Learn 10 Easy Blanket Stitch Variations
Table of contents
- Basic Blanket Stitch
- Long and Short Blanket Stitch
- Uneven Blanket Stitch
- Double Blanket Stitch
- German Knotted Blanket Stitch
- Closed Blanket Stitch
- Crossed Blanket Stitch
- Boxed Blanket Stitch
- Whipped Blanket Stitch
- Pinwheel
- Looped Blanket Flower Stitch
- Video
These blanket stitch variations aren’t just for sewing the edge of blankets. They’re wonderful for incorporating simple designs and embellishments and even creating flowers. The blanket stitch is also used to add a felt backing to your work when you're finished and is perfect for felt appliqúe.
First I’ll show you how to create a basic blanket stitch, then I'll cover the each variation, followed by a video tutorial.
The Basic Blanket Stitch
- Create a loose stitch: come up at A, then return to the back at B.
- Come back up to the top at C, under your loose stitch, so when you pull it tight you'll be able to form a right angle.
- Repeat the same steps. Return to the back at D to create a loose stitch, and so on.
QUICK TIP: to keep your stitches nice and neat it helps to gently hold your thread down near C as you create your next stitch.
- Repeat until you're happy with the length of your back stitch.
1. Long & Short Blanket Stitch
The long and short blanket stitch and the uneven blanket stitch (which I’ll cover soon) are a bit different from each other but sometimes their names are used interchangeably, and other times they'll be called something else.
Don't get too hung up on their names because it might confuse you. I know it did me when I first learned these two.
For the sake of keeping this tutorial simple I'll be using the names which were introduced to me when I became familiar with them.
To create the long and short blanket stitch you'll do almost exactly as you did with the basic version.
The difference is the height of your stitch which will vary to create a ‘scalloped’ look.
In my long and short blanket stitch there are 3 different heights but you can have more. Mine goes from short, medium, long, then back to medium and short.
Just repeat the pattern until you're happy!
2. Uneven Blanket Stitch
The uneven blanket stitch is just like the long and short blanket stitch except this time you'll only have 2 varying heights, one short and one tall, which alternate.
Just follow the same steps as the basic blanket stitch but alternate from short to long.
Here you can compare the blanket stitch variations I just covered.
3. Double Blanket Stitch
The double blanket stitch is just 2 basic blanket stitches with one on top and the other created just below it turned upside-down. It's also slightly offset. You can use the same color thread or mix it up with contrasting colors for a fun effect!
The two sets can touch but they can also be set slightly away from each other. It really depends on what you're going for.
4. German Knotted Blanket Stitch
- Once again, start with one basic blanket stitch.
- Then, create another but this time stitch it a bit close to your first one.
Next, slip your needle under your two stitches, then pull your thread through to create a knot at the top.
Repeat these steps until you're happy with the length of your stitch.
5. Closed Blanket Stitch
The closed blanket stitch looks like a row of triangles which are all hanging on a line… or perhaps they look more like a row of little monster teeth?
To get started, create your basic blanket stitch with a little variation.
- When you come up at C it should be closer to A so it's not directly above B. This will create an angle to help create the left side of the triangle.
- To form the right side of your triangle, use your finger to hold the thread in place at C.
- Return to the back at B (keep thread slightly loose on top) then come up at D under your loose thread.
Let's create your 2nd closed blanket stitch.
- Return to the back at E (keep it slightly loose on top).
- Come up at F below your loose thread.
- Return to the back at E, keeping your thread loose on top.
- Come up at G under your loose thread & gently pull your thread tight.
Repeat.
6. Crossed Blanket Stitch
In this variation will look like a row of X's which are attached to each other along a line at the top. Start the same way as the closed blanket stitch.
- Form a loose stitch: come up at A then down at B.
- Come up at C so it's a bit closer to A and under the loose stitch.
- Hold your thread down near C, then return to the back at D to form a loose stitch.
- Come up at E below your loose thread & pull tight to form the ‘X’ shape.
This variation is basically like creating the closed blanket stitch except you cross over to D instead of returning to the back at B to form your cross over.
Repeat these steps until you're happy with the length.
To end your stitch, you can add a little stitch at the top right or make it a little longer to mirror the beginning of your stitch.
7. Boxed Blanket Stitch
The boxed blanket stitch is a combination of the basic blanket stitch and the running stitch.
First create your basic blanket stitch (in orange). Make a row of them and then add your running stitch (in blue) at every other open end to create little boxes.
8. Whipped Blanket Stitch
This one is also a combination of two stitches... your basic blanket stitch and the whipped running stitch. Use contrasting thread colors so you can see the whipped stitch.
- Create your row using the basic blanket stitch.
- Next add a whipped stitch along the top. A whipped stitch just slips the thread around your existing stitch like a spiral.
The next two variations are great for making flowers, textures, and design elements!
9. Pinwheel
The pinwheel is essentially the basic blanket stitch created around a central point instead of a line. I've drawn in a circle with a dot for the center to use as guides.
- Start on the circle and come up at A. Return to the back at B (keep your thread slightly loose on top).
- Then come up at C below the loose stitch, then gently tighten.
Repeat.
- Hold thread down at C with your finger.
- Return to the back at B & keep the thread loose on top.
- Come up at D, below your loose thread, then tighten.
Each time you return to the back you'll always do so at B, the center of your circle. Each time you return to the front you'll do so along the circle. Repeat steps all the way around the circle.
10. Looped Blanket Flower Stitch
While it's not exactly a blanket stitch it kind of is since the steps are similar. Loose blanket stitches are used to create loops that overlap each other along several layers of circles to create a 3-dimensional flower.
- Draw a template consisting of a circle and 3 or 4 rings around the center. Fill the center with the satin stitch or french knots.
- You can start from the circle closest to the center and work your way out but I think it's actually easier in my experience to start from the outside.
- Come up at A then return to the back at B and create a little loop. Push the loop towards the outside so it’s out of the way for the next step.
- Return to the front between A and B, (at C) so your needle is in front of the loop.
- Gently pull your needle and thread up carefully so you don’t pull your loop to the back.
- Make another loop by returning to the back at D.
- Push your loop towards the outside so it’s out of the way.
- Return to the front next to B (and in front of your loop), then gently pull your needle and thread up.
- Repeat all the way around the circle.
Repeat this for each circle, then fluff your petals.
Once finished, your flower will look like the one on the left. You can cut and trim the loops carefully to get something like the one on the right.
Blanket Stitch Video Tutorial
You've made it to the end!
You now know how to create the basic blanket stitch and its variations for your stitching projects! If you want a little more help with them just watch my video tutorial below.