The Boulevard Blanket - Free Chunky Knitting Pattern - Updated!

Two years ago this week I published my first blanket knitting pattern - The Boulevard Blanket.

This blanket is quick and easy to knit...and it's reversible!  This is a great pattern for any level of knitter.

I'm happy to announce that The Boulevard Blanket knitting pattern has been updated to include instructions for six blanket sizes!

The Boulevard Blanket - CLICK to download the FREE PATTERN

Click here to download the PDF pattern file for The Boulevard Blanket.

Or, click here to download the pattern FREE on Ravelry. 

Or, click here to download the pattern FREE on LoveKnitting.

This pattern is very easy but once in a while knitters need a little extra help getting on track.  Here's a free PDF tutorial for The Boulevard Blanket to address the most common questions.

At first glance, you may think that The Boulevard Blanket is knit with simple garter stitch...but look again! An easy K3, P3 repeat pattern creates a subtle vertical striping effect.  The knitting pattern looks the same on both sides...it's reversible!

The Boulevard Blanket - Free Knitting Pattern

This warm, cozy, chunky blanket is very easy to knit with super bulky yarn.

The pattern includes instructions for six blanket sizes.

SIX BLANKET SIZES:

Baby/Infant Blanket: 28" wide x 28" long
Small (Crib/Lap): 35" wide x 40" long
Medium Throw: 38" wide x 46" long
Large Throw: 44" wide x 50" long
XL Afghan: 47" wide x 55" long
XXL Afghan: 53" wide x 60" long

YARDAGE - SUPER BULKY YARN:

Baby: 320 - 330 yards
Small: 590 - 600 yards
Medium: 730 - 740 yards
Large: 925 - 940 yards
XL: 1100 - 1150 yards
XXL: 1350 - 1400 yards

It's very easy to make any of the blankets longer!  Simply keep knitting and you can bind off on any row.  In the pattern I have included estimates of how much yardage is needed to add 2" in length to each blanket size.

If you prefer to use worsted or Aran weight yarn... use my Meadow Lane blanket knitting pattern.  Click here to download!  Or get the pattern on Ravelry.

Knitting with Lion Brand Hometown in 'Washington Denim'

SUPER BULKY YARN SUGGESTIONS:

Lion Brand Hometown (100% Acrylic) - For the blue blanket shown in the photos I used Lion Brand Hometown in 'Washington Denim'.  This yarn is very soft… but also has great stitch definition so the pattern really ‘pops’.  It’s easy to knit with and very economical.  See all the pretty colorways available and shop for Lion Brand Hometown on the Lion Brand website (US) and LoveCrafts.com (ships to US, Canada, UK, EU and many countries around the world).

The Boulevard Blanket - quick & easy to knit with super bulky yarn!

Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (80% Acrylic / 20% Wool) - I have used this yarn for many blanket projects including my Winter Dance blanket and Game Time blanket.  Great stitch definition.  Get more details and shop for this yarn on the Lion Brand website and LoveCrafts.com. 

This pattern looks great with Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick!

Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick is available in a beautiful selection of colorways!  It’s hard to pick a favorite!  Clockwise from the top: Cilantro (deep olive green), Glacier (light icy blue), Denim (dark denim blue), Air Force (medium cornflower blue), Peanut (tan), and Spice (dark burnt orange). See all of the colorways available in Wool-Ease Thick & Quick on the Lion Brand website or LoveCrafts.  

For The Boulevard Blanket I usually recommend a solid color yarn so the texture of the knitting shows up best.   However, sometimes multi color yarn can have fun results...one Ravelry knitter used two strands of Aran weight multicolored yarn knit together and it looks so cute!

The Boulevard Blanket knitting pattern - it's reversible!

SKILLS NEEDED:

The Boulevard Blanket is easy to knit and is a great pattern for a confident beginner.  If you know how to knit and purl...and switch back and forth between knit and purl...you can knit this blanket!

If you are a beginning knitter...I would suggest sticking with solid color yarn....and you might want to avoid a really dark color as it can be challenging to see your stitches.

KNITTING NEEDLES:

I used US size 13 knitting needles for this blanket.  You could also try US size 15 knitting needles.

Exact gauge is not important.  However, this pattern looks best with fairly tight knitting.  The vertical stripe effect will not show up as distinctly with loose knitting.

When knitting blankets, I recommend using long circular knitting needles to accommodate all of the stitches easily. Work back and forth just as you would with straight needles...at the end of the row simply turn the knitting and start knitting the next row.  Click here to read my blog post on FiftyFourTenStudio.com about knitting a blanket with circular knitting needles.

INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:

The name for this blanket is inspired by my hometown...Kansas City.  The subtle stripes made me think of all the beautiful streets we have in Kansas City.  An old promotional slogan for the city said "More boulevards than Paris, more fountains than Rome."  I can't confirm if either of these claims are true but we do have many attractive tree lined boulevards in my hometown....thus The Boulevard Blanket.

The Boulevard Blanket - named for the boulevards in Kansas City

MORE BLANKET KNITTING PATTERNS...

If you like this pattern you might also like my other easy to knit blanket patterns.

Click here to see all of my blanket knitting patterns on Ravelry.

Shop all of my knitting patterns on FiftyFourTenStudio.com.  

Would you like to receive updates on new pattern designs?  Click here to sign up for my Fifty Four Ten Studio email newsletter.

Thanks so much for reading and for your interest in my knitting patterns!

Happy knitting!

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio

On the Porch - New Easy Blanket Knitting Pattern

I'm so happy to announce my new blanket knitting pattern - On the Porch.

This blanket is very easy to knit and the pattern includes instructions for six sizes.

On the Porch blanket knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio

This pattern name is inspired by many fond memories of time spent on the porch with dear friends and family.  The simple textured stripe design reminds me of the old painted wood floor of a special porch from my childhood.  This lightweight blanket is perfect for cool summer evenings...on the porch.

Click here to purchase the On the Porch blanket knitting pattern at FiftyFourTenStudio.com.

On the Porch blanket knitting pattern is also available on Ravelry, LoveKnitting and Etsy.

This blanket is designed with a wide garter stitch border.  The border is designed to be wider at the top and bottom...and just a bit narrower on the sides.

On the Porch - easy blanket knitting pattern.

I really enjoyed knitting this blanket!  I used Blue Sky Fibers 'Organic Cotton' Worsted in the color 'Drift'. I purchased this lovely yarn at Yarn Shop and More in Downtown Overland Park, Kansas.  This yarn is absolutely gorgeous...so soft and luxurious!

Blue Sky Fibers 'Organic Cotton' Worsted in 'Drift'

I used US size 9 knitting needles and had a gauge of about 15 stitches x 20 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. I found Blue Sky Fibers 'Organic Cotton' Worsted to be a bit thicker than some worsted weight yarns...which was part of why it was a delight to knit with this yarn!

This pattern will work well with many worsted, Aran or DK weight yarns. Simply pick the needle size that gives the best appearance for your choice of yarn and your knitting tension.

Don't worry if your gauge has one or two stitches more...or less...per 4 inches.

If your gauge is 17 or more stitches per inch you may want to follow the directions for one blanket size larger than your desired finished size.

If your gauge is 13 or fewer stitches per inch you could consider following the directions for one size smaller than your desired finished size.

In either case, if your gauge is significantly different than 15 stitches to 4 inches...you many end up needing more...or less...yarn.

Instructions for Six Sizes:

Baby: 28" wide x 30.5" long
Small: 30" wide x 35" long
Medium: 33.5" wide x 38" long
Large: 38" wide x 41" long
XL: 42" wide x 47" long
XXL: 46" wide x 50" long

These are approximate sizes after blocking.  Size will vary with different yarn and/or gauge. Any of the blanket sizes may be made longer by adding additional pattern repeats. More details in the pattern.

Worsted Weight Yarn:

Baby: 600 - 620 yards
Small: 730 - 750 yards
Medium: 880 - 900 yards
Large: 1100 - 1150 yards
XL: 1400 - 1450 yards
XXL: 1600 - 1700 yards

Be sure to purchase additional yarn if you plan to make your blanket longer.  And...if you use a different weight yarn, have some extra yarn on hand just in case you need it!

I like using two small ring style stitch markers to keep track of the transition between the garter stitch border and the center stockinette stitch pattern.  These little green stitch markers are made by Clover.

Stitch markers are helpful...even with an easy knitting pattern.

It was fun to knit this blanket with such beautiful yarn!

I loved knitting with Blue Sky Fibers 'Organic Cotton' Worsted.

Blocking of the finished blanket is highly recommended!  It really helps straighten up all the stitches and flatten out the stockinette stitch sections. A worsted weight blanket only takes about a day to dry...it's really worth the time and effort!

Click here to read my step-by-step tips for blocking a blanket on my blog post on FiftyFourTenStudio.com.

On the Porch blanket knitting pattern...after blocking.

This blanket is easy and fun to knit.  With the six size options included in the pattern you can make just about any size blanket...including a tiny infant blanket, a small crib or lap blanket, a toddler/child size blanket, a nice size throw or a really big afghan.

What does the back of the blanket look like?

In case you are wondering...here's a look at the back of the blanket.  I don't consider this pattern reversible.

Back of the 'On the Porch' blanket.

If you like this pattern, you might also like my other easy lightweight blanket knitting pattern...Summer Sidewalk.

On the Porch - an easy blanket knitting pattern.

Thank you so much for your interest in my knitting patterns.

WHERE TO GET THE 'ON THE PORCH' KNITTING PATTERN:

FiftyFourTenStudio.com:  Click here to purchase on my website.

Ravelry: Click here to purchase on Ravelry.

Etsy: Click here to purchase on Etsy.

I'm making plans for lots of summer knitting!  My kids will be out of school in a few days and that means the start of summer for us.  I love being able to spend more time with my family during the summer months.

Happy summer! Happy knitting!

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio

On the Porch - Easy blanket knitting pattern