Pixie Dust Lap Blanket
This is a where-did-you-get-this?! kind of blanket. Big, loopy stitches; hand dyed, extraordinary color; and smatterings of sparkly “pixie dust” all conspire to make this no ordinary blanket.
The yarn comes from the incredibly creative yarn company, Knit Collage. We used their super funky Handspun Yarn to knit up the Fun Kid’s Hat last spring, and now we’re turning our attention to their more subdued (relatively speaking!) Pixie Dust yarn. A blend of wool and mohair, Pixie Dust is a handspun, ultra bulky yarn that really sparks the imagination. I’m transported right into the land of fairy tales. With this color (Lemon Meringue), I can’t help but think of Rapunzel and “Let down your golden hair!”.
You won’t be the only one who thinks your new blanket is awfully cuddily. While I was making the Pixie Dust Lap Blanket, my cat Butterfly stalked my every move, waiting for the moment I would set down my needles so she could finally claim her rightful place deep inside the blanket’s soft stitches. Now that the finished blanket is at Page’s house her cat, Sylvy, has taken up right where Butterfly left off! -Whitney
I can’t think of an easier way to makeover a room than to whip up this show stopper. Provided you can wrest it from your cat, it may even keep you toasty warm all winter!
Update: New Color
October 18, 2012
We knit up the Pixie Dust Lap Blanket in a cool white “Snowflake” version. It’s equally gorgeous!
Update: New Yarn
Try doubling up Knit Collage’s Sister…
Same size needles, same pattern, same textural adventure, a Sister Lap Blanket is a beautifully affordable 100% wool alternative. You’ll only need five skeins (you could even get away with four if you don’t mind losing a few inches!). Here’s a swatch (pictured above).
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoPixieDustLapBlanket. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 7 skeins of Knit Collage’s Pixie Dust, a blend of Wool, Mohair, and Pixie Sparkles. Approximately 245 yards required. This color is “Lemon Meringue”.
- A US 36 (19/20 mm), 32, or 40-inch circular needle.
Gauge
4 stitches = approximately 4 inches in 1 x 1 rib
Size
Approximately 26 inches wide by 56 inches long
Pattern
Cast on 27 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1: *K1, p1, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 2: *P1, k1, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you have used all 7 skeins minus about 4 yards (or until piece measures 56 inches).
Bind off in pattern and weave in the ends. (Little Tip: Rather than wresting this yarn through the eye of a tapestry needle, just use your hands to weave in the ends. It’s easy – you’ll see!)
I would love to make this in a baby blanket size. Andy advise on changes to the pattern and how many skeins to use?
Hi Jamey-
This is a long, thin throw blanket. To make it a more baby friendly size I would cast on the same number of stitches but just knit it half as long. I would get 4 skeins.
Thanks for your question!
Molly
I am going to make tis blanket using Colinette Point 5 yarn. Would you recommend the same size needles? I was not planning on doubling the yarn. The yarn suggests 12mm needles but I don't think that would give the same effect as your blanket.
Hi, I am making this in the Pixie Dust Pink color. I ordered the yarn and needle through you, and I am so happy with it! I am starting right now. This is going to be a wedding present. Thank you Purl for winding all this yarn into balls for me.
Hi Ebony,
If you want a very loose knit like our version of the blanket, then you should probably use bigger needles than your yarn suggests, either a US #19 or #36. You may need to experiment a little to see what you like!
I hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any more questions and thanks for this one!
Whitney
You said you can use knit collage sister as well at only 5 skeins? Do you have to double the yarn up?
Hi Lindsey,
Yes, you do double the Sister!
Thanks for asking and please let us know if you have any other questions!
Whitney
Hi, I absolutely love this pattern, and can't wait to start it in the Sister yarn. I was wondering what colour the swatch you've shown is called. The closest I can find on the link you've provided is Camel Heather. Is that the one, or is the cream-coloured one not being sold anymore? Thanks!
Hi Doris-
The color is Soft Ivory and you can find it here:
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8196-Knit-Collage-Sister
second in from the left, top row.
Thank you!
Molly
Hi! I've been admiring this blanket for over a year now and finally have some time to do it. I'll definitely use the Magnum yarn in Ecru but I was wondering if there was a way of adding a bit of sparkle to it. I've seen some yarns with sequins and beads already threaded through the yarn. Would you recommend that? Or maybe a much thinner mohair yarn with metallic thread? Do you carry anything like that? Thanks!!!
Hi Georgette-
Sure, you could certainly use a thin strand of something sparkly or fun along with the thicker yarn. We don't carry anything with beads or sequins at the moment but I'm sure you can find something beautiful if you look around.
Thank you!
Molly
Any advice on knitting a blanket similar to this size with size 50 needles? I have those already and 4 skeins of Cascade Magnum and don't currently own size 36…
How many stitches would you cast on with size 50?
Hi Candice-
You probably want to start out by doing a gauge swatch in pattern on your size 50 needles to see if you like the look of it. Do this by casting on 11 stitches and following the stitch pattern until you have a square. If you like how it looks you can then measure how many stitches you're getting per inch and decide how many to cast on from there.
Good luck with your project!
Molly
I am looking to make this using the Knit Collage Gypsy Garden (I'm gaga over it!). How many skeins would you suggest as well as needle size to get the same size blanket or close to it?
Hi Jen,
You can see what the Gypsy Garden looks like knit up on US #17 needles with our Fun Kid's Hat (http://purlbee.squarespace.com/the-purl-bee/2010/3/19/whits-knits-fun-kids-hat.html). I'd suggest at least a needle size bigger (a US #19), but much depends on how you knit and what you're going for!
It's hard to guess how many skeins you'll need, but I'd think about ten. If you buy too many, please keep in mind that you can exchange the extras within six months in their original condition.
Thanks for asking. Sounds like a beautiful plan! Please let us know if you need any more help with it!
Whitney
I'm confused about how much pixie dust yarn I need to order. On Ravelry the pattern says 245 yards. Each skein is 145 yards, so it sounds like I would need 2. However, the instructions on your site say 7 skeins.
Thanks!
Hi rhb537-
You do need 245 yards total. Each skein is 35 yards, not 145 yards, so you will need 7 skeins. Each Skein is 145 grams, which might be the cause of the mix up.
Thank you for writing in and good luck with the project!
Molly
Looking at yarns to compare, what weight would you say this is? Is it comparable to a 5 or 6? If a use a worsted weight would I be fine with just doubling that? Thanks!
Hi Sarah-
This yarn is hard to categorize because it goes from very thick to very thin. It is definitely in the 6 or larger category. I don't think doubling a regular worsted weight yarn will be large enough and it also won't create the thick and thin texture that makes this blanket so unique. You could certainly experiment with combining different yarns- just make sure you're getting the correct gauge and that you like the look of the fabric.
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
I knitted this blanket for my mother and it is gorgeous. I made mine a bit wider, I think 36 stitches, and used maybe 9 or 10 skeins. It was the turquoise color and is truly beautiful. Worth the cost of the yarn because it has such a unique look. And it is warm. Using the 36 needle which I believe is 20 mm. A smaller needle might make the blanket too dense or warm.
I FINALLY made this beauty of a blanket!. Actually I didn't use quite as much yard and turned it into a nice sized lap blanket. Made it for a special friend's 50th anniversary gift. I SO loved it.
It was fun and beautiful.
I just finished making this blanket with Cascade Magnum in deep plum, & added fringe. It's lovely, I do feel it's to narrow so I would definitely make it wider next time as suggested in the comments by casting on 55 stitches.
Is it possible to just do a straight knit one row purl a row? Or straight up knit the whole thing? I'm not the best at the pattern it calls for!
Hi Katie-
If you knit one row and purl one row the edges will curl but knitting every row (garter stitch) sounds like a great plan!
Good luck with it!
Molly
I am a beginner and am currently making this for my Mom for Mother's Day. I LOVE this yarn, it took me a little while to learn how to work with it and I have trouble fixing any errors because its really difficult to see your stitches. This ends up being a good thing for us beginners, because as long as you have the right number of stitches (I cast on 43 after reading the comments that it was a little narrow) its really hard to tell if you messed your knit and purl and it still looks fantastic! Thanks to the Purl team for their help with this in the store and thanks for sharing this wonderful gift idea!
Hi, I've just knitted up the blanket in this gorgeous wool. I'm not a great knitter, but have managed simple but lovely things like scarves, in the round leg warmers, dog jumpers etc. but i've got a problem with the blanket which i didn't expect as it's never happened before ( but i've never knitted this large before)….the bottom is a lot wider than the top (a lot). The bottom is stretchy ( i cast off knit purl knit purl) but the top isn't. There are the same number of stitches top & bottom. Please can you tell me what i've likely done wrong? Thank you
Hi Miranda,
It sounds like you bound off a bit too tightly. This is an extremely common problem! Some people solve it by just consciously working the bind off very loosely; others bind off with a needle one, two or even three sizes bigger than the one they knit with; and still others use an entirely different kind of bind off. We have a tutorial for one such option; it's called the Elizabeth Zimmermann's Better Bind Off Tutorial and it's right here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/knitting-tutorials-bind-offs/2012/3/16/elizabeth-zimmermanns-better-bind-off.html
I hope this helps you re-align your ends! Thanks so much for your question and please let us know if you have any more!
Whitney
Hi,
I would like to knit this blanket using Sister yarn from Knit Collage. I just want to confirm that I would need 5 skeins with 20mm needles and that I should be doubling the yarn? Would this get me the finished measurements of 26 inches x 56 inches? I am also wondering if the picture above if the blanket in Sister is showing how it would look doubled?
Thanks!
k
Hi Karley,
Yes, you'll need a US #36 needle and 5 skeins of the Sister; you will double it (yes, shown in the picture) and you get the same finished dimensions!
I hope you love your finished blanket and please let us know if you have any more questions along the way!
Whitney
Is this blanket a project that a beginner can do??
Thanks!
Hi Carla-
We wouldn't recommend this for a first project but if you have done something with ribbing before it should be easy!
Thank you for your question!
Molly
I would like to make this using the Pearl Soho Super Soft Merino, would I need to double the yarn? And if not, by yardage it looks like I would need 7 skeins. Any suggestions would be great! Thanks!
Hi Mara-
You could do this with our Super Soft Merino but you would need to double it. But since Super Soft Merino has more than double the yardage of the Pixie Dust you will still only need to buy 7 skeins.
Thanks for your question and please let us know if you need any more help!
Molly
I haven’t knitted or crochet since I was young, can you show examples on each step it would really help, thanks!!
Hi Patti-
This pattern isn’t meant to teach (or re-teach) you how to knit but we do have a great Learn to Knit Kit that you can see here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8946-Purl-Soho-Learn-to-Knit
Thanks so much for your question!
Best-
Molly
How heavy is this throw once knit
Hi Kati-
It’s fairly light weight, especially considering how thick the yarn is, since it’s so open and airy.
Thanks for your question!
Molly
Been in love with this blanket since the day it posted. How can I learn when the snowflake yarn will return to your stock? Thank you for all that you share with us
Hi Kate!
We’re so glad you love the pattern! Feel free to send us an email at customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com if you’d like us to call you when it comes in stock!
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
I would prefer to use this yarn but I don’t see how using Sister is more economical, especially doubled. I must have totally missed something. Wouldn’t that be more expensive, much more expensive?
Hi Marjorie!
For the Sister version, we mention that it only takes 5 skeins (even doubled)! The skeins are much much longer with a lot more wool in them. It ends up saving you over 100 dollars from the version that uses 7 skeins of Pixie Dust!
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
Do you think this would benefit from blocking or just leave it as it is?
Hi Jules,
Thank you for the comment! Blocking is one of those things that isn’t always necessary but will always add a nicer finish to projects. It helps awaken the fibers and sets it in the fabric’s knit structure. Just make sure to let it dry flat so the blanket won’t stretch out!
I hope this helps and feel free to respond if you have anymore questions!
Good Luck!
Jake
Hi -I am winding the yarn for this blanket as I type (sort of) and am wondering what advice you have for joining all the skeins of this type of yarn? I made your Bulky Baby Blanket and had a problem with my ends coming undone on that one after washing, and would think this yarn might be tricky too.
Thanks for all your beautiful projects highlighting amazing yarn!
Lindsay
Hi Lindsay,
Thank you for the comment! With bulky yarns weaving in the ends can be a little daunting, but I would recommend joining the yarn like usual just leaving a little extra long tail. I would then use the duplicate stitch technique featured on our blog as it’s more secure and stable, you can view that tutorial here; https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2011/07/14/weaving-in-your-ends/
I hope this helps and feel free to write back if you have anymore questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Hi I love this blanket! I have never knitted a blanket before but this looked so interesting. I did have a question as I am fairly new to knitting. How would you wash this blanket? If I am not mistaken the yarn used is not a superwash version? Just wondered because I planned on making a baby blanket version but am worried about its washability factor. Thanks!
Hello Shai!
We’re so glad you like this blanket! This yarn is hand-made and very delicate, so you’re correct in saying that it would only be hand-washable. Since the yarn is very plush, I wouldn’t recommend ever completely submerging it, but just spot cleaning instead.
Since the yarn is so large and the blanket is knit quite loosely, I wouldn’t recommend making it for a baby, their little hands could get stuck in the large stitches! Take a look at our other baby blanket options here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/category/knit/projects-knit/home-projects-knit/blankets-decor-home-projects-knit/
Happy knitting! -Alyson
I would like to make the blanket in the pixie dust but at 36″ x 56″. How many skeins would I need?
How many stitches would I cast on?
Thank you.
Hello Danica! We’re so glad to see that you’re interested in this pattern!
Since these skeins only have about 35 yards in them, I would recommend getting at least 3 extra to give the blanket more thickness. This would only be possible if you get around the same gauge as the pattern recommends, so make sure to check that first!
Best of luck! -Alyson
When you say knit 1 purl 1 do you have to turn your work when you purl 1 then turn it back to knit 1
Hello Amber,
You don’t have to turn your work, but you do need to bring the yarn forward in between the needles to prepare for purling after you have knit a stitch. Once you’re done with that purl stitch, you’ll need to restore the working yarn to the back so that you can knit again. Its a standard 1×1 rib stitch pattern!
Best of luck! -Alyson
Thank you so much for sharing this pattern with the knitting world. I love it for its simplicity and style. I have made a couple blankets and am planning more. Just thought I would let you know I appreciate it so much.
Alice
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Knitddiction
Would it be possible to double one strand of the sister yarn with one of pixie dust to get the total cost of the yarn down? I’ve never doubled yarn before. If so, how many skeins of each would I need? Thanks!
Hi Katherine,
Thanks for your question! You could certainly hold 1 strand of Pixie Dust with 1 strand of Sister. To make a blanket the same size, you would need 4 skeins of Pixie and 3 of Sister. You will have some left over yarn from this combination that you could use to make the blanket larger. If you would like a slightly smaller blanket (smaller by about 10%), you could use 3 skeins of Pixie and 2 skeins of Sister.
Please let us know how it turns out and happy knitting!
Cassy
I am really new to this and just have to ask. What is a skein of yarn exactly?
Hi Chelsea,
Thanks for writing in! A skein is the unit that yarn is sold in. It is a length of yarn twisted into hank that then is wound into a ball. For the purposes of our patterns, a skein is the unit that the yarn is sold in. So if the pattern calls for 3 skeins, you would select 3 in the quantity box when purchasing.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I’m interested in making this blanket using Pixie Dust yarn. I keep reading references to doubling yarn but don’t see it in the directions. Is that only for the Sister yarn? Also, I’d like to make it more of a cuddle throw for a married couple. Can I knit a longer width and decrease the length to make a shorter rectangular shape? Should I cast on 43 and just knit until I run out of yarn? Trying to purchase enough yarn without a lot of leftover as it’s expensive!
Hi Beth,
Thank you for writing in! You’re correct, the references to doubling the yarn is geared to toward those using Knit Collage’s Sister yarn. To make it more of a throw you can definitely knit it wider, which I highly recommend. You might also want to make it a bit longer, maybe 60-inches rather than the 56-inches. I know the yarn is pricey but I recommend picking up 8-9 skeins, it would be a shame to run out. If you feel like you’ll only use the 7 skeins don’t have the 2 extra wound. As long as they’re in their original condition they can be exchanged or you could get store credit for them.
Let us know what you think!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
I LOVE this blanket. I think I would like to make it out of the Sister yarn in Camel Heather. I am having a hard time figuring out how much yarn and size needles to accomplish the project. I would like to make it approx 56″ x 102 ” as I wanted to fold and place at the bottom of a king size bed. This is a throw that will be living in southern Florida so I want it to be airy but provide some extra warmth if needed. Is the camel heather shades of butterscotch and cream? any white or brown in it. When I have looked it up on the internet, various sites show it looking very differently. THANKS for the help!
Betsy
Hi Betsy,
Thanks for writing in! We knit a version of this blanket using Sister doubled and for the size noted here (26 x 56) we used 5 skeins. For the size that you would like to knit (56 x 102), you would need roughly 20 skeins. If you want to knit the yarn held single with a looser look, you would need 10 skeins! I would describe the Camel Heather as warm tans with pale off white.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Beautiful Blankets, If I wanted it to be wider than 2 1/2 feet say 3 1/2 feet how would I do it. I am a beginner…
Hi Carole,
Thank you for the compliment! At 1 stitch per inch, you’ll want to cast on approximately 44 stitches.
All the best,
Adam
Love this, it will be a perfect gift for my son. I want to make it bigger, 40″x60″. How many more skeins should I order? I’m going to use the Pixie Dust.
Hi Sally,
What a wonderful gift! I would recommend getting 14 skeins of Pixie Dust, since your blanket will be not quite twice as wide as the original but a little longer. If you do not use the full 14 skeins, any unwound skeins can be returned for store credit. You may have trouble ordering on the website as we do not usually keep that quantity of this yarn in stock, so please feel free to call us at (800) 597 PURL to place a special order!
Warmly,
Julianna
I would like to make this using the Bernat Blanket Baby yarn that typically requires using sizes 10-13 needles. Is this a good substitute for this pattern? How many stitches should I cast on , and what size of needles should I use? Thank you for whatever assistance you can provide.
Hello Dawn,
Thank you for reaching out! This blanket is knit up with a larger gauge than the Bernat Blanket Baby yarn. I would reccomend knitting up a gauge swatch with US15 needles, to figure out how many stitches per inch you are getting. Once you have this number you can multiply by the width of your blanket (26″) to get your cast on number. You will just want to be sure that it is and odd number.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hello,
Is there any yarn on sale that one could substitute for in order to make the pixie dust blanket? It’s a beautiful blanket, but the yarn is a bit pricey. Thanks! Lisa
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for reaching out! Pixie Dust is a very unique yarn, and there isn’t much that compares to that thick and thin texture! Although it wasn’t part of our sale, Knit Collage Sister held double is a more economical option that has a very similar texture. Since it has more yardage than Pixie Dust, you will only need 5 skeins. You could add in a strand of Mineral Silk to add some sparkle if you would like, and you will only need 1 skein for the whole blanket!
Best,
Julianna