New Blanket Knitting Pattern - Dance on the Breeze

I'm so happy to introduce my new blanket knitting pattern - Dance on the Breeze.

This blanket pattern is designed for worsted weight yarn and the pattern includes instructions for six blanket sizes.

This design was inspired by many customer requests for a lighter weight version of my popular Winter Dance chunky blanket knitting pattern.

Dance on the Breeze blanket knitting pattern may be purchased on my Fifty Four Ten Studio website.

The knitting pattern is also available on Ravelry, LoveKnitting and on Etsy.

Dance on the Breeze blanket knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio

INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:

If you are a fan of the movie Mary Poppins then you have probably guessed the inspiration for the name of this pattern. The song "Let's Go Fly a Kite" is one of many cheerful songs in the movie...and it reminds us to take some time to have fun...especially with the children in our lives.  Summertime is a great time to get outside: have a picnic in the park, go to the playground at a park, play catch with a Frisbee, go for a walk in a scenic place, go for a bike ride...or go fly a kite!  It doesn't have to be an expensive outing to make wonderful memories.

Here's a bit of the lyrics from 'Let's Go Fly a Kite'....

Oh, oh, oh!
Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height!
Let's go fly a kite and send it soaring
Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite!

When you send it flyin' up there
All at once you're lighter than air
You can dance on the breeze
Over 'ouses and trees
With your fist 'olding tight
To the string of your kite


SIX BLANKET SIZES:
Approximate sizes after blocking...

Baby Blanket: 27.5” wide x  31” long
Small Blanket: 31.5” wide x 36” long
Medium Blanket: 35.5” wide x 40” long
Large Throw: 39” wide x 45” long
XL Throw: 43” wide x 51” long
XXL Afghan: 53” 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 blanket shown in the photos is the small size blanket - about 31.5" wide x 36" long.  I used approximately 775 yards of Spud & Chloe 'Sweater' yarn for this project.

Dance on the Breeze blanket pattern features a seed stitch border and
an easy to remember four-row repeat pattern for the center of the blanket.

WORSTED WEIGHT YARN:

Baby Blanket: 600 - 620 yards
Small Blanket: 780 - 800 yards
Medium Throw: 1000 - 1030 yards
Large Throw: 1250 - 1300 yards
XL Afghan: 1500 - 1600 yards
XXL Afghan: 2250 - 2350 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 'Splash' 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.  The stitch definition is fabulous!  I purchased the yarn for this project at Yarn Social in Kansas City, Missouri.

Dance on the Breeze blanket knitting pattern

I also used the Spud & Chloe Sweater yarn for my Making Plans blanket knitting pattern design.

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 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 Winter Dance 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.  If you are tackling the XXL or 3XL size blanket, look for needles with a very long cord...such as 40" or longer.  The needles do not have to be the same width as the project, but need to be long enough to accommodate a large number of stitches that can be slightly scrunched together.

I used US size 8 Knitter's Pride Nova Platina knitting needles for my Dance on the Breeze 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.

The blanket is knit flat in one piece using long circular knitting needles.

BLOCKING RECOMMENDED:

I highly recommend taking the time to block this blanket after weaving in the ends.  Spending a little extra time carefully blocking the project can really improve the final appearance of the project!

January 30, 2020 Update: Click here to see my updated blog post on how to block your blanket.  The post includes lots of tips and step-by-step photos.

Dance on the Breeze blanket knitting pattern.

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:

Fifty Four Ten Studio Website: Click here to purchase at FiftyFourTenStudio.com.

Ravelry: Click here to purchase the Dance on the Breeze blanket knitting pattern on Ravelry.

Etsy:  Click here to purchase the Dance on the Breeze knitting pattern on Etsy.

HAPPY SUMMER!

I hope you are able to enjoy some relaxing time with family and friends this summer!

Thanks so much for your interest in my knitting patterns!

Mary Lee