A fleece tie blanket is the project that makes people fall in love with fabric crafts. No machine, no needle, no pattern — just two pieces of fleece, scissors and a couple of hours. It's a favorite for gifts, charity drives and classroom projects.
How much fleece do you need?
Fleece comes 58–60" wide. Buy two pieces the same length (one for the top, one for the backing) and add the fringe on all sides.
| Finished size | Buy per layer | Total fleece |
|---|---|---|
| Baby (36" × 36") | 1 ⅜ yd | 2 ¾ yd |
| Lap (45" × 55") | 1 ⅞ yd | 3 ¾ yd |
| Throw (50" × 60") | 2 yd | 4 yd |
| Twin (60" × 84")* | 2 ⅝ yd | 5 ¼ yd |
*A twin blanket plus fringe is wider than standard fleece, so you'll need to use the fleece lengthwise or accept a slightly narrower finish. Want an exact figure for your size and fringe length? Use our fleece tie blanket calculator.
Supplies
- 2 coordinating pieces of fleece
- Sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter
- Cutting mat and long ruler
- Cardboard template (4" × 4")
- Pins or clips
Step by step
- Lay the layers together. Place the backing face-down, then the top face-up, edges aligned. Smooth out wrinkles.
- Trim to match. Cut off selvedges and square up both layers together so every edge is even.
- Cut the corners. Place your 4" template in each corner and cut out the square through both layers.
- Cut the fringe. Cut strips 1" wide and 4" deep along every side, through both layers.
- Tie the knots. Tie each top strip to the backing strip under it with a double knot. Don't pull so hard the edge puckers.
- Finish the corners. Tie the corner strips last, then give the whole blanket a shake.
Tap each step as you finish it to keep your place.
Three knot styles
- Double knot — the classic, very secure, shaggy fringe.
- Loop-through (no knot) — cut a small slit at the base of each strip and pull the strip through it. Flatter edge, uses less fringe.
- Braided edge — loop each strip through the slit of the next for a neat braided border.
Tips for a better blanket
- Anti-pill fleece looks better for longer than budget fleece.
- Don't prewash fleece — it doesn't shrink meaningfully and washing first makes cutting harder.
- Cut both layers together so the strips line up perfectly.
- Wash finished blankets on cool and tumble dry low.
Frequently asked questions
How much fleece do I need for a no-sew blanket?
For a 50" × 60" throw you need about 2 yards of each of two fleeces — 4 yards in total. Use the fleece calculator for other sizes.
How long does it take to make a tie blanket?
Most throw-size blankets take 1½–2½ hours, mostly spent tying knots. It's faster with two people.
Should I wash fleece before making a tie blanket?
Not usually. Polyester fleece barely shrinks, and unwashed fleece is easier to cut cleanly.
