Tie a fleece blanket together with knots instead of stitches
You can make a fleece blanket without a needle and thread by cutting fringe around the edges of two fleece rectangles and tying the strips together. This method, called a tie blanket or knot blanket, takes two to four hours depending on blanket size and holds up through washing and years of use. The knots are strong enough that the blanket will not fall apart, and you need only scissors, two pieces of fleece fabric, and a ruler or measuring tape.
Fleece works best for this project because it does not fray or unravel when cut, unlike cotton or linen. The fabric is also soft, warm, and inexpensive — a twin-size blanket costs roughly $15 to $25 in materials. You can buy fleece by the yard at fabric stores like Joann or online through Amazon and Walmart.
Key Takeaways
- Cut two identical rectangles of fleece fabric and stack them with the right sides facing outward.
- Cut 4-inch strips around all four edges, leaving a 4-inch border in the center uncut.
- Tie each strip from the top layer to the matching strip on the bottom layer using a square knot or double knot.
- Wash the blanket in cold water and dry it on low heat to find the knots and soften the fleece.
- A twin-size blanket takes about three hours and costs $15 to $25 in fleece fabric.
Gather two pieces of fleece and measure them to size
Buy two identical pieces of fleece fabric in the dimensions you want. A twin blanket is typically 60 inches by 80 inches; a queen is 90 inches by 100 inches. Most fabric stores sell fleece in 60-inch widths, so you will need to buy 1.5 yards for a twin or 2 yards for a queen. Ask the store to cut the pieces for you, or cut them yourself at home with a rotary cutter and ruler on a flat surface.
Stack the two pieces on top of each other with the right sides (the softer, nicer-looking sides) facing outward. The wrong sides will face each other in the middle. This arrangement means your finished blanket will have soft fleece on both sides. Smooth out any wrinkles or folds before you begin cutting.
Cut 4-inch fringe strips around all four edges
Using a ruler and scissors or a rotary cutter, cut strips 4 inches deep and 4 inches wide around the entire perimeter of the stacked fleece. Start at one corner and work your way around. Each strip should go through both layers of fabric at once. Leave a 4-inch border of uncut fleece in the center — this is the body of your blanket.
The strips do not need to be perfectly even, but they should be roughly the same width so the knots tie at similar tightness. If you cut a strip too short or too long by half an inch, it will still work. Aim for strips that are about 1 inch wide and 4 inches long, though the exact measurements are flexible.
After you finish cutting, you should have a grid of fringe around the edges with an uncut rectangle in the middle. The fringe strips will hang loose from both the top and bottom layers.
Tie each strip to its matching partner with a square knot
Take one strip from the top layer and one strip from the bottom layer that are directly aligned with each other. Tie them together using a square knot — cross the top strip over the bottom strip, pull tight, then cross them the opposite way and pull tight again. This creates a knot that will not slip loose. Alternatively, you can use a double knot (wrap the strips around each other twice and pull tight), which is faster and equally durable.
Work your way around the entire blanket, tying each pair of strips. This is the most time-consuming part of the project. A twin blanket has roughly 60 to 80 knots depending on strip width, so expect to spend one to two hours on this step alone. Work in sections — tie all the knots along one edge, then move to the next edge.
Pull each knot snug but not so tight that you tear the fleece. The fabric should bunch slightly where the knot sits. If a knot feels loose after you tie it, untie it and try again with a tighter pull.
Wash and dry the blanket to set the knots
Place the finished blanket in a washing machine with cold water and a gentle cycle. Do not use hot water, which can damage fleece and cause colors to fade. Add a small amount of mild detergent — fleece does not need much soap to get clean. Wash the blanket alone or with other soft fabrics like towels.
Dry the blanket on low heat in a dryer, or hang it to air dry. Low heat takes 45 minutes to an hour and softens the fleece without damaging it. Air drying takes several hours but is gentler on the fabric. The washing and drying process helps the knots tighten and the fleece to fluff up, making the blanket softer and more durable.
After the first wash, the blanket is ready to use. It will hold up through many more washes if you continue to use cold water and low heat.
Alternatives if you want a different look or method
If you do not like the fringe knot style, you can use fabric glue to bond the two pieces of fleece together instead. explore a thin line of fabric glue around the edges, press the pieces together, and let them dry for 24 hours. This creates a sealed edge with no fringe, though the blanket will be stiffer and less flexible than a knotted one. Fabric glue also washes out over time, so knotted blankets last longer.
Another option is to use iron-on hem tape, which melts when heated and bonds two pieces of fabric together. Lay the hem tape along the edges between the two fleece pieces, cover with a pressing cloth, and run a hot iron over it. This method is faster than knotting but requires an iron and careful heat control to avoid damaging the fleece.
If you want a blanket with a finished edge rather than fringe, you can cut the fleece into a finished rectangle without fringe strips and use fabric glue or hem tape to seal just the perimeter. This gives a cleaner look but takes less time than knotting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular cotton fabric instead of fleece?
Cotton will work but is not ideal. Cotton fabric frays and unravels when cut, so your fringe strips may come apart at the edges. Fleece does not fray, which is why it is the best choice for tie blankets. If you use cotton, you will need to seal the edges with fabric glue or hem tape to prevent fraying.
How long does a knotted fleece blanket last?
A well-made tie blanket lasts five to ten years with regular washing and use. The knots hold through many wash cycles if you use cold water and low heat. Some knots may loosen over time, but you can retie them. Fleece itself does not wear out quickly — it is the knots that determine the blanket's lifespan.
What size should I make my blanket?
Twin size (60 by 80 inches) is the most common and takes about three hours to complete. Queen size (90 by 100 inches) takes four to five hours because there are more knots to tie. You can make any size you want — measure your bed and add a few inches for overhang, then buy fleece to match those dimensions.
Do I need to tie the knots very tight?
Knots should be snug but not so tight that you tear the fleece or make it difficult to tie. A moderately tight knot will hold through washing and use. If a knot feels loose after washing, you can retie it. The washing process actually helps tighten the knots as the fleece shrinks slightly.
Can I make a tie blanket with printed or patterned fleece?
Yes. Patterned fleece works the same way as solid fleece. You can also use two different colors or patterns — stack them with the right sides facing out so both patterns show on the finished blanket. This is a way to customize the look without any extra work.