Prairie Fields Blanket Knitting Pattern: An interesting stitch pattern for worsted weight yarn
The Prairie Fields blanket knitting pattern is interesting, classic and timeless. It’s designed for worsted weight yarn and the pattern includes instructions for six blanket sizes. Knitters have enjoyed using this pattern for baby blankets, beautiful throws and large afghans.
The blanket design features an interesting 24-row repeat stitch pattern with simple knit and purl stitches and a garter stitch border. The blanket is knit in one piece on long circular needles.
Read all the details below!
INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:
This pattern was inspired by my home state of Kansas - in the center of the U.S. Though our neighborhood is definitely suburban.... beautiful prairie fields are not too far away.
Kansas is universally associated with the famous opening scenes of the movie ‘The Wizard of Oz’… a few dramatic moments that make it look dreary, deserted and awful to live here! But, there is beauty to be found if you just look around. Spring and fall are almost always beautiful… and right now I’m very thankful for the lovely spring we have had this year. Hope there’s a little beauty to be found in your world these days.
See some of my Kansas sunflower photos towards the end of this blog post!
Prairie Fields blanket is easy to knit with worsted weight yarn. The PDF knitting pattern includes instructions for six blanket sizes. Click here to purchase the pattern on Ravelry.
SIX BLANKET SIZES:
Approximate sizes after blocking:
Baby: 28” wide x 31.25” long
Small: 31” wide x 35” long
Medium: 34” wide x 38.75” long
Large: 38” wide x 42.5” long
XL: 42.5” wide x 46.25” long
XXL: 46.75” wide x 50” long
Finished size may vary depending on yarn weight and gauge used.
Any of the blanket sizes may be made longer by adding pattern repeats. Each pattern repeat adds about 3.75” to the length of the blanket. Pattern includes estimates for additional yardage needed to make blankets longer.
WORSTED WEIGHT YARN:
Baby: 680 - 700 yards
Small: 840 - 870 yards
Medium: 1030 - 1060 yards
Large: 1260 - 1300 yards
XL: 1600 - 1650 yards
XXL: 1900 - 1950 yards
Be sure to buy additional yarn if you plan to add length to your blanket.
I used Cascade 220 Superwash in the color 'Lake Chelan Heather' #859.
This was the first time I used Cascade 220 Superwash and I am very pleased with the results. I would classify it as a “light worsted” (meaning it’s just a bit lighter weight that the average worsted weight yarn). It’s lovely to knit with, 100% superwash wool and it blocks beautifully. This yarn is available at a reasonable price with 220 yards per skein. It’s a great choice for blankets. And...this yarn is available in many beautiful colors!
SHOP FOR CASCADE 220 SUPERWASH: Jimmy Beans Wool | Local Yarn Shops
The stitch pattern will show up best with a solid color yarn or a yarn with very subtle color variations.
The pattern may also be used with DK, worsted, heavy worsted or Aran weight yarns. Select the needle size that gives the best appearance for your yarn. Finished size and amount of yarn needed may vary depending on yarn choice and gauge….so buy extra yarn just in case!
These are yarns I have enjoyed using for blanket projects that would work very well with this pattern:
Blue Sky Fibers Sweater Worsted (heavy worsted)
Malabrigo Rios (a nearly solid color will show stitch pattern best)
See more yarn suggestions in my blog post about 25+ Worsted Weight Yarns for Blanket Knitting.
NEEDLES AND GAUGE:
The project is worked flat in one piece, 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 knitting flat, back and forth with circular needles.
I used US size 7 circular knitting needles and my gauge was about 17 stitches and 24 rows to 4 inches. Cascade 220 Superwash is on the lighter weight end of the worsted category. And, I found that this stitch pattern looks best with fairly tight stitches.
Depending on your yarn and knitting tension, you might find that you need a larger needle size. I highly recommend doing a little test knitting with your yarn and knitting needles.
When you select your yarn do a test swatch in stockinette stitch Cast on about 25 stitches with the needle size recommended for your yarn and knit in stockinette stitch for a few inches.
You may find that you need a smaller or larger needle size depending on the thickness of your yarn and your knitting tension. If your knitting seems too tight...switch to one needle size larger. If your knitting seems too loose...go down a needle size or two.
Pick the needle size that gives the best appearance....without worrying about exact gauge.
Just keep in mind...a different weight yarn may require more...or less...yarn. So...plan ahead by purchasing extra yarn just to be sure you have plenty.
Prairie Fields blanket knitting pattern for worsted weight yarn. Click to purchase the PDF instant download knitting pattern.
BLOCKING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:
For best appearance, blocking is essential with this project. Blocking completely transforms the appearance of this design.
Click here to see my blog post with lots of tips on blocking your finished blanket project.
Here’s a photo showing the blanket before it was blocked…
BEFORE BLOCKING: The blanket had lots of lumps and bumps. Careful blocking eliminated all of these issues! Click here to see all my tips!
After blocking...the stockinette stitch area is completely flat and smooth and the stitch pattern is more distinct and attractive. The puckering situation was eliminated.
CUSTOMER PROJECTS:
As of May 2020, the Prairie Fields pattern has a 4.8 out of 5 overall and clarity rating on Ravelry.
Emily shared this beautiful Prairie Fields blanket project (below) on her @efholt Instagram account. She made this gorgeous blanket as a Christmas gift for her mom. I’m sure she loves it!
Emily (@efholt on Instagram) made this beautiful Prairie Fields blanket in 2019 as a Christmas gift for her mom. (Photo shared with permission.)
Here’s another beautiful photo of Emily’s Prairie Fields blanket:
Another photo of the beautiful blanket made by Emily (@efholt on Instagram). (Photo shared with permission.)
This lovely blanket was made by @Odri on Ravelry using Red Heart With Love Solids in the ‘Terra Cotta’ colorway. Such a beautiful project and photo! (Photo shared with permission.)
In January 2019, my friends at the Yarn Barn in Billings, Montana hosted a Fifty Four Ten Studio themed knit-a-long. One of their customers made a very large, beautiful cream colored Prairie Fields blanket. See a photo on Instagram. I love how the light, solid color yarn lets the beautiful stitch work be the ‘star of the show’!
Brei shared a lovely little baby blanket project on Ravelry. Her stitches shine with a pale yellow yarn color.
Vicki made a beautiful jade green baby blanket that she shared on Ravelry.
“Loved this pattern.”
And, here’s a stunning purple blanket made by Inger that was shared on Ravelry.
“A pleasure to knit!”
I would love to see your Prairie Fields blanket knitting project! Share your project on Ravelry and on Instagram with tags: #prairiefieldsblanket #fiftyfourtenstudio and @fiftyfourtenstudio.
Prairie Fields blanket knitting pattern - click here to purchase the pattern on Ravelry.
SKILLS NEEDED:
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.
This pattern uses standard U.S. knitting terms.
As noted above, blocking of finished knitting is highly recommended.
As I said above, the Prairie Fields blanket is inspired by the beautiful farms and wide-open prairie here in my home state of Kansas. There are many examples of beautiful scenery in our state but one of my favorites is Grinter Farms. It’s located about 30 miles from my house. Every year, they plant thousands of sunflowers that usually bloom in early September. The farm owners kindly allow the public to stop by to visit - some years traffic is a big challenge! In 2016, I was fortunate to visit on a gorgeous September day and capture these photos:
Sunflowers at Grinter Farm in Kansas - September, 2016.
WHERE TO PURCHASE THE PATTERN:
FiftyFourTenStudio.com: Click here to purchase the PDF knitting pattern.
Ravelry: Click here to buy the pattern on Ravelry.
Etsy: Click here to purchase from my Etsy shop.
Thank you so much for reading!
Happy knitting!
