Knit a Quilt With Me!
Knitting Bee Quilt pattern release day!
I know I’m not alone here, so I’ll go ahead and admit that I’m a bit of a craft accumulator. I have tried… many… crafts over the years.
Obviously, the one that has stuck the most is knitting. I have some others that I love as well, but I lack the time and opportunity.
One craft that I enjoy is quilting. I’ve never completed anything complicated—mostly jelly roll and charm pack projects. However, I do love the piecing and the final product. Unfortunately, I don’t have time or table space to devote to quilting in this season of my life.
While I continue to hold out hope that I will someday get around to those four queen size quilt kit packs I bought ten years ago, my reality is that if I want a new quilt these days, I’ll either have to buy it… or KNIT it!
Knit blankets are quite possibly the coziest blankets ever. I have long desired a knit blanket with the look of a pieced quilt, that was not ALL garter, and that was also NOT SEAMED!!!
I spent a remarkably long time considering my options, then devising, testing, and REvising a plan to make this dream knit quilt a reality.
I am proud to announce that the day has finally arrived that I get to share this labor of love with you in pattern form!
Welcome to the Knitting Bee Quilt
Every square in this quilt can represent a memory—use all your scraps! Or plan it ahead of time and create a lovely cohesive quilt. As I mentioned already, this quilt requires…
No. Seaming.
Knit all of your Lace Squares on the go—no need to take the whole blanket with you! Then once you’re ready, you can pick up and knit into the bound off stitches to create your garter Connecting Squares.
Customizing your blanket is simple—and explained in the pattern!
Easily add or reduce columns and rows of squares to customize your blanket size. You’ll also find recommendations for customizing the border!
Choose your yarn weight
Use any weight of yarn you like. Granted, the needle and finished size of the square will vary, as will how many squares you need and the amount of yardage you will use.
The pattern is written for a heavy worsted yarn and includes full recommendations for using fingering weight yarn.
This pattern includes written instructions and a schematic, both written and charted lace instructions, and video tutorial support. This pattern has been tech edited and test knit on a variety of yarn weights, including heavy worsted, light worsted, DK, and fingering.
I sincerely believe that any adventurous beginner with a few skills under their belt can complete this pattern. Some of the techniques may even be new to some experienced knitters, but they are all demonstrated through a variety of video tutorials.
Pattern Details
One Size: 46”/117cm x 66”/168cm
Gauge: One square, after blocking: Approximately 10”/25cm square; Border: 7 sts x 16 rows = 2”/5cm in garter
Yarn: 4 - 453.6g skeins heavy worsted weight yarn; 2 skeins each of two colorways
Sample uses: Caron One Pound (100% Acrylic; 812yds/453.6g); 2 skeins: “Ocean” for Lace Squares and Border 2 (MC); 2 skeins: “Taupe” for Connecting Squares and Border 1 (CC)
Total yarn requirements for recommended heavy worsted yarn:
Lace Squares: 881yds/492g
Connecting Squares: 924yds/516g
Border 1 (CC): 188yds/105g
Border 2 (MC): 421yds/235g
MC total: 1,302 yds/727g
CC total: 1,112 yds/621g
Recommended Needles: US Size 8 (5mm); 40”/102cm circular needle
Optional for knitting the squares: US Size 8 (5mm); set of 5 dpns, PLUS 24”/61cm circular needle
Notions: tape measure; darning needle; removable stitch markers (4 per lace square); extra yarn for border stitch holders
Sock Option
If you want to use fingering/sock weight yarn, the finished size and types of needles/notions will be comparable to the worsted weight version listed above. However, you will create 5”/12cm squares, using approximately 10g of a fingering weight yarn per square, on US 2.5 (3mm) needles. You will need twelve 100g skeins of fingering weight yarn for this size blanket. You will also need about 200 removable stitch markers, and a craft scale is highly recommended for managing your yarn usage.
Fun fact: I designed this pattern with fingering weight advent calendars, mini skein sets, and stash busting in mind!!!
Check out my fingering weight Stash Buster Version of The Knitting Bee Quilt using only Stash!
I would tell you that I’m excited to use this blanket as the weather cools, but it has already been claimed by my daughter! In fact, all of my test knitters either knit this blanket as a gift for a child, OR their kids laid claim before the blanket was finished! ❤️ If a kid requests a blanket, you know it’s cozy and pretty. ❤️
All The Discounts
Be sure to read to the end so you don’t miss out on the best deals, and (drum roll, please) a KAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
Good
For 30% off the pattern price, use code BEEKIND30 on Ravelry. No code needed on Etsy. 30% discount is good through Thursday, November 28, 2024 (11:59pm EST)
Better
Since you’re here, you can take 40% off the pattern price through Thursday, November 28, 2024 (11:59pm EST). Use code BEEFUN40 on both Ravelry and Etsy.
Best
If you are checking this post out in the first weekend, you get the best discount! Take 60% off the pattern price through Monday, November 18, 2024 (11:59pm EST). Use code BEEAMAZING60 on Ravelry and Etsy.
My First Rodeo KAL
Join the Knit Along!!!
Friends, I’m hosting my first ever Knit Along (KAL)!!!
I have participated in more than I can count, so I know how fun they can be! Plus I enjoy testing my limits with quantity and deadlines.
So here are the rules:
KAL runs for three months—November 14, 2024 through February 14, 2025
I’m open to continuing the KAL later into 2025 if there is enough interest💖
The KAL will be held on Instagram.
You must Follow @mountainsongdesigns on Instagram, and include the hashtag #knittingbeequiltkal and tag @mountainsongdesigns in your posts.
How to earn points:
Every square you complete (and show in photos) = 1 pt
Finished blanket (or other object? Cardigan? Pillow????) = 1 pt
Every post you share on Instagram that includes BOTH #knittingbeequiltkal and @mountainsongdesigns = 1 pt
In your final IG post (shared by end of day 2/14/24), include:
Pictures of all of your squares/FOs,
The total number of squares completed! (I can’t be countin’ all these amazing squares I know you’re gonna finish!)
TOTAL Points Earned included in that post would be super helpful, too💖
If you test knit the pattern, all of your test squares/FOs count toward your total! (One of the perks of being a test knitter!!!)
Prizes
Prizes are always fun, so let’s have a few! I will be awarding some free patterns from my Ravelry shop. I will also create a curated prize from my Stash! (Each point will count toward random number drawings.)
Winners will be announced on Instagram shortly after the close of the KAL.
Who’s joining the KAL?!
Black Friday!
All of my (other) patterns/products on Etsy will be 25% off during Etsy’s Cyber Week Sale! No code needed. Just head over to MtnSongDesigns on Etsy to take advantage of the sale from November 18, 2024 through December 4, 2024.
I will run the same sale in my Ravelry shop. Use code CYBERSALE
Find more from Jocelyn Peters and Mountain Song Designs on…
The knitted quilt is so beautiful, I immediately bought the pattern!