Where the Sidewalk Ends: An easy to knit chunky blanket pattern
The ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ blanket is very easy to knit with super bulky yarn and big knitting needles. This is a great pattern choice for beginners!
If you know how to work the knit and purl stitch, cast on stitches and cast off stitches… you have the skills to knit this blanket. The blanket is knit flat, in one piece on US 13 circular needles.
The knitting pattern includes instructions for six blanket sizes. This is a great pattern for a cozy throw, large afghan or a little baby blanket.
Read all the details below!
Where the Sidewalk Ends blanket knitting pattern for super bulky weight yarn. Click to purchase the pattern.
It’s fun to see that so many knitters have enjoyed using this blanket knitting pattern. As of April 2020, this pattern has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Ravelry for overall results and 5 out of 5 stars for clarity of instructions.
“Halfway through a ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ large blanket. Very comfy and a great pattern for tv binging!”
This blanket design will look great with just about any decorating style. It makes a great gift for a new baby, students going off to college, a first apartment or a wedding.
A solid color yarn and yarns with subtle color variations are suggested to work best with the simplicity of the pattern.
If you prefer DK or worsted weight yarn, please see my Summer Sidewalk blanket knitting pattern.
VERY EASY TO KNIT:
The Where the Sidewalk Ends blanket pattern is very easy to knit. This pattern is a great choice for a beginner! 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.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIX BLANKET SIZES:
This pattern includes instructions for six sizes including very small baby blanket size, a crib or lap size blanket...on up to an XXL Afghan blanket size.
Approximate sizes after blocking...
Baby: 30” wide x 30” long
Small (Crib/Lap): 34.25” wide x 35” long
Medium: 37” wide x 47.5” long
Large: 42” wide x 50” long
XL: 46” wide x 52.5” long
XXL: 50” wide x 55” long
Any of the blanket sizes may be made longer by adding pattern repeats. Each pattern repeat adds about 2.5” to the length of the blanket.
I made the medium size blanket (37" wide and 47.5" long) for my daughter when she was in high school. My daughter loves the simple, modern design to go in her bedroom.
This blanket is very easy knit! It’s quick to knit with super bulky yarn and big knitting needles.
“I love this pattern. Pattern was clear and concise. Very happy with the baby blanket I made.”
SUPER BULKY #6 WEIGHT YARN:
This pattern is designed for use with super bulky yarn. Yardage needed...
Baby: 415 - 450 yards
Small (Crib/Lap): 550 - 600 yards
Medium: 800 - 850 yards
Large: 980 - 1060 yards
XL: 1150 - 1250 yards
XXL: 1300 - 1400 yards
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.
SUPER BULKY YARN SUGGESTIONS:
Lion Brand Hometown (100% Acrylic) - I used Lion Brand Hometown super bulky yarn in the color 'New York White'. This is a clean, bright white! This yarn is very soft and makes a great blanket for anyone. This is a nice yarn choice for teens, children or babies because it is 100% acrylic and according to the label is machine washable and dryable.
Some of my other favorite colorways in Lion Brand Hometown are 'Dallas Grey', ‘Washington Denim’, ‘Chicago Charcoal’ and 'Houston Cream'. Shop: Lion Brand Yarn website | Amazon | LoveCrafts.com.
Lion Brand Hometown super bulky yarn is available in many pretty colorways including: Dallas Grey (top right), Washington Denim (blue), Chicago Charcoal (dark gray), Houston Cream, Hoboken Honey (lower left) and Catskills Corner (top left and sample on the knitting needles). Note that “print” colorways (such as Catskills Corner) have 64 yards per skein… slightly less than the 81 yards per skein in the solid colorways. Shop the full selection on 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. Get more details and shop: Lion Brand website | Amazon | LoveCrafts.com
Plymouth Encore Mega (75% Acrylic / 25% Wool) - A great choice for blanket projects. Get more details and shop for this yarn: Yarn Barn of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas (ships to US locations) | Local Yarn Shops (US) | LoveCrafts.com
Solid color yarns are suggested so the pattern shows up best.
If you prefer DK or worsted weight yarn, please see my Summer Sidewalk blanket knitting pattern. (Shown in dark blue below.)
Where the Sidewalk Ends blanket (white) is the super bulky version of this design. The dark blue blanket on the right is the light weight version for DK or worsted yarn - Summer Sidewalk blanket.
INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:
The book Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein was one of my favorite childhood books. I loved the quirky pen and ink illustrations and the clever poems. The poem "Where the Sidewalk Ends" is a reminder to get off the beaten path and slow down...explore new places and find our own path. Shop: Bookshop.org | Amazon
“Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein
There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.
Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.
“I made one and gifted it with the book of the same name as a baby shower gift...huge hit! ”
MORE ABOUT THIS EASY BLANKET KNITTING PATTERN:
This blanket was designed for my teenage daughter. She loves simple, uncluttered design. The finished blanket looks fantastic in her room with her dark gray chair and light gray comforter.
Where the Sidewalk Ends blanket is chunky and cozy! Click here to buy the PDF instant download knitting pattern.
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 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.
Another knitting needle option is these beautiful ChiaoGoo Bamboo US 13 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.
CUSTOMER PROJECTS:
As of April 2020, Ravelry knitters have shared almost 50 projects using the Where the Sidewalk Ends blanket pattern. And, the pattern has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Ravelry for overall results and 5 out of 5 stars for clarity of instructions.
This cream colored blanket by a Ravelry knitter is simply gorgeous!
Donna knit this fabulous yellow blanket using Lion Brand Hometown super bulky yarn in ‘Madison Mustard’. She told me the blanket is a gift for her grandchildren and this cheery color was selected to match a bold, modern floral couch. (Photo shared with permission.)
“I’m loving this pattern! So simple, yet looks so nice, and it’s knitting up so quickly!”
“I appreciate how simple and elegant your patterns are, very approachable and fun to knit!”
“Where the Sidewalk Ends is my favorite blanket pattern to knit!”
I would love to see your Where the Sidewalk Ends blanket knitting project! Share your project on Ravelry and on Instagram with tags: #wherethesidewalkendsblanket #fiftyfourtenstudio and @fiftyfourtenstudio.
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.
WHERE TO PURCHASE THE PATTERN:
MY WEBSITE: Click here to purchase the Where the Sidewalk Ends blanket knitting pattern on this website.
RAVELRY: Click here to purchase the pattern on Ravelry.
MY ETSY SHOP: The pattern can also be purchased from my Etsy shop.
Thank you so much for reading!
Happy knitting!
