Half + Half Blanket
Half amazing texture and half incredible feel, half one color and half another, our Half + Half Blanket makes a whole lot of beauty!
Knit up in the newest edition to our yarn family, Lantern, the Half + Half Blanket sparkles with light. Lantern is a white cotton core wrapped in colorful linen thread that, knit up, creates a seriously intriguing texture. Yes, this yarn is just as interesting and fabulous as it sounds!
In simple garter stitch, the Half + Half Blanket takes it shape with the clever engineering of short rows. This means that you’re using just one ball of yarn at a time and that beginners can get in on the action. Wondering about short rows? We have a new video Short Row Tutorial that explains everything!
A simple pattern, an irresistible texture, and a bold design, the Half + Half Blanket also feels wonderfully nubbly and soft with a very satisfying heft and drape. With 25 colors to choose from, select a combination of Lantern that makes you happy and start knitting!
Update: Half + Half Triangles Wrap
May 8, 2019
We’ve revisited our Half + Half Blanket pattern to create even more cozy! Our Half + Half Triangles Wrap embraces the wearer in a play of shape and color, like a gorgeous faceted gem! Knit in Linen Quill, now available in almost 50 colors, you’ll find the updated pattern (resized and in a smaller gauge) by clicking here!
Update: Half + Half Washcloths
March 20, 2020
Based on our Half + Half Blanket, we’ve created some small squares with big cleaning power! Our Colorful Half + Half Washcloths feature blocks of Cotton Pure color. Get the pattern and view all the color combinations by clicking 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, #PurlSohoHalfAndHalfBlanket, and #PurlSohoLantern. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- Yarn A: 4 (8) skeins of Purl Soho’s Lantern, 61% cotton and 39% linen. Each skein is 164 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 582 (1,164) yards required. (NOTE: We no longer offer Lantern, but choose from one of our other worsted weight yarns.)
- Yarn B: 4 (8) skeins of Lantern; approximately 582 (1,164) yards required.
- US 6 (4 mm), 32-, 40- or 47-inch circular needles
- A stitch marker
Sample Colorways:
Yarn A: Pink Salt + Yarn B: Orange Poppy
Yarn A: Bluegrass Blue + Yarn B: White Smoke
Yarn A: Cinnabar Red + Yarn B: Frost Blue
Gauge
18 stitches and 42 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch
Size
Crib Size (Throw Size)
Finished Dimensions: Approximately 31 inches wide x 38 inches long (44 inches wide x 55 inches long)
Notes
Wrp-t (Wrap And Turn)
Keeping yarn in back, slip next stitch purlwise from left needle to right needle. Bring yarn to front. Return slipped stitch to left needle. Turn work so wrong side is facing you.
To see this technique in action, visit our Short Row Tutorial and follow along with the wrap and turn on the knit side section (at 0:30 seconds), except do not bring the yarn to the back before you turn.
Knit With Wrap
Keeping yarn in back, pick up the wrap with the right needle from front to back and then insert the needle into the stitch knitwise. Knit the stitch and wrap together. This step is described at minute 3:29 of our Short Row Tutorial.
Construction
You will knit this blanket lengthwise.
Due to its construction, the dimensions are fixed to a set ratio. The length of the blanket can be altered by casting on any any number of stitches, and the width dimensions will always be approximately 80% of the length.
Avoid Pooling
If you are using Purl Soho’s Lantern (or any other yarn whose color or texture is supposed to appear irregular and random when it’s knit), alternate skeins every one or two rows or rounds. For more information, check out our Working With Irregular + Hand Dyed Yarns: Avoiding Pooling Tutorial.
Pattern
Triangle 1
With Yarn A, cast on 171 (248) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1 (right side): Knit to end of row.
Row 2 (wrong side): Knit to last 3 stitches, place marker (pm), k1, wrap and turn (wrp-t, see Notes).
Row 3: Knit to end of row.
Row 4: Knit to marker, remove marker, wrp-t.
Row 5: K1, pm, knit to end of row.
Repeat Rows 4 and 5 until you have wrapped every stitch except the last two, ending with Row 5.
Next Row (wrong side): K1, remove marker, wrp-t.
Next Row (right side): K1.
Next Row: K1, *knit next stitch with its wrap (see Notes), repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Cut Yarn A.
Triangle 2
Row 1 (right side): With Yarn B, knit to end of row.
Row 2 (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Row 3 (right side): K1, wrp-t.
Row 4 (wrong side): K1.
Row 5 (right side): K1, knit next stitch with its wrap, place marker, wrp- t.
Row 6 (wrong side): Slip marker, knit to end of row.
Row 7 (right side): Knit to marker, remove marker, knit next stitch with its wrap, place marker, wrp-t.
Repeat Rows 6 and 7 until you have completed a wrap and turn on the second to last stitch.
Repeat Row 6.
Next Row (right side): Knit to last marker, remove marker, knit next stitch with its wrap, k1.
With the wrong side facing you, bind off knitwise.
Weave in the ends and block! We recommend a full wet block to let the linen relax and soften.
Expensive blanket!
Hi Michelle,
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 Good Wool – you would only need two skeins of each color for the crib size or four skeins of each color for the throw.
Thank you so much for asking. We’re sure that lots of other readers will thank you, too!
Best,
Julianna
I love this pattern. After reading it several times, carefully, I was unable to see any reference to how the triangles are joined? I wondered if it was part of the wrap and turn, or seamed at the end.
Am I missing something?? Thank you.
Hi Jan,
Thanks for the kind words! The blanket is worked all in one piece – no seaming or joining required! After you have shaped the first triangle using short rows, you will switch colors and knit across the stitches already on the needle with the second color, and again use short rows to shape the second triangle.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
not really, but I’ll cast on a tiny version today and see how it works. Will report back……thanks for your quick response.
I does, clear things up! In fact, it becomes habit within the first few rows. Magical………..
Love the pattern
I am a little confused…Are we knitting the first triangle starting at the broad base? and then the second one starting at the other end, which would be the broad base of that triangle? Or is the second one thin to start with? And how do you do the connection between the two colors???
If I understand this, I would like to try it for a friend who is pregnant… THANKS for your help.
Sue
Hi Sue,
Thanks for reaching out! The blanket is worked all in one piece – no seaming or joining required! After you have shaped the first triangle using short rows, you will switch colors and knit across the stitches already on the needle with the second color, and again use short rows to shape the second triangle. The cast on is the long side edge of the first triangle, worked in Color A. As you work the short rows, the triangle will “grow” off of your needles – by the time you are finished with Color A, you will still have the same number of stitches you started with, but you will have a complete triangle and the stitches on the needle will now be running along the hypotenuse of the triangle. And again, as you are working the second triangle, the number of stitches on the needle will never change, and the cast off edge will be the long edge of the second triangle.
Often the best way to understand short row patterns is to just knit them! If you would like to try it on a smaller scale, the pattern does work with any number of stitches, so you could always try a 15 or 20 stitch version to better understand the technique before casting on the full blanket.
I hope that helps! Please let us know if you have any further questions!
Julianna
Wow, another gorgeous pattern, thank you for all the work that went into this, regardless of how “simple”it is and looks! I appreciate, greatly, the gorgeous photographs, the spot-on instructions, the video tutorials, and the beautiful project, made available free of charge. Thank you so much, always, ALWAYS a pleasure to read through your patterns, knowing I will have no trouble following them. Thank you!
I’m trying to imagine this before actually working it. are you starting at the bottom edge of a right angle triangle and working up the hypotenuse, keeping the last stitch after the marker and the wrapped stitch on the needle? There are no decreases so they must get held somewhere! you work your way down to a point and 1 st. and then start the other triangle with a single stitch and presumably work back up to the cast on number. correct? It’s a little hard to figure out without actually casting on. thanks for any help!
Hi J,
Thanks for reaching out! The cast on is the long side edge of the first triangle, worked in Color A. As you work the short rows, the triangle will “grow” off of your needles – by the time you are finished with Color A, you will still have the same number of stitches you started with, but you will have a complete triangle and the stitches on the needle will now be running along the hypotenuse of the triangle. And again, as you are working the second triangle, the number of stitches on the needle will never change, and the cast off edge will be the long edge of the second triangle.
Unusual short row shaping certainly can be tricky to imagine, but it’s quite magical to see it happen on your needles! If you would like to try it on a smaller scale, the pattern does work with any number of stitches, so you could always try a 15 or 20 stitch version to better understand the technique before casting on the full blanket.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Any chance you will have a crochet version of this pattern?
Hi Teresa,
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! You may be interested in our Crochet Four Points Baby Blanket, which has a similar construction and style!
Best,
Julianna
How do you join the triangles together?
Hi Teresa,
Thanks for writing in! The blanket is worked all in one piece – no seaming or joining required! After you have shaped the first triangle using short rows, you will switch colors and knit across the stitches already on the needle with the second color, and again use short rows to shape the second triangle.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Please excuse my question, I now see the answer when I read the pattern. A different question, is there a yarn suggestion that is machine washable that is ‘college dorm room’ friendly? Thank you!
Hi Amy,
Thanks for writing in! Although our official recommended care instructions for Lantern are to hand wash and lay flat to dry, our insider practical knowledge is that Lantern holds up great in a cold or warm machine wash and even in a low or warm dry cycle. There may be a very small amount of shrinkage (like 2%), but otherwise Lantern should hold up quite well to heavy use! You could also use a superwash wool such as Tosh Merino or Anzula For Better or Worsted if you prefer!
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
On row 2, after wrt do you still have 3 stitches after or before the marker?
Hi Susan,
Thanks for writing in! On Row 2, you will have three stitches to the right of the marker after working the wrap and turn – one knitted stitch, the wrapped stitch, and the final stitch which was left unworked. As you continue on with the pattern, each time you repeat Rows 4 and 5, the marker will be moving one stitch to the left until it gets all the way to the other edge of the blanket!
I hope this clears things up!
Julianna
Is this yarn machine washable?
Hi Sabine,
Thanks for writing in! This yarn is washable! The care instructions for Lantern are to hand wash cold, lay flat to dry for garments/ Machine wash warm, machine dry low (expect about 2% shrinkage).
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I was wondering if there was another video that shows the wrap-t at the end of the row as called for and knitting every row. The 2nd part of the process has me stumped. Thanks for any suggestions.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for reaching out! We do have a video and picture tutorial on Short Rows which includes detailed instructions for wrap and turns and for picking up the wraps! You should be working your first wrap and turn on the second to last stitch of the second row, and the technique is exactly the same in both garter and stockinette stitch.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hi! Working on this lovely pattern.
I’m alternating the skeins every two rows to avoid pooling but I’m not sure if I’m doing it in the correct spot. Should it be at the end of the row? Or before/ after the place marker?
Hello Melissa,
Thank you for reaching out! I would recommend carrying up your yarn at the beginning of your row.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I just discovered your site and you have the most beautiful yarn and patterns! Due to budget, I’d like to make this in Good Wool, can you suggest a couple of color combinations that would work? (BTW your more modern twists on crochet patterns have inspired me to pick up crochet again.)
Thank you so much for a beautiful and inspiring site!!
Hi Deborah,
Thank you so much for your very kind words! I think that this blanket would be lovely in Good Wool! You would need 2 skeins of each color for the smaller size and 4 skeins of each color for the larger size! I think that Hickory Nut and Winter Grass OR Walking Stick and Heirloom White would be great combinations!
Best,
Cassy
Hi,
Is the gauge correct at 42 rows within a 4 inch swatch? So basically about 10 rows in an inch – it seems so compressed. I did a couple of swatches and switched to a US 5 needle and I’m still not getting there. I feel like I must be doing something wrong.
Thanks,
Deb
Hi Deb,
Thanks for reaching out! Although it does seem quite dense, it is normal for garter stitch to knit up at quite a few more rows than stitches per inch since it contracts significantly lengthwise, and Lantern does indeed compress to 42 rows to 4 inches. If both your stitch and row gauge are too big then I would move down needle sizes until they are correct; however, if you are substituting a bouncier yarn you may not be able to get both your stitch and row gauge to match ours. In that case, I would select whatever needle size gives you the correct stitch gauge since that is more critical to the size of the blanket.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
I have not knitted in a few years and I am rusty, do you think this is a good pattern to start with? I want to make a blanket, and saw that it is a garter stitch. Also, the pattern and the amount of skeins of yarn I need to buy, Is it 4 or 8 skeins of each color. Thanks for your help!
Sheryl
Hello Sheryl,
Thank you for reaching out! This pattern is great for a more beginner knitters, so I say go for it. You will need 4 skeins of each color for the crib size and 8 of each color for the throw size.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi, I would like to make this blanket and wanted to know if you can recommend any more affordable yarn from Purl Soho and outside of the company if possible. I noticed that Good Wool is mentioned but I would prefer more color options.
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for reaching out! Just about any heavy DK or light worsted weight yarn would work for this blanket. Some other options with more color would be Cascade 220 or Brooklyn Tweed Arbor. You would need three of each color of Cascade 220, or four each of Arbor.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi,
I need some help with the pattern. Just so that I’m clear, the first triangle is done by knitting fewer stitches every time, and the second triangle by knitting more stitches, correct?
Regards
HI Wren,
You are absolutely correct!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Your patterns are wonderful – modern and practical and a joy to knit. I would love to try your yarns but where in Canada can I purchase them ?
Hello Anne,
Thank you for reaching out for for your kind words! While we do not sell our yarn through other retailers, we do offer international shipping.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I am always curious to know if there will be extra yarn and how much before starting a project. Your newer patterns list that information, yay! I’m wondering if you know how much of each color is used in this blanket. Thank you!
Hi Michelle,
Thanks so much for reaching out, and for noticing the included yardages! We are still working on adding that information to our older patterns, but in the meantime, if you run into any you are curious about, we are more than happy to look them up for you! For this blanket, we used 592 (1195) yards of each color.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi how many stitches would you suggest to cast on for a slightly smaller version of this blanket?
Hi Maria,
Thanks for reaching out! Fortunately, this pattern works with casting on any amount of stitches! As long as you know how long you would like your blanket to be, you can multiply the length in inches by 4.5 stitches per inch to determine how many to cast on. The width will always turn out as 80% of the length.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Thank you Julianna!
Hi again! I am totally getting frustrated on triangle B! I think I might be putting the place marker on the wrong stitch but in any case I’m just working the same 4 stitches over and over again!
Thank you for your help!
Hi Maria,
Thanks for being in touch! It’s hard to say without seeing your work, but it sounds like you may have the stitch marker in the wrong place. You’ll place your marker on Row 5 (right side) between the stitch you just knit with its wrap and the next stitch which you are about to wrap (and turn). As you continue knitting Rows 6 & 7, you will be removing the marker and re-placing it to make sure it is always between the stitch you are about to wrap and the wrapped stitch that you just completed. I hope this helps!
Best,
Gaby
Hi
I was wondering how I can adapt this pattern to German Short Rows, if that is at all possible.
Also I am hoping to make a baby blanket with stripes on one triangle which was used on one of your wash cloths patterns. If so how much yarn would I need and what yarn would you suggest since I would like easy care for the new mom
Thank you
Thank you
Hi Antoinette,
Thanks for reaching out! I think you could easily substitute German Short Rows instead of working Wrap and Turns to get a similar effect! This blanket is originally made in Lantern! Although our official recommended care instructions for Lantern is to hand wash and lay flat to dry, our insider practical knowledge is that Lantern holds up great in a cold or warm machine wash and even in a low or warm dry cycle. There may be a very small amount of shrinkage (like 2%), so stick with hand washing for garments, but blankets should be fine in the machine! You could also use Blue Sky Worsted Cotton (which instructs for hand washing but does great in the machine as well) I also recommend Anzula For Better or Worsted (a lovely superwash wool!) For the crib size we used approximately 582 yards of each color (4 skeins of each color for lantern), so I would suggest 4 skeins of each color for the Worsted Cotton or 3 skeins of each color in For Better or Worsted! If you decide to use a different yarn than what we have written the pattern for (even though all the yarns I recommended are also worsted weights) I always recommend working a gauge swatch to insure you are consistent with the pattern prior to beginning!
I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Gianna
My question is with the last row of triangle A, knitting the next stitch with its wrap. It seems reasonable to work the wrap per the written instructions (knitwise) but my concern is that it leaves a big bump on the right side (opposite side) of the row that I’m working. Am I working it correctly?
The written instructions for the step ’Knit With Wrap’… is different than the video description at minute 3:29 of the Short Row Tutorial.
Hi Carla,
Thanks for reaching out! There shouldn’t be a bump on the opposite side where you work the wrap so something may be a bit off, have you tried working the wrap as we do in the video?
Warmly,
Gianna
Where my confusion comes in is that the video and the written instuctions are different. The video (described at minute 3:29 of the Short Row Tutorial) shows you holding the yarn in the front of your work and then picking up the wrap from the back and PURLING the stitch and the wrap together. Is that the method we’re using for the row of wrap stitches for triangle A?
Or do we use the written method (below) which is totally different?
…..Keeping yarn in back, pick up the wrap with the right needle from front to back and then insert the needle into the stitch knitwise. Knit the stitch and wrap together.
Thank you
Hi Carla,
Thanks for your response! Basically the video is different from the pattern since for this blanket you are working is garter stitch and in our tutorial we are demonstrating with stockinette. So the process is described differently based on the stitch you are working with but they essentially do the same thing. Since you are working in garter stitch and not stockinette you will be knitting the stitch and wrap together, not purling it!
I hope this clears things up but please let me know if you have any more questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
The video tutorial for the knit explanation is actually shown at minute 2:39 instead of 3:29 as indicated in the pattern. Thank you for your help.
Is there a video to see were someone is making the wrap ? I am better at making things after watching someone makes the item .
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for reaching out! We have an excellent tutorial that will demonstrate the entire process, you can find it here: Short Rows: Wrap + Turn
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna