Winter Dance: Blanket knitting pattern for super bulky yarn

The Winter Dance blanket is chunky, cozy and fun to knit with super bulky yarn.

The center of the blanket features a 4-row repeat stitch pattern that creates lots of texture and is easy to knit. The design is framed by a classic seed stitch border.

The knitting pattern includes instructions for six blanket sizes.

I’m thrilled that this design has become a customer favorite for throws and afghans. As of April 2020, this pattern has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Ravelry for overall results and 5 out of 5 stars for clarity of instructions.

Read all the details below!

Westport Blanket knitting pattern for super bulky weight yarn. Click here to purchase the PDF digital knitting pattern.

This blanket design will look great with just about any decorating style. For best appearance of the stitch pattern, pick a solid color yarn.

If you prefer worsted weight yarn, please see my Dance on the Breeze blanket knitting pattern.

INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:

Winter Dance blanket was 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 features an easy to remember 4-row repeat stitch pattern. Click here to purchase the pattern.

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 Blanket: 30" wide x 32" long
Small 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.

I made the XL Afghan size...it's big and cozy!  It measures about 46" wide and 57" long.

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... it has a lovely soft, woolly texture.  This yarn is available in a wide range of color options.

If you prefer worsted weight yarn, please see my Dance on the Breeze blanket knitting pattern.

This blanket would also look wonderful knit with Lion Brand Hometown super bulky. [affiliate link] This is a great yarn choice if you prefer a yarn without wool.  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 stitch pattern texture 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.

LION BRAND COLLABORATION:

The Winter Dance blanket was designed in collaboration with Lion Brand Yarn Company. I used their popular Wool-Ease Thick & Quick super bulky yarn in the 'Denim' 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! 

Lion Brand offers a kit to make the Winter Dance afghan on their website.   The kit includes enough yarn to make an XL afghan (46" x 57") using one of many color choices. (Please note: The kit only includes the instructions for the XL afghan size and the yarn.)

Click here to see my other patterns available as knitting kits from Lion Brand Yarn.

KNITTING 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. Read my blog post on this topic if you need more information.

I used US size 15 circular Knitter's Pride Nova Platina knitting needles that are 32” in length.  I've used them for many projects and would definitely recommend these knitting needles.

Another knitting needle option is these beautiful ChiaoGoo Bamboo US 15 circular needles that are 40” long.

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.

TIP FOR CLEAN EDGES: 

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.

BLOCKING RECOMMENDED:

For best appearance, blocking of the finished blanket is suggested. It's not essential with this project but it does improve the appearance of the finished blanket. 

Click here to see all of my blocking tips including step-by-step photos.

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

CUSTOMER PROJECTS:

As of October 2020, Ravelry knitters have shared more than 75 projects using the Winter Dance blanket pattern. And, the pattern has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Ravelry for overall results and 5 out of 5 stars for clarity of instructions.

Bev emailed this photo of her finished Winter Dance blanket project… simply lovely! She used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in the ‘Cranberry’ colorway. It looks so bright and cheery!

Bev’s Winter Dance blanket project looks lovely in this cranberry colorway! [photo shared with permission]

“This blanket turned out beautifully. Very easy pattern to follow. Looks impressive when finished.”

— Sharon (Ravelry review)

“The pattern is simple and beautiful. Came together quickly. I made a size XL. Blocking well really made all the difference.”

— Meg (Ravelry knitter)

Anna of @loopy_atelier made this beautiful blue ‘Winter Dance’ blanket using James C. Brett Amazon Super Chunky in the ‘Petrol’ colorway. Anna told me: “I have loved making this blanket. It reminded me how much I love knitting.”

Here are links to a few other Winter Dance blanket projects that have caught my eye:

Madeleine, a Ravelry knitter, made a beautiful red throw.

Another Ravelry knitter shared this lovely throw made using Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in the ‘Spice’ colorway.

And, here’s a sweet little baby blanket made in a gorgeous dark green.

I would love to see your Winter Dance blanket knitting project! Share your project on Ravelry and on Instagram with tags: #winterdanceblanket #fiftyfourtenstudio and @fiftyfourtenstudio.

The Winter Dance blanket is chunky and cozy. It’s fun to knit with super bulky yarn and big knitting needles. Click here to purchase the pattern on this website.

SKILLS NEEDED:

The Winter Dance blanket pattern is easy to knit for a confident knitter. If you know how to knit and purl, and change back and forth from one to the other confidently then you probably have the skills to knit this blanket.  

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.

WHERE TO PURCHASE THE PATTERN:

Click here to purchase the Winter Dance Blanket knitting pattern on this website.

Click here to purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

The pattern is also available on Etsy.

Thank you so much for reading!

Happy knitting!