There are lots of DIY projects that make sense to complete in the wintertime. Besides the fact that you’ve got plenty of time at home, anything that makes your space even cozier is a welcome addition when things are still dark and cold out.

So here’s an extra-fun one: everything you need to make a fleece tie blanket. The best part? There’s no sewing required!

What you’ll need:

• 2 large pieces of fleece, about 1 to 1.25 yards each
• A pair of fabric scissors or a rotary cutter
• A large cutting board or some kind of cutting surface
• A ruler (or straight-edge)

Step 1:

Lay the two pieces of fleece on top of each other, with their “wrong” sides together (the “right” sides should both face out).

Step 2:

Trim off the ends to make them exactly the same size. Use your scissors or rotary cutter to cut right along the edge of your ruler or straight-edge, keeping the two pieces on top of each other so they become one precise unit.

Step 3:

Cut a 3-4” square from each corner. This helps prevent bunching at the corners and makes tying easier once you get to that step.

Step 4:

Cut 3”-long, even slits all the way around the whole edge (all 4 edges). This should end up looking almost like fringe. Be sure you cut the slits deep enough to be able to tie the pieces together – if they’re too short, you won't be able to double-knot them.

Step 5:

This is the fun part: Tie it up! Take each of the matching top and bottom slits and double-knot them together (make sure you do double-knots so you can wash the blanket without worrying about it coming apart).

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Tie blankets make great gifts or just cozy additions for your own house or apartment. Get creative with the kind of fleece you pick (hint: if you’ve got a sports fan and can find the colors of his or her favorite team, you’ll be on fire). Part of the fun of DIY projects is letting your creativity shine, so shine on.