Tonal Blanket
A waffle-like texture and a beautiful spectrum of pinks, peaches, and russets, our Tonal Blanket is truly a stunning knit. And as it turns out, all this beauty is only as challenging as a simple slip stitch, which means beginners can learn something new and make something gorgeous without being in over your head!
Taking a closer look, you can see how the wide stripes of heather-ed tones sharpen into a complex texture, where distinct pops of color seem to peep through tiny Heirloom White panes.
And in our Season Alpaca, the finished Tonal Blanket has a gentle heft and a wonderful warmth that’s just right for when the mercury drops. Get started with our Tonal Blanket Bundle, which includes the yarn you’ll need to make a Crib size blanket (add 5 more skeins of Heirloom White for a Throw size). Choose between this toasty Warm spectrum or our Cool version, which ranges from soft lavender to dark ocean blue. Either way, this is a blanket to treasure!
Update: Crochet Version
March 2018
Crocheters can get in on the action, too! Our Crochet Tonal Blanket version is made up of just single and double crochets that form a tiny checked pattern. The learning curve is the opposite of steep, and before you can say “ombré,” you’ll have a gorgeous spectrum of color coming off your hook!
Update: New Colors
October 25, 2019
Our gorgeous new palette of Season Alpaca demands new Tonal Blankets, still tonal, still soft and cozy, and still beautiful! Pick up the required skeins for this great-outdoors Cool palette or in our toasty Warm spectrum. Also choose a Crib or Throw size, and use whatever you pick for the knit or crochet version… So many options but impossible to go wrong. Read all about the updated versions here!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoTonalBlanket, and #PurlSohoSeasonAlpaca. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
Our Tonal Blanket requires 10 skeins total for the Crib Size blanket. Add 5 more skeins of the Main Color to make the Throw Size…
- Warm Version
- Main Color (MC): 5 (10) skeins of Purl Soho’s Season Alpaca. Each skein is 218 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 1,090 (2,180) yards required. We used Heirloom White.
- Color A: 1 skein in Peony Pink
- Color B: 1 skein in Honey Pink
- Color C: 1 skein in Pink Taupe
- Color D: 1 skein in Baby Fawn
- Color E: 1 skein in Burnt Sienna
- Cool Version
- Main Color (MC): 5 (10) skeins of Purl Soho’s Season Alpaca, in Heirloom White
- Color A: 1 skein in Lavender Moon
- Color B: 1 skein in Dove Gray
- Color C: 1 skein in Trout Brown
- Color D: 1 skein in Ebbtide Blue
- Color E: 1 skein in Stillwater Blue
- US 4 (3.5mm), 40-, 47- or 60-inch circular needles
Gauge
- Unblocked: 28 stitches and 56 rows = 4 inches in the slip stitch pattern
- Blocked: 26 stitches and 52 rows = 4 inches in the slip stitch pattern
Sizes
Crib Size (Throw Size)
- 27¾ inches wide x 40 inches long (42 inches wide x 53¾ inches long)
Note
When changing colors, carry the new yarn up the selvedge in back of the old yarn.
Pattern
With Main Color (MC), using Long Tail Cast On, cast on 181 (273) stitches.
Row 1 (right side): With MC, knit to end of row.
Row 2 (wrong side): Repeat Row 1.
Row 3: With Color A, *k1, slip 1 with yarn in back, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 4: With Color A, *k1, slip 1 with yarn in front, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Repeat Rows 1-4 until piece measures 8 (10¾) inches from cast-on edge, ending with Row 4.
Cut Color A.
Now with MC and Color B, repeat Rows 1-4 until piece measures 8 (10¾) inches from where you cut Color A, ending with Row 4.
Cut Color B.
With MC and Color C, repeat Rows 1-4 until piece measures 8 (10¾) inches from where you cut Color B, ending with Row 4.
Cut Color C.
With MC and Color D, repeat Rows 1-4 until piece measures 8 (10¾) inches from where you cut Color C, ending with Row 4.
Cut Color D.
With MC and Color E, repeat Rows 1-4 until piece measures 8 (10¾) inches from where you cut Color D, ending with Row 4.
Cut Color E.
With MC, repeat Row 1.
Bind off (wrong side): With MC, bind off knitwise.
Weave in ends, and block if desired, but we didn’t!
Hi,
I noticed a mistake a few rows back (slipped in front instead of in back for one stitch) and tried to ladder down to the error, but now I am having a difficult time figuring out how to correct the error. The error was made on a MC stitch.
Thank you!!!
Hi Allison,
Thanks for reaching out! You should be able to drop down to the stitch and then simply move the yarn that was used for the slipped stitch to the back from the front over the top of the stitch it is paired with!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
I want to knit this for my future granddaughter but was disappointed to see that many of the colors suggested in the updated Cool bundle are no longer available. Can you make suggestions for alternate colors that are available in the baby alpaca? It is challenging to do this just looking at it on a computer screen. Many thanks!
Hi Leslie,
Thanks for writing in! Yes, unfortunately, we have discontinued several colors of Season Alpaca like Lavender Moon and Trout Brown, but luckily we still make most of the colors from the original cool bundle! I would love to help you pick out a palette to fill in the gaps of the original Cool bundle, I would recommend using the original colors Heirloom White (for the base) as well as Dove Gray, Ebbtide Blue, and Stillwater Blue while adding in Lilac Quartz and Wild Lupine for the contrasting colors!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
Thanks Gianna! I am interested in the Updated Cool bundle but the Reef Green has been discontinued. Do you have a suggestion for a replacement? Baby is coming 💗!
Hi Leslie,
Thanks for your response! I was looking at our original cool bundle and not the updated cool bundle! My apologies! For that cool bundle, I would suggest using Winter Sage or Ebbtide Blue in place of Reef Green!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
This is so beautiful! I just bought some heavier cotton yarn (closer to DK) to make the crib size and expect I’ll need to cast on fewer stitches for the same size. Is there any certain multiple I should cast on, or just make sure it’s an odd number of stitches? Thanks!
Hi Hannah,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, that is correct, the pattern will work over a multiple of odd stitches, I would also suggest working a swatch prior to beginning to determine your gauge and the correct cast on!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
Hi. Can you please confirm whether slip stitches are purl-wise or knit-wise?
Hi Jane,
Thanks for writing in. In this pattern, all the slip stitches should be slipped purlwise! A good rule of thumb is that if a pattern doesn’t specifically indicate to slip the stitches knitwise, then you’re safe to assume they’re purlwise. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
R the colors shown in the warm colors blanket still available?? Want to make it in those original amazing colors but having a hard time finding most of them. Many thx!
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m sorry to say that we have discontinued those colors of Season Alpaca. While we loved them, not everybody else felt the same way, so we had to make the sad decision to stop producing them. I hope you can understand!
In terms of finding a similar color palette, I think that you should consider using Linen Quill held doubled! We actually are still carrying a few of these exact same colors in this line of yarn, and, combined with some other similar ones, I think it will be possible to create a color palette with a golden and rosy hue. Here are the colors I would recommend in Linen Quill: Peony Pink, Honey Pink, Lychee Pink, Fresh Nutmeg, and Kiln Red (or Chestnut Red).
I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration for your project!
All the best,
Lili
Hello! I started this blanket and I found that my edge just didn’t look very neat. I was wondering if you had any tips for a neat edge? Especially on the side where the colors change. Thank you!
Hi Kelsie,
Thanks for reaching out. I’d recommend keeping a close eye on your tension at the edges, as uneven tension is usually the culprit in the case of uneven edges! If you’re still concerned about the quality of your edges, feel free to send over a photo of your work to customerservice@purlsoho.com. We’ll likely be able to give more specific advice once we can visualize what’s going on in your project!
All the best,
Lili
Hi!
If I wanted to make a larger size tonal blanket( 50 x 70) using linen quill, how many skeins of each color would I need if I were using it held doubled? And same question if I substituted Posy for season alpaca? Thank you in advance!
Hi Kusum!
Thank you for your questions! To reach the yardage needed holding two strands of Linen Quill together for the larger throw size, you would need 10 skeins of the Main Color and still only 1 skein each for Colors A through E (maybe wound into separate balls to hold two strands together). If you wanted to make a larger size than included in the pattern, you would need at least 12 skeins of the Main Color and 2 skeins of each color for Colors A through E.
To reach the yardage needed holding two strands of Posy together for the large throw size, you would need: 28 skeins of the Main Color and 4 skeins of each color for A-E. To make a larger blanket than the sizes listed in the pattern, you would need at least 32 skeins of the main color, and at least 6 skeins of each of the other colors, considering that two strands are being held together.
When substituting yarn, especially with holding two strands together, it is always important to double-check gauge, just to make sure your blanket will turn out as intended. We have a handy tutorial called All About Gauge if you would like to learn more about this, too!
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
The bundles are sold out and some of the colors are not available
Any ideas on color combinations that work with the in stock yarn or another yarn that could be used? Thanks
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m so sorry to say that we’ve discontinued many of these colors of Season Alpaca, which is why they’re not available! While we loved them, not everybody else felt the same way, so we’ve had to make the sad decision to stop producing them. We hope you can understand!
I’d be happy to suggest alternate colors or yarns, but I’ll need a bit more information on what look you’re going for first! Can you let me know which of the original color palettes you were interested in? Once I know that, I can suggest colors that will create a similar palette. I’ll keep an eye out for your reply!
All the best,
Lili
Hello,
Can you give specific directions regarding how to change from main color to the next colors? Do you cut the yarn and how long do you leave it. Can you link a video how to change colors the way your supposed to in this pattern?
Thanks Sara
Hi Sara,
Thanks for writing in! When you switch between the main color and each contrast color within Rows 1 – 4, you will not need to do anything special to change. Since you’re only alternating colors over such a short distance, you can just leave the previous color where it is and begin working with the new color. The previous color will be waiting for you right where you left it when you need to knit with it again!
When you change contrast colors, this is when you will need to cut the yarn! This is because you will not be using that contrast color anymore at all. Just cut it leaving a tail long enough to weave in at the end (at least 6 inches is usually good), and begin knitting with the new color! Our Adding a Ball of Yarn tutorial demonstrates how to do this. The only difference is that you will want to change skeins at the end of a row so that you can start the next row with the new color!
I hope this helps, and please let me know if you have any other questions.
All the best,
Lili
I would like to have the name of this stitch. I try the stitch pattern and the work look all packed on the back because carrying the yarn of the same color over many inches is not working, I maybe make a mistake so I would like to see your youtube tutorial, but no name of the stitch, mosaic maybe? Thank you
Hi Betty,
Thanks for reaching out. This is indeed mosaic knitting, since the multicolored stitch pattern is created only through knitting/purling and slipping stitches! We’d also be happy to help solve the specific problem you’re running into in your project. Would you be able to send a photo of your work to customerservice@purlsoho.com? That way we can visualize exactly what’s going on!
All the best,
Lili
I love season alpaca and I have some heirloom white, mountain rose, and fresh fig. Do you think these colors would work together for this blanket, and what else would you pair with them? I was thinking peony pink for a 3 color tonal version, because I can’t envision what else goes. I’ve also got some winter sage, but not sure if that would really work.
I was going to use the yarn for another project but I’m not loving it, and I made a tonal blanket before and did love it. So I want to make a baby blanket instead with this pattern. Hoping my baby has it forever!
Hi Theresa,
Thanks for reaching out! Those are lovely colors in this yarn, and I think there are many good options for a full color palette. I actually love how Winter Sage looks with the other colors you have, so I was thinking you could do a palette that’s split between pink and gray-blue. Here’s what I would recommend for that:
Color A: Fresh Fig
Color B: Mountain Rose
Color C: Gray Coast
Color D: Winter Sage
Color E: Ebbtide Blue
Alternatively, you could do a fully pink color palette, for which I’d recommend:
Color A: Mountain Rose
Color B: Peony Pink
Color C: River Pink
Color D: Fresh Fig
Color E: Red Plum
And for both of these ideas, you could use Heirloom White as the main color. I hope this helps you plan your project, and let me know what you think of the color palettes!
All the best,
Lili
Hi Lili
I love those combinations! I’m going to make the pink and blue to start, but I like this project so might wind up doing the pink palette, too. I’ll send a pic when I’m done. Thank you for the advice! I casted on earlier today.
You’re very welcome, Theresa!
All the best,
Lili
Would this pattern work well for a scarf or wrap as long as an odd number of stitches are cast on, or is the texture too stiff?
Hi Robin,
Thanks for reaching out. Yes, this pattern will work over any odd number of stitches, so you could definitely turn it into a scarf or wrap! It is a pretty dense stitch pattern though, so I’d recommend a scarf, rather than a wrap, to cut down on the bulk. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Thanks, Lili! One more question, would Good Wool be a good substitute for Season Alpaca? I know it would be bulkier, but that might be okay for a blanket as opposed to a scarf. Thoughts?
Hi Robin,
Good Wool is a perfect substitute for Season Alpaca! It’s also a sportweight yarn, so it’s practically the same thickness (if not slightly thinner than Season Alpaca).
All the best,
Lili
Hey! Do you carry the Main Color along with you the entire time or leave it where you start using the contrast colors?
Hi Kristina,
Thanks for writing in! When changing colors, carry the new yarn up the selvedge in back of the old yarn. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella