The Super Easy Baby Blanket has become something of an institution here at the Purl Bee. We love how accessible this pattern is to knitters of all levels, and even more, we love the opportunity to play with gorgeous palettes of color!
I knit up the original Super Easy Baby Blanket four and a half years ago in Alchemy’s gorgeous Temple superwash merino. Later, Faye knit her own interpretation with Koigu’s Kersti Merino Crepe. With its ocean and sunshine colors and a squishier feel, her New Super Easy Baby Blanket was such a smash that we made it into a super easy kit! And most recently, we used our own Super Soft Merino for a bigger, even cushier version that we call the Super Easy Crib Blanket.
And now here is our biggest version yet, the Super Easy Lap Blanket! Knit out of Manos Del Uruguay’s amazing Maxima, this one is cozy soft, decadently toasty and looks absolutely stunning in kettle-dyed, hand-spun 100% extrafine merino wool.
The Super Easy Lap Blanket is perfect for drafty winter evenings on the couch and chilly mornings at the kitchen table. And in colors that meander from rich Mahogany, through the land of pinks and blues, to finish in deep Dark Chocolate, this version has a sophisticated drama that will light up any room! -Whitney
Materials
- 7 skeins of Manos Del Uruguay’s Maxima, 100% extramerino merino wool. These colors, from the top, are Mahogany, Shocking, Cotton Candy, Natural, Stratus, Pewter, and Dark Chocolate.
- US 10, 32 or 40-inch circular needle
Gauge
16 1/4 stitches = 4 inches in garter stitch
Size
35 inches x 44 inches
Note
To get a nice, neat edge, just slip the first stitch of every row knitwise with the yarn in back.
Pattern
Starting with the color Dark Chocolate, cast on 142 stitches.
Knit every row until the skein runs out (or for about 6 1/4 inches from the cast on edge).
Join the color Pewter.
Knit until the skein runs out, making sure to end on the same side you finished the Dark Chocolate. In other words, all of the tails (except, perhaps, the cast on tail) will be along the same selvage, and the first row of every color will be on the “right side” of the blanket and you will end each color on the “wrong side”.
Continuing…
*Join the next color (Stratus).
Knit until the skein runs out, ending with a wrong side row.
Repeat from * working through the next three colors: Natural, Cotton Candy, and Shocking.
Finish with Mahogany, knitting the entire skein minus about 3 yards.
Bind off loosely and weave in all the ends.
PRINT
I plan to make this blanket with the Blue Sky worsted cotton, but would like to make it 50×60. I was wondering how much yarn you would recommend. I am using 7 colors as in the original pattern.
Thanks for your help!
Hi Danielle,
Thanks for writing in! For a blanket roughly 50 x 60, I think that you will need 16-17 skeins of the Blue Sky Cotton. This does not divide evenly by the 7 colors that you would like to use. Perhaps you can use 8 colors and get 2 of each (total of 16 skeins) OR you could select 6 colors and get 3 skeins of each (total of 18 skeins). Alternately, you could make 3 of the stripes wider than the rest, buying 2 skeins each of 4 colors and 3 skeins each of 3 colors.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I have Cannoli yarn and need to know how many stitches to cast on to make this 35 inches x 44 inches.
The yarn lady said to use US 19/15mm circular knitting needle. The yarn says 8sts – 4inches and 10 rows – 4 inches.
Can you please help me. Need to refresh my knitting skills.
Hi Beverly,
Thanks for writing in! I am not familiar with the yarn that you are using but I did look it up. It seems that on a US 15 needle, you should get a gauge of roughly 2 stitches per inch. If you are using a yarn that has a gauge of 2 stitches per inch, you will need to cast on 70 stitches to get a blanket that is 35 inches wide as we have here!
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi
Can you use one colour only
Thank you
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
Thanks for writing in! You can certainly do this blanket in just 1 color! You will just knit to the end of each of 7 skeins and you will be all set!
Best,
Cassy
I am going to try making this lap blanket with sock wool. Will this work?
Hi Sheerah,
Sock yarn could work as long as it is a worsted weight yarn. We also have a version of this blanket knitted on a size 7 needle and would work well for a DK weight yarn.
I hope this helps!
Carly
I would like to make this using bulky 170g (185 yd) skein in size 36×36. How many to cast on and what size needle? Thank you
Hi Diane,
It’s hard to tell how many stitches to cast on before doing a gauge swatch. Once you find out how many stitches you get per inch you can multiply that number by 35 since the blanket is 35″ wide. So if I had 4 stitches per inch in my gauge swatch I would cast on 140 stitches total to make my blanket 35″ wide.
I hope this helps!
Carly
can you make this with straight knitting needles? thanks in advance
Hi Taylor,
Thanks for writing in! Although we used circular needles for this project, we knit the blanket flat, meaning back in forth in rows, turning the work at the end of each row. The reason we sometimes use circular needles for flat knitting is to accommodate a lot of stitches. Cramming a blanket’s worth of stitches onto long straight needles can be pretty cumbersome and sometimes even, impossible. To use circular needles for knitting flat you simply finish a row, turn the work so the other side is facing you and put the needle that was in your right hand into your left hand and the needle that was in your left hand into your right hand, ready to go on the next row!
By the way, once you get the hang of it, you may find that you never use straight needles again, even for projects without so many stitches. Circular needles are just easier to keep track of (no losing one in the cushions of your couch!), and they never poke the person sitting next to you!
Best,
Cassy
Thanks so much and one last question is it 7 large rolls or the smaller rolls like peaches and cream?
Hi Taylor,
Manos Maxima comes in 100 gram skeins that have 219 yards per skein!
Best,
Cassy
I would love to make this blanket in your suggested colors. It appears you no longer carry the colors Mahogany and Dark Chocolate though. Do you have any replacement suggestions? Thanks!
Hi Nicole,
Thanks for writing in! To replace Mahogany, I would suggest using Cherrywood; this is a very close color match. The best replacement for Dark Chocolate would probably be Black. You could also try Sea Urchin, which is a deep purple if the contrast of the black is too much.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
I would love some guidance on colors. I want to make this blanket using Chrysanthemum. I am thinking of possibly adding Coral, Sweet potato and Spirulina. Do you have any ideas for colors to round this out–possibly a blue, green or plum, and also the order of the stripes? Thank you!
Hi Amy,
Thanks for writing in! We are happy to help with colors! With the colors that you are hoping to use, I would suggest Chamomile, Agua and perhaps Currant. For a color order, Currant, Chrysanthemum, Coral, Sweet Potato, Chamomile and Agua could be quite nice!
Best,
Cassy
I have a few questions about the Super Easy Lap Blanket. I want to use Cascade Superwash 128, instead of the recommended Maxima yarn (it’s for a teenage boy so I need to be able to easily clean it). I want to make it approximately 45″x70″. According to the 3.5 stitch per inch gauge, using size 10 needles do you think I will be able to acquire a 45″ width if I cast on 146 stitches? If not, please recommend how many stitches I should cast on.
Also, how many skeins of the Superwash do you recommend to obtain approximately 70″L? Each skein of the Superwash has 128 yards.
Thank you so much,
Erin
Hi Erin,
Thanks for writing in! What a lovely gift! Using Cascade 128 Superwash, I think that you will need between 20 and 25 skeins depending on your personal gauge (tighter knitters will use more yarn). If you want to use 7 colors as we do here, you could purchase 3 skeins of each color and that should get you in the ball park of a 45 x 70 inch blanket. For your cast on, at a gauge of 3.5 stitches per inch, you will want to cast on 157-158 stitches to get a 45 inch wide blanket!
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Hello, is it possible to knit this blanket using the Worsted Twist rather than the maxima? I am looking for wool that has more colour options in the grey/black/brown tones. Open to other wool suggestions also. Thanks!
Hi Bella,
Thanks for writing in! You certainly can! We wrote out the pattern using Worsted Twist! The pattern can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/09/22/super-easy-crib-blanket-in-worsted-twist/
Best,
Cassy
I accidentally bought 10.5 circular needles. It’s knitting up a little too loose, but doesn’t look bad. I’m about 1/3 through the first color. Do you think that it will stretch enough that I should redo with US 10??
Hello Beth,
Thank you for reaching out! This all depends on what you prefer. If you don’t mind the blanket being slightly looser then I wouldn’t worry to much about it. You could always knit up a little gauge swatch and block it to see if it so you will know what the finished results will be.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I would like to make this blanket 60×70 and I was wondering how much yarn I should use and how many stitches to cast on.
Hello Laurie,
Thank you for reaching out! Are you planning on using Manos Del Uruguay’s Maxima? From my calculations you will need 19 skeins of the Manos or 4,161 yards of worsted weight yarn. As long as you are on gauge (16 1/4 stitches = 4 inches in garter stitch) a cast on of 244 stitches will get you a width of 60″.
I hope this all makes sense and let us know how it goes!
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi:)
I’ve been trying to find yarn for this pattern – same colors – for a throw when I wondered if this palette will become available?
Thanks.
Brenda💟
Hi Brenda,
Thanks for reaching out! We do still carry most of the colors of Maxima used in this blanket, though it looks like the link above is broken at the moment – I’m so sorry about that! While we are getting it fixed, you can view our current selection of Maxima by clicking here: https://www.purlsoho.com/maxima.html. Two of the colors in our Super Easy Lap Blanket, Mahogany and Dark Chocolate, have unfortunately been discontinued, but I think you could easily substitute Cherrywood for Mahogany and either Sea Urchin or Slate for Dark Chocolate and still have a very pleasing palette that is quite similar to the original!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hi!🧶
Thanks for responding so quickly! And thanks for recommending the alternative colors for this blanket.
I’m wondering if I could use Super Soft Merino instead?
Using Purple Clover, Boygainvillea Pink, Ballet Pink, Heirloom White, Denim, or Timeless Navy, Toasted Charcoal or Trout Brown.
I’m wondering if the weight changes, what about needle size and cast on – plus, will these colors and this yarn come close to a beautiful throw? I do like the hint of verigation in the original palette.
Please help – guide – steer me toward the right choices!
Thanks!
Brenda🧶
Hello Brenda,
I love this idea and your color choices! We actually have a pattern written up for this blanket in Super Soft that we knit up with a size 13 needle. We used 7 colors for this project so I think you color choices of Purple Clover, Boygainvillea Pink, Ballet Pink, Heirloom White, Denim, Timeless Navy and Trout Brown would make a beautiful blanket.
Happ knitting!
-Marilla
Hi!
I’m making the Super Easy Lap Blanket in Worsted Twist using the great 5 colors you helped me decide on today by phone! I have made this decision so complicated for weeks – virtually going crazy and now I’m so excited for my order to arrive! It’s one of those special gifts you want to be just right – why it was so hard to make the decision. The palette is so luxurious and great! I’m so thrilled. Can’t wait!
Thank you!
Brenda🧶
Hello Brenda,
I’m so happy to hear it all worked out! You will have to send us photos when you are finished.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
🧶Hi!
I might have already answered my own question but I’d appreciate your artistic opinion. I’m making the Lap Blanket using 5 colors: Red Plum, Bouganvilla Pink, Ballet Pink, Heirloom White and Artemsia Green. My stripes are 9 1/2 inches on US8. Would you call this color palette good – dark to light. Or, would you add in one or two darker colors to gradient the colors from dark to light to dark? What would be more appealing to the eye?
Thanks,
Brenda
Hello Brenda,
Thanks for reaching out and valuing our artistic eye! I think this will be beautiful. I love the dark to light idea.
I hope you send us pictures when it is finished and happy knitting!
-Marilla
How do you keep the blanket from curling at the edges?
Hi Emily,
Thanks for reaching out! Our Super Easy Lap Blanket is knitted in garter stitch, which by its very nature lays perfectly flat right up to the edges, so no borders or edge treatments are necessary.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
I am a beginning new knitter. In my enthusiasm, I bought the following colors to make the super easy lap blanket:
cherrywood, shocking, cotton candy, natural, stratus, pewter, and sea urchin – Manos Del Uruguay’s Maxima, 100% extra merino merino wool.
The pattern calls for US size 10 needles. The tag on the wool suggests size 6 – 8 needles.
I like a tighter stitch. (My 4 inches in garter on a size 8 needle is about 18 stitches.) So would I size down to a size US 9 or 8 needles? Also, how would this affect the overall pattern and size of the blanket?
Would you suggest adding another color yarn to the pattern and if so, where would I place it?
Thank you for your advice.
Hello Francine,
Thank you for reaching out- you chose some beautiful colors! If you go down in needle size the overall blanket will come out smaller. I would suggest going down to a US9 needle and then when you are nearing the end of your blanket you could decide if you want extra length or not. Alternatively, if there is a color that caught your eye, you could just go ahead and get that extra skein.
I hope this is helpful and let us know if you have any further questions!
-Marilla
I love the colors & wool you’ve used in the creation of this lap blanket. I’m part of a lovely group of folks who meet once a month at a local hospital to knit items for patients undergoing cancer treatments. I’d like to contribute a few lap blankets, pretty caps , and radiation sleeves ( to help keep arms warm that would be otherwise be bare; these should be knitted in acrylic). We use only acrylic and cotton for allergy/sensitive skin. Which would be your preferred yarn(s) for said projects?
Thank you ♥️
Hi Amantha,
Thanks for reaching out, and what a lovely charity project! I would suggest using Blue Sky Worsted Cotton – it is perfect for sensitive skin and can be machine washed and dried.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Would love to make super easy lap blanket. Where can I buy the manos del ufuguay wool?
Hi Rhonda,
Thanks for reaching out! Although a few of the colors we used in our original Super Easy Lap Blanket have been discontinued, most of them are still available and you can find them by clicking right here.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I’m excited to say that I just ordered 7 skeins of the Maxima merino wool to knit the Easy Lap Blanket. Your directions say to use a
US #10 needle for this project. When I read the description of Maxima the suggested needle size is 6-8. Which is the correct size to use for the blanket? Thanks much.
(Please tell me that #10 is the way to go!
Hello Debby,
Thank you for reaching out with this great question! We knit up this lovely blanket with a US10 with a slightly larger gauge.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi! Could I make this blanket using bernat blanket yarn? Also if I wanted to make it 70”x90” how would I do that?
Hi Makenzie,
Thank you for reaching out! You can certainly use this yarn, all you need to do is knit up a gauge swatch to determine how many stitches per inch you are getting. Once you have this number you can use it to determine a cast on number. Basically you will be multiply your stitches per inch by 70 to get a width of 70″ and then you will just knit for 90″.
I hope this all makes sense and let us know if you have any further questions!
-Marilla
I want to make this blanket in a larger size (45″ by 65″) and using super soft merino.
Can you tell me how many skeins would I need?
Thank you so much! Frances
Hi Frances,
Thanks for reaching out! Since Super Soft Merino is a heavier weight yarn than Maxima, I would suggest following the gauge and needle size we use for our Super Easy Crib Blanket in Super Soft Merino, which is 11 stitches to 4 inches on a US 13 needle. For a 45″ wide blanket, you will need to cast on 124 stitches, and you will need three skeins each of seven colors, or 21 skeins total.
Happy knitting!
Julianna