Howdy. I just finally finished weaving in the ends on a bunch of squares which I've joined into blocks. The yarn was all from my stash, and the project's going to be a little ridiculous looking but pretty colorful. I thought the pattern looked like fun! And it was! It's based on "Knitted Patchwork Recipe" by Martine Ellis of Martine Makes. Now I need to decide how to join the blocks and put on an edging. But here's my question ... The reverse of these blocks is not attractive. Joining-as-you-go left a lot of weird ridges. My intent with the blanket was to use up scraps and make something a new mother could spread on the floor for a place for baby to sleep or play. But the more I thought about it, I began to wonder if maybe I should put on a backing. I've never done that before and am looking for a little guidance. I'm thinking fleece would be nice since I wouldn't have to worry about finishing the edges. I was thinking about blanket stitching the backing to the top after I've joined the blocks and then knitting a ten-stitch border through both layers. How does a backing work on a knitted top? Should I instead be looking for something stretchy to back the blanket? Should I plan to apply some ties to hold the two layers together? I just don't know if the layers will shift or bunch up with each other. So, I'm asking if anyone has any advice for me. (The blanket will be for my first grandbaby who's due to arrive in the winter!) Thanks for looking!
Wondering about lining/backing a knitted blanket
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gundydee
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Mum had an old crochet rug that her mother made for her, it needed repairing so we did that and then added a backing to it made of arctic fleece. The blanket is great now and nothing moves or bunches up. We just stitched the back to the rug around the edges, so I think that this would work on your rug as well.
I, too, have put a backing on my knitted blanket. I like your idea of fleece. To keep the backing in place, you could tack it down in one square in the middle of each larger square with the same color yarn. Wouldn’t show and would keep the backing from shifting.
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That's a beauty! Love all the colors. I'd leave the bumpy side uncovered so the baby has some texture to play with.
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I have added fleece backing to crochet baby blankets, primarily to help avoid little fingers getting caught in stitches. A material with similar stretch to the crochet and stitched around the edges. Also tied through at the corners where each crochet square was joined. No problem with separating. My granddaughter calls hers her "go to" wrap as it is a lovely cosy snuggle rug.
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It is beautiful! The recipient will have this for decades to come. It will possibly go to a dorm, be a blanket for a car, etc. I would just weave in the ends and not put a backing on it. With no backing, it will be able to bewashed more easily. It was wise to not create it in baby colors. Children like bright colors!
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Well I would love to see the back.
I LOVE all the colors and so will the baby.
I like fleece for a backing if you feel you really want to add one. YES you will have to tie it in several places. It will make the blanket warmer and more durable. But not necessary. Because it is lovely as is.
YES you will have to tie it in several places
I LOVE all the colors and so will the baby.
I like fleece for a backing if you feel you really want to add one. YES you will have to tie it in several places. It will make the blanket warmer and more durable. But not necessary. Because it is lovely as is.
YES you will have to tie it in several places
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Great looking squares, possible to knit solid knit backing, then when you put squares together, catch the backing to 'tie' the front & back together. Probably would use a light weight yarn. Just a thought.
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I had a similar thought Sunshine.sunshine1225 said:
I thought: Pick up stitches on the top or bottom of the blanket, knit until it is the same length as your original squares, cast off. Sew up the sides.
You will have a lovely thick blanket and the stitching on the back will be covered.
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Beautiful! Bright, vibrant colors are WONDERFUL, not 'ridiculous'. I prefer to use a sheet for backing. I think cutting the backing larger than the 'quilt,' so it can be folded over the quilt edges to form border works well. Tuft top and back together perhaps at the corners of the squares, starting in the middle of the quilt and working out to the sides. Once that's done, then hand-stitch the border in place. Labor of love! :sm02:
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I have put flannel backings on knitted baby blankets if I want them to be really warm. Either machine or hand sew around the edges & then tie the 2 layers together with yarn however far apart you want to.
Words cannot explain how beautiful this is. You will have fun trying which patch to put where, and the adjoining color. I go with Jessia Jeans idea as usual, no backing and mitred corners on a border. Iwas going to say no backing but did not think of mitrering the corners.
gundydee said:
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I have seen a sock yarn mitered square blanket that was quilted to a backing just like a quilt. It was amazing.
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