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How to Make a No Sew Blanket with a Braided Edge

If you want to make a tie blanket but don’t love the look and feel of the knots, there’s a better alternative.  This new kind of no-sew fleece blanket takes the same amount of time as a regular tie blanket, but without those annoying knots and floppy fringe. 

Over half a million people have used my tutorial to create their own fleece blankets, and it’s SO easy that even my 10 year old can do it.  In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a beautiful fleece blanket to keep or give as a gift, and everyone will be begging to know how you made it!

Be sure to watch the video below to see step-by-step instructions to make the blanket. (If you are using an ad blocker, you might need to turn it off to see the video.)

If you like this post, also check out my other easy homemade blanket tutorials: how to make a tie blanket from fleece, no-sew fleece mermaid tail blanket pattern, and things to make with fleece scraps.  I also have a post that shows you how to make a no-sew baby blanket with minky fabric.

How to Make No-Sew Fleece Blankets with a Braided Edge

Why You Should Try This No Sew Blanket

I wanted to make the no-sew fleece blankets as easy as possible, so we had people bring one yard pieces.  We used two, one yard pieces for each blanket.  I have instructions to make yours bigger, but I don’t suggest going smaller.  This is a good size for a lap blanket or baby blanket.

How to Make a No-Sew Fleece Blanket with Braided Edge

What do you need for a No Sew Blanket?

  • fleece in two different colors/patterns
    • Baby blanket: 1 yard each (2 yards total)
    • Child’s blanket: 1.5 yards each (3 yards total)
    • Adult blanket: 2 yards each (4 yards total)
  • sharp fabric scissors
  • yardstick or ruler
  • masking tape (optional – to mark your cut line)

How do you make a No Sew Fleece Blanket without Knots?

Lay your two pieces of fleece out with wrong sides together. Cut off the selvage edges and trim them down so they are both the same size. If you’re making a baby blanket, cut it down more to be about 48 inches x 36 inches.  Next cut a 2 x 2 inch inch square out of each corner.

How to Make a No-Sew Fleece Blanket with Braided Edge

Now you want to cut two inch long slits that are one inch apart, like the photo below.  It helps to have a long yardstick or put some masking tape across the blanket for this part.  Do this on all four sides of the blanket.

How to Make a No-Sew Fleece Blanket with Braided Edge

Fold each of the fringe pieces in half, and cut a small slit in the middle.  If you want your blanket to lay flatter and/or have a little bit of a tidier edge, you can also make your slit closer to the end of the tab.  Not too close, or it might rip through.  I recommend experimenting with the look of the “braid” on some scraps first.

How to Make a No-Sew Fleece Blanket with Braided Edge

Now for the “braiding” part.  It’s not really braiding, more like crocheting, and it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it.  Basically you want to take the fringe piece to the left and put it through the hole on the fringe piece to the right.  Pull it though, and that becomes the next hole that you use.  Make sure you grab both layers of the blanket and treat them as one.  If this is confusing at all, watch the video at the top of this post.  It will show you the entire process. (If you are using an ad blocker, you might need to turn it off to see the video.)

How to Make a No-Sew Fleece Blanket with Braided Edge
How to Make a No-Sew Fleece Blanket with Braided Edge
How to Make a No-Sew Fleece Blanket with Braided Edge

When you get to the end, separate the two layers of the last piece of fringe.  Put one of the layers through the starting hole.

How to Make a No-Sew Fleece Blanket with Braided Edge

Use the two layers of fringe to tie a double knot and then tuck it into the inside of the blanket.

How to Make a No-Sew Fleece Blanket with Braided Edge

That’s it!  A completely no-sew fleece blanket with a braided edge!

No Sew and Tie Blanket FAQs

How many yards do you need for a tie blanket or no sew blanket?

Baby blanket: 1 yard each of two different fabrics (2 yards total),
Child’s blanket: 1.5 yards each of two different fabrics (3 yards total),
Adult blanket: 2 yards each of two different fabrics(4 yards total).

What is the best fabric to use for a no sew blanket?

The best fabric to use for a no sew blanket is fleece.  Fleece comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns and doesn’t fray when you cut it, making it ideal for no sew blankets. 

If you can spend a little more, go with anti-pill fleece so it won’t end up pilling (forming fuzzballs on the surface) with use. 

If you want the blanket to be really nice, you can go with a Luxe fleece, but you’re going to pay a much heftier price for it. 

You can also make no sew blankets out of minky fabric, but it’s not as common.

Should I wash fleece before making a no sew blanket?

No, fleece doesn’t normally shrink much when washed, so you do not need to wash it first.  It’s easier to line everything up for cutting before it’s washed, so I actually recommend waiting until after the blanket is made to wash it.

How long does it take to make a no sew blanket?

30 minutes

How to Make a No-Sew Fleece Blanket with Braided Edge
How to Make a No-Sew Fleece Blanket with Braided Edge

No Sew Fleece Blanket with Braided Edge

No Sew Fleece Blanket with Braided Edge

Instructions to make a no sew blanket without knots.

Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Difficulty Beginner
Estimated Cost $10

Materials

  • fleece in two different colors/patterns - Baby blanket: 1 yard each (2 yards total), Child’s blanket: 1.5 yards each (3 yards total), Adult blanket: 2 yards each (4 yards total)

Tools

  • sharp fabric scissors
  • yardstick or ruler
  • masking tape (optional)

Instructions

      1. Lay both pieces that you are using on top of each other, wrong sides together.
      2. Cut pieces to same size and trim off any selvage edges. If you are making a baby blanket, cut the fabric down to about 48 inches x 36 inches, otherwise keep the blanket pieces as big as possible.
      3. Cut a 2 x 2 inch inch square out of each corner.
      4. Measure and cut two inch long slits that are one inch apart down all sides of the blanket to make a fringe.
      5. Fold each of the fringe pieces in half, and cut a small slit in the middle.
      6. "Crochet" the fringe pieces together by taking the fringe piece to the left and put it through the hole on the fringe piece to the right.  Pull it though, and that becomes the next hole that you use. (Watch the video for more details.)
      7. When you get to the end, separate the two layers of the last piece of fringe.  Put one of the layers through the starting hole. Use the two layers of fringe to tie a double knot and then tuck it into the inside of the blanket.

Take a look at these other posts:

How to make a Fleece Blanket from Scraps

20 Things to Make with Fleece Scraps

How to Make a Blanket for a Baby

How to Make a Tie Blanket from Fleece

How to make a tie blanket from fleece.

No-Sew Fleece Mermaid Tail Blanket

How to Make a No-Sew Blanket with Minky Fabric

How to Make a Weighted Blanket

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Cheryl

Friday 24th of February 2023

I have made one of these blankets for each of my grandchildren. Your directions were easy to follow. I found it was easier for me to use a crochet hook when I was braiding the sides. It makes it go faster. Thank you for the easy blanket directions. I am sure I will be making more.

Renee

Thursday 6th of January 2022

Great tutorial, do you use a 2" square no matter what size of the blanket?

Renee

Tuesday 18th of January 2022

@Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts, thank you

Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts

Thursday 13th of January 2022

Yep, because the square just determines the size of the fringe, not the blanket.

Barbara Hutson

Wednesday 5th of January 2022

I have completed my blanket, but it won't lay down flat, how can I correct that?

Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts

Thursday 13th of January 2022

The edges to cup a little. Fleece stretches, so you can try to gently tug on it to help it lay flat.

Karlana

Thursday 16th of September 2021

I tried doing the braid method on two blankets how and the fabric on the otherwise is not flat it’s bunched up as if it’s like a fitted sheet I am loosely tightening the pieces but I’m not sure what I am doing wrong.

Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts

Wednesday 29th of September 2021

Yeah it does that a little. If you try making the slits a little closer to the edge of the tabs, that might help a little. You can also experiment with making the tabs a little longer to see if that helps.

Tina

Tuesday 14th of September 2021

I'm actually making a squirell hammock for my rehab squirrelfriends

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