Monday, October 30, 2017

Prairie Fields - New Blanket Knitting Pattern

I'm excited to announce my new blanket knitting pattern - Prairie Fields.

Prairie Fields blanket knitting pattern is available on Ravelry, Etsy and LoveKnitting

Prairie Fields blanket knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio


This blanket is designed for use with worsted weight yarn.  The pattern may also be used with DK, Aran or other similar weight yarns.  Just pick the knitting needle size that gives the best appearance for your yarn.

This blanket is fun to knit!  I loved using this stitch pattern....it's just simple knit and purl stitches.

You will need to know how to cast on stitches, knit and purl confidently, read a row by row knitting pattern in standard US knitting terms, cast off stitches and weave in ends.  Blocking of the finished blanket is highly recommended!  (More on that below!)

Prairie Fields blanket knitting pattern.
Prairie Fields is named for the beautiful farms...with crops planted in orderly rows...that surround my hometown of Kansas City. I live in a suburb of Kansas City...on the Kansas side of the State Line.  Though our neighborhood is definitely suburban....beautiful prairie fields are not too far away.

I love the texture of this stitch pattern!

This pattern includes instructions for six blanket sizes!  The blanket shown in the photos is a size small...crib or lap size blanket.

SIX BLANKET SIZES
approximate sizes after blocking...

Baby Blanket: 28" wide x 31.25" long
Small Crib/Lap Blanket: 31" wide x 35" long
Medium Throw: 34" long x 38.75" long
Large Throw: 38" wide x 42.5" long
XL Afghan: 42.5" wide x 46.25" long
XXL Afghan: 46.75" wide x 50" long

It's easy to make any of the blanket sizes longer by adding additional pattern repeats.  Adding one pattern repeat will add about 3.75" to the length of the blanket.

Of course...be sure to purchase additional yarn if you plan to make your blanket longer!  The pattern includes estimates for how much additional yarn is needed to make each blanket size longer.

WORSTED WEIGHT YARN

Baby: 680 - 700 yards
Small: 840 - 870 yards
Medium: 1030 - 1060 yards
Large: 1260 - 1300 yards
XL: 1600 - 1650 yards
XXL: 1900 - 1950 yards

This pattern will work well with many worsted weight yarns.  The pattern will also work well with DK, Aran or other yarns that are similar in weight to worsted.

Prairie Fields blanket knitting pattern for worsted weight yarn.
EXACT GAUGE NOT ESSENTIAL

I used US size 7 circular knitting needles and my gauge was about 17 stitches and 24 rows to 4 inches.

When you select your yarn do a test swatch in stockinette stitch with the needle size recommended for your yarn.  Cast on about 25 stitches and knit in stockinette stitch for a few inches.

You may find that you need a smaller or larger needle size depending on the thickness of your yarn and your knitting tension.  If your knitting seems too tight...switch to a needle size one or two sizes larger.  If your knitting seems too loose...go down a needle size or two.

Pick the needle size that gives the best appearance....without worrying about exact gauge.

Just keep in mind...a different weight yarn may require more...or less...yarn.  So...plan ahead by purchasing extra yarn just to be sure you have plenty.

Prairie Fields blanket knit with Cascade 220 Superwash.

BLANKET SHOWN IN CASCADE 220 SUPERWASH

I used Cascade 220 Superwash in the color 'Lake Chelan Heather' #859 that I purchased at The Yarn Barn in Lawrence, Kansas.

This was the first time I have used Cascade 220 Superwash....it's just lovely!  Easy to knit...100% superwash wool...220 yards per skein at a reasonable price for very nice quality yarn...it's a great choice for blankets!  And...this yarn comes in so many beautiful colors!

The Yarn Barn is a lovely store that has been in Lawrence for many years.  In addition to the fantastic selection in the shop, they also publish a fabulous catalog that includes a huge selection of yarn. If you like traditional mail order...using a catalog and calling someone in person...give them a call!  And, if you are near Lawrence, Kansas this store is worth the stop!  (There's also an amazing fabric store across the street if you are into sewing and quilting....Sarah's Fabrics.)


Knitting with Cascade 220 Superwash in 'Lake Chelan Heather'.

BLOCKING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I highly recommend blocking this blanket after you have finished knitting and weaving in the ends.

Click here for a link to my blog post about how to block a blanket.

Here's what this blanket looked like BEFORE blocking...

Before blocking!
Before blocking the knitting was bumpy and puckered...especially along the sides next to the garter stitch border.

Here's what the blanket looks like AFTER blocking...

Prairie Fields blanket - After blocking!
Blocking makes everything about the blanket look better!  The texture of the pattern shines and flat stockinette stitch sections of the blanket are smooth and neat.

WHERE TO BUY THE PATTERN

Prairie Fields blanket knitting pattern is available on Ravelry.  The pattern is also available on Craftsy, LoveKnitting and Etsy.

If you like knitting blankets with worsted weight yarn you might also like these other blanket patterns I designed: Summer Sidewalk, On the Porch and On the Map.

It's fall in Kansas City!

It's feeling more like fall around here in Kansas City.  The leaves are turning beautiful colors and it's much cooler...time to pull out my collection of cozy blankets.  We like to keep our house pretty cold in the fall and winter so we always have warm blankets around to wrap up and keep warm!

Thanks so much for your interest in my knitting patterns!  Hope you have a fabulous day!

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio


Tuesday, October 10, 2017

New Cozy Blanket Knitting Pattern - Winter Dance

I'm so excited to announce my new blanket knitting pattern - Winter Dance.

Winter Dance blanket knitting pattern is available on Ravelry, LoveKnitting and Etsy.


I love the chunky texture of this blanket!  It's big, thick and cozy....perfect for cold winter nights.

Winter Dance - cozy, chunky blanket knitting pattern. 
It was so fun to design this blanket as a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarn Company!

I used their popular Wool-Ease Thick & Quick super bulky yarn in the color 'Denim'.

Lion Brand is offering a kit to make the Winter Dance afghan!  The kit includes enough yarn to make an extra-large afghan (46" x 57") using the lovely 'Denim' blue colorway.

I have used Wool-Ease Thick & Quick for many projects and I am always very pleased with the results.  This was the first time I used the 'Denim' shade of blue and I absolutely love it!  I will definitely use this lovely blue yarn in future projects.

Winter Dance afghan blanket - fun to knit with super bulky yarn!
I loved knitting this blanket!  The center pattern is a four row repeat that is very easy to remember. The blanket is framed by a classic, easy-to-knit seed stitch border.

This blanket design will look great with just about any decorating style.

My denim blue version of the Winter Dance blanket will be a favorite in our home for years to come!

Winter Dance blanket knitting pattern - shown in XL Afghan size.
I made the "XL" size...it's a big, cozy afghan!  It's about 46" wide and 57" long.

The pattern includes instructions for six sizes so you can knit a blanket for just about anyone.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIX SIZES:
approximate sizes after blocking...

Baby/Infant Blanket: 30" wide x 32" long
Small - Crib/Lap Blanket: 34" wide x 39.5" long
Medium Throw: 38" wide x 44" long
Large Throw: 42" wide x 48" long
XL Afghan: 46" wide x 57" long
XXL Afghan: 52" wide x 60" long

Any of the blanket sizes may be make longer by adding additional pattern repeats.

This blanket is fun to knit with super bulky yarn & big needles.
SUPER BULKY YARN:
This pattern is designed for use with super bulky yarn.

Yardage needed...

Baby: 300 - 320 yards
Small: 460 - 480 yards
Medium: 570 - 600 yards
Large: 690 - 730 yards
XL: 900 - 950 yards
XXL: 1100 - 1165 yards

My favorite choice for this blanket is Lion Brand's Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in a solid color.  This yarn is 20% wool and 80% acrylic...so it has a lovely soft, woolly texture.  This yarn is available in lots of colors!

This blanket would also look wonderful knit with Lion Brand Hometown USA. Hometown USA is a good choice if you prefer a yarn without wool.  It's available in lots of colors!  Check out 'Washington Denim' if you like a color similar to the one I used.  My other favorite shades in Hometown USA are 'Dallas Grey' and 'Houston Cream'.

The texture of the pattern will show up best with solid color yarns.

Be sure to purchase additional yarn if you plan to add length to your blanket.  The pattern includes estimates on how much additional yarn is required to add pattern repeats.

A seed stitch border frames my Winter Dance blanket.
TIP: To keep the edges 'clean'...transition from one skein of yarn to the next somewhere in the middle of a row.  It's easier to hide the woven-in ends in the center of a row on the wrong side of your knitting.

Weaving in the ends on my new blanket.
When you are finished knitting and weaving in the ends, I highly recommend blocking this blanket. Read my recent blog post for lots of tips on blocking a handknit blanket.

Knitters often ask if my blanket patterns are reversible...this one is not reversible.  This blanket definitely looks prettier on the "right side".

Winter Dance - chunky blanket knitting pattern.  Love the texture!
You might be wondering about the name for this blanket.  Let's just say that it's named in memory of a dear friend who was like an aunt to me.  She loved all of the seasons...especially a beautiful, snowy winter day.

Winter Dance blanket knitting pattern is available on Ravelry, Etsy and LoveKnitting.

Thanks so much for your interest in my patterns!

Happy knitting!

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio