The play between light and dark (not to be confused with good and evil, which is a discussion for elsewhere!) has perplexed and inspired artists forever. Here, with yarn and needles, we humbly attempt to tackle this relationship, between the brightness and the shadow.

Shadow Study Throw | Purl Soho

In our Shadow Study Throw, we’ve combined colors, as well as fibers. For the brighter outer areas, we used our Worsted Twist merino. Its smooth spin catches the light and reflects a warm glow. For the center squares, we used our Alpaca Pure. These rich, saturated colors absorb the light and act perfect “shadows” to the luminous Worsted Twist.

Shadow Study Throw | Purl Soho

Newly expanded palettes of Worsted Twist and Alpaca Pure make all this color play possible. Our Shadow Study Throw Bundles are available in two color stories, but now that these yarns have solids, heathers and helix options, lots of in-depth studies are possible!

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.

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

Shadow Study Throw | Purl Soho

In garter stitch, the intarsia technique we used here couldn’t be simpler to learn or to master, so go on… step into the shadows! –Laura

Materials

  • Purl Soho’s Shadow Study Throw Bundle. Our Shadow Study Throw Bundle comes in two palettes. (NOTE: the Shadow Study Throw Bundle is no longer available.) Here, we used the warm and earthy Sea Heather. Oyster Shell is a cooler take on the concept and is equally beautiful! Each one includes…
    • 10 skeins of Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist, 100% merino wool. Each skein is 164 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 1,640 yards required. (NOTE: We no longer offer Worsted Twist, but choose from one of our other worsted/aran weight yarns.)
    • 4 skeins of Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure, 100% alpaca. Approximately 436 yards required. (NOTE: We no longer offer Alpaca Pure, but choose from one of our other worsted weight yarns.)
  • US 8 (5mm), 32 or 40-inch circular needles

Sea Heather

Shadow Study Throw | Purl Soho
  • Color A: 1 skein of Worsted Twist in Ballet Pink
  • Color B: 2 skeins of Worsted Twist in Honey Pink
  • Color C: 1 skein of Alpaca Pure in Rose Granite
  • Color D: 1 skein of Alpaca Pure in Copper Penny
  • Color E: 3 skeins of Worsted Twist in Wheat Flour
  • Color F: 1 skein of Alpaca Pure in Tabby Gray
  • Color G: 1 skein of Alpaca Pure in Peach Stone
  • Color H: 4 skeins of Worsted Twist in Lavender Moon

Oyster Shell

  • Post Image
  • Post Image
  • Color A: 1 skein of Worsted Twist in Sea Salt
  • Color B: 2 skeins of Worsted Twist in Oatmeal Gray
  • Color C: 1 skein of Alpaca Pure in Tabby Gray
  • Color D: 1 skein of Alpaca Pure in Salt + Pepper
  • Color E: 3 skeins of Worsted Twist in Heirloom White
  • Color F: 1 skein of Alpaca Pure in Oyster Gray
  • Color G: 1 skein of Alpaca Pure in Trout Brown
  • Color H: 4 skeins of Worsted Twist in Storm Gray

Gauge

18 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch

Size

Finished Dimensions: 40 inches wide x 50 inches long

Shadow Study Throw | Purl Soho

Notes

In this pattern, you will change colors using a technique called “intarsia.” Each row involves either two or four balls of yarn, which is much easier than it may sound! For some tips on this technique, please visit our Intarsia in Garter Stitch Tutorial.

Pattern

Begin with Two Colors

With Color B, cast on 108 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On. Put Color B down (without cutting it). With Color A, cast 72 stitches onto the same needle. [180 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 in Garter Stitch Tutorial.

Row 1 (right side): With Color A, k72; with Color B, knit to end of row.

Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise; with Color B, k107; with Color A, knit to end of row.

Row 3: Slip 1 knitwise; with Color A, k71; with Color B, knit to end of row.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until piece measures 6 inches from cast-on edge, ending after working a wrong-side row (Row 2).

Cut Color B.

Continue with Four Colors

Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 knitwise; with Color A, k27; join Color C and k44; join Color D and k44; join Color B and knit to end of row.

Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise; with Color B, k63; with Color D, k44; with Color C, k44; with Color A, knit to end of row.

Row 3: Slip 1 knitwise; with Color A, k27; with Color C, k44; with Color D, k44; with Color B, knit to end of row.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until piece measures 16 inches from cast-on edge, ending after working a wrong-side row (Row 2).

Cut Colors A, B, C and D.

Continue with Four Different Colors

Row 1 (right side): Join Color E, k28; join Color F and k44; join Color G and k44; join Color H and knit to end of row.

Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise; with Color H, k63; with Color G, k44; with Color F, k44; with Color E, knit to end of row.

Row 3: Slip 1 knitwise; with Color E, k27; with Color F, k44; with Color G, k44; with Color H, 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 F, G and H.

Continue with Two Colors

Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 knitwise; with Color E, k71; join Color H and knit to end of row.

Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise; with Color H, k107; with Color E, knit to end of row.

Row 3: Slip 1 knitwise; with Color E, k71; with Color H, knit to end of row.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until piece measures 50 inches from cast-on edge, ending after working a right-side row (Row 3).

Bind Off (wrong side): With Color H, loosely bind off 108 stitches knitwise (one Color H stitch will remain on the left needle), cut Color H; with Color E, bind off remaining stitches knitwise, cut Color E and pull through remaining stitch.

Finish

Weave in the ends and block as desired.

Shadow Study Throw | Purl Soho

Shadow Study Throw | Purl Soho

Little Side Note: We couldn’t be more honored to have this blanket featured in the January/February 2018 issue of Martha Stewart Living!