Rectangular Colorblock Bias Blanket in New Colors
We have just added over two dozen gorgeous new heather and helix colors to our Line Weight, Alpaca Pure, and Worsted Twist collections, plus six new colors of Flax Down this past spring. What does this all mean?! It means that now is the time to turn to a personal and fan favorite, our Rectangular Colorblock Bias Blanket!
To create this wonderfully playful garter stitch blanket, we combined all four yarns: Alpaca Pure, Worsted Twist, plus Flax Down and Line Weight pulled together. The result is a generous worsted weight throw, knit on the bias, and adorned with whimsical tassels.
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
Four types of yarns plus eight different colors plus seven stripes equals lots of options! Luckily, we’ve figured it all out with four new Rectangular Colorblock Bias Blanket Bundles, some subtle, some bold, all beautiful! Or explore our new color palettes to create your own, and be sure to let us know what you create! -Laura
Update: New Yarns + Pattern
February 5, 2020
Previous versions of our Rectangular Colorblock Bias Blanket used colors and yarns that we no longer sell, much to everyone’s frustration! And this newest redux is a happy welcome, one that uses a truly special and sumptuous blend of Season Alpaca, Linen Quill, Worsted Twist, Cashmere Merino Bloom, Line Weight, and Mulberry Merino. Read all about it and get our updated version of this pattern here!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoRectangularColorblockBiasBlanket. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- A Purl Soho Rectangular Colorblock Bias Blanket Bundle, which includes 16 skeins of Purl Soho yarn. Approximately 2,296 total yards required. (NOTE: This bundle is no longer available.)
- Yarn A: 2 skeins of Line Weight, 100% merino wool; each skein is 494 yards/ 100 grams.
- Yarn B: 2 skeins of Flax Down, 43% baby alpaca, 42% extra fine merino, 15% linen; each skein is 219 yards/ 100 grams.
- Yarn C: 2 skeins of Alpaca Pure, 100% finest alpaca; each skein is 109 yards/ 100 grams.
- Yarn D: 2 skeins of Worsted Twist, 100% merino wool; each skein is 164 yards/ 100 grams.
- Yarn E: 2 skeins of Worsted Twist
- Yarn F: 2 skeins of Flax Down
- Yarn G: 2 skeins of Worsted Twist
- Yarn H: 2 skeins of Alpaca Pure
- US 8 (5 mm), 40-inch circular needles
Our Rectangular Colorblock Bias Blanket Bundle is available in four beautiful new palettes. They are…
COPPER BEACH, above. (We used Copper Beach for our sample Blanket.)
- Yarn A: Line Weight in Honey Pink
- Yarn B: Flax Down in Rose Granite
- Yarn C: Alpaca Pure in Peach Stone
- Yarn D: Worsted Twist in Copper Penny
- Yarn E: Worsted Twist in Ballet Pink
- Yarn F: Flax Down in Heirloom White
- Yarn G: Worsted Twist in Wheat Flour
- Yarn H: Alpaca Pure in Oatmeal Gray
MAPLE WOOD, left
- Yarn A: Line Weight in Ginger Orange
- Yarn B: Flax Down in Heirloom White
- Yarn C: Alpaca Pure in Copper Penny
- Yarn D: Worsted Twist in Sea Salt
- Yarn E: Worsted Twist in Wheat Flour
- Yarn F: Flax Down in Kiln Red
- Yarn G: Worsted Twist in Honey Pink
- Yarn H: Alpaca Pure in Heirloom White
ABALONE SHELL, center
- Yarn A: Line Weight in Wheat Flour
- Yarn B: Flax Down in Oyster Gray
- Yarn C: Alpaca Pure in Trout Brown
- Yarn D: Worsted Twist in Lavender Moon
- Yarn E: Worsted Twist in Heirloom White
- Yarn F: Flax Down in Heirloom White
- Yarn G: Worsted Twist in Oatmeal Gray
- Yarn H: Alpaca Pure in Lavender Opal
PIPING PLOVER, right
- Yarn A: Line Weight in Dove Gray
- Yarn B: Flax Down in Heirloom White
- Yarn C: Alpaca Pure in Lucky Magpie
- Yarn D: Worsted Twist in Oatmeal Gray
- Yarn E: Worsted Twist in Artemisia Green
- Yarn F: Flax Down in Artemisia Green
- Yarn G: Worsted Twist in Salt + Pepper
- Yarn H: Alpaca Pure in Tabby Gray
Gauge
18 stitches = 4 inches in garter stitch
Size
42 inches wide x 72 inches long
Pattern
For the free pattern, please visit our original Rectangular Colorblock Bias Blanket story.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
I love the new color combinations you have put together for this blanket…truly an heirloom piece!! Thank you Purl Soho!
Julie
Purl Soho has simplicity and elegance down to an art.
I always look forward to the next pattern.
I have two patterns being knitted at one time. The Rectangular Color Block and the Linen Stitch Scarf. Gorgeous and such fine detail.
Regards,
Eileen
Would this blanket be considered an easy project for new knitter / beginner?
Thanks,
Judy
Hi Judy,
Great question! I wouldn’t recommend this for an absolute beginner. An advanced or adventurous beginner could certainly achieve this. You will need to be comfortable with increasing and decreasing to achieve this pattern. I recommend looking over the whole of the pattern and trying the techniques on some scarp yarn to see if you would be comfortable with the skills required.
For a real beginners’ blanket, check out our Super Easy Baby Blanket!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I am currently knitting this colorblock bias rectangular blanket. Could you send me a flat picture of it?
Thank you!
Sent to your email! Thanks!
-Adam
I absolutely love this Rectangle Color Block Blanket. I would like to do this in only a sport weight or dk weight yarn. How many yards would I need total?
Hi Linda,
So glad you love the pattern! This project takes approximately 2300 yards, so for a DK weight I would guess you need about 2800-3000 yards to get a blanket of this size. However, depending on your yarn choice and your gauge, I can’t know for certain. Best of luck and happy knitting!
-Adam
Have loved knitting this blanket
Hello Luisa,
We are happy to hear it!
-Marilla
I love making this blanket!! Can I still buy it in the
cool Blue bundle?? I’m already planning my next blanket !
Everyone at Purl Soho is so nice and helpful!
Thank you for your all your help and I can’t wait to come to your New York store!
Hello Gayl,
Thank you so much for your lovely words! Unfortunately the Blue bundle is discontinued, but the piping plover bundle could be a nice alternative. I hope this is helpful and I look forward to seeing you in the New York store!
-Marilla
Hi Marilla! Thank you for your suggestion but one more question: my new house pop colors are blue any way of using piping plover and switch a color with a blue?!
Thank you for any suggestions!
Hello Gayl,
That sounds like a great idea! I would suggest switching “Yarn F: 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Flax Down in Artemisia Green” to Flax Down in Steel Blue and Yarn E: 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist in Artemisia Green to Worsted Twist to Faded Blue.
This would be a subtle change but It would have a nice affect I think.
I hope this is helpful! Let me know if you have any further questions.
-Marilla
Is there any way I could use piping plover bundle but switch the greens to blues? Or another bundle where I could switch out a color for shades of blue?
I am currently finishing up the albacore shell bundle and its beautiful! Thank you for your help!
Hi Gayl,
Thanks for writing in! While we cannot switch colors out of a kit, all of the yarn is available separately on our site. We would be happy to help you pick colors out if you would like.
Best,
Cassy
Hi Cassy! That would be fabulous!
I’ll call you tomorrow if that’s ok?!
Thanks so much!
Hi Gayl,
Absolutely!
Best,
Cassy
Hello! I’m new to knitting with circular needles. I have an interchangeable set with a 36 inch cord and a 48 inch cord, but nothing in between. Can I knit this comfortably on the 36? Would it be better/is there enough yarn in the bundle to scale this up to 48 inches in width? The needles on this set are just shy of 4 inches in length. Thanks, and love the pattern!
Hi Ali,
Thanks for writing in! I knit my version of this lovely blanket using a 36″ needle. You can always scale up to the larger cord later if you need it! The kit has enough yarn to make the blanket as written. You can certainly scale it up by buying additional skeins and making wider stripes. To widen the blanket to 48 inches, you will need roughly 400 yards more of a worsted weight yarn. The easiest way to accomplish this it to buy an additional skein of each of the Worsted Twist colors and knit those stripes wider.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Thanks Cassy! That’s very helpful. Looking forward to this project!
I have gotten myself into trouble with this blanket. I am using 10 skeins of 215 yd yarn. I knit 4 skeins increasing and am now working on the two middle skeins that form the corner. Will I be O.K. if I just follow the instructions? I’m thinking I could get into trouble with the shaping. Is there a ratio or a fold line I can look for to make sure I am on track? Clearly, I didn’t think this through!
THANK YOU! I love this pattern
Hi Ann,
Thanks for writing in! The beauty of this pattern is that you can really alter the size and shape fairly easily. At present, you are knitting the 2 middle skeins. I would suggest knitting on the center portion until you are just shy of finishing the second skein and then begin the decreasing. If you used 4 skeins for the initial increase, you should use 4 for the decrease. By ending a little shy of the second skein and beginning the decrease section, you should give yourself a touch more leeway.
Happy knitting!
Cassy
The maple wood color package is totally perfect for my living room and the yarns are scrumptious. I love the ginger strand with the heirloom white. Garter stitch is great for big 10 basketball season. The diagonal and wonderful colors keep it interesting.
Hi ?
I’ve completed the Color Block and am working on the Tonal.
With this sale going on today, I’d like to take advantage for my next project. That would be another Color Block blanket. I need help on picking 4 really great colors. We may not get this accomplished to get the benefit of the sale. It’s for my sister – I like colors in Piper Plover and also Albanone (sp) in other bundles.
Having these hues in front of you, can you arrange 4 delightful colors for me?
Thanks for a difficult request,
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
Thanks for writing in! Congratulations on all of your blankets! You could go so many directions here! As all of these colors compliment one another, any combination should work well! Here are a few ideas:
Option 1:
Alpaca Pure in Tabby Gray
Worsted Twist in Salt + Pepper
Worsted Twist in Oatmeal Gray
Worsted Twist in Heirloom White
Worsted Twist in Heirloom White
Option 2:
Worsted Twist in Lavender Moon
Worsted Twist in Heirloom White
Worsted Twist in Oatmeal Gray
Alpaca Pure in Lavender Opal
Option 3:
Alpaca Pure in Trout Brown Yarn
Worsted Twist in Lavender Moon
Worsted Twist in Heirloom White Yarn
Worsted Twist in Oatmeal Gray
These are just a few ideas and I hope that they help!
Cassy
Do you plan on having more of these bundles available in the near future? I’m interested in the Copper beach bundle but would like a substitution for the ballet pink. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Hello Doris,
Thank you for reaching out! I’m not sure when these will come back in stock, but I would recommend putting your e-mail in so you will be notified when it does return. In the mean time theses Worsted Twist, Line Weight, Flax Down, and https://www.purlsoho.com/alpaca-pure.html are available to be purchased individually if you are interested. As far as substituting for Ballet Pink I think either Gray Fig or Sea Salt.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Just received my bundle for this project. If I want to omit the tassles, could I begin with one stitch to make the ends pointier? If so, what would be the best way to proceed to five stitches for the beginning, and going from 5 to one at the end? Thanks!
Hi Mindy,
Thanks for writing in! You certainly can start and end with fewer stitches for pointier corners! I played around with the beginning of the blanket a bit, and found that it was best to start with two stitches as follows:
Cast on 2 stitches
Row 1 (right side): k1, m1L, k1
Row 2 (wrong side): p3
Row 3 (right side): k1, m1R, k1, m1L, k1
Row 4 (wrong side); p5
You can then continue with the pattern as written! Once you have decreased back down to 5 stitches on a right side row, instead of casting off you can work the following decreases:
Next row (wrong side): p2, k1, p2
Next row (right side): ssk, k1, k2tog
Next row (wrong side): p3tog
Fast off, and you should be done with nice pointy corners!
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
I have bought yarn for the Color Study Blanket, but now I’m realizing that it would be a lot easier to make this one instead of struggling to make the other one bigger/longer. However, I only have 4 colors…Do you think it would look strange to do this one with just 4?
Thank you, Maren
Hi Maren,
Thanks for writing in! I don’t think it would look odd at all – in fact, you may end up with something similar to our Colorful Corner Blanket!
Best of luck, and please let us know how your blanket turns out!
Julianna
I just finished the rectangular color block blanket! How long did you make the tassels for the blanket? Since you suggest the tiny tassel tutorial that only shows making it for a baby hat and they look too small. I would like to make that type. Also how many times did you loop the yarn?
Thanks for the help.
Carla
Hi Carla,
Thanks for reaching out! Instead of wrapping each loop of the tassel around one finger, to make larger tassels such as these, you will wrap each loop around your whole hand or all four fingers held flat. I don’t have an exact count for the tassels, but it is quite a few wraps! Once you start wrapping the tassel, you should be able to tell when you have enough for a fluffy, bouncy tassel!
Best,
Julianna
I am also requesting a flat photo of the blanket. I’d like a better look at the width of the various colors. Am very much enjoying working on this project… approaching the decrease section now. Once I begin to decrease, the length of the blanket is set. Is that correct?
Thanks!
Hello Janet,
Thank you for reaching out! If you look at the diagram in the original post, you can see that when you are decreasing you are continuing to add to the length of your blanket. This diagram will also give you all of your measurements for each stripe!
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I am keen to make this blanket and have enough wool in Erika Knight Wild Wool- Aran weight 100g (170m). Can I substitute this wool and follow the same number of stitches for increases and decreases? Is any worsted/Aran weight wool substitutable as long as I’m not mixing different ones?
Thanks
Sam
Hello Same,
Thank you for reaching out! Yes, if you you want to knit this blanket with a single strand you can knit this blanket with any yarn that you can get a gauge of 18 stitches per 4 inches in garter stitch. So yes!
Happy knitting!
Marilla
Hi,
I have just completed this blanket in the Abalone Shell and would like to start another in the Copper Beach. When will this kit be available?
Thanks,
Helen
Hi Helen,
Thanks for reaching out! Our NYC store does have one of these kits in stock at present and they are happy to take orders over the phone ad get them out to you! They can be reached at (212) 420-8796 weekdays 12-7pm; weekends 12-6pm EST.
Best,
Cassy
Can you recommend a similar/equivalent crochet pattern?
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately we do not have a crochet version of this pattern; however, I will be sure to pass your request along to the design team!
Best,
Julianna
I am finishing up this blanket. I bought the bundle at least a year ago. I absolutely love the softness, the weight, and the EASE of stitching. It’s great to take a break from challenging patterns and do something so smooth and almost “therapeutic”. I am so very sad that you aren’t selling this bundle anymore – will you be creating new ones with a substitute for Alpaca Pure (which I also am very sad to see go – I used it in a number of lovely patterns)? Separately, I am thinking of creating a set of colors myself, using the other yarns and a variety of colors. Is there another you would recommend of a similar weight? I love working with Cashmere Merino bloom and Season Alpaca. Would I use these along with a fingerweight yarn? I look forward to your reply. Thank you very much – Lisa Scribner
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for reaching out! We also love this blanket and know it is a fan favorite! For the most part, the combinations of yarns in this blanket come out to an aran weight, like Cashmere Tend on its own, or could consist of a worsted weight plus a light fingering weight, such as Worsted Twist plus Line Weight, or a DK plus a sport weight, like Cashmere Merino Bloom plus Season Alpaca – hopefully that gives you enough guidance to start putting together your own color and yarn combinations! I can’t say too much, but we do always have new projects and updates to old projects happening behind the scenes, so stay tuned…hopefully a new version of the Rectangular Colorblock Bias Blanket will be out soon!
Best,
Julianna
I just started this beautiful blanket. I am about 5 inches into the pattern and realized I am not loving the the way the blanket is finished on the edges. The right side looks fine with the smoother, more even stitch pattern but the wrong side is uneven and a little wonky. Is there another way you might suggest finishing the sides which would give the blanket a smoother more uniform finish on both sides of the blanket? An i-cord edge comes to mind. Any other suggestions?
Thanks so much for your help ~ Barbara
Hi Barbara,
Thank you for writing in! I’m so glad you’re loving this pattern so far, it’s also one of our favorites! Typically uneven stitches can be remedied with a good blocking, which can be done by completely wetting your piece or by misting target areas like the edges. However, if you prefer a smoother finish on the edges of your blanket I think an attached i-cord would be a lovely solution; you may find our tutorial for this technique here!
Happy knitting!
Gaby
This blanket is beautiful and just the challenge I am looking for in my next project. I am really drawn to the colors in the Copper Beach bundle but it is appears they are no longer available? Can you recommend a similar pallet or good substitutions? Much appreciated!
Hi Sarah
This was a great colorway, and I think this might be a pretty close substitute!
Color A Line Weight Ballet Pink
Color B Flax Down Rose Granite
Color C Linen Quill Worsted Peach Stone
Color D Cashmere Merino Bloom Autumn Oak
Color E Linen Quill Worsted in Peony
Color F Cashmere Merino Bloom Heirloom White
Color G Cashmere Merino Bloom Wheat Flour
Color H Linen Quill Worsted in Oatmeal Gray
I really hope this helps!
Happy knitting
Jessica
Thank you so much!
This blanket is perfect for my daughter and her boyfriend for their new home! The Piping Plover bundle is the perfect color combination, but it doesn’t seem to be available anymore. Can you help with substitutions? Thanks! I want to make this for them for Christmas this year.
Hi Gina,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, Alpaca Pure has been discontinued, as have several colors in other yarns that we used in our Piping Plover bundle, so I think it would be easier to find similar colors for our updated Rectangular Colorblock Bias Blanket in New Yarns And Colors. Other than a slight gauge change, it is exactly like our original Rectangular Colorblock Bias blanket! I would suggest using the following yarns:
Yarn A: Season Alpaca in Heirloom White
Yarn B: Linen Quill in Stonewall Gray
Yarn C: Worsted Twist in Salt + Pepper
Yarn D: Season Alpaca in Dove Gray
Yarn E: Linen Quill in Salt + Pepper
Yarn F: Season Alpaca in Winter Sage
Yarn G: Linen Quill in Oatmeal Gray
Yarn H: Cashmere Merino Bloom in Dove Gray
Yarn I: Line Weight in Fieldstone Gray
Yarn J: Worsted Twist in Reed Gray
Yarn K: Mulberry Merino Wheat Flour
Yarn L: Linen Quill in Trout Brown
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
I started this blanket following the original pattern that increased to 281 sts. I’m currently at 228 sts and am thinking of following this updated version. Do you think there will be a material difference in the outcome?
Thanks very much!
Chermia
Hi Chermia,
Thanks for reaching out! Are you using the new bundle for this blanket? If so I would suggest following the updated version of the pattern since it has the exact instructions for the amounts of yarn included in the bundle! There isn’t a huge difference between the two versions of the pattern except for the size, the first pattern only has one size option and comes out to be 42 inches wide x 72 inches long, while the updated pattern has 2 sizes, the crib size is 31 inches wide x 46 inches long and the throw size is 44 inches wide x 67 inches long.
I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any more questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
I love the colors in your sample blanket above – Copper Beach. I realize the yarns are all discontinued but I have picked out a palette of colors from your “Knitting Yarn”, “Good Wool” And one color from “Line Weight” I assume I will have to double. I would like to make the throw size (finished dimensions 44 wide x 72 long). But am at a loss as to how much yarn to buy since I have no point of reference due to the discontinued yarns. I curated a “bundle” with colors I thought were close to the sample above. Three colors from “Knitting Yarn”, four Colors from “Good Wool” and one color from “Line Weight”.
Any help with amounts of each type of yarn i have chosen would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Hi Candace,
Thanks for writing in! I’m afraid that it’s going to be difficult to provide a yardage estimate since the yarns you chose are slightly different weights than the yarns used in the original blanket. But I can give it a shot! Would you be able to let me know what order you plan on using the yarns you’ve chosen in the blanket? If you can list them in order as Yarns A – H, that would be incredibly helpful!
All the best,
Lili
Hi Lili,
Yes, I can do that! First let me correct myself. The throw size finished / blocked is 44×67 from the last updated version (not a dated version but updating more discontinued yarns and including crib and throw sizes) of this blanket. So I’m trying to match as close as I can the Copper Beach sample blanket from 2016.
Yarn A: Honey Pink (Linen Quill)> These two will be joined and
Yarn B: Coastline Gray (Good Wool) > knit tog
Yarn C: Mountain Fog (Good Wool)
Yarn D: Acorn Brown (Good Wool)
Yarn E: Pink Salt (Good Wool)
Yarn F: Heirloom White Undyed (Good Wool) > This also
joined tog with
yarn A
Yarn G: Wheat Grass (Good Wool)
Yarn H: Dove Gray (Line Weight) > I would like to join this with
Yarn F Heirloom White
undyed to emulate the
marled gray in the original
palette.
These are the yarns I would like to use if you can help me I would greatly appreciate your time and expertise. this project is for me so there is no time rush on it.
Thank you!
Thanks for letting me know more about your plans! I think that ordering 2 skeins of each yarn/color would be enough for the throw size. Though you may want to get 3 skeins of the Knitting Yarn (Acorn Brown/Yarn D), since that yarn comes with fewer yards per skein. And you can always return any unused skeins in their original condition to us for store credit!
I do want to let you know though that using these yarns together in the way you’ve proposed may end up creating an uneven knit fabric. The original blanket was designed so that the yarn used for each stripe adds up to a worsted weight. The way you have the alternate yarns organized, the weight of each stripe varies between sport weight and DK weight.
I honestly think the blanket will still turn out amazing this way, and the difference in texture will just make it all the more beautiful! But if you’re interested in changing it up so that all the stripes add up to a DK weight, then you’ll need to reconsider the yarn you use for Yarns C, E, and G. You’d just want to choose DK weight yarn (or hold two thinner yarns together) for these stripes!
All the best,
Lili
Hi Lili – This is why I asked for help! I was hoping I had a recipe for everything to be a DK weight. But, I wasn’t sure. I re-worked the yarns too many times and ended confused more each time. I will consider your suggestions and rework to get an even fabric.
Thank you so much for your help and have wonderful holidays!