Whenever I am faced with a pile of undeniably beautiful yarn, I turn to an old-friend-of-a-project, the Colorblock Bias Blanket. It is a project that never grows old; it soothes your knitting soul when you’re stumped by a contiguous sleeve or bogged down by too many bobbles; it inspires combinations of color and texture that never before seemed possible; and like all of my most treasured things, this pattern was handed down to me by my dear Aunt Julie.
Julie’s wild sense of color and unique personal style constantly inspire me to freely experiment with textures and values and tones. So recently, when I found myself strolling the aisles of Purl Soho with seven skeins in a vice-grip-like hug, realizing I couldn’t let a single skein go, I knew exactly how I could pull them all together.
I knit my Colorblock Bias Blanket in simple garter stitch, using three different hand-dyed, DK-weight yarns in a spectrum of seven amazing colors. Starting with pops of peach, I used Koigu’s crisp and lively Kersti Merino Crepe. Then to contrast with the smooth consistency of the Kersti, I moved on to Madelinetosh’s Tosh Merino DK, a single ply yarn that quietly shifts from thick to thin. Next I used Anzula’s luxurious Cricket , a blend of superwash merino, cashmere and a touch of nylon. Its machine-spun quality and soft, sandy colors add elegance and subtlety. And finally, I finished the blanket with two more skeins of quirky Tosh Merino DK.
The whole is indeed greater than the sum of its parts (thank you, Aristotle). Each of these yarns has its own special personality, but together, they create a rich and complex fabric. You can create your own beautiful blanket with Purl Soho’s Colorblock Bias Blanket Bundle. Choose from three lovely colorways: this toasty Peach, cool Mint or burst-of-yellow Lemon! -Laura
Update: New Size
SEPTEMBER 3, 2015
It’s become clear that for some of you bigger IS better! And so, I am thrilled to introduce the Rectangular Colorblock Bias Blanket: our beloved square Colorblock Bias Blanket stretched and extended into an adult-size rectangle! -Laura
Materials
- A Purl Soho Colorblock Bias Blanket Bundle. The Bundle comes in three colorways: Peach (pictured above), Mint and Lemon (pictured below) and includes…
- Color A: 1 skein of Koigu’s Kersti Merino Crepe, 100% merino wool.
- Color B: 1 skein of Koigu’s Kersti Merino Crepe, 100% merino wool.
- Color C: 1 skein of Madeline Tosh’s Tosh Merino DK, 100% merino wool.
- Color D: 1 skein of Anzula’s Cricket, 80% superwash merino wool, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon.
- Color E: 1 skein of Anzula’s Cricket, 80% superwash merino wool, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon.
- Color F: 1 skein of Madeline Tosh’s Tosh Merino DK, 100% merino wool.
- Color G: 1 skein of Madeline Tosh’s Tosh Merino DK, 100% merino wool.
- US 6, 32-inch circular needle
- 7-inch piece of cardboard or other stiff material for making the tassels (optional)
PEACH
- Color A: Kersti in #1111.5
- Color B: Kersti in #1133
- Color C: Tosh Merino DK in Paper
- Color D: Cricket in Au Natural
- Color E: Cricket in Gravity
- Color F: Tosh Merino DK in Charcoal
- Color G: Tosh Merino DK in Calligraphy (if looking for a substitution, try the color Whiskers)
LEMON
- Color A: Kersti in #0000
- Color B: Kersst in #2100
- Color C: Tosh Merino DK in Paper
- Color D: Cricket in Au Natural
- Color E: Cricket in Gravity
- Color F: Tosh Merino DK in Charcoal
- Color G: Tosh Merino DK in Calligraphy (if looking for a substitution, try the color Whiskers)
MINT
- Color A: Kersti in #0000
- Color B: Kersti in #1051
- Color C: Tosh Merino DK in Paper
- Color D: Cricket in Au Natural
- Color E: Cricket in Gravity
- Color F: Tosh Merino DK in Charcoal
- Color G: Tosh Merino DK in Calligraphy (if looking for a substitution, try the color Whiskers)
Gauge
22 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch
Size
- Blanket: 33 inches by 33 inches; 46 inches by 46 inches on the diagonal (without tassels)
- Tassels: 6 1/2 inches long
To modify the finished size: This blanket is knit on the bias, from corner to corner. Using the entirety of each skein, you increase every other row for the first half of your total yardage and decrease every other row for the second half. If you’d like to change the size of this blanket, add up the total yardage of your yarn and divide it by two. Following the spirit of the Increase section, work half (or a little less, to be on the safe side) of your total yardage. Then continue to the section titled DECREASE, and using the second half of your yardage, follow the remainder of the pattern.
Pattern
Prepare for Tassels (Optional)
From your wound ball of Color A, wind a second smaller ball of approximately 30 yards and set aside. Repeat with Color G.
Begin Blanket and Increase
With Color A, cast on 5 stitches, leaving a 15-inch tail (which you will use later to secure the tassel).
Row 1 (wrong side): P2, knit to last two stitches, p2.
Row 2 (right side): K2, make 1 left (m1L), knit to last two stitches, make 1 right (m1R), k2. [2 stitches increased]
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you have used the entire skein, ending with a wrong side row.
With Color B, work Row 2 and then repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you have used the entire skein, ending with a wrong side row.
With Color C, work Row 2 and then repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you have used the entire skein, ending with a wrong side row.
With Color D, work Row 2 and then repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you have used the entire skein, ending with a wrong side row.
Decrease
With Color E…
Row 1 (right side): K1, slip slip knit (ssk), knit to last 3 stitches, knit 2 together (k2tog), k1. [2 stitches decreased]
Row 2 (wrong side): P2, knit to last two stitches, p2.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you have used the entire skein, ending with a wrong side row.
With Color F, repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you have used the entire skein, ending with a wrong side row.
With Color G, repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 5 stitches remain, ending with a right side row.
Bind off in pattern on wrong side. Cut yarn, leaving a 15-inch tail.
Make Tassels
For full instruction on how to make a tassel, please see our Tassel Tutorial.
The tassels for the Colorblock Bias Blanket are 6 1/2 inches long and to make them I used a 7-inch long piece of cardboard. I wrapped the cardboard approximately 60 times, using almost all of the 30 yards that I had set aside at the beginning of the project.
Make one tassel using Color A. Make a second tassel using Color G.
Attach the Tassels
Thread one of the two tails from the top of the tassel onto a tapestry needle. Weave the tail along one edge of the blanket. Repeat with the second tail, weaving it along the other edge of the blanket.
Thread the cast on (or bind off) tail from the blanket onto a tapestry needle. Bring the needle through the head of the tassel, then draw the needle through the cast on (or bind off) edge from back to front. Pull taut.
Tightly wrap the tail a few times around the place where the tip of the blanket meets the top of the tassel.
Bring the tapestry needle through the wraps and down the center of tassel. Remove the tapestry needle and trim the tail to match the length of the tassel.
Finish
Weave in remaining tails and block as desired.
Hello there! I would also like to request photos of both the square and rectangular sizes of this marvelous pattern.
Also, you had mentioned that the kits have been discontinued. Is it possible to order these yarns from you online?
Thanks so very much,
Martha
Hi Martha,
Thanks for writing in! I have sent along the photos that you requested to your email address!
For the square Colorblock Bias Blanket, a number of the yarns have been discontinued (Madeline Tosh Tosh DK is no longer made). You could certainly use all Anzula Cricket and Kersti, plugging in for the missing Tosh colors. For the rectangular version, a number of the colors in the original blue version have been retired and are not available. We do have a variety of other bundles for this lovely blanket that are available. If you have questions about a color arrangement, we would be happy to help!
Best,
Cassy
Hi Jan,
Thanks for writing in! Check your email!
Best,
Cassy
I am looking for the color blocked blanket pattern featured in Martha Stewart Living , Feb. 2018 magazine. Level one
Hi Eileen,
Thanks for writing in and we are so glad that you are excited about your blanket! The blanket featured in the magazine is our Shadow Study Blanket!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi,
If I don’t add the tassels, how do I make the corners where the tassels are supposed to go into a point?
Thanks!
teddy
Hi Teddy,
Thanks for writing in! You can certainly make this lovely blanket without the tassels! I made one myself and did not alter the corners at all. I found that once the blanket was complete, the slight difference in the corners was barely noticeable. That said, if you would like them slightly more rounded, the best way to do so is to use the tails from casting on or binding off to sew them into a bit more of a rounded shape!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi,
What are the dimensions of the original bias blanket? Thank you.
Kathy
Hello Kathy,
Thank you for reaching out! The dimensions of this blanket are 33 inches by 33 inches; 46 inches by 46 inches on the diagonal.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi there
Looking to knit the colorblock bias blanket in the peach color. Can you give suggestions for that with something you are currently stocking?
Thank you
Hello Tracey,
Thank you for reaching out! For the peach color way I would suggest looking at Manos Silk Blend Semi Solid and Multi yarn to substitute Tosh DK. The Manos Silk Blendcomes in 50 gram skeins so you might need two each of them, though I would not get them wound just in case you need to return them within 6 months for store credit.
I would suggest the colors “Natural” as a substitute for “Paper”, “Black” as a substitute for “Charcoal”, and “Dove” as a substitute for “Calligraphy”.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Looking for the Bias baby blanket pattern. Or, is it the same as the regular pattern?
Hi!
Thanks for writing in! This blanket can work well for a lovely throw on your couch or as a baby blanket! We do not have an alternate version specifically for babies but this one is quite a good size. You may want to choose to leave the tassels off if you are giving it to a little one!
Best,
Cassy
Hello. I was hoping you could share the dimensions/diagram of this baby blanket as you did for the larger version. I’m substituting some of the yarn and trying to figure out how wide each section/color should be. Thank you!
Hi Carol,
Thanks for writing in! We have measured the stripes and I will include the measurements below. Just a note… the width of each stripe is the based on the size of each skein. Even if you use the very same yarn that we used here, the width of your stripes may vary based on your personal gauge. Tighter knitters will see thinner stripes using the whole skein and looser knitters will see wider stripes. However both knitters should create blanket of similar proportions. The beauty of this blanket is in the variance in width so let your creativity fly!
That said, the approximate measurements of the stripes are, from peach across to gray: 8″, 4″, 6.5″, 6″, 6″, 6.5″, 11.5″
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I just asked about a photo of the color block bias blanket. I would also like to get your suggestions for yarn and a color way for a baby blanket with a little pink.
Thank you!
Hi Pam,
Thanks for writing back! We are happy to help with a colorway! I would suggest Kogiu Kersti 2121, Kogiu Kersti either 1143 or 1153, Anzula Cricket Au Natural, Anzula Cricket Seaside, Anzula Cricket Gravity, Anzula Cricket Elephant and 2 skeins of Koigu Kersti 2403. I think that this will make a lovely blanket!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi! I absolutely love the Peach bundle, but I noticed you’re out of stock of most of the colors… Could you perhaps suggest substitutes in the Cricket yarn?
I really love this color way so much and haven’t had much luck finding something similar… I’d just really love some replacement color suggestions.
Thank you so much!!
Hi Maizey,
Thanks for writing in! I am happy to help! Sadly Tosh DK has been discontinued by MadelineTosh. We are happy to help with replacing them! For the peach bundle, I would suggest Kogiu Kersti 1111.5, Kogiu Kersti 1133, Anzula Cricket Au Natural, Anzula Cricket Seaside, Anzula Cricket Gravity, Anzula Cricket Elephant and 2 skeins of Koigu Kersti 2403. I think that this will make the blanket as close as possible to the original!
Best,
Cassy
Can you please tell me how many stitches to cast on? Did I miss that somewhere in your very detail directions?
HI Jo,
Thanks for writing in! For this lovely blanket, you will cast on 5 stitches! It is listed under the Pattern section under Begin Blanket and Increase!
Best,
Cassy
Mine is a question and not comment. Love this pattern but haven’t started it yet since my daughter hasn’t picked out colors yet. I would like it if you could tell me how to do the “M1L” and “M1R”–it is the increase? Please share the instruction with me. thank you
Hi Trudi,
Thanks for writing in! We have an excellent tutorial for both the Make 1 Right and Left! I hope that helps, and happy hunting for the perfect colors!
Best,
Julianna