Mosaic Blanket in Trout Brown
Our Mosaic Blanket has become one of our most popular patterns, which may surprise you, given how complicated it looks to make. But the real surprise is that even an advanced beginner can cast on for this knitting adventure!
Modern knitting pioneer, Barbara Walker, developed the slip-stitch technique used here (aka Mosaic Knitting). All you do is knit, slip stitches, and purl a bit. No bobbins, no stranding, no tangles, no frustration! And if that’s not easy enough, we have a video tutorial that details each step of the process (you’ll see it when click to the free pattern). So set aside whatever intimidated feelings you may have, and start thinking about what colors you’ll choose!
Our original Mosaic Blanket included bright Super Pink, but for this version we chose a quieter combination. The background yarn remains Worsted Twist in Heirloom White, but for the contrast yarn, we used Alpaca Pure in mysterious Trout Brown, an earthy neutral at heart with a shimmer of blue across its surface. Whatever colors you pick, enjoy the truly fun and satisfying process of knitting up this beauty. You’ll impress even yourself!
If you love the yarn used in this project, you’ll love all of our other yarn, too! Explore our 35+ lovingly created yarn collections, in nearly every natural fiber and spectacular color you can imagine… Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn shop!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Kristina McGowan. Click here to see even more of Kristina’s designs!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoMosaicBlanket, and #PurlSohoWorstedTwist. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- Color A: 4 (6, 7) skeins of Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist, 100% merino wool. Each skein is 164 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 656 (984, 1148) yards required. We used Heirloom White.
- Color B: 6 (8, 10) skeins of Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure, 100% super baby alpaca. Each skein is 109 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 654 (872, 1090) yards required.
- A US 8 (5mm), 24 or 32-inch circular needles
We knit up a few more color ideas for some extra inspiration!
- Color A: Worsted Twist in Heirloom White
- Color B: Alpaca Pure in Peach Stone
- Color A: Worsted Twist in Wheat Flour
- Color B: Alpaca Pure in Peach Stone
- Color A: Worsted Twist in Peony Pink
- Color B: Alpaca Pure in Copper Penny
- Color A: Worsted Twist in Stillwater Blue
- Color B: Alpaca Pure in Wheat Flour
Gauge
19 stitches x 38 rows = 4 inches in Mosaic Stitch, using Colors A and B
15 stitches x 32 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch, using Color A
Sizes
Baby (Crib, Throw)
- Finished Measurements: Approximately 26 x 35 (33 ½ x 40, 41 x 46 ½) inches
SAMPLE: Baby
Pattern
For the free pattern, please visit our original Mosaic 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!
oh là là ! WONDERFUL ! Thank you for the pattern !
I love the peach stone color with weat flour !
thank you very much
I am a novice knitter and was actually able to work the pattern so well that I gave a gift of a blanket in this pattern to a dear friend. I love this pattern….and will use it often.
I love this pattern. It is fairly easy and really fun and when you give it to someone they love it. I have made 3 in different colors and at each baby shower there have been many oohs and aahs. Thank you for this pattern. I consider myself an advanced beginner.
Do you have a crochet version?
Hi Brandy,
Thanks for writing in! We do not have a crocheted version of this blanket but we will keep your request in mind for the future!
Best,
Cassy
Could you please show the backside? Thanks!
Hello Chava,
Thanks for writing in! I e-mailed you a couple photos of the backside of the Mosaic Blanket. I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Marilla
I would love to see the back side as well. I want to make sure I’m doing this right and it’s not a mess!
Hello Laura,
Thank you for reaching out! I just sent you a photo via e-mail. I hope it helps and letus know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
May I see photos of the back side?
Hello Olga,
Thank you for reaching out! I went ahead and e-mailed you a photo of the reverse side of this blanket.
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Hi
Can you suggest a non hair replacement for the alpaca pure?
Hello Marian,
Thanks for writing in. Are you looking to replace the yarn with plant based yarn or would merino wool for both colors work? If you are ok with merino wool for both colors i would suggest knitting with Worsted Twist for both color A and B.
I hope this answers your question!
-Marilla
When instructions say to slip a stitch, do slip knitwise or purlwise? Does it matter?
Thank you,
Jackie
Hello Jackie,
Great question! When a pattern says to slip a stitch you always want to slip purlwise. This is because slipping a stitch knitwise will twist your stitch. I hope this helps!
-Marilla
HI: Worsted Twist holds its shape very well but I am wondering if the Alpaca Pure will do the same. Alpaca tends not to holds its shape as well. I am wondering how this item would be cleaned?
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the question. The Worsted Twist and Alpaca Pure are knitted in sequence so they will balance each other out. Also, slipping stitches increases the stability of the pattern which is what this stitch calls for. As for washing, this blanket should be hand washed in soap and warm water, gently pressed to eliminate all the excess water and laid flat to dry. Hope this helps!
Adam
I am a relatively new knitter. I love reading your patterns. I just want to thank you for your great tutorials. I love the mosaic stitch pattern. I was wondering if there is a way to use this stitch as a bookmark so that I can practice on making sma lol projects before I tackle a blanket?
Hi Jeanne,
Thank you for the lovely comment! This stitch pattern is adjustable, so if you wanted to made a single repeat you could just cast on a multiple of 12 plus 3 stitches, for a total cast on of 15 stitches. Have fun and happy knitting!
Adam
Tried 15st swatch but don’t know how to follow pattern when a row as described is more than 15 Syd. For ex, row 3 or 5
Hi Joel,
Our apologies! Looking at the pattern, a 27 stitch cast on is more optimal for a swatch as it requires no reworking of the pattern to knit a swatch.
Best,
Cassy
I’m thinking of creating this blanket in Manos Maxima. I’m in the middle of the Julie Hoover Beaubourg using the Manos and it’s so wonderful to work with. Do you think the Manos is a good option?
Hi Chermia,
Thanks for your interest in this pattern! I think Manos Maxima would be a great substitute for the Worsted Twist and Alpaca Pure. It’s very close in gauge and comes in wonderful colors. Best of luck and happy knitting!
Adam
Can you switch the yarns? Can color A be the Alpaca and color B be the Worsted Twist? Thanks!
Hi Kia!
You absolutely can switch the colors if you would like. The alpaca pure tends to be a heavier yarn and switching them up could make a beautiful blanket!
Happy knitting!
Carly
I made this blanket in dark green and white and it turned out gorgeous, thank you for the pattern! Unfortunately I did one thing wrong. I decided to not do a traditional cast on but a knitted cast on, which turned out in the end to be way too loose and doesn’t really fit the sturdiness of the rest of the blanket. The first row therefore is now quite thick and loose and makes the blanket a bit ripply at one side. Do you know of a way to fix this? It is for instance possible to knit over this edge with a different stitch or to undo it somehow? Suggestions very welcome!
Hello Sanne,
Thank you for writing in! That sounds like a beautiful color combination. I don’t know of a way to go back into your cast on edge, but you could try out an attached i-cord border. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I just don’t seem to have any imagination! Has anyone tried reversing these colors? If so, how did it turn out? Thanks so much.
Hi,
Thanks for the question! The last color combination listed above, we used the darker for the background and the lighter for the for the design. While the swatch is small, we think that it should give you a good idea as to what it might look like!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
could the finished size of this blanket be misstated? i have done 9 repeats of pattern and it is already 27″. or is it my gauge is off? uhmmm
dp
Hi Donna,
Thanks for writing in! The size listed is the correct size for the blanket. It may be that your gauge is a touch off. Based on a current measurement of 27″ after 9 repeats, you should get a 39″ long blanket after 13 repeats which is 3 inches longer than our blanket. Row gauge is challenging to alter without changing stitch gauge. So long as you like the look that you are getting, I’d continue on with your lovely blanket!
Best,
Cassy
Thanks Cassy. I will continue on.
dp
Can I use your new good wool for the mosaic blanket?
Hi Kim,
Thanks for your question! Good Wool is a lighter weight than both Worsted Twist and Alpaca Pure. It is possible to get gauge with Good Wool but the density of the fabric might change. I would recommend sizing down the needles recommended in the pattern and casting on more stitches in pattern to make up for the difference in size or knitting a swatch of Good Wool held double to try to get the gauge stated in the pattern.
I hope this helps!
Carly
Do you have any suggestions for yarn that would work that is machine washable? Thank you!!
Hello Nikhila,
thank you for reaching out! For a washable worsted Yarn I would look at Anzula’s For Better or Worsted or Cascade’s Aran Weight 220.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
could you please recommend a machine washable and dryable yarn that would be suitable? would like to make baby blankets, but need something machine washable. thanks
Hello Lou,
Thank you for reaching out! For machine washable options I would recommend using either Blue Sky’s Worsted Cotton or Anzula’s For Better or Worsted. .
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi!
If I were to make this with the blue sky fibers worsted cotton, how many skeins would you recommend? And would there need to be any gauge changes for needle size or anything?
Thanks so much!
Lili
Hi Lili,
Thanks for writing in! Depending on the size you are making, you will need 656 (984, 1148) yards of Color A and 654 (872, 1090) yards of Color B, so you will want to get 5 (7, 8) skeins of Color A and 5 (6, 8) skeins of Color B in the Blue Sky Worsted Cotton. The gauge should work with the pattern as is, but I do recommend working a gauge swatch prior to beginning to ensure you are consistent!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Can you make this a regular size afghan?
Hello Ellen,
Thank you for reaching out! If you want to change the sizing or use this stitch pattern for a different project, just cast on a multiple of 12 plus 3 stitches. For example, 12 x 4 = 48. 48 + 3 = 51 cast-on stitches. Once you decide on the dimensions you can use your gauge to determine your cast on number.
I hope this helps and let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I want to make a table runner (15×60″) in this pattern. I swatched in waste worsted and the pattern was real easy. Then I swatched in the linen blend sport weight ( Shibui Twig) on Number 3 needles in a black and cream but the pattern did not show and it was a non-geometric messy , unappealing piece. Should I assume this pattern only works with a heavier weight yarn that has a lot of loft and the Twig is too thin and “unfunny” Any suggestions for my project?
Hi Janis,
Thanks for reaching out! I suspect that the linen yarn didn’t have enough body to make the texture of the mosaic pattern “pop” so some of the character of the stitch was lost. You might be able to compensate for this by going to an even smaller needle, since it should work well in a lighter weight yarn, but choosing a bouncy wool or wool blend will be a safer bet!
Best,
Julianna
Love this blanket!
Can it all be knit in your gorgeous Alpaca Pure or do you recommend keeping the color A in worsted?
Thank you!
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for reaching out! You could certainly use all Alpaca Pure if you wish – what a lovely blanket that would make! Alpaca Pure does have a bit less yardage than Worsted Twist, so you will need 6 (9, 11) skeins of Alpaca Pure for Color A.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
I want to make this in a twin size, so approximately 66×90″. How many stitches would I cast on and what length circular needle would you recommend? Looking forward to this project!
Hi Jen,
Thanks for reaching out! For a 66 inch wide blanket, if you are working at the same gauge we did, you will need to cast on 315 stitches. This should fit fine on a 32 inch needle, but you could use a 40 inch needle if you prefer.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
? this pattern! For a 66×90” blanket, how many skeins of each color would be needed?
Hi Olga,
Thanks for reaching out! For a larger blanket that size, you will need about 22 skeins of Worsted Twist and 31 skeins of Alpaca Pure.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi,
I would love to see a pic of the backside, and I think the trout brown and heirloom white look lovely, but would love a softer grey than the trout brown, would the oatmeal grey work? Or would it not have enough contrast to the heirloom? thanks!
Hello Andrea,
Thank you for reaching out! The pattern might get lost with such a subtle combination, I would say that this pattern will be more striking with a solid color. Check your inbox for a photo of the reveres side.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I made this blanket. I love how it turned out, but it took FOREVER, and I ended up stopping before using the last 2 skeins of yarn as it was for a baby because I didn’t have the patience to keep going! I also made several line errors, which was in part due to the fact that I swapped the color scheme, and it was too late to go back and fix them so (cringe) I let them be. I still think it looks beautiful, but it’s not a quickie!
Pic linked in Ravelry: http://ravel.me/aliwali/mb
Question: If I make this blanket using Worsted Twist for both colors, would the blanket be as soft for a baby (I like the color choices in Twist better)? What is the difference using a combo of Worsted Twist and Alpaca Pure vs Worsted Twist for both? Also if using worsted twist for color B, will 4 hanks be enough? Thank you.
Hi Eriko,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, Worsted Twist is very soft and perfect for a baby’s delicate skin! We used Alpaca Pure along with Worsted Twist in the original blanket for a bit of texture and color variety, but the two yarns knit up to the same gauge and can certainly be used interchangeably. Since Worsted Twist has more yardage than Alpaca Pure, 4 skeins of each color should be plenty for the baby size.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
What a lovely pattern—I really like the original color way shown here with the trout brown yarn, but it no longer seems to be available. Any suggestions for a similarly colored yarn? That blue/gray/brown is such a special hue!
Hello Jen,
Thank you for reaching out! I think that Manos Del Uruguay’s Maxima in Pewter would be a beautiful substitution for this blanket.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Got a couple of questions:
When you list the number of skeins required for this, it lists a number but then follows with two numbers in parentheses following it- what does this refer to?
Also, the trout brown isn’t available, any way to know when there will be more of the trout brown available? I really want to use that and the heirloom white to make a thrown blanket- those colors already go perfectly with my living room decor!
Hello Devon,
Thank you for reaching out! The number of skeins corresponds with the size options which are Baby Crib and Throw. The finished measurements are approximately 26 x 35, 33 ½ x 40 and 41 x 46 ½ inches. The sample size is Baby. I think that Manos Del Uruguay’s Maxima in Pewter would be a beautiful substitution for this blanket.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I would like to make this mosaic blanket but I see you no longer carry the Alpaca Pure. I have purchased the Worsted Twist is there another baby alpaca you could recommend in a gray for this project.
Thanks
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately we don’t carry any other aran weight alapaca yarns; however, you could certainly substitute another color of Worsted Twist for the contrast color! Since Worsted Twist has more yardage than Alpaca Pure, you will only need 4 (6, 7) skeins for Color B.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hi! I would love to see a picture of the back of this pattern if you don’t mind!
Also, would any medium yarn work? I have a ton of left over medium yarn in a solid colour so I was hoping to get away with just buying the white.
Thanks!
Hi Bailey,
Thanks for reaching out! Although we don’t have a full picture of the back of this blanket, you can see a corner of the wrong side peeking out in the last picture above. Mosaic knitting has a definite wrong side that looks somewhat similar to the wrong side of stockinette stitch with a less defined version of the color work that is clear on the right side. You could definitely use any medium weight yarn! Both Worsted Twist and Alpaca Pure are on the heavier side of worsted, but you should be able to combine Worsted Twist with another worsted or aran weight yarn in this pattern without any issues.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Hello —
Now that these two yarns are no longer in stock, can you specify yardage so I can find a suitable replacement?
Thanks so much!
Hi Katie,
Thanks for writing in! We do still carry Worsted Twist, but we are always happy to provide the yardage requirements for our projects! For the baby (crib, throw) sizes of the blanket, you will need 656 (984, 1148) yards of Color A, and 654 (872, 1090) yards of Color B.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Will you ever have alpaca pure in trout brown available again? I fell in love with that color combo. Thanks & Merry Christmas ?
Hi Olga,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately Alpaca Pure has been discontinued – I’m so sorry about that! I would suggest substituting Worsted Twist in Stillwater Blue – although it leans more toward navy, it has the same mysteriously heathered quality that Trout Brown did!
Best,
Julianna
I love this pattern and I’m planning on making it but I really want to add a contrasting border, perhaps in a seed stitch. Do you you have any ideas on how I should go about doing this and if it will work? Thank you!
Hi Suzanna,
Thanks for reaching out! Because this blanket is knit in two colors, the easiest way to add a border would be to wait until you have completed the blanket here as written, and then pick up stitches around the outside of the blanket to knit the border. You might find some inspiration from our Color Wash Blanket, which includes a top and bottom border that is knitted as part of the main panel of the blanket, and then the side borders are picked up and knit afterwards.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Love, love, love this Mosaic blanket. I will be using a washable yarn per one of your suggestions, Cascade Aran 220. I plan on doing the 60 x 90 as a very large throw. I am terrible at figuring yardage. Can you tell me the yardage for colors A & B . Color A will be white. Or, the number of 100 gram skeins I will need for each color.
Thank you ever so much.
Carole
Hi Carole,
Thank you so much for the kind words! This is going to be a very large throw indeed, but how magnificent! For a 60″ by 90″ blanket, you will need 3,255 yards of Color A and 3,090 yards of Color B.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Can this pattern be used with non-wool yarn – like cotton or linen?
Hi Amy,
Great question! Yes, as long as your yarn is the correct weight and you are able to match our gauge, this blanket would be lovely in cotton! I would suggest using either Blue Sky Worsted Cotton or our Cotton Pure held double.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Would linen quill worsted be a suitable substitute? Would it also be soft and squishy? If so, how many skeins would I need to make the crib size? Many thanks!!
Hi Emily,
Thanks for writing in! Linen Quill Worsted would be an excellent choice for this blanket! While it isn’t quite as buttery soft as Worsted Twist and Alpaca Pure, we absolutely love it for blankets as it’s nice and squishy and has a pleasingly rustic texture, but still is plenty soft for next to skin wear. It also shows stitch definition beautifully! Linen Quill Worsted has the exact same yardage as Worsted Twist, so you will still need four skeins of each color.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Wondering if I could I use supersoft merino for this pattern?!
Hi Alex,
Thanks for reaching out! You could definitely use Super Soft Merino for this pattern, you will just need to make a few slight adjustments! I would recommend starting off by working a gauge swatch with an appropriately sized needle to determine your stitches per inch. Just be sure that you cast on a multiple of 12 plus 3 stitches. For example, 12 x 4 = 48. 48 + 3 = 51 cast-on stitches.
I hope this helps!
Gianna
THANK YOU!
Good afternoon. I’m trying to knit the lovely mosaic blanket (little squares) and the pattern that I’m following results in totally different one! So disappointed! How ca I get the correct one, please?
I hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you very much
Tina
Hi Tina,
Thanks for reaching out! I am happy to help but I am not sure I understand your comment. Are you working from this pattern and your blanket is not coming out like the images or are you using a different pattern? This pattern is correct as written so it should come out exactly as it looks in the imagines! If you are following this pattern and it is not coming out as it should, my best guess is that you may have gotten off pattern at some point which resulted in the overall pattern shifting. If you would like, you can send our customer service team some photos of your work to [email protected] and they can troubleshoot further from there!
I hope this helps and I am looking forward to your response!
Gianna
I’m about to give this a try using Gray Fig in Worsted Twist and Pale Oats in Linen Quill Worsted. I hope the gauge of these two is similar enough. I’m going to do a swatch with both size 8 and size 7 needles. Any thoughts? Thanks for another exciting pattern!
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for reaching out! That is a great idea, I love those two colors together and the two yarns should work great for this blanket! The gauge should be similar, but definitely a great idea to check your gauge prior to the beginning!
I hope this helps and please let us know how this turns out!
Gianna
Good Morning,
Now that the worsted twist will no longer be available do you have another recommendation that would work with this pattern. I have already done one blanket and am ready to do another.
Thank you so much
Hi Dawn,
I’d recommend using Plenty in place of Worsted Twist! Plenty is also a heavy worsted weight yarn, so you’ll be able to match the gauge of the pattern, and it’s 100% merino wool, just like Worsted Twist was.
Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
I love this project. Thank you! I’m puzzled by one thing and want to check before I get too far ahead and have to frog. Is row 7 really correct? I think it’s the only row without a 12 stitch repeat. If I read it right the stitches between * add up to 6, not 12. Just double checking. Thanks!
Hi Dana,
Thanks for reaching out! I can confirm that Row 7 is correct. The 6-stitch repeat will repeat an even number of times across the row, making it compatible with the other rows that have a 12-stitch repeat! To better visualize how Row 7 works, I’d recommend taking a look at the charted version of the pattern, so you can see exactly where the stitches fall. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hello. I want to make the Mosaic blanket and noticed the yarns that were originally used with the pattern are no longer available. i think I would like to use the Purl Soho Yonder yarn for both colors and want to verify how many skeins I need to make the various sized blankets because the yardage is different per skein than the original yarns. Thank you.
Hi Melissa,
Thank you for writing in! Yonder would make a great choice for this pattern. You will need 656 (984, 1148) yards for Color A and 654 (872, 1090) yards for color B! Yonder has 140 yards per skein which means you will need approximately 5(8,9) skeins of color A and 5(7,8) of color B. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Gavriella