I had an old velour blanket with a soft, velvety finish that I loved for its feel but not for its look. It was dark, plain, and had been tucked away in a closet for years. When some blogging friends invited me to join a cozy-themed blog hop, I decided to pull that blanket out and give it a fresh, playful look. This is a simple, low-cost DIY to transform a tired blanket into a decorative fringe throw using only yarn and a few basic tools.
Why this project works
Blankets that are soft but visually uninspiring can be revived by adding texture and movement. Fringe instantly makes a plain throw feel handmade and cozy, and yarn gives you the opportunity to add contrast, color, or a subtle accent while reinforcing the blanket edge. This project is ideal for an older blanket with intact center fabric and only worn edges—if the center is damaged, the blanket may be too compromised to rescue.
What I used
- One old velour blanket (or any soft throw)
- One ball of chenille-style yarn (soft polyester works well)
- A pair of sharp scissors
I purchased the yarn at a craft store. Choose a yarn that complements the blanket texture and will hold a knot well. Chenille yarn has a velvety finish that matched my blanket nicely and feels pleasant against the skin.
The steps
Step 1: Prepare the edge. Using scissors, remove any existing hem or damaged border. On my blanket, the hem pulled away very easily because the fabric had become threadbare. Once the hem was off, I trimmed the edge so I had a straight working area.
Step 2: Cut vertical strips in the blanket edge. Cut strips about 8 inches (20 cm) long and 1–2 inches wide, depending on the blanket thickness and look you want. These strips form the base for tying the yarn fringe. Keep your cuts even so the finished fringe looks consistent.
Step 3: Prepare the yarn pieces. Cut yarn pieces roughly double the strip length so they fold over easily—about 18 inches (46 cm) worked well for my strips. Knot the yarn ends to prevent them from fraying and to control the fibers while you work.
Step 4: Attach the yarn. Fold a yarn piece in half to form a loop, slide the loop under two adjacent blanket strips, then pull the loose ends through the loop and tighten. This creates a secure lark’s-head knot that sits neatly on the blanket edge. For extra security and fullness, tie the yarn once more around the base of the knot or use two yarn pieces per position.
Step 5: Double up for fluff. If your blanket edge is fraying or you want a thicker fringe, place two or more yarn pieces into the same knot. I had to trim away a particularly threadbare section and rework the edge; doubling the yarn pieces resulted in a fuller, more forgiving fringe that hides the trimmed area.
Troubleshooting and tips
- If the blanket edge is heavily worn, cut back further until you reach stable fabric. It’s better to lose a few inches than to have a fringe that unravels.
- Match the yarn weight to the blanket: bulky yarn on a light throw can look heavy; fine yarn on a thick blanket may not stand out. Chenille works great for velour or plush blankets.
- Keep knots tight and trim any stray fibers so the finished fringe looks tidy. If you want a more rustic look, leave the ends raw and soft.
- Work in small sections so the blanket edge remains even—this helps the fringe hang uniformly.
The finished blanket
After trimming threadbare areas and attaching yarn throughout, the blanket ended up a bit smaller than the original, but it gained personality and was no longer destined for the closet. The new fringe gives the throw a handmade, cozy appearance that looks perfect on a living room couch. I paired it with some pillows—one made from an old dress fabric and another gifted by a friend—to complete the vignette.
Final thoughts
This was a simple, inexpensive makeover that turned an overlooked blanket into a decorative piece worth displaying. What began as an afternoon task stretched into a couple of days because I had to trim additional threadbare sections, but the effort was worth it. If you have a soft, plain throw that needs a visual boost, try adding a hand-tied yarn fringe—it’s an easy way to refresh a room with texture and color.
Monthly creative blog hop
This project was part of a cozy-themed blog hop. Contributors included Kellie (Gratefully Vintage), Michelle (Our Crafty Mom), Leanna (Of Faeries and Fauna Crafts), Janine (Happy Happy Nester), Katrin (Kreativ K), Sam (Raggedy Bits), Ashley (Modern Glam), and Mary (The Boondocks Blog).
More cozy projects
Fleece Pillow – a simple, almost no-sew project to turn a scarf or fleece into a comfortable pillow.
Sweatshirt-to-pillow – repurposing comfy clothing into personalized pillows is an easy cozy upgrade.
If you try this project, I’d love to hear how it turns out. Small changes like fringe and texture can make a big difference in the look and feel of your home decor.