On the Bright Side: Modern, Easy to Knit Blanket Knitting Pattern for Worsted Yarn
Introducing my new blanket knitting pattern for worsted or Aran #4 weight yarn: On the Bright Side.
On the Bright Side blanket design features an easy to knit stitch pattern that creates an interesting, modern appearance. The blanket is knit in one piece.
The PDF knitting pattern has instructions for six blanket sizes including: baby blanket, large throw and afghan.
It's been a beautiful spring here in Kansas City and the vivid green landscape inspired the name for this blanket... as well as the choice of green yarn.
On the Bright Side blanket knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio
Buy the PDF instant download pattern on this website or on Ravelry.
EASY BLANKET KNITTING PATTERN:
This pattern is easy to knit for a confident knitter. The pattern uses only 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, bind off stitches and weave in ends.
BLOCKING RECOMMENDED:
For best appearance, blocking of finished knitting is recommended. It’s amazing how much better a project can look after taking the time to block the knitting. Blocking involves soaking the knitting in a bowl or sink full of cold water, draining the excess water off and laying the project flat to dry. To get all the step-by-step details… click here to see my blog post with tips on blocking.
On the Bright Side blanket knitting pattern. Buy the PDF instant download pattern on this website or on Ravelry.
INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:
I live in Kansas City where we experience all four seasons. After a long gray winter, it’s a welcome, refreshing change when the spring colors reveal themselves.
At first, the colors change gradually... red tulips, yellow daffodils and variety of flowering trees dot the landscape. Then, there is a point when the temperatures warm up consistently and seemingly overnight the entire city is glowing in the green of spring. The tall, majestic trees burst with bright green leaves providing a canopy of shade through the neighborhoods. After a day of rain, the lawns in front of homes transform to carpets of vivid green. People of all ages are outside walking, biking, playing, and chatting over the fence with neighbors. We have happily emerged from our winter hibernation.
As the season shifts to spring, we find ourselves on the bright side… enjoying the pleasant temperatures, longer days, and pretty landscape.
““Nothing ever seems impossible in spring, you know.””
On the Bright Side blanket knitting pattern. This knitting pattern uses only knit and purl stitches. It’s easy to knit! Buy the PDF instant download pattern on this website or on Ravelry.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIX BLANKET SIZES:
This blanket pattern, like almost all of my blanket knitting patterns, offers lots of size choices so you can select the size that fits your project needs.
Pick the blanket size that suits the user of the blanket, your yarn budget, the amount of yarn you have on hand, and the amount of time you would like to spend on the project.
Approximate sizes using heavy worsted weight yarn, after blocking...
Baby Blanket: 26.5” wide x 28” long
Small Blanket: 29.5” wide x 32” long
Medium Blanket: 30.5” wide x 38” long
Large Throw: 35” wide x 43.5” long
XL Throw: 40” wide x 47.5” long
XXL Afghan: 44.5” wide x 51.5” long
Finished size may vary depending on yarn weight and gauge used.
Any of the sizes may be made longer by adding pattern repeats. Each pattern repeat adds about 2” to the length of the project. The PDF pattern includes estimates for additional yardage needed to make each size longer.
It’s also easy to adjust the width of the blanket. In the PDF knitting pattern there are details on how to add additional stitches.
I love how this blanket turned out! To make the baby size blanket, I used four skeins of Blue Sky Fibers Sweater heavy worsted #4 weight yarn in the ‘Turtle’ colorway. The finished size is 26.5” wide x 28” long after blocking. Purchase the PDF knitting pattern on this website or on Ravelry.
WORSTED #4 WEIGHT YARN:
Baby Blanket: 600 - 620 yards
Small Blanket: 750 - 780 yards
Medium Blanket: 930 - 960 yards
Large Throw: 1230 - 1280 yards
XL Throw: 1500 - 1600 yards
XXL Afghan: 1800 - 1900 yards
Be sure to buy additional yarn if you plan to add length to your project. The PDF pattern includes estimates for how much yarn is needed to make each size longer.
Finished size and amount of yarn needed may vary depending on the yarn used and exact gauge.
YARN USED FOR THE GREEN BLANKET:
For the green blanket shown in the photos, I made the baby size blanket using a little less than four skeins (about 600 yards) of Blue Sky Fibers Sweater heavy worsted #4 weight yarn in the ‘Turtle’ colorway. The bright, cheerful green colorway made this a fun project to knit! This yarn is a lovely blend of superwash wool and organic cotton. It has a substantial yet soft texture. The stitch definition is fantastic… making interesting knit and purl stitch patterns look their best.
Circular knitting needles are essential to hold the large number of stitches comfortably. I used US size 8 knitting needles Knitter’s Pride Nova Platina circular knitting needles. Purchase the PDF knitting pattern on this website or on Ravelry.
Look for Blue Sky Fibers Sweater yarn at local yarn shops. I purchased the yarn at Yarn Social in Kansas City, Missouri. Here is a link to see a directory of shops that stock Blue Sky Fibers yarn.
This pattern will work well with many worsted, heavy worsted or Aran yarns. The stitch pattern looks attractive with solid color yarns, as well as gently variegated hand dyed colorways.
For more yarn suggestions… see my blog post about more than 25 worsted weight yarns for blanket knitting.
Click here to see my collection of knitting patterns!
USING DIFFERENT WEIGHT YARNS:
Pattern may be used for lighter or heavier weight yarns.
DK #3 Weight Yarn: Use directions for 2 sizes larger than desired finished size.
For example, assuming gauge of approximately 22 stitches = 4”, following the directions for the XL size blanket would result in a blanket about 31” wide (similar to the Medium size blanket).
Bulky #5 Weight Yarn: Use directions for 3 sizes smaller than desired finished size.
For example, assuming gauge of approximately 12 stitches = 4”, following the directions for the Medium size blanket would result in a blanket about 43” wide (similar to the XXL size blanket). Using the directions for the XL size blanket with bulky #5 weight yarn would make a 56” wide blanket. To get a rough idea of how much yardage would be needed when knitting with bulky #5 weight yarn, take a look at the yardage requirements for the Happy Endings blanket knitting pattern.
A different weight yarn may require more (or less) yarn than noted.
GAUGE:
Stockinette stitch with US size 8 needles: approximately 16 stitches & 23 rows = 4”
Exact gauge is not essential. This stitch pattern will look best with fairly tight stitches.
Keep in mind that a significantly different gauge will impact the size of the finished project and may require more (or less) yarn.
If you have more stitches per 4”, your blanket will turn out smaller than indicated in the pattern.
If you have less stitches per 4”, your blanket will turn out larger.
CIRCULAR KNITTING NEEDLES:
I used US size 8 knitting needles Knitter’s Pride Nova Platina circular knitting needles.
The blanket is knit flat in one piece, back and forth on long circular knitting needles in order to accommodate the number of stitches. Click here to read more about this topic on my blog post.
Before casting on to knit a blanket, I highly recommend doing some test knitting with your yarn and knitting needles. To test knit for this project, cast on at least 30 stitches and knit every row for at least two inches (garter stitch) and then knit at least two inches of stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl the next). If your stitches look too loose, switch to one needle size smaller. If your stitches appear too tight (or if it’s hard to knit the stitches), go up one needle size.
Choose the needle size that gives the best appearance with your yarn and knitting tension. This design will look best with fairly tight stitches.
A LOOK AT THE BACK OF THE BLANKET:
The photo below shows the blanket folded back to show the wrong side. I do not consider this pattern reversible.
A look at the wrong side of this blanket pattern. I do not consider this pattern reversible.
WHERE TO BUY THE PATTERN:
On this website: Click here to buy the PDF pattern.
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Happy knitting!
