Miracle Blankets are easy-to-use blankets that many parents in the UK trust for swaddling their children. Here, we will guide you on how to use Miracle Blanket so that you and your baby can sleep peacefully and soundly through the night. You don’t have to worry about them having trouble sleeping anymore!

We will go through three easy steps: Preparation, Folding and Wrapping, and Securing. 

Step #1. Preparation

The first step is to prepare the blanket. Lay it on a smooth and dry surface. The foot pouch should be at the bottom, and you should spread out the arm flaps as well.

Afterwards, you can place your baby in between the arm flaps. Place their feet inside the foot pouch. 

Sometimes, when your baby is too small, the feet might not reach the foot pouch. To solve this, fold it so that your baby’s feet can touch the bottom of the Miracle Blanket.

Voila! You finished with the first step. You can proceed to the following steps with ease. 

Step #2. Folding and wrapping

After placing the baby securely in between the arm flaps with their feet in the foot pouch, the next thing you have to do is to fold the blanket over the baby.

Fold the arm flaps over your baby. They should land just outside your baby’s arms.

After that, tuck the flaps under your baby’s back. 

At this point, you may think: where do my baby’s arms go? You can place their arms either at their sides or across their chest in the arms over chest position. 

Next, fold the short side over your baby’s belly. If the arms are down, tuck the fabric under the baby’s left armpit. The blanket should reach until the baby’s back.

Wrap the longer side over the baby’s belly as well. Make sure to go all the way around until you run out of fabric. Keep the top of the blanket just a little bit below the baby’s shoulders as you do this.

After all of these, you should have wrapped snugly around your precious little one. 

Step #3. Securing

The last step is perhaps the most crucial one. It would help if you secured the blanket by tucking it correctly. Your baby should not be in an awkward or uncomfortable position.

Check if the fit is snug. It shouldn’t be too tight to cause any discomfort or suffocation. 

To do this, insert two fingers between the blanket and your baby’s chest. Is there enough room for your fingers? If yes, then you’ve done an excellent job.

After doing this, watch out for any signs of discomfort. If you find none, then you’ve done it! You’ve successfully used a Miracle Blanket for swaddling your infant.

Your baby can now enjoy a longer, deeper, and most importantly, safer sleep. 

Are Miracle Blankets Safe?

These blankets are 100% safe for use. They are also the number one swaddling blanket recommended by paediatricians.

When you first use the Miracle Blanket, your baby may show signs of discomfort because they need to get used to the blanket. After a few uses, your child will become accustomed to it, and some in the UK even look forward to swaddling.

What Are The Benefits Of Learning How to Use Miracle Blanket?

Aside from being safe, the Miracle Blanket also provides many benefits for your infant.

For example, babies need to sleep on their backs, especially for the first few months of their life. A swaddle like the Miracle Blanket will help your baby stay flat on their back during their slumber. Swaddles also help your baby sleep more deeply and more peacefully.

However, parents in the UK should be mindful of how they swaddle their babies. Misusing the blanket has severe health and safety risks for your infant. 

If the swaddle is too tight, your baby can develop problems with their movement and mobility. Incorrect swaddling can also lead to SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. 

Additionally, your child should only be wearing a diaper when swaddled to avoid overheating.

When Should You Stop Swaddling? 

Aside from the health and safety risks listed above, you should also be mindful of your baby’s mobility. If they can roll over, that is a sign that you should stop swaddling your baby. 

Rolling over intentionally usually occurs at around 14 weeks old. 

You should stop swaddling at this age, or perhaps even earlier because your baby could undo their swaddle from rolling over. A fussy baby in a swaddle can lead to discomfort, suffocation, and even death. 

What Should You Do After Swaddling?

You can gradually stop swaddling by getting them used to sleep with an arm or leg outside the swaddle. Keep removing more limbs from the swaddle until they can sleep soundly without it.

Conclusion

Learning how to use Miracle Blanket has never been easier. With only three simple steps, you can successfully swaddle your precious child with ease.

All you need to do is Prepare, Fold and Wrap, and Secure! After that, you can sleep soundly knowing your baby is fast asleep as well, swaddled in a reliable, doctor-recommended Miracle Blanket.

While fleece blankets offer comfort, people in the UK still find them hard to clean. In this article, the three basic steps of how to wash a fleece tie blanket, namely pre-treatment, washing, and drying, are discussed.

However, you must note that since this is a sensitive type of fabric, the usual washing methods for other materials may not apply to fleece. For instance, UK experts do not recommend washing with bleach and fabric softeners since these chemicals negatively affect fibre integrity.

You must also monitor the temperature at which this material is being washed and dried. Use water or a dryer that is too hot for this fabric, and you risk inflicting permanent damage.

So, to help you achieve that clean blanket, here are the three easy steps in cleaning your fleece tie blanket.

What Are The Steps On How To Wash A Fleece Tie Blanket?

Follow this step-by-step procedure to clean your delicate blanket.

Step #1. Pre-treatment

For those stubborn stains that ruined your blanket, apply a drop of dishwashing liquid and allow it to sit for 10 minutes. Blot dry using a paper towel and never rub the stain as this might seep deeper into the fabric.

Step #2 Washing

If available, use the gentle setting of your washing machine. This substance is critical, especially for fleece tie blankets, to prevent twisting and knot formation.

Never use hot water, bleach, and fabric softener! All of these will ruin either the fabric’s water-repellent properties, melt it, or affect the dyes added.

It is also best to combine fleece blankets with other clothing items made of the same material. This mixture will ensure that jeans or corduroys will not scratch the fabric.

Step #3 Drying

If possible, line-dry the washed blanket. If not, use a no- or low-heat setting in your dryer to dry the fleece.

Do not wring out the excess moisture as this will cause wrinkle formation. Also, do not iron these wrinkles if they form, as high temperatures melt the fabric.

Pressing with the hands-on a flat surface usually does the trick in folding the dried blanket.

What are the Types of Fleece?

While fleece blankets commonly made of plastic, specifically polyesters, other materials are also available if you do not want to add to the world’s plastic problem. Below are different types of fleece based on composition.

Cotton Fleece

Though it does not offer much warmth as other fleece, this type usually found in sweaters., it has a soft surface and is breathable.

Rayon Fleece

Much like cotton fleece, this type is also breathable and comfortable. However, this one is more absorbent, making it easy to dye to create an array of colours.

Hemp Fleece

Combined with cotton, this soft fleece type has long fibres, making it durable. It also doesn’t easily pill and has antimicrobial properties.

Bamboo Fleece

Earth warriors might look into other materials to curb the plastic count of the planet. Coming from cellulose fibres of bamboo, these are combined with hemp to produce soft and flexible fabrics.

Polar Fleece

This material has water-repellent properties and offers good insulation. Manufacturers often use it as a lining in sweaters and jackets.

Blizzard Fleece

As the prominent material in sweaters and robes, this type is cheaper than the preceding one but still offers the same function.

Faux Sherpa

If you are into mountaineering, chances are you are familiar with the Sherpas and how their hiking attire looks like. Covered with those white, curly fibres of sheep fleece, they have ascended the Himalayas and guided different expeditions.

You do not need to undergo the dangers of cliffs and avalanches to get that Sherpa vibe. Faux Sherpa is a white or ivory imitation and commonly blended with leather or suede. 

Microfiber Fleece

Microfibers are gaining traction in the textile industry in the past years. It has found usage in fleece, which are suitable for baby clothes, sportswear, and nightclothes.

Double-Sided Cuddle Fleece 

Primarily used in activewear, this fleece type is moisture-resistant, so you don’t get soaking wet during your daily laps. It has deep piles and is not bulky.

Micro Chamois

This very soft and light fabric is perfect for baby blankets and undergarments. It is not bulky and prevents static electricity.

Anti-Pill Fleece

As the name implies, this type addresses the nemesis of fleece fabric. This type undergoes treatments during manufacturing to prevent pilling or ball of the surface resulting from scratching.

Berber Fleece

Like faux Sherpa, this one has a rough texture, with one side knitted and the other with curly fibres. This material is usually used in pillows and throws as it offers more warmth.

Windbloc Fleece

Also used in activewear, this type has two sides that are water-resistant. Perfect for your next workout!

Lycra Spandex Fleece

If you are into sports, you might find a lot of Dri-Fit articles in your closet. As it turns out, those are partly made with this fabric and combined with cotton or polyester, provides a comfortable fit.

French Terry Fleece

Although not as warm as the other fleece, this type hugs the body perfectly and are found in sweaters.

Conclusion

It’s no secret that washing blankets are a dreaded chore. As it turns out, learning how to wash your fleece tie blanket is as easy as 1-2-3! Just keep in mind the do’s and don’ts in each step, and you’re good to go!

On how to add a hood to a crochet blanket, you only need to be aware of two essential steps or stages: making the hood and attaching the said hood to the blanket.

While the process might be complicated, you won’t have any problems as long as you follow this guide!

So, get those needles and yarns ready! With this article, you would learn how to add a hood and know the typical patterns of crochet blankets and the good yarns you can use.

Steps on How To Add A Hood To A Crochet Blanket

Blankets provide you with that warm embrace you are yearning for during a cold and breezy day. But do you know what will make these blankets even better? A hood!

Crochet hooded blankets are trendy for both kids and adults alike! Do you want in on the trend? Here are two steps to adding a hood to your blanket!

Step #1. Making the hood

The hood is one of the two vital materials you need for this guide. The other one is the crochet blanket. You can either buy one in the UK or perhaps make one yourself.

If you are not confident in your sewing skills, purchasing a hood might be ideal or having someone in the UK make it for you.

For this, you need to consider the design and colour of your crochet blanket. While it is not necessary, it is still better than the hood will match the blanket.

There are quite a few things to consider in making the hood yourself, such as the hood’s style and pattern and the type of yarn you should use.

If the hooded blanket is for your kids, there are a wide variety of designs you can play with.

If you have a lot of practice with knitting, you can use several characters or animals as your inspiration, such as a unicorn, cat, dinosaur, bunny, dog, and even an alien!

If you are still a beginner, you can settle with the typical hood. You can look up a few tutorials online to make it.

Step #2. Attaching the hood

You now have the hood down. It’s time to attach it to the crochet blanket!

It would be best to determine which part of the blanket you will attach the hood on. It might be good to use a rectangular-shaped blanket.

Typically, hoods connected to the shorter side of it.

You can then start stitching the crochet hood onto your blanket. It is advisable to use the same type of yarn on your blanket.

The way you’ll stitch it depends on you. You can use a sewing technique that you are most comfortable with. You can use different types of crochet stitches.

What Are The Common Patterns of A Crochet Hooded Blanket?

It mentioned that there are different types of hood patterns you can try. That isn’t an exaggeration.

With hooded crochet blankets growing in popularity, new designs and patterns just kept appearing on the internet every day!

The most popular patterns would be animal-themed hoods. You can create your kid’s favourite animal’s ears and horns with the hoods! May that be cat ears, rabbit ears, mouse ears, or even unicorn horns!

In choosing or creating a hood, allow your creative juices to run wild!

What Type of Yarn Should You Use?

If you made the hood yourself and used the same yarn as the one in your blanket, then the choice is easy. If not, here are a few choices for you.

• Acrylic – This is a synthetic fibre that would hold up during washing and drying. The colours also don’t fade quickly. A bonus is that it is cheaper compared to natural fibres!

• Cotton – These are yarns that are plant-based fibres. It usually shrinks, but washing with cold water and setting the machine to low heat while drying can reduce shrinkage.

• Bamboo – This is another plant-based fibre. This yarn believed to contain antibacterial properties. Washing it alone can lead to misshape, but combining it with wool would create a more elastic yarn.

• Wool – This is a natural animal fibre that is elastic, breathable and has excellent stitch definition. You can choose a machine washable yarn that treated chemically to reduce felting.

How To Wash and Store A Crochet Hooded Blanket In The UK?

You can wash a hooded crochet blanket the same way you wash other crochet blankets. You can dry it using an automatic dryer but make sure to place it on low heat.

In terms of typical drying methods, you can lay it out on a flat surface and let the blanket dry for at least 24 hours. You can flip the blanket once in a while to allow even drying.

For storing, you can keep them inside a dark closet. Just avoid dumping them in attics or basements since the humidity can destroy the fabric.

Conclusion

Blankets themselves are extraordinary inventions, but hooded ones are on a whole new level. Learning how to add a hood to a crochet blanket can get a bit tricky, especially without much stitching knowledge.

With enough patience and research, you’ll be able to accomplish it!

There are seven ways to answer your question of how to add width to crochet blanket. The main idea, though, revolves around only one principle: increase everything that you are using!

Got a thin yarn? Buy a thicker one in the UK! Or double strand it so you don’t waste your first purchase.

Are you using a small size hook? Switch to a bigger one!

How about your methods? Do you know that you can make your blanket larger by simply resizing your stitches?

For a more elaborate discussion, just read on! 

Valuable Tips On How To Add Width To Crochet Blanket

Perhaps nothing can be more frustrating for a crochet hobbyist than finding that perfect crochet blanket pattern of your dreams, only to discover that it is too tiny to your preference.

Or, if you receive one as a gift, you might feel too shy to return it despite it not being able to cover your knees.

Fret not, for here are simple tips to address your dilemma!

• Use a larger hook

The premise of using larger hooks is that this creates larger spaces between your stitches, thereby increasing the total width of your blanket.

Usually, a few notches above the recommended hook size do the trick.

The caveat is that those larger spaces mean more room for air to go through.

So, if you quickly get cold or warm isn’t just the main reason you are increasing your blanket’s size; this might not be the right solution for you.

Don`t worry, though, as we still have other options for you.

• Get a thicker yarn

If you look into other sources, this is the same thing as increasing your yarn weight. It`s a sort of a no-brainer since using thicker yarn will make your blanket fluffier and broader in size. 

Using thicker or heavier yarn, you might need to adjust to the amount of yarn you are going to use and the hook size appropriate for the job.

Alternatively, you may double-strand your yarn, so you don’t waste your thin materials. Just keep in mind that this will use more threads than the other options.

• Scale up your stitches

If the original pattern calls for a single chain, double it up! This procedure is one of the easiest ways to widen your blanket, but it is essential to note where you are doubling up so you don`t get lost along the way.  

• Add rows

Talking about easy ways to make your blanket bigger, why not add a few more rows of chains? This action works well if the pattern of your blanket is repetitive.

Your blanket will be heavier after you apply this method, but who cares if that will keep you warm during a blizzard, right?

• Utilise borders

Let`s say that you already have that perfect pattern of a blanket, but it is smaller than what you would have liked.

Also, unlike in the previous tip, this one is non-repetitive, and adding rows will ruin the whole thing.

It looks like a dead-end.

Fortunately, there are pre-made crochet borders available in the market. You can achieve a wider blanket without worrying much about the pattern by adding yarn of different colours or weight or some ruffles.

• Add up on the granny squares

If you are utilising ready-made granny squares or made it yourself, these handy pieces help add width to your blankets.

You need to be mindful of keeping the overall pattern intact when adding these.

• Use math

When your teacher said that math is a universal language and you can find it in all things, they probably drew inspiration from crocheting.

This art form is full of math! From the number of stitches to the use of patterns, everything has some number involved in it. 

There is no better way to illustrate this than using ratios and proportions in adding width to your blankets.

If, for example, you have a 4 x 5 blanket at your disposal, and you want to make it bigger to fit in more people in the UK, scale things up by multiplying the dimensions by the same factor. Maybe make it 12 x 15 or 36 x 45; it`s all up to you.

What are the crochet blanket sizes?

To further guide you in selecting the appropriate crochet blanket size according to your personal needs, below is a summary of the standard blanket sizes and the dimensions for each.

Blanket	Inches		Centimetre
	Width	Length	Width	Length
Lovey	10	10	25	25
Security/Cuddle	14	17	36	43
Baby/Stroller	30	35	76	89
Receiving	40	40	102	102
Toddler	42	52	107	132
Swaddle	47	47	119	119
Crib	45	60	114	152
Throw	52	60	132	152
Twin	66	90	168	229
Double	90	108	229	274
Queen	96	108	244	274
King	108	108	274	274

Conclusion

Whether you bought a ready-made blanket or starting from scratch, adding width or length to this comfy piece may be a daunting task.

As you can see, by simply using different tools, materials, or methods, the job becomes more manageable.

Just follow these tips, and you’ll never have to worry about how to add width to crochet blankets ever again.

If you’re curious about how many yards of yarn to make a blanket, it will depend on the blanket type. You also want to consider other factors, such as the gauge of your blanket or the number of stitches per inch. You can always sew a blanket together, but crocheting one will be another experience you must try. 

However, the emphasis is necessary that these amounts are estimates. You still need to allocate more materials depending on the stitches you’ll make. If you’re pretty overwhelmed with these considerations, continue reading below. 

 

How Much Yarn Do You Need To Make A Blanket?

You’ll need to make a blanket the yards of yarn depending on your desired blanket size and type and gauge. For example, a crib blanket measuring 36 by 36 inches with a bulky gauge or 3.5 stitches per inch will need 653 yards of yarn, assuming you’ll have 4.5 rows per inch. 

If you’re using a different gauge, then this amount will also change. If you want to make an Afghan, which has the dimensions of 48 by 60 inches and a worsted gauge of 5 stitches per inch, you’ll need 2,458 yards of yarn. There are different knitting calculators online, so you’ll only need to input the blanket type and gauge to know how much yarn you’ll need. 

 

How much yarn for a full-size blanket?

You can produce a full-size Afghan blanket using around 18 balls or up to 4000 yards of yarn because you’re making something colourful. 

 

How to estimate the amount of yarn you’ll need

To help you understand calculators for knitting or crocheting, you have to know how to estimate the amount of yarn you’ll need for your project. Start by learning the dimensions of the specific blanket you have and what type of stitches you’ll use. 

Remember that every stitch differs in the amount of yarn it’ll need. Additionally, the gauge you’ll choose when crocheting also affects the amount of yarn required. And finally, the yarn weight can mean more or lesser yards.

 

How Much Yarn Do I Need For A Queen-size Blanket?

Because a queen-size blanket measures 50 by 70 inches, you will need around 9 pounds of yarn, according to our estimation guide discussed. It would also be best if you know how many stitches you’ll cast for the blanket. A queen-size blanket will need 20 stitches because you divided the length of 50 inches by 2.5.

 

How much yarn is in a skein?

When buying yarns, you will come across the term “skein.” This term refers to the yarn that is rolled loosely in an elliptical. Learn how to read a skein band and remember that the number of yards in a yarn skein will differ depending on the yarn’s weight. 

It’s worth noting that the yardage for two skeins will always differ because the yarn sold by weight and not according to yardage. The latter is only an estimate of the least amount of yarn you can expect in the skein. Always check the yarn packaging for the forecast to help you with your project accurately. 

 

What Can I Crochet With 500 Yards Of Yarn?

There are many projects that you can do with 500 yards of yarn. Remember that you can make different patterns with even just a skein of yarn, so having 500 yards will allow you to produce scarves and other more significant things. It would be much easier to knit these examples as well. 

If you have 500 yards of worsted yarn, you can make ponchos, shawls, scarves, bags, or even a cute dog sweater. It’s also possible to produce a toddler sweater, baby blanket, capelets, rugs, or slippers with bulky and super bulky yarns. The internet offers a vast array of patterns, so your 500 yards of yarn will likely be used. 

 

What Can I Knit With 400 Yards Of Yarn?

Whether you have worsted, bulky, or super bulky yarn, 400 yards is more than enough for different patterns you can knit. You can find ways for shawls, scarves, cowls, bags, baby cardigans and sweaters, rugs, vests, or even a hooded poncho. If you want socks or baby items like dresses, 400 yards of sports weight yarn and fingering weight yarn would also keep you busy. 

 

Knitting vs crocheting

Since we’re on the topic of what you can do with a certain amount of yarn, it would be best to know how knitting and crocheting differ to select the best method for your project or pattern. The best way to differentiate the two is knitting uses a pair of long needles, while crocheting uses one hook. Therefore, crocheting is more beginner-friendly since you’ll only use the hook to hook the loops together. 

Conclusion

Do you consider knitting or crocheting a blanket? You must know how many yards of yarn to make a blanket to ensure that your project will go by smoothly. An Afghan will need up to 4000 yards of yarn, but please keep in mind what factors to consider to help you estimate how many yards you’ll need for a blanket. 

They are your blanket’s size and type, as well as the gauge. There are many calculators online to help you get the yards you’ll need, and patterns will also mention the yarn’s skeins required to finish the project. Overall, we hope this article has helped you with yarn estimates, so please leave a comment if you have any more questions.