions for a Polar Fleece Blanket With Tied Fringe

Make a comfortable no-sew blanket as a gift.

Handmade gifts are a fun way to personalize a birthday or holiday, and a handcrafted blanket is a cozy present for nearly any occasion. Creating a handmade blanket, however, can be difficult when you don't know how to sew or knit or are short on time. Polar fleece is a versatile fabric that works well for no-sew projects. With 1 yard of polar fleece and some basic crafting supplies, you can make a polar fleece blanket in less than an hour.

Things You'll Need

• 1 yard of polar fleece
• Dryer
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Chalk pencil

Instructions

1. Wash your fleece in cold water, then dry on a low setting in your clothes dryer.

2. Lay your unfolded fleece on a hard, flat surface such as a counter or rotary cutting mat. Cut off your selvedge edges, which run along the long edges of your fleece, with scissors. Use a ruler or straight edge to make sure your short edges are straight.

3. Measure 4 inches along one short edge of your fleece, making a small mark every few inches with your chalk pencil. Connect your series of small marks with a straight edge and your chalk pencil. When you are done, you will have one solid line running 4 inches from one of the short edges of your fleece. Repeat on the other short edge.

4. Create your lines for cutting the fringe on each short edge. Measure the short edge in 1-inch width increments. Draw a line every inch from the outer short edge up to the line you drew 4 inches in from the outer edge. Repeat this along each short edge to create the fringe. When you are done, you will have a series of lines, 1 inch apart, from the outer edge of the fleece to the line you drew 4 inches in from each edge.

5. Cut along each of these marks from the outer edge up to the line 4 inches in. Don't cut past this line.

6. Spray your fleece with a water bottle to remove any chalk marks. Let it dry completely.

7. Tie two pieces of your fringe together, starting at the outer corner of one of the short edges of your fleece. Tie in a double knot to secure the fringe in place and prevent fraying. Repeat this down each short edge until all the fringe pieces are knotted.