Pattern Inspiration:

This year, 2016, is the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. Smart Knits - a knitting group out of Logan, Utah - thought that a great way to celebrate the National Park Service and the sublime lands that it protects was to design a National Parks blanket. The blanket is made up of 60 blanket squares - one to celebrate each of the 59 National Parks and one square to celebrate the National Park Service itself.

Saguaro National Park is located in Southern Arizona. This area was protected as a national monument in 1933 but was not designated as a national park until 1994. The national park protects the saguaro cactus, the largest species of cactus in the United States and the feature of this square design. Saguaro cacti are very slow growing and an individual plant does not produce flowers until it reaches 35 years of age. The pleats in saguaro allow the plant to expand, accordion-like, to absorb water during rain storms. These pleats are represented in the square design via purl ridges. Climate change and urban development – including the related issue of invasive species – threaten these majestic and awe-inspiring plants.

This Pattern:

If you purchase this pattern, you will receive only the pattern for the Saguaro National Park blanket square. If you would like to purchase a subscription to all of the blanket squares please buy the eBook.

All proceeds from this pattern will be donated to the National Park Foundation in celebration of the National Park Service Centennial.