We’ve re-conceived the Purl Bee’s classic Super Easy Blanket in Purl Soho’s sumptuous Super Soft Merino! This Super Easy Crib Blanket borrows the simple striping from the baby-sized original, but at 2 3/4 stitches to the inch, it knits up bigger and faster. With voluminous stitches and luxurious loft, this blanket is as soft and gentle as a cloud!
Update: New Colors
October 2014
Twelve new colors in our Purl Soho yarn palette inspired us to create new Super Easy Crib Blankets in Super Soft Merino! Read all about them here and browse our expanded collection of Super Easy Crib Blanket in Super Soft Merino Bundles right here!
Materials
Get all the yarn you need with Purl Soho’s Super Easy Crib Blanket in Super Soft Merino Bundle. It includes…
- 7 skeins of Purl Soho’s Super Soft Merino, 100% merino wool, in this palette called Macaron.
You’ll also need…
- A US 13, 24 or 32-inch circular needle
Gauge
2 3/4 stitches = 1 inch in garter stitch
Size
Approximately 30 inches x 32 inches
Note
To get a nice, neat edge just slip the first stitch of every row knitwise with the yarn in back. (When you change colors, knit the first stitch of the row.)
Pattern
With the first color, cast on 82 stitches.
Knit every row until you have used the entire skein (or until there are 11 or 12 garter stitch “ridges” [1 ridge = 2 rows]).
Switch to the second color and knit every row, using up the entire skein.
Repeat with each color, making sure to always switch colors on the same side.
After knitting all but a couple of yards of the seventh color, loosely bind off.
Weave in the ends and you’re done!
PRINT
Could you elaborate on how to keep the edge neat? Do you have a tutorial on slipping stitches? I have seen a few different ways of doing it and wondering which way works best for this particular blanket.
Hi Jen-
We don’t have a video or tutorial but maybe I can explain it in a little more detail: At the start of each row keep your yarn in back and place your empty right needle into the first stitch on your left needle just as if you were going to knit, but then, instead of knitting, pull that stitch off of the left needle and onto the right needle. Then keep knitting as normal for the rest of the row.
I hope this helps. Please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
I’m also having trouble with understanding how to slip the first stitch.
After I slip the stitch of the left needle and onto the right, what do I do with the yarn before knitting the next stitch?
Thank you.
Hello Lindsay!
This step isn’t meant to increase or decrease the overall number of stitches at all, its only to create a more finished looking edge. Make sure to keep the yarn in the back of your work as you are slipping the stitch from the left to the right needle, so that you don’t accidentally create a yarn over or a gap. I hope this tip helps, please write in again should you have more questions! Thanks! -Alyson
Thanks Alyson. I eventually figured out what I was doing wrong — I didn’t realize that I needed to knit a foundation row first and was trying to slip the first stitch of the first row that I knit after casting on. Anyway, the blanket is coming along fine now. Hopefully my trial and error will help someone else down the road…
My daughter is having a baby, my first and probably only grandchild. She is my only child, lives in Belgium, and after wanting a baby for years, at the age of 41, she is pregnant. She married a man from Belgium 10 years ago, and they are very happy and doing well. I would love to knit this multicolor blanket, but I can’t decide on the color. She don’t know the sex of the baby. I like the PoP of color many of these color ways have, but can’t decide which one to order. Any suggestions? Please help me decide.
Hi Cynthia-
What a fun questions!
Of course this is all just a matter of preference and taste but my favorite gender neutral colorway is “Pennant” and then “Market”. They both have bright pops of color and are kind of classic but still fresh looking color combinations. So my vote would be either of those.
Congratulations on your grandchild and please let us know if you have any more questions or need any more help deciding.
Best-
Molly
Hi,
My question is about the recommended needle. I don’t understand why this requires a circular needle. I thought the circular needle was used for round things like hats? Am I way off base?
I am brand new to knitting. Thinking of making this as my first project for my first baby due in December.
Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Hi Melanee-
This uses a circular needle but you are just knitting flat, back and forth like you would on straight needles. The cable that holds the two needles together holds the wide width of a blanket much better than using two straight needles. Just use them as you would straight neeedles, switching them back and forth in your hands.
I hope this helps, please let us know if you have any more questions and congratulations!
Molly
How long approximately does this take? I want to make one for someone for Christmas and I want to be sure it will be done in time…
Hi N-
This isn’t a quick project because it’s a lot of knitting but it is very simple and the yarn is large so it is pretty fast as far as blankets go. It’s hard to estimate how long it would take you but personally I think it would take me about 2 weeks of leisurely knitting in the evenings. I definitely think you could finish it in time for Christmas!
Best-
Molly
What method do you recommend for changing yarn colors? I tried searching on line tutorials, but other than the Russian method, they were all for changing the same color. I’m new to your site and anxious to try the color tipped scarf project.
Thanks!
Hi Sue!
For the Color Tipped Scarf, my first suggestion is to make sure that you are changing colors on the same side of the scarf both times. You’ll change at the end of a row.
Usually to join a new color, it’s best to simply start knitting with the new color, leaving a 6 inch tail out for both the old and the new color. When you finish the project, you can weave in the ends. If the temporary “loose” feeling of those end stitches bothers you, you can tie a temporary single knot; just make sure it is a loose enough knot that you can un-do it later before weaving in the ends.
Here is a link for some help on weaving in your ends. I would suggest the last section called “Weaving in Ends on the Horizontal.”
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2011/07/14/weaving-in-your-ends/
Hope this helps!
Thomas
Thomas,
Yes, that helps a lot! Thanks for the quick response as well as the link to the weaving in bit. I will check that out, too.
Sue
What does knitwise mean? Slip the first stitch of every row knitwise?
Hi Anne-
It means to slip it as if you were going to knit it (as opposed to as if you were going to purl it.) Does that make sense?
Please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
Hi. Love this blanket! Can you tell me if this yarn is washable? I have only used your superwash yarn and spud & Chloe washable for baby blankets before. Thanks!
Hi Monica-
This yarn is not machine washable but it washes great by hand!
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
Can you recommend another yarn that would work with this pattern and be machine washable? I would need multiple tones of blue and gray. Thanks!
Hello Judy,
Take a look at the colors we have available of the Cascade’s Superwash 128 here: https://www.purlsoho.com/superwash-128.html
This yarn is most similar and it is machine washable. I would also recommend knitting with a size #11 needle since this yarn is a little thinner than the Super Soft Merino. The blanket may also come out slightly smaller, but you can simply cast on a few more stitches to compensate if you’d like. Hope this helps and happy knitting! -Alyson
Hello,
Would it be possible to double this pattern to make a throw instead of a crib blanket. I was thinking of something measuring about 60×60 and doubling to 14 skeins of the Purl Soho super soft merino. I would like to use the #13 needle.
Thanks,
Quynh
Hi Quynh!
You certainly can! Keep in mind that if you want to double both dimensions, you will need 4 skeins of each of the seven colors. That means that you need 28 skeins total.
With 14 skeins, you will be able to get a blanket roughly 44 inches square.
Hope this helps! I think this would be a beautiful larger blanket!
Thomas
Hi
I would also like to make the blanket bigger so the 44 X 44 sounds right from a previous message. I’m a beginner so could I please check what I would need to buy and how it would alter the pattern. Would I need 14 skeins (2 of each colour)? How many stitches would I cast on? Would it change the size of needles? Sorry for all the questions – total novice!
Thanks
Hi Gina!
Area-wise, you would need exactly twice as much yarn, so 14 skeins should do it. As far as needle, just make sure to use whichever needle gets you the correct gauge size (for the pattern as written). To get around 44 inches wide, you would need to cast-on roughly 1 and a half times the number of stitches.
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
I would like to make this blanket for an older child in a larger square size, say 32″x32″. What changes would I need to make to this pattern?
Hi Blanche!
You’re in luck! This is one of the easiest patterns to change. To add 2 inches to the width, you’d probably only need to add about 5 stitches to the cast-on. With a little added width, though, each stripe will be shorter. I think the best thing to do would be to choose an 8th color to go into the blanket so that it’s long enough.
Thanks for your question!
Thomas
Just received my box containing Lolipop Super Easy Baby Blanket yarn-Super Soft Merino!! So excited! The yarn is luscious. Can’t wait to get home and start–this special project will travel “down under” to my special young lady in Brisbane expecting her first baby in just a few weeks. Thank you for the quick shipping and attention to detail on my order. Once again, Purl Soho rocks!!
Hi,
Thanks for this pattern! I have pretty much finished knitting it but have 2 questions:
1) Which technique is best for weaving in ends for this blanket?
2) I’d like to add a single-color border all the way around my almost finished blanket about 2 inches thick on each side. Can you suggest a border that is simple (to learn) and looks best with the garter stitch? I have an idea in my mind of the style and how I want it to look but, alas, I’ve never known proper terminology since I was a little kid when I first learned to knit, and am having problems searching it online to incorporate into an already 95% finished blanket!
Thanks for any advice/suggestions given to my questions.
I hope to pop into your store when I come to Manhattan after Christmas this month!
Hi Anna!
First of all, check out our tutorial on weaving in your ends here! I think that “weaving on the horizontal” or garter stitch “duplicate stitch” would be the best options.
For the easiest way to do a border, I think a “log cabin” style border would be best. You’ll pick up stitches on one side and knit a few rows of garter, then pick up stitches on the opposite side and knit a few rows of garter stitch. Next you’ll do the same on the top and bottom, making sure to also pick up the stitches on the sides of the borders you already knit.
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
What size hook would you recommend if I was going to crochet, instead of knit? Also, would the number of skeins work or do I need to get an 8th skein to make sure I can get the length that I would like. Thank you!
Hi Terra!
I would use either a P or a Q hook, though I can’t be certain. Try out a couple around that size and see what you like best! I would definitely get an extra skein, because a single crochet blanket would most likely use more yarn than this pattern does.
Happy Crocheting!
Thomas
Hello,
Could you tell me the colors in the Atmosphere colorway?
Thanks,
Hi Quynh!
The colors from top to bottom are: Timeless Navy, Peacock Blue, Dragonfly Blue, Desert Blue, Ice Blue, Oyster Grey, and Heirloom White.
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
Hi!
Could I knit the Crib Blankets on a circular loom?
Thank you.
Hi Jackye-
Unfortunately we have no experience with knitting looms so we aren’t sure how this would work.
I’m so sorry we can’t be of more help!
Best-
Molly
Hi,
I wonder if this pattern comes in pdf format like some of your scarves?
Hi Cina-
You can save this as a PDF by using our print feature:
If you’re on a desktop version of the site, you will find a “print” icon in the right column just below the date and tags. If you’re on a mobile version of the site, you will find a “print” icon below the pattern and above the comments.
Follow the easy on-screen instructions for customizing what parts of the pattern you want to delete for printing or saving as a PDF (for example, certain images or the list of materials).
Please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
Hi there,
Gorgeous blanket that I’m currently making for my little one, who should be arriving very soon!
I know you advise that you should change colour on the same side of your work each time. However, I just wanted to check, is this because the colour join be visible on one side? If so, is there any way around this so that both sides look perfect? I read somewhere that you could purl the colour change row to avoid the problem, but am reluctant to try it in case I mess up the pattern!
Any tips or advise greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Stacey
Hi Stacey,
Thank you for the great question! I don’t recommend doing any rows of purl in the project because you will end up with two rows of stockinette in between every color block of garter stitch which will be a very noticeable break in the stitch pattern. We advise you always change colors on the same side of the work because that ensures that each block of color is the same number of rows and it will be cleaner if all of your ends are woven in at the same edge of the blanket. For the cleanest looking results I would take a look at our tutorial on weaving in your ends; https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2011/07/14/weaving-in-your-ends/
Hope this helps and let us know if you have anymore questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
I was planning on using 4 skiens of each color and doubling the pattern for a throw. I was wondering by how much I needed to add to the cast on amount? Double? so 164?
Hi Kristen-
Yes that’s right, cast on 164.
Thanks for getting in touch and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
Dear purl bee,
the blanket is WONDERFUL! Do I need 100g of each color or is it less? I want to knit the blanket with (cheaper) yarn alternative and it comes in 50g balls…Thank you
Sibylle from Northern Germany
Hi Sibylle,
Thank you for the comment! Yes the Super Soft Merino yarn has 100g on it and has 87 yards so if you find an alternative yarn with the correct gauge make sure to get that quantity per color. So 2 balls of each color of the 50g yarn will work great!
Feel free to let us know if you have anymore questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Hello! I just received my yarn in the mail for this blanket and I’m super excited to start knitting it! I just have a question about how to change to the new color yarn, it says to knit until done or until there are 11 or 12 garter stitches left… I’m not clear on that, can you explain a little more?
Thanks!
Mary.
Hi Mary,
Thank you for the comment, I’m so glad your excited about your yarn! So what we mean by that is each color should yield 11-12 garter stitch ridges. The ridges are like counting rows except one ridge equals 2 rows so that means you’ll be getting roughly 22-24 rows per color.
I hope that clarifies things and feel free to respond if there’s anymore confusion!
Happy Knitting!
Thank you!
Hi there,
I am very, very new to knitting but have been practicing quite a bit and think I can now handle this job for my niece. Just a quick question though: when I have experimented with changing colours, there is always a tiny bit of thread from the new colour “in” the old colour – is there a way to knit so that the colours are completely separated?
Cheers!
Dilan
Hi Dilan,
Thank you for the comment! I’m a little confused what you mean by the old color being in the new color. Are you working with fuzzy loosely spun yarns that fluff off and get stuck in each other? If that is the cast you are probably splitting your yarn a little which is when instead of going into the entire stitch with the knitting needle it actually goes into the yarn slightly and causes a little puff to stick out.
It’s always great to hear from new knitters so let me know if this is not the issue and I’d be happy to help you get ready to start this awesome pattern!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
I love your yarn and your patterns, but I have no way to spin the yarn! How do people do that? If I buy yarn at a near by yarn shop, very small and not much I want, but they do spin it for me. They will not spin it if I didn’t buy the yarn from them. Love your store on line so very much. I wish I could buy more.
Hello Crystal!
I think you’re talking about winding the skeins into balls, correct? If you are shopping with us online, feel free to request the yarn to be wound into balls in the comments section of your order and we’ll be more than happy to wind it up for you!
Its not terribly difficult to wind it by yourself, many people use the help of the back of a chair or a friends arms! I usually sit with my legs crossed and put the skein on my knees so that the yarn is taught. Then I wind the yarn by hand into a ball. Hand wound balls are so charming! Best of luck! -Alyson
Would this work with the for better or for worsted yarn? Would I need a different amount or different sized needles? Cheers!
Hello Laura!
Super Soft Merino is much thicker than For Better or Worsted. I would recommend following the instructions for this pattern: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/09/22/super-easy-blankets/ , since the gauge of the yarn used is much more similar to the Anzula yarn.
Best of luck! -Alyson
I’m a new to knitting and I am making this blanket for baby cousin. Is there any way I could do this with one color? How many stitches would I have to cast on and how many rows would I make?
Hello Hannah!
Of course you can eliminate the stripes and keep the blanket solid! Just purchase 7 skeins of the same colored yarn and follow the pattern as written.
Happy knitting! -Alyson
Hello
I love this pattern! I am making it much larger for my bed. I am very new to knitting and I am slightly confused. I know with some afghans or blankets you can piece parts of the blanket together and do each stripe separately. Is this blanket done in one piece? Doesn’t the whole thing get pretty heavy once you are adding on so many colors? Hopefully this makes sense! Thank you
Hello Ally!
Welcome to the knitting world! You’re totally correct in predicting that the item will be very heavy on your lap as you knit the blanket if you did it all in one piece. The blanket that we made for this pattern is actually quite manageable, since its made to be crib sized. Piecing the parts together would be a great idea–you’ll just have slightly more bulky joins in between each color where you seam the stripes together.
With such a large project, I don’t think it would be very noticeable and it would save you from having to hold the whole blanket throughout each stripe! It will get very cumbersome quickly! I would recommend using Mattress Stitch to seam the stripes together and you can find a tutorial for that technique here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/11/11/mattress-stitch/
Best of luck! -Alyson
I love this baby blanket but concerned that but is not machine washable. Is there another yarn that I can use with this design for easy machine washable care?
Hello Judy!
You can definitely use Superwash 128 for this pattern, I would just go down to a size #11 needle and keep in mind the blanket but come out slightly smaller. Take a look at our color choices here: https://www.purlsoho.com/superwash-128.html
Happy knitting! -Alyson
Thanks Alyson! If I add a 8th color of the Superwash and increase the number of stitches per row, do you think that I could get closer to the original measurements? Any idea how many stitches I should cast on to make that work?
I live locally so I can stop into the store if that works better!
Hello, Judy!
Thanks for your question! Using the Superwash 128 will only make your blanket slightly smaller, but if you’d rather have a blanket that is exactly 30×32-inches then I recommend knitting a sample swatch. From that you can calculate how many stiches to cast on. To do this you’ll follow this formula: Stitches per inch x width (in inches) = number of cast on stitches. For example, if you get 3 stitches per inch – 3×30=90. Also, I think that if you add an 8th color you’ll end up with a blanket that is longer than 32-inches. It might be best to stick with the 7 colors since the blanket will grow a bit with use.
If you have further questions, please let us know!
Happy knitting,
Kumeko
I am confused about the needle size- what size and length do I need? I wasn’t able to find US #13, 24 or 32-inch as recommended above..Thanks!
Hello Guni,
Thank you for your question. You can find the Addi Turbo circular needles on our website here: https://www.purlsoho.com/tools/knitting-needles/addi-turbo-circular-needles.html. In the drop down menu for Needle Size you will choose 13 and then choose 24 or 32 in the Needle Length drop down menu. I hope that helps.
Happy knitting,
Allison
I’ve been working on this project with superwash 128. I am making the blanket for my expecting sister. So far, I have been using yellow-blue-cream, but we just found out the baby is a girl, so I want to add a feminine color such as a coral.
I don’t see the right shade with the superwash 128 (the grapefruit super soft would be a great color wise). Is there another kind of yarn I can work in with this project that wouldn’t be noticeably different in texture or weight?
Hello, Megan!
Thank you for writing in! Sorry for the delayed response! Unfortunately, we don’t have a yarn that is a superwash that will have the same texture and weight! But, if you’re feeling adventurous you could try holding something like Anzula’s For Better or Worsted double. It’s superwash and the color Mauve is very lovely and similar to the Grapefruit Super Soft Merino.
Please let us know what you think!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
When i switched colors one side looks a little funky, One side looks perfect but the back side of the blanket has a little line. I was knitting in blue and switched to white. It looks like this…. Blue , white line, blue line, white . Is the one side supposed to look like this, my first time switching colors. Thanks!
Hi Summer,
Thanks for writing us. This is completely normal! When switching colors, the wrong side will always have something called a “jog”. This happens when you switch colors because of how the yarns loop together to make rows. It is unavoidable and even the finest knits have it. Thanks for the question.
Best,
Adam
Hi Purl Bee,
I just ordered yarn for the Super Easy Crib Blanket. I ordered the Firefly color scheme. I wanted to know if you recommend knitting the blanket in the order the colors are shown in the picture? I know I can order the colors in any way I prefer, but I wanted to make the most of the colors (if that makes sense). Do you have a picture of a finished blanket in Firefly?
Thank you!
Maureen
Hi Maureen,
Thanks for writing us and for your order! We did not knit up the Firefly colorway, so I can’t send you a picture of it, but I can tell you that we lay out the colors in the shot in the order we intend you to knit it. You can get creative, but I actually really love the way we placed these colors. I hope this helps and good luck!
Best,
Adam
Yes, that is very helpful! I love the way the colors look in the photo. Thank you, Adam!
Hi,
I have purchased 20 super soft merino wool to make a crib blanket, I am wanting to make it larger but not sure how many stitches to cast on. At this stage I am not sure whether to make a square or rectangular blanket, could you please provide measurements for both?
Many thanks,
Helen
Hello Helen,
Thank you for your interest in this pattern! I am afraid I don’t know how large you’d like the blanket, so giving you a measurement is going to be difficult. If you tell me the dimensions you’d like for the square and rectangular blankets, I’d be happy to calculate for you.
All the best,
Adam
Hi Adam,
I have 20 skeins of the super soft merino and would like to utilise all but am not sure how many stitches to cast on to make a crib blanket in either a square or rectangle shape.
Thanks,
Helen
Hi Helen,
Thanks for writing back. You do not need 20 skeins of Super Soft Merino for a crib blanket. This pattern calls for 7 skeins total for a crib blanket and the measurements are listed in the pattern as 30×32″. This is pretty close to square and I suggest adding an eighth skein on if you’d like it to be more rectangular. All you have to do is cast on the prescribed amount in the pattern and knit 8 skeins instead of 7. All the best on your project!
-Adam
If I changed size of needles to #10 from #13. Would I use the same row calculations. I.e.: Knit 82 across and still using 7 skeins of yarn, switched out #13 needles to #10, do I still knit 11 to 12 rows or finish. Will it throw off the balance of the blanket.
I’m new at this knitting thing
Hi Kat,
Thanks for writing in! You can knit a blanket on any size needle, but for this particular yarn you’ll have some trouble knitting on a US 10. Super Soft Merino is best on a US 11 or 13. Knitting this blanket on a US 10 will result in a higher stitch and row count per inch, which will make the blanket smaller. Unless you are a very loose knitter, I’d try to stick to a US 13. Let us know how it goes!
-Adam
I accidentally added an extra row about halfway through one of the rows. Is there anyway to fix this?
Hi Julie,
Thanks for writing in! If you accidentally added another row you will probably have a big hole where you turned the work instead of continuing in the right direction. The only way to fix this is to rip back to the hole and continue from there. Otherwise, you could totally try to conceal the hole by sewing it together with some of the extra yarn and weaving in the ends as best as possible. Let me know if you have any other questions!
-Adam
Hi, I’m very beginner and was wondering if this blanket is just the basic knit stitch ? Thanks
Absolutely! You are knitting on both sides, that’s what makes it Super Easy!
Thanks for writing in, Debbi!
Keith
Almost finished this blanket, which is my first knitting project. Love how soft it is! My question is that I’ve completed 11 garter stitch “ridges” of my last color and have ~6 yard of yarn left — is it better to bind off now or try to complete another row (1/2 a ridge) and then bind off? Thanks!
Hi Annie,
Great question! Based on how much yarn you have left, I would suggest binding off now. Binding off takes twice as much yarn as a single row and it is always better to have a little yarn left rather than having to pick back out the bind off and the previous row.
I hope that this helps and congratulations on finishing a blanket!
Cassy