Diagonal Slip Stitch Blanket
Steadfast and true, classic and uncomplicated, our Diagonal Slip Stitch Blanket is a serious beauty. And in Understory, our gorgeous baby alpaca-baby yak-silk blend, it’s also very special. We used our earthy Field Mint color, a near neutral with a natural punch!
Its diagonal slip stitch pattern gives this blanket extra loft and warmth and also a twill pattern with a very cozy texture. We have a new video tutorial that explains exactly how to do the stitch, including its challenging-but-fun part where you knit into the purl bump of the k2tog below. What? Don’t worry, once you get going, you won’t want to stop!
Sized for strollers or couches, the Diagonal Slip Stitch Blanket is happy to wrap up a little one or drape a couch. Either way, it makes a quiet statement in that keep-forever kind of way.
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!
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, #PurlSohoDiagonalSlipStitchBlanket, and #PurlSohoUnderstory. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 6 (11) skeins of Purl Soho’s Understory, 50% baby alpaca, 25% baby yak, and 25% silk. Each skein is 250 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 1545 (2,700) yards required. We used the color Field Mint.
- US 8 (5 mm), 40-inch circular needles
Gauge
34 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches in Diagonal Slip Stitch pattern
Size
Crib Size (Throw Size)
- Finished Dimensions: Approximately 32 inches wide x 40 inches long (48 inches wide x 60 inches long)
Notes
Slip all slipped stitches purlwise unless indicated otherwise.
For a step-by-step video tutorial of how to work this stitch pattern, please visit our Diagonal Slip Stitch Tutorial.
This stitch pattern works over any even multiple of stitches.
Pattern
Set Up
Cast on 136 (206) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 3 with yarn in front (wyif) (see Notes), purl to end of row.
Row 2 (right side): Slip 3 with yarn in back (wyib), knit to end of row.
Row 3: Slip 3 wyif, *pick up and knit 1 stitch through purl bump in stitch below, slip 1 wyif, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p3. [266 (406) stitches]
NOTE: To find out about knitting through the purl bump below, watch our Diagonal Slip Stitch Tutorial (see Notes). In the video, you’ll see picking up into the purl bump of a k2tog below, but the concept is the same!
Diagonal Slip Stitch Pattern
Row 1 (right side): Slip 3 wyib, k1, *knit 2 together (k2tog), repeat from * to last 4 stitches, slip 1 wyib, k3. [137 (207) stitches]
Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 3 wyif, p1, *pick up and knit 1 stitch through purl bump in second stitch of k2tog below, slip 1 wyif, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, slip 1 wyif, p3. [266 (406) stitches]
Row 3: Slip 3 wyib, *k2tog, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3. [136 (206) stitches]
Row 4: Slip 3 wyif, *pick up and knit 1 stitch through the purl bump in second stitch of k2tog below, slip 1 wyif, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p3. [266 (406) stitches]
Repeat Rows 1-4 until piece measures 42 (60) inches from cast-on edge, or until desired length, ending with Row 3.
Next Row (wrong side): Slip 3 wyif, purl to end of row.
Next Row (right side): Bind off loosely, knitwise.
Weave in ends and wet block or steam, as desired.
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 texture opportunities PS features and am looking forward to trying this one! I’d like to swatch it first to get a feel for the technique. What was the number of your cast-on sts in the sample, please, and kind thanks?
Hi Martilynn,
Thanks for writing in and for your very kind words! For the sample, we made the crib size and used the 136 stitch cast on!
Best,
Cassy
I love how you folks always come up with such cool, different, gorgeous, and simple techniques/stitches. Always so refreshing! And so great that you share them, as well as the video tutorials, free of charge. I cannot WAIT to try this stitch! (And I still haven’t fully recuperated from going ga-ga over the Persimmon colorway from the last project!) Thank you for such well written patterns, and such clear, concise videos completely void of any inane yammering.
Hi Jeanett,
Thank you so much for your kind words! You made our day!
Best,
Cassy
I suspect what Marilyn means is that she wants to do a smaller swatch to practise the pattern. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think a multiple of 2 + 8 sts for the borders would work: e.g. (12×2) +8=32 sts.
Hi Cussot,
Thanks for writing in! This lovely blanket works over any even number of stitches!
Best,
Cassy
Okay, I really, really, really want to knit toss pillows to go with the blanket.
What is the multiple of stitches?
Hi Liz,
Thanks for writing in! This lovely stitch pattern works over any even number of stitches! Let us know how the pillows turn out!
Best,
Cassy
Thank you, Cassy!
What a lovely pattern! If I wanted to make it a different size (say, larger), what is the rule for how many stitches to cast on for this stitch pattern? Thank you!
Hi Slim,
Thanks for writing in! This lovely blanket works over any even number of stitches!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Another stunningly beautiful project from Purl Soho! Thank you! Now tell me, do I need to make any changes if I make it out of CottonPure? I’m thinking 4 year old here.
Julie
Hi Julie,
I love Cotton Pure for kid knits, but it is a bit thinner than Understory! I would recommend trying a gauge swatch on US 7 needles to see how many stitches per inch you get, multiply this by the desired width of your blanket, and round to the nearest even number. Fortunately the Diagonal Slip Stitch pattern can be worked on any even number so this is a fairly easy pattern to modify.
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
Need your opinion. I’m wanting to knit a throw for a friend who lives in Texas so nothing heavy. This yarn looks perfect for such a project. Please give me your opinion. She definitely said no wool and living up north it’s challenging to find a silk blend. When I say this I thought it might be the yarn to use. Give me your thoughts
Hi Regina,
Thanks for writing in! Although both alpaca and yak are quite warm fibers, the 25% silk in Understory will help reduce that effect – I myself am in sunny Southern California, and I would definitely be able to use a throw made out of Understory during our winter months! If you would like an even cooler option, I think Blue Sky Worsted Cotton would be a fantastic alternative.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hi, Regina…
I’m in Dallas, and we do have our share of cold days in winter.
I’ve made a crib-sized blanket using Understory, and it makes a really nice, soft, blanket that isn’t too heavy or too warm, but is really nice for colder days.
I think this is a beautiful pattern and would like to knit it in Purl Soho’s Super Soft Merino. The gauge using size 11 needles in stocking stitch is 5 stitches=1 inch. Could you give me an idea how many stitches to cast on in order to make the larger size (throw)?
Also, If the gauge for the pattern and the yarn you used (Understory) is 34 stitches = 4 inch (or 8 1/2 stitches =1 inch), and you cast on 206 stitches, this should be about 24-25 inches wide in the diagonal slip stitch pattern. But the pattern states that the end result is 48 inches wide. What am I missing here? How does this become 48 inches? Thanks!
SORRY, A CORRECTION TO THE ABOVE QUESTION: the Super Soft Merino gauge is 12 stitches = 4 inches (or 3 stitches = 1 inch)
Sorry ? for the confusion.
OKAY, SO I THINK I GET IT. Row three almost doubles the number of stitches. Again, sorry for the confusion. ☹️
So, I’m thinking I should cast on 120 stitches of the Super Soft Merino. What do you think? And how many skeins do you think I need (to make the larger size – throw)?
Hi Bobbi,
Thanks for reaching out! For this pattern, you may notice that we used a larger needle than we generally use with Understory! This is because this stitch pattern is a bit denser than standard stockinette. With this in mind, to use Super Soft Merino, you will probably want to start with US 13 needles. You will also want to knit a gauge swatch. This is both to determine if you like the fabric on US 13 (you can always go up or down needle sizes to change the drape and feel of the fabric) and to help determine your cast on number.
To figure out your cast on number, you will want to knit a gauge swatch in pattern. Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the width that you would like and cast on any even number of stitches.
As to the number of skeins that you would need, doing a little bit of back of the napkin math, I think that somewhere around 24 skeins would get you the throw size. This is an estimate and your personal gauge may alter the amount of yarn that you need!
Best,
Cassy
Casey, thanks for all of your help. I knitted 3 inches in this pattern using the Super Soft Merino. And then I ripped it all out! I thought I would pass on what I feel about using this yarn and this pattern:
1.) I used #15 needles, and still the knit was so tight. My hands were so sore at the end of every row that I had to take a break!
2.). I love, love love Super Soft Merino. But it is a loosely spun yarn. So when “knitting into the purl bump”, and, since the pattern is a tight weave, it’s difficult to get the needle between the strands of yarn.
So…I went back to the Purl Soho site and found the “Double Seed Pattern” which works beautifully with the Super Soft Merino. I am thoroughly enjoying knitting this. An added bonus is that this pattern with this yarn results in a beautiful soft drape (and it requires a lot less yardage.)
Thanks again for your help!
Does the diagonal stitch roll?
Hi Diana,
Thanks for the question! We do not find that the stitch pattern rolls! That said, Understory does have a ton of drape due to the fiber content. If you were to use an alternate yarn, I would be sure to knit a gauge swatch and block it to see if you get different results! It is also important to note that for this lovely blanket, we do have a 3 stitch selvedge on each side that helps to keep the edges neat and prevent any rolling that might otherwise occur!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Thank you for your reply, Cassy.
I am not concerned about the edges rolling.
What I am concerned about is that the ‘diagonal’ nature of the knit texture may bias.
Thank you again, and have a Happy Easter.
Hi MJ,
Although the Diagonal Slip Stitch fabric has a biased appearance, the effect is created with balanced increases and decreases, so the fabric does not actually twist or bias. All of our swatches have come out with square edges.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Thank you for your reply, Julianna. I’m delighted at the good news.
Have a great day… KNITTING!
I am a little concerned over the edges of my eight inch swatch. They are short, and though my yarn is 100% wool, I am worried it will not lengthen enough to not buckle the edges of my piece.
I really like the look of the slipped stitch edge, otherwise.
Thank you for your attention to my query.
Hi MJ,
Thanks for writing in again! We use this slipped stitch edge on many of our projects and I have used it myself without issue, so I would try blocking your swatch before deciding against it. If it is still coming out too short, you could try doing only two slipped stitches at each edge, or omit the slipped stitches and do a single stitch selvage in either stockinette or garter and finish the edges after the fact with an Attached I-Cord for a similar look.
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
Thank you for this great pattern and the video explaining the stitch….
I believe that Martilynn was asking for the number of stitches in your swatch gauge; that is the information that I would like, too.
Also, what is the multiple for this stitch?
Hi Sandee,
Thanks for writing in and for your kind words! The gauge swatch for this lovely blanket is given as 34 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches in Diagonal Slip Stitch pattern! As this pattern works over any even number of stitches, you can cast on 34 stitches and the pattern will work well for your gauge swatch!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I agree with Jeanett, everything Purl Soho does is just beautiful. The projects, the yarn and the ideas.
Thanks for all the wonderful projects.
Looks like a beautiful pattern–I wondered if it would be possible to substitute Mulberry Merino for Understory? Is it too heavy a weight? I love working with it and the range of colors. Thanks for your help and all the wonderful patterns, Robin
Hi Robin,
Mulberry Merino would be lovely in this stitch, but it is actually a bit thinner than Understory! I would recommend trying a gauge swatch on US 7 needles to see how many stitches per inch you get, multiply this by the desired width of your blanket, and round to the nearest even number. Fortunately the Diagonal Slip Stitch pattern can be worked on any even number so this is a fairly easy pattern to modify.
Good luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
Thanks, Julianna, will do! that’s very helpful.
all best,
Robin
Hello!
I really want to knit up the large size of Diagonal Slip Stitch Blanket! Although I absolutely love the Understory, it is a little out of my range right now at $32.00 for 250 yards. The large requires 11 skeins, right?
If all that is correct, is there another yarn that you can recommend that will be soft and with a nice drape as well, but maybe not as expensive? Thank you!!
Hi Meredith,
We hear you! We totally understand that sometimes our yarn suggestions are more of an inspiration than a reality for many people. We are always happy to recommend less expensive (but still beautiful!) alternatives. In this case, we suggest that you try our new Good Wool! Although it doesn’t have quite the same silky softness as Understory, I find it plenty soft for next-to-skin items and for the Throw size, you would need just over 7 skeins – if you are willing to sacrifice just a few inches of length I think you could make do with 7, but I would still recommend getting 8 skeins just in case. As long as it isn’t wound you can return the extra skein for store credit.
Thank you so much for asking. We’re sure that lots of other readers will thank you, too!
Regards,
Julianna
Hi: I just received my Understory yarn and it is beautiful. My question is, when doing the knit 2together, is the knit stitch always before the purl bump stitch? Or does it change on row 3 to purl bump before the knit stitch? I have been trying to search for this answer on the internet and have viewed your video numerous of times, but unfortunately on the video you cannot see what two stitches she is knitting together. Your help is kindly appreciated.
Warm Regards,
Myrna-lynn
Hello Myrna-lynn,
Thank you for reaching out! I just knit up a little swatch and I’m getting the bump on the first of the knit two together stitches on every 1st and 3rd row. Are you getting the purl bump on the first of the k2tog on every row 1? The reason it is the same on both row 1 and row 2 is because you are alternating sandwiching the stitch pattern between 4 stitches in rows 1 and 2 and three stitches in rows 3 and 4.
I hope this makes sense and let me know if I can further clarify anything for you!
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi Marilla, thanks for getting back to me. Just to clarify, on the first row, I knit one. Then if I look at my stitches the next stitch is a purl bump then a knit stitch. So on the knit 2together I would be knitting by sticking my needle first into the knit stitch then into the purl bump stitch. Is that correct? I have ripped this out about 3 times after knitting for awhile. The reason I ask is because the stitches didn’t appear very diagonal. And in answer to your question about rows 1 and 3, the knit 2together I am first inserting my needle into the knit stitch and then into the purl stitch. I hope this makes sense to you. Thanks so much for your help Marilla.
Hi Myrna-lynn,
Yes, that is correct, the stitches you knit together will always appear as a knit and a purl, and you will be inserting your needle into the knit stitch first, on both rows 1 and 3. It does take a few pattern repeats for the diagonal lines to become apparent, but it does sound like you are interpreting the stitch correctly!
I hope that clears things up!
Best,
Julianna
Hello!
I’ve been working on this pattern for a while now, and I’m wondering if you have any advice for the slipped edges. When I slip the first three stitches with yarn in back, it looks great, but when I do it with yarn in front, the first slipped stitch is SO loose and looks very messy. I haven’t been able to figure out how to tighten up this one edge – any advice?
Thank you!
Alyson
Helo Alyson,
Thank you for writing us! This is mysterious, the slipped stitches should tighten your selvedge edge up on both sides. I would make sure that you have a nice amount of tension with your working yarn when you slip those three stitches. It might be worth it to make a practice swatch as sometimes the tension resolves itself after your first few rows. After you make your small swatch you could block your swatch to see if that further helps the issue. I hope this is all helpful and let us know how it goes!
Warmly,
Marilla
If you slip the purl stitches knit wise that should tidy up the edges. It worked for me!
Ah Kim, youre a genius!! This has been happening to me and my head is melted, one side looks beautiful the other, well is hideous going to try this now.
Hi!
I’ve just finished knitting this beautiful blanket for a friend’s baby. I absolutely love the diagonal stitch but the blanket isn’t in shape. I am pretty sure I haven’t missed any stitches but the piece has also taken on a diagonal shape (more like a rhombus than a square or rectangle) What am i doing wrong? Please help!!
Hi Shagufta,
Thanks for reaching out! Hmm, that is a tough one – although the stitch pattern has a diagonal surface appearance, all of our swatches and samples did turn out with squared edges. If you haven’t gotten very far on the blanket, is it possible that your eyes are being tricked by diagonal lines, or that it needs to be blocked? I would suggest trying a smaller swatch, knitting five or six inches, and then blocking your swatch to see if it turns out square. If not, please feel free to send us a picture of your work to [email protected] so we can try to figure out what is going on!
Best of luck,
Julianna
The same thing happened with my attempt too. Ended up with a rhombus shape, even after blocking. I don’t know where I went wrong, as I followed the stitch pattern and it looks correct- except for the final shape.
Hi Louise,
Have you tried wet-blocking your blanket and laying it out into a square shape? Your stitches should be more pliable when wet, allowing you to shape the blanket into a square. I hope this helps but I will keep an eye out for your reply!
All the best,
Gavriella
Hi.
I’d like to make this blanket using Cotton Pure on a Cone. How should I adjust the pattern for a throw size?
Thanks,
Alison
Hello Alison,
Thanks for reaching out! I would recommend trying a gauge swatch on US 7 needles to see how many stitches per inch you get, multiply this by the desired width of your blanket, and round to the nearest even number. Happily the Diagonal Slip Stitch pattern can be worked on any even number so this is a fairly simple pattern to modify.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I just started this project. I understand the concept of picking up a stitch using the purl bump, but on row 3, how do I do this when row 2 is a knit row. I’m at a standstill.
Thanks!
Hello Amy,
Thank you for reaching out! Because row to 2 is a knit row when you turn your work to knit row 3 the row 2 will have purl bumps. I hope this makes sense and please let us know if you continue to have issues.
Happy knitting!
Marilla
I’m thinking of making this on a smaller scale, as a scarf. How many stitches do you suggest casting on for a ten inch wide scarf? Do you think it would work out/drape correctly at a smaller width?
I love your site!
Thank you,
Anne
Hello Anne,
Thank you for reaching out! I think this is a lovely Idea. With a gauge of 34 stitches per 4″ in your stitch pattern you will need to cast on 86 stitches for a 10″ scarf.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Lovely. I would like to make a queen size blanket. Do you have directions for a 90 inch by 90 inch queen size blanket. Thank you for your assistance in this matter
Hi Chere,
Thanks for writing in! For a 90″ by 90″ blanket, you will need to cast on 766 stitches and will need about 31 skeins of Understory.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
I would like to make the larger size holding 2 strands of understory together. What size needle do you suggest?
Hi Elle,
Thanks for writing in. I’d suggest using a size US 10 or 11 when holding Understory doubled for this pattern! Hope this helps.
All the best,
Lili
This is the my first diagonal pattern. I’m wanting to do a very thick striped pattern. At what point in the instructions should I stop with my first color? Diagonal Slip Stitch Pattern: after row 4??
What I currently have stitched on my needles look like it’s going to be a Straight stitched pattern
Hi Sabrina,
Thanks for reaching out! Since the row gauge of this pattern is 44 rows = 4 inches, I’m afraid that 4 rows is a very small distance. For a thickly striped pattern, I’d recommend changing colors after many more rows! You can knit until you’re satisfied with the width of the stripe, and then change colors.
I also wanted to check in about something: Were you hoping to make a pattern that’s knit on the bias? While the stitch pattern of this blanket is diagonal, in that the stitches themselves slope diagonally, it is not knit on the bias. That means that you’re knitting it straight across the width, and any stripes of color will be straight. If you’re interested in patterns that are knit on the bias instead, I’d recommend checking out our Colorful Corner Blanket or our Bordered Bias Blanket.
Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili