Brookside Blanket: Named for the Kansas City neighborhood where I grew up
Four years ago, on Super Bowl Sunday, I published the Brookside Blanket knitting pattern.
Today, the entire Kansas City community is excited to see the Chiefs…our hometown team…play in the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years!
This blanket design was named for the Kansas City, Missouri neighborhood where I grew up.
Brookside Blanket knitting pattern for super bulky yarn by Fifty Four Ten Studio
INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:
As I mentioned above, the Brookside Blanket is named for the Brookside neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri. I grew up in this older, charming neighborhood. The grid inspired pattern in the knitting reminds me of the grid layout of the neighborhood streets in Brookside. The neighborhood blocks are lined with charming homes that were built in the 1920's. There aren't any dead end cul-de-sac streets like so many newer suburban neighborhoods. Nearly all of the streets are set up in a uniform grid.
The Brookside Blanket knitting pattern includes instructions for six blanket sizes. Click here to purchase the pattern.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIX BLANKET SIZES:
Baby: 25” wide x 31” long
Small: 32.5” wide x 38” long
Medium: 39.5” wide x 41.5” long
Large: 43” wide x 52” long
XL: 46.5” wide x 55.5” long
XXL: 50” wide x 59” long
It's easy to make your blanket longer by adding pattern repeats. Adding an additional pattern repeat (the subtle block pattern in the center of the blanket) will add about 3.5" to the length of the blanket. The pattern includes estimates for amount of additional yarn needed to add length to each size blanket.
Brookside Blanket knitting pattern is designed for super bulky yarn.
SUPER BULKY YARN:
Baby: 335 - 350 yards
Small: 480 - 510 yards
Medium: 640 - 680 yards
Large: 900 - 940 yards
XL: 1050 - 1100 yards
XXL: 1200 - 1250 yards
This blanket can be made with many super bulky weight yarns. I used Loops & Threads Cozy Wool. (2023 UPDATE: This yarn has been discontinued.) I used the 'Fleece' colorway.
Other super bulky yarn options include:
Lion Brand Hometown (100% Acrylic) - This yarn is very soft… but also has great stitch definition so the pattern really ‘pops’. It’s easy to knit with and very economical. Shop: LionBrand.com
Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (80% Acrylic / 20% Wool) - I have used this yarn for many blanket projects including my Winter Dance blanket and Game Time blanket. Great stitch definition. Shop: LionBrand.com and LoveCrafts.com.
Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick & Quick (100% recycled polyester) - This yarn is spun from recycled plastics. It’s surprisingly soft with fantastic stitch definition. Generously sized skeins each contain 223 yards (340 grams). Attractive collection of muted colorways. I particularly like ‘Night Sky’, ‘Whipped Cream’, ‘Pumice Stone’, and ‘Olive Branch’. Shop: LionBrand.com
BLOCKING RECOMMENDED:
For best appearance, I highly recommend blocking the finished blanket. Blocking of this pattern will help flatten out the border edges.
Click here to read my blog post about blocking. It has lots of step-by-step tips and photos.
I love the texture of this stitch pattern!
KNITTING NEEDLES:
I used US size 13 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.
A long circular knitting needle is essential to make a throw size blanket and accommodate all the stitches. A little bit shorter length circular needle could be used for the crib or baby size blanket. However, if you are going to buy only one set of circular needles for blankets...I'd pick at least 32" in length so you'll have the flexibility to make a larger size blanket if you decide to later.
Click here to read my blog post about how to use circular knitting needles to knit a blanket.
SKILLS NEEDED:
The Brookside Blanket is an easy knitting pattern for a confident knitter.
You will need to know how to cast on stitches, knit and purl confidently, read a row by row pattern, cast off stitches and weave in ends.
As discussed above, blocking is recommended. If you haven't blocked a project before, not to worry! It's not that hard and you will be glad you did it.
As of March 2020, this pattern has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars on Ravelry for clarity of instructions.
“I am thoroughly enjoying knitting up this pattern! The pattern is well written and easy to follow. Thank you!”
“Wonderful pattern. I still need to weave in the ends and then block the piece, but I am incredibly happy with how the blanket turned out.”
Or, the pattern is also available on Ravelry, LoveKnitting and in my Etsy shop.
YOUR MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
A few of my other blanket patterns are also inspired by Kansas City - my hometown.
These patterns have been customer favorites over the past few years! All are designed for super bulky yarn.
Four other chunky blanket knitting patterns that were inspired by my hometown - Kansas City.
Top Left: North of the River classic cable blanket knitting pattern for super bulky yarn.
Top Right: State Line Blanket inspired by Kansas City’s location along the Kansas - Missouri state line border.
Lower Left: Third Street Blanket named for the old streets in the area we now call The River Market.
Lower Right: Westport Blanket which is inspired by the old brick buildings in one of the oldest parts of Kansas City.
Thanks so much for reading! I appreciate your interest in my knitting patterns and look forward to sharing new designs in the coming months.
Happy knitting!
