Maybe you’ve noticed that we’re pretty obsessed with color around here. Whether we’re working in yarn, fabric, knotting cord, or embroidery thread, we closely consider and exhaustively discuss our color choices… often passionately! So in the spirit of our love of color, I give you the Color Study Blanket.

Color Study Blanket | Purl Soho

For this project I turned to some of our most beloved yarn, Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist. I used them not just for their cozy and cushy feeling in garter stitch, but also because of their incredible palettes of color.

Color Study Blanket | Purl Soho

Combining colors can sometimes be predictable, at times surprising, but always exciting. Have some color fun with our Color Study Blanket using a range of our Worsted Twist and happy color mixing! -Laura

Color Study Blanket | Purl Soho

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.

Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoColorStudyBlanket, and #PurlSohoWorstedTwist. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

To make your own Color Study Blanket, you will need…

  • 9 skeins of Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist, 100% merino wool. Each skein is 164 yards/ 100 grams. (NOTE: We no longer offer Worsted Twist, but choose from one of our other worsted/aran weight yarns.)
    • Color A: 2 skeins; approximately 328 yards required.
    • Color B: 3 skeins; approximately 492 yards required.
    • Color C: 3 skeins; approximately 492 yards required.
    • Color D: 1 skein; approximately 164 yards required.
  • US 8 (5 mm), 32-inch circular needles

Our sample, photographed here, is worked up in the palette BEGONIA.

Color Study Blanket | Purl Soho
  • In Begonia, the colors are Color A: Wheat Flour; Color B: Pink Grapefruit; Color C: Gray Fig; and Color D: Mixed Berry

For some additional bundle options and color inspiration, check out the palettes below…

QUINCE, ROOBIUS + MOOR

  • Post Image
  • Post Image
  • Post Image
  • In Quince, the colors are Color A: Wheat Flour; Color B: Paprika Red; Color C: Pink Grapefruit; and Color D: Red Cayenne
  • In Rooibus, the colors are Color A: Wheat Flour; Color B: Copper Penny; Color C: Ballet Pink; and Color D: Peony Pink
  • In Moor, the colors are Color A: Wheat Flour; Color B: Gray Fig; Color C: Honey Pink; and Color D: Rose Granite

ASTER, WINTER SKY + PEPPERCORN

  • Post Image
  • Post Image
  • Post Image
  • In Aster, the colors are Color A: Wheat Flour; Color B: Purple Smoke; Color C: Ochre Yellow; and Color D: Tabby Gray
  • In Winter Sky, the colors are Color A: Heirloom White; Color B: Steel Blue; Color C: Ash Gray; and Color D: Faded Blue
  • In Peppercorn, the colors are Color A: Wheat Flour; Color B: Toasted Charcoal; Color C: Heirloom White; and Color D: Salt + Pepper

Gauge

18 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch

Size

Finished dimensions: 39 inches wide x 39 inches long

Notes

The colorwork in this project is done with a technique called “intarsia.” Each row involves either two or three balls of yarn, which is much easier than it may sound! For some tips on this technique, visit our Intarsia in Garter Stitch Tutorial.

Pattern

Begin with Two Colors

With Color B, cast on 116 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On. Put Color B down (without cutting it). With Color A, cast 58 stitches onto the same needle. [174 total stitches] (At this point, the two colors are not attached to each other, but as you work the intarsia they will be!)

NOTE: When you switch colors in the following rows, be sure to use the intarsia techniques described in our Intarsia for Garter Stitch Tutorial.

Row 1 (right side): With Color A, k58; with Color B, knit to end of row.

Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise; with Color B, k115; with Color A, knit to end of row.

Row 3: Slip 1 knitwise; with Color A, k57; with Color B, knit to end of row.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until piece measures 13 inches from cast-on edge, ending after working a wrong-side row (Row 2).

Cut both yarns.

Continue with Three Colors

Row 1 (right side): Join Color C and k58; join Color D and k58; join Color B and knit to end of row.

Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise; with Color B, k57; with Color D, k58; with Color C, knit to end of row.

Row 3: Slip 1 knitwise; with Color C, k57; with Color D, k58; with Color B, knit to end of row.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until piece measures 26 inches from cast-on edge, ending after working a wrong-side row (Row 2).

Cut Colors B and D.

Continue with Two Colors

Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 knitwise; with Color C, k115; join Color A and knit to end of row.

Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise; with Color A, k57; with Color C, knit to end of row.

Row 3: Slip 1 knitwise; with Color C, k115; with Color A, knit to end of row.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until piece measures 39 inches from cast-on edge, ending after working a right-side row (Row 3).

Bind Off (wrong side): With Color A, loosely bind off 58 stitches knitwise (one Color A stitch will remain on the left needle), cut Color A; with Color C, bind off remaining stitches knitwise, cut Color C and pull through remaining stitch.

Finish

Weave in the ends and block as desired.

Color Study Blanket | Purl Soho