Stay on the Ridge Blanket: An easy to knit blanket inspired by historic wagon trails
Three years ago this month, I released my Stay on the Ridge blanket knitting pattern for worsted weight yarn. The name for this pattern was inspired by the old wagon trails that crossed through my hometown in the 1800’s. This year marks 200 years since the Santa Fe Trail was established. More on the inspiration for the pattern name below!
This blanket design features an 8-row repeat stitch pattern which is framed by a seed stitch border. This knitting pattern uses only knit and purl stitches so it’s easy to knit for a confident knitter.
The knitting pattern includes instructions for six blanket sizes from baby blanket up to XXL afghan. See all the details below!
Stay on the Ridge blanket knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio.
As of May 2021, this pattern has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Ravelry for overall results and clarity of instructions.
The stitch pattern will show up best with a solid color yarn. I used Plymouth Worsted Merino Superwash in the ‘Gravel’ colorway. The pattern will also work well with many other worsted weight yarns. See yarn suggestions below!
“Makes a beautiful throw! Easy to read pattern!”
Stay on the Ridge blanket knitting pattern for worsted weight yarn. Click here to buy the PDF pattern instructions.
INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:
The name for the Stay on the Ridge blanket knitting pattern is inspired by the historic wagon trails that crossed through what is now known as Kansas City… my hometown.
Established in 1821… 200 years ago this year… the Santa Fe Trail served as the ‘road’ to transport goods back and forth from the Kansas City area (on the Missouri / Kansas state line) to Santa Fe, New Mexico, both central hubs for supplies. Without railroads, the only way to transport goods was by covered wagon. A well-worn rut in the earth showed travelers the way across the 900 mile trail (60+/- days of travel!) through Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico. Traders from Kansas City packed their wagons with items to trade. Popular items included cloth such as calico, chambray, flannel, gingham, linen and muslin, as well as needles, thread and buttons. From Santa Fe, the traders brought home silver coins, processed gold, wool, and mules.
Can you imagine traveling across the country in a covered wagon? Bumping over rocks, navigating across creeks and small rivers. There were spots on the trail where the covered wagons had to stay on the ridge to avoid rough terrain and muddy low spots.
When I designed this blanket in the spring of 2018, I thought about this phrase: stay on the ridge. When traveling by covered wagon, it meant staying safe on the trail, but the phrase is good advice for life… even today. Stay safe, stay out of trouble, avoid pitfalls, and take the high road.
Stay on the Ridge blanket knitting pattern for worsted weight yarn. Click here to buy the pattern!
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.
Approximate sizes using worsted #4 weight yarn, after blocking...
Baby Blanket: 28.5” wide x 33.25” long
Small Blanket: 31.75” wide x 36” long
Medium Blanket: 35” wide x 47” long
Large Throw: 38.25” wide x 48.5” long
XL Throw: 41.25” wide x 50” long
XXL Afghan: 48” wide x 52.5” 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 1.25 - 1.5” to the length of the project. Pattern includes estimates for additional yardage needed to make each size longer.
This blanket design features an easy to remember 8-row repeat stitch pattern and a seed stitch border. The blanket is knit in one piece. Buy the PDF knitting pattern here on my website or on Ravelry.
WORSTED WEIGHT YARN:
Baby Blanket: 610 - 650 yards
Small Blanket: 740 - 790 yards
Medium Blanket: 1050 - 1100 yards
Large Throw: 1200 - 1270 yards
XL Throw: 1360 - 1440 yards
XXL Afghan: 1630 - 1730 yards
Be sure to buy additional yarn if you plan to add length to your project.
WORSTED WEIGHT YARN SUGGESTIONS:
This pattern will work well with many worsted or heavy worsted yarns.
Keep in mind that the stitch pattern will show up best with a solid color yarn.
Some links below are affiliate links which do not add any cost to you. Use of these links is appreciated.
For the blanket shown in the photos… I used Plymouth Worsted Merino Superwash in the ‘Gravel’ colorway. I love how this earthy shade fit with the theme for this design. The yarn is soft with a pleasing springy texture and nice stitch definition. Shop for this yarn at local yarn shops and WEBS Yarn Store.
For this blanket project, I used Plymouth Worsted Merino Superwash in the ‘Gravel’ colorway.
A few other yarns to consider:
Blue Sky Fibers Sweater (55% Superwash Wool / 45% Certified Organic Cotton) - There’s a reason why I have turned to this yarn again and again for blanket designs… it’s simply lovely. Fabulous selection of both vibrant and neutral colorways. Machine washable on gentle cycle. Lay flat to dry. Shop for this yarn at Yarn Social in Kansas City, Missouri, many local yarn shops and on LoveCrafts,com.
Lion Brand Heartland (100% Acrylic) - This economically priced heavy worsted / Aran weight yarn is very soft with nice stitch definition. Pretty heathered and tweedy colorways named for American landmarks including U.S. National Parks. Machine wash gentle cycle. Shop for this yarn on LionBrand.com and LoveCrafts.com.
Knit Picks Brava Worsted (100% Acrylic) - I did some test knitting with this yarn on US 8 knitting needles and found that it has a nice texture with very good stitch definition. Affordable, easy care yarn that is available in more than 45 pretty colorways. Machine wash and dry. Shop for this yarn exclusively on KnitPicks.com.
See lots more yarn options in my blog post featuring more than 25 yarns for blanket knitting.
GAUGE:
Stockinette stitch with US size 9 needles: approximately 15 stitches and 21 rows = 4 inches.
Exact gauge is not essential.
However, I highly recommend doing a test swatch with your yarn and knitting needles to be sure that you pick the needle size that gives the best appearance for your yarn and knitting tension. You may find that a US 7 or US 8 knitting needle works better with your worsted weight yarn.
Keep in mind that a significantly different gauge may require more yarn and will impact the size of the finished project.
This blanket is knit flat, in one piece on circular needles in order to accommodate the large number of stitches. No seams to sew up!
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.
I used US size 9 knitting needles for the blanket shown in the photos.
As noted above, do some test knitting before starting the project. Cast on about 25 stitches and knit in stockinette stitch for at least 4”. Try at least two needle sizes in order to choose the needle size that gives the best appearance with your yarn and your knitting tension.
The blanket is knit in one piece, back and forth on long circular needles. I worked on this blanket in April of 2018. These pink blossoms are from the crab apple trees in our backyard.
EASY BLANKET KNITTING PATTERN:
This pattern is easy to knit for a confident knitter.
The 8-row repeat pattern involves 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.
“Very well written...easy to follow pattern.”
BLOCKING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:
For best appearance, blocking of finished knitting is highly recommended. Click here to see my blog post with tips on blocking.
Click here to purchase the Stay on the Ridge blanket knitting pattern.
WHERE TO PURCHASE THE PATTERN:
FiftyFourTenStudio.com: Click here to purchase.
Ravelry: Click here to purchase on Ravelry.
Etsy: Click here to purchase on Etsy.
Happy knitting!
