Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Making Plans - New Blanket Knitting Pattern

I'm so happy to announce my new blanket knitting pattern - Making Plans.

This blanket design features an easy to remember four-row repeat and a seed stitch border.  The pattern includes instructions for six blanket sizes.

Making Plans blanket knitting pattern is available on Ravelry.

The pattern may also be purchased on the Fifty Four Ten Studio website.

The pattern is also available on Etsy and LoveKnitting.

Making Plans - blanket knitting pattern for worsted weight yarn.

January 28, 2020 UPDATE: My blog has a new location at FiftyFourTenStudio.com!  Click here if you would like to read this post on my new website. 




INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:

Each little purl stitch in the center of the Making Plans blanket represents the numerous little tasks that must be completed when making plans…especially big plans.  Every big step in life requires the accomplishment of many small details in order to achieve the bigger goal:  starting a new business, changing jobs, graduating from school, welcoming a child to the family, moving to a new home, getting a first apartment, starting college, celebrating a wedding…and so much more.  

I met Trish in October 2018 when she was making plans to open her yarn shop….YarnSocial.  This blanket design is inspired by her!  

Connecting with Trish started when I attended my first SunflowerKnitters Guild meeting and someone mentioned a new yarn shop was in the works in the Kansas City area.  Through Instagram I found @yarnsocial and soon received a kind invitation from Trish to stop by and meet her.  The first day I visited her shop she was so warm and cheerful…and excited about taking this new step in her life to begin on a new career path.  Her list of tasks was incredibly long in order to accomplish her goal of opening the shop about a month later – but she was calm and obviously organized.  As we chatted for over an hour about her plans for the shop, the yarn she would stock and all things knitting, I immediately felt fortunate to have connected with Trish.  She is so welcoming, kind, smart and enthusiastic.  With a lot of hard work and carefully made plans, Yarn Social opened five weeks later.  The space that was virtually empty when I saw it in October was transformed into a welcoming, bright and well-stocked yarn shop.  It was such a treat to see Trish soaking up the joy of a mission accomplished!  Here’s to celebrating the joy in making plans.

This is just one section of the many shelves of yarn at Yarn Social!
If you live in the Kansas City area, or ever find yourself visiting the area, be sure to set aside a bit of time to visit Yarn Social!  (It's very close to The Plaza and Westport areas...and not far from downtown Kansas City.)

Yarn Social - a darling little yarn shop in Kansas City, Missouri
And...look for the yellow 'Making Plans' blanket which is now on display permanently at Yarn Social!

Making Plans blanket on display at Yarn Social in Kansas City.
May 2019: Yarn Social is offering kits to make the 'Making Plans' blanket!
The 'Firefly' colorway from the Spud & Chloe 'Sweater' yarn collection is the perfect match for the Yarn Social logo!   
Yarn Social - yarn shop in Kansas City, Missouri

Making Plans blanket knitting pattern includes instructions for 6 blanket sizes.

SIX BLANKET SIZES:
Approximate sizes after blocking...

Baby Blanket: 26.5” wide x 30” long
Small Blanket: 28.5” wide x 31.5” long
Medium Throw: 31.5” wide x 38” long
Large Throw: 35.5” wide x 42” long
XL Afghan: 41.5” wide x 50” long
XXL Afghan: 49.5” wide x 60” long

Finished size may vary depending on yarn weight and gauge used.

It's easy to make any of the blanket sizes longer by adding additional pattern repeats.  Each pattern repeat adds about .67" to the length of the blanket.

The pattern includes estimates of how much additional yarn is needed to make each blanket size longer.

The yellow blanket shown in the photos is the small size blanket - about 28.5" wide x 31.5" long.

Making Plans blanket knitting pattern.
WORSTED WEIGHT YARN:

Baby Blanket: 580 - 600 yards
Small Blanket: 620 - 650 yards
Medium Throw: 870 - 900 yards
Large Throw: 1100 - 1150 yards
XL Afghan: 1500 - 1600 yards
XXL Afghan: 2200 - 2300 yards

Be sure to buy additional yarn if you plan to add length to your project.

This pattern may be used with slightly lighter or heavier weight yarns.  Select the needle size that gives the best appearance for your yarn and knitting tension.

I used Spud & Chloe 'Sweater' yarn in the 'Firefly' colorway.  This yarn is made of 55% superwash wool and 45% certified organic cotton and is part of the Blue Sky Fibers family of yarns.  I am a huge fan of this beautiful yarn - in fact, I've already started another project with this yarn.  The stitch definition is fabulous.  I'm absolutely thrilled with the results!  Yarn Social carries the full selection of 30 beautiful colorways.

Working on my 'Making Plans' blanket with
Spud & Chloe 'Sweater' yarn in the 'Firefly' colorway.
If you are using slightly lighter weight yarn, such as DK weight, consider following the directions for one size larger than you want the blanket to turn out.

If you are using slightly heavier weight yarn, such as Aran weight yarn, consider following the directions for one size smaller than you want the blanket to turn out.

Finished size and amount of yarn needed may vary depending on yarn choice and gauge...so buy some extra yarn just in case!

If you prefer super bulky weight yarn please see my Third Street Blanket knitting pattern.

NEEDLES:

The project is worked flat, back and forth on circular knitting needles.  Circular knitting needles are highly recommended in order to accommodate the large number of stitches for a blanket.

I used US size 8 knitting needles for my Making Plans blanket.  Pick the needle size that gives the best appearance for your yarn and knitting tension.  The goal is to find the knitting needle that gives the best stitch appearance, without being too tight...or too loose.

Use circular needles to knit the blanket in order to hold all of the stitches.

BLOCKING RECOMMENDED:

highly recommend taking the time to block this blanket after weaving in the ends.

Click here to see my blog post on my new Fifty Four Ten Studio website with lots of tips on blocking your finished blanket project.

I loved knitting my 'Making Plans' blanket with this cheery yellow yarn!
Spud & Chloe 'Sweater' worsted weight yarn in 'Firefly'.

SKILLS NEEDED:

This is an easy knitting project for any knitter who has mastered knit and purl stitches, and changing back and forth from knit to purl.  You will need to know how to cast on stitches, knit and purl confidently, read a row by row knitting pattern, bind off stitches and weave in ends.

If you already know how to work seed stitch and stockinette stitch then you have the skills to work this pattern.

WHERE TO GET THE PATTERN:

ENJOYING SPRING DAYS:

It's been a beautiful spring in Kansas City.  Here's a few photos from a recent quick visit to the Kauffman Gardens.  (Tip: It's open every day and it's only two miles from Yarn Social!)

Yellow tulip - close up!

Yellow tulips & a lovely fountain at Kauffman Gardens.

Many varieties of tulips in bloom at the Kauffman Gardens.
Thanks so much for stopping by and reading.  Have a wonderful day!

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Happy Endings - New Blanket Knitting Pattern

I'm so happy to introduce my new blanket knitting pattern - Happy Endings.

Happy Endings blanket knitting pattern is very easy to knit with bulky weight yarn. This is a great project for a confident beginner...or an experienced knitter who enjoys a relaxing, easy project.  And, this blanket is reversible! An easy to remember two-row stitch pattern creates a texture that is attractive on both sides of the blanket.

The pattern includes instructions for six blanket sizes.  Read all the details below!

Happy Endings blanket knitting pattern is available on Ravelry.  The pattern is also available on Etsy and LoveKnitting.

Happy Endings blanket knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio
FEBRUARY 2020 UPDATE:


INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:

It means so much to see how knitters use my patterns...and to hear their stories of how they demonstrate their love for their family through their handmade gifts.

They often make blankets to celebrate happy beginnings...to welcome babies to their family, to give to adult children moving into their first apartment, to celebrate a wedding, and to celebrate a loved one's birthday.  All of these gifts are heartfelt wishes for happiness.  And, each day those blankets will give comfort and be a physical reminder of their love.

Here's to celebrating happy beginnings...and wishing for happy endings.

Happy Endings blanket knitting pattern - It's reversible!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIX BLANKET SIZES:

The pattern includes instructions for six blanket sizes.  Approximate sizes after blocking:

Baby Blanket: 26” wide x 30” long
Small Blanket: 30” wide x 34” long
Medium Throw: 34” wide x 42” long
Large Throw: 42” wide x 52” long 
XL Afghan: 46” wide x 58” long 
XXL Afghan: 50” wide x 62” long 

It's very easy to make any of the blanket sizes longer by adding additional pattern repeats.

The pattern includes estimates of how much additional yarn is needed to make each blanket size longer.

I made the small blanket size which is about 30" wide x 34" long.

This blanket pattern looks attractive on both sides.
BULKY WEIGHT YARN:

Baby: 460 - 480 yards
Small: 650 - 670 yards
Medium: 850 - 880 yards
Large: 1300 - 1340 yards
XL: 1600 - 1650 yards
XXL: 1850 - 1950 yards

Be sure to buy additional yarn if you plan to add length to your project.  Estimates for additional yardage needed to make each size longer are noted in the pattern.

This pattern may be used with slightly lighter weight yarns.  Select the needle size that gives the best appearance for your yarn and knitting tension.  To adapt for worsted or Aran weight yarn, follow the instructions for 2 or 3 sizes larger than you want the blanket to turn out.

I used Lion Brand Yarn 'Color Made Easy' bulky weight yarn in the colorway 'Shade'.  This bulky weight yarn has a lovely, light weight feel.  This is my second blanket design with this yarn and I'm thrilled with the results.  This yarn is 100% acrylic, easy care and affordably priced. And, it's available in more than 20 pretty colorways.

Chunky texture in bulky weight yarn - Color Made Easy in 'Shade'
NEEDLES:

The project is worked flat, back and forth on circular knitting needles.  Circular knitting needles are necessary in order to accommodate the large number of stitches for a blanket.

I used US size 10.5 knitting needles for my Happy Endings blanket.  Pick the needle size that gives the best appearance for your yarn and knitting tension.  The goal is to find the knitting needle that gives the best stitch appearance, without being too tight...or too loose.

SKILLS NEEDED:

This is a very easy knitting project.  The main section of the design is a two-row repeat stitch pattern.

You will need to know how to cast on stitches, knit and purl confidently, change back and forth from knit to purl confidently, read a row by row knitting pattern, bind off stitches and weave in ends.

Blocking of the finished blanket is suggested, but not essential for this pattern.  Click here to see my blog post for tips and information about blocking a blanket.

The 'Happy Endings' blanket is very easy to knit with bulky weight yarn.

WHERE TO GET THE PATTERN:

Happy Endings blanket knitting pattern is available on RavelryThe pattern is also available on Etsy and LoveKnitting.

Thanks so much for stopping by and reading.  Have a wonderful day!

Mary Lee
Fifty Four Ten Studio