How to Braid a Fleece Blanket Title Image

Holiday season is well and truly upon us, and with Christmas right around the corner, it is also fleece blanket season! Fleece blankets are a fun tradition in many families, and one that is being embraced by new families each year. One of the best things about giving fleece Christmas blankets to family members is how affordable and easy they are to make—even if you don’t see yourself as a dab hand at crafts.

One great method is to make a braided fleece blanket. Braided fleece blankets are great because they are dual-layered, and thus give you a bit of extra warmth, while having a tidy braided edge that requires no sewing. Here is a step by step guide.
 
 
Step 1. Cut Two Lengths of Fleece Fabric
 

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The size of your blanket is entirely up to you (although you might want to remember that the bigger the blanket, the more braiding you have to do!). If you are making blankets for your kids or grandkids, you might want to make blankets of varying sizes.

One and a half yards square is a good place to start, or if you want a rectangle (rather than square), you can do 1 by 1.5 yards for each layer. Either way, the most important thing is to make sure that your to lengths of fleece fabric are the same size.
 
Step 2. Cut the Edges
 
 
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Now that you have your fleece fabric, layer the two lengths on top of each other, making sure that the edges line up. Measure about a 2-inch square piece on each corner and cut it out. Then follow around the rest of the edges, and cut 2-inch long strips (about one inch thick) around the edge. When you are done, it should look like both layers have a sort of fringe.

Again, the measurements can vary according to your preference, and the size of the blanket, just be sure to make them each the same size (or as close as possible). Bigger strips will provide a bigger braid around the edge of your blanket, and smaller strips will be a little more finicky, but can leave a tidier braid. 

Once you have your strips cut around the edge, cut a small slit in the middle of each one, about half the size of each fringe strip. One easy way to do this can be to fold each strip in half and cut the slit in the middle with scissors. You can also do this as you go along, while you are cutting the strips.
 
Step 3. Braid!
 
 
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This might sound like the tricky part, but once you know what you are doing, you will probably find the process quite simple, and you can put on your favorite Christmas movie as you braid! Start wherever you like, and take a strip from the bottom layer of fleece. Thread that strip through the bottom of the slit in the strip above it.

Now, take the strip that is next to this, from the top layer of fleece. Thread that piece through the slit of the previously threaded bottom strip. You can then take the now-exposed bottom piece, and thread that through the newly threaded top piece.

As you go along, just remember to alternate top and bottom—remember, “bottom through the top, top through the bottom.” You can see a visual demonstration of this in this YouTube video.

When you finish, you will find two exposed pieces of fringe, which you can tie together and trim to finish it off. 

And that’s it! Now you can make as many braided fleece blankets as your heart desires—enough for the whole family. Now get braiding!