Easy Puzzle Blanket
All of the pieces fall into place with our Easy Puzzle Blanket. A sleight of handicraft, it’s one bright and simple solution that only appears to have many moving parts.
The construction is a clever variation on our classic Four Points Baby Blanket. We take the same basic process: knit a garter-stitch triangle by decreasing along one edge until you’re down to a point, then pick up stitches for the next triangle… But here, to each triangle, we throw in a few colorful stripes. Easy!
So the only brainteaser this blanket really presents is what colors to choose. With 47 beautiful colors of Linen Quill to choose from, play!
It’s really fun and surprising to watch this beauty unfold. Triangles that are anything but trying, a puzzle that’s anything but puzzling!
Designed for Purl Soho by Jake Canton.
Materials
To knit your own Easy Puzzle Blanket, you will need 6 skeins of Purl Soho’s Linen Quill, 50% fine highland wool, 35% alpaca and 15% linen. Each skein is 439 yards.
- Color A: 1 skein, approximately 334 yards required
- Color B: 1 skein, approximately 198 yards required
- Color C: 1 skein, approximately 190 yards required
- Color D: 1 skein, approximately 131 yards required
- Color E: 1 skein, approximately 190 yards required
- Color F: 1 skein, approximately 310 yards required
NOTE: To make the Throw Size you will need an additional…
- 2 skeins of Color A; approximately 1,083 total yards required
- 1 skein of Color B; approximately 638 total yards required
- 1 skein of Color C; approximately 610 total yards required
- – skeins of Color D; approximately 421 total yards required
- 1 skein of Color E; approximately 610 total yards required
- 2 skeins of Color F; approximately 1,000 total yards required
You will also need…
- US 3, 32-inch circular needles
We’ve created three palettes for inspiration including the sample…
Salt Water Taffy
Shown above and the palette we used to knit up our sample…
- Color A: Eggshell Blue
- Color B: Bright Flamingo
- Color C: Oatmeal Gray
- Color D: Pale Oats
- Color E: Super Orange
- Color F: Dandelion Yellow
Parade
- Color A: Green Turquoise
- Color B: Heirloom White
- Color C: Vintage Celadon
- Color D: True Turquoise
- Color E: Red Poppy
- Color F: Cobalt Blue
Radicchio
- Color A: Crocus Bud
- Color B: Dark Iris
- Color C: Pink Pop
- Color D: Chestnut Red
- Color E: Rhubarb Pink
- Color F: Wheat Flour
Gauge
29 stitches and 56 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch
Size
Crib Size (Throw Size)
Finished Dimensions: Approximately 30¾ x 30¾ inches (55 x 55 inches)
Note
For instructions and a video tutorial on how to pick up stitches along a vertical edge in garter stitch, please visit our Picking Up Stitches Tutorial.
Pattern
Triangle 1
With Color A, cast on 156 (282) stitches.
Set-Up Row (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Row 1 (right side): Knit to last 2 stitches, k2tog. [1 stitch decreased]
Row 2 (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Continuing with Color A, repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 3 (5½) inches from cast-on edge, ending with Row 2.
Cut Color A.
With Color B, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 10½ (18¾) inches, ending with Row 2.
Cut Color B.
With Color C, repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 1 stitch remains. [8¼ (14¾) inches]
Cut yarn and pull tail through remaining stitch.
Triangle 2
With the right side of Triangle 1 facing you, orient the 90-degree angle at the top right corner. Starting at the 90-degree corner, use Color A to pick up and knit 156 (282) stitches [see Notes, above] along the top edge of Triangle 1.
Set-Up Row (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Row 1 (right side): Knit to last 2 stitches, k2tog. [1 stitch decreased]
Row 2 (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Continuing with Color A, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 9¾ (17½) inches, ending with Row 2.
Cut Color A.
With Color D, repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 1 stitch remains. [12 (21½) inches]
Cut yarn and pull tail through remaining stitch.
Triangle 3
With the right side of Triangle 2 facing you, orient the 90-degree angle at the top right. Starting at the 90-degree corner, use Color C to pick up and knit 156 (282) stitches along the top edge of Triangle 2.
Set-Up Row (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Row 1 (right side): Knit to last 2 stitches, k2tog. [1 stitch decreased]
Row 2 (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Continuing with Color C, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 4¾ (8½) inches, ending with Row 2.
Cut Color C.
With Color E, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 13 (23¼) inches, ending with Row 2.
Cut Color E.
With Color F, repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 1 stitch remains. [4 (7¼) inches]
Cut yarn and pull tail through remaining stitch.
Triangle 4
With the right side of Triangle 3 facing you, orient the 90-degree angle at the top right. Starting at the 90-degree corner, use Use Color F to pick up and knit 156 (282) stitches along the top edge of Triangle 3.
Row 1 (wrong side): Knit to last stitch, slip last stitch knitwise to right-hand needle, pick up and knit 1 stitch from the adjacent cast-on edge of Triangle 1, pass slipped stitch over.
Row 2 (right side): Knit to last 2 stitches, k2tog. [1 stitch decreased.]
Continuing with Color F, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 15¼ (27½) inches, ending with Row 1.
Cut Color F.
With Color D and starting with Row 2, repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 2 (3½) inches, ending with Row 1.
Cut Color D.
With Color B and starting with Row 2, repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 1 stitch remains. [4½ (8) inches]
Cut yarn and pull tail through remaining stitch.
Weave in the ends and block as desired.
PRINT
I love this blanket and am currently crocheting the 4 points blanket. Do you have instructions for this blanket in crochet? Or do you think I could use the crochet instructions for the 4 points and just add in the few rows of color changes? Thank you! Love your work.
Hi Amelia,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately we don’t currently have this blanket available as a crochet pattern, but luckily the foundation of this blanket is the exact same foundation as our Four Points Baby Blanket! So you can easily follow the Four Points pattern adding in the color changes like we have in this blanket!
I hope this helps, happy crafting!
Gianna
I have been having such fun with this pattern! But now that I am on Triangle 4, I am having such a tough time with Row 1 when you pick up a stitch from the adjacent cast-on stitch. The edge just looks really raggedy compared to the clean lines of everything else. Any tips on how I can pick up that stitch more cleanly? Thank you!
Hi Caroline,
Thanks for reaching out! We have an excellent Picking Up Stitches tutorial that shares some great techniques to maintain clean lines!
All the best,
Gianna
Thank you Gianna!
Hi,
I would like to make this in the larger size in linen quill worsted. I am thinking to do it in four colors , like the “windy day blanket. How do I figure out the yardage? Is it just a question of using the gauge of the heavier weight yarn and calculating what I need to make a 55 by 55 inch piece?
Hi Miriam,
Thanks for reaching out! That sounds like a great idea and yes it is just a matter of calculating! I would work up a gauge swatch with Linen Quill Worsted with an appropriate sized needle and from there you can figure out your cast on amount and the amount of yardage you will need!
All the best,
Gianna
Hi I wanted to make this blanket in the Salt Water Taffey. The kit was sold out so I purchased the yarn individually. I ordered the Linen Quill. It seems a little scratchy, was i supposed to order the Linen Quill worsted? Of course I have started the project and rolled up all the skeins. Any infor/advice greatly appreciated
Hi Shelley,
Thanks for reaching out! We knit this blanket in Linen Quill not Linen Quill Worsted so you have the correct yarn! The yarn is a bit more rugged fresh from the skein but as you begin to knit with it, it will soften up a great deal! Blocking the final blanket will also add to the overall softness!
All the best,
Gianna
Really love the look of this blanket. What color combinations would you suggest for someone looking at a gray, green, white scheme? Also, is there a pattern variation for the linen quill worsted twist? Thanks!
Hi Ashley,
Thanks for reaching out! I would recommend:
Color A: Fresh Pickle
Color B: Pale Oats
Color C: Juniper Green
Color D: Oatmeal Gray
Color E: Salt + Pepper
Color F: Trout Brown
We don’t have this pattern available for Linen Quill Worsted, but you could easily adjust it the pattern by working a gauge swatch and calculating the cast on from there!
I hope this helps and please feel free to reach out with any more questions going forward!
Warmly,
Gianna
Is there a washable yarn you could recommend for this pattern? I’m considering making for a friend with a new baby and prefer something machine washable.
Hi Kim,
Thanks for reaching out! I would recommend using our yarn Posy or MADELINETOSH Tosh Merino Light! They are both fingering weight yarns like Linen Quill and are machine washable! I do recommend working a gauge swatch prior to beginning to insure you are consistent with the pattern!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
I need serious help!! So I’m finishing my last color on triangle 1 and it’s wayyyy too long and I don’t understand where I went wrong. I knit three first color 3 in, 2nd 10.5 in and 3rd is over 12 in and still have a few stitches left. Can I fix this without scrapping the whole thing? I definitely cast on the correct amount too so I really have no idea what happened 🙁
Hi Leah,
Thanks for reaching out! My best guess is that your gauge is likely off, I always recommend working a gauge swatch prior to beginning to insure that you are consistent with the pattern! Luckily, this pattern is straight forward enough that having the gauge off wont cause too many problems besides being a bit bigger and the color sections will be a bit different and wont measure the same as they are supposed to in the pattern. If you don’t mind this you can keep going and you can adjust the color sections working each color a bit more to keep the proportions the same. If you do mind this then I would suggest starting over with the correct gauge! Out tutorial All About Gauge is an excellent resource to use!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any other questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
Thanks Gianna, I’m guessing that’s the issue too! I’m never good at gauging correctly. My triangle is perfectly shaped if you fold in half so would I just do the other triangles with the same measurements as I’ve been using? Or would I need to adjust the length you think? I don’t mind that it’s bigger as I have more than enough yarn and who doesn’t like a nice big blanket 🙂
Hi Leah,
You can actually keep going without making any adjustments since the length of the triangle is directly based off of how many stitches you cast on or pick up!
Warmly,
Gianna
WAIT! I figured it out. I hope. I think. I have exactly twice the number of rows as the number of stitches I cast on. Which means when I cast on the next side… it’ll be the right number of stitches. I might end up with a rhombus-shaped blanket though/ not sure how I’ll link up my final too-long size with my short cast-on side. Anyway, I’d still love your thoughts Gianna. Thank you! 🙏
Hi Kate,
Thanks for reaching out! For this blanket, the cast on amount directly relates to the amount of stitch you will pick up. For example, you cast on 156, and then because you decrease at the end of every row 156 times (or 156 rows) until you have 1 stitch left, you will then have exactly 156 stitches to pick up on that side.
If your gauge was slightly bigger than the gauge of the pattern, that is totally fine! However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to adjust the number of stitches, and in this case, I would not suggest changing the cast on amount, to ensure you have consistent triangles. If you would like to adjust your gauge to be consistent with the pattern then I would recommend changing your needle size instead!
If you have double the stitches, that just means you are doubling your triangle (this is actually just making the larger throw size of this blanket), not making both sides at once! If you bought the yarn for the crib size then you won’t have enough for the throw size, so if you would like to make the throw size then you will need a bit more yarn! But if you want to stick with the crib size then I would suggest starting over with the correct cast on amount (156 stitches) that way you can guarantee that you have enough yarn, the correct dimensions, and proportions. You will also be able to follow the pattern as written without needing to make any complicated adjustments.
I hope this clears things up and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
Looks like in the past you’ve recommended Posy as a washable yarn for this pattern, but it’s on sale and doesn’t have enough colors. Is there another yarn you might recommend?
Hi Kate,
Thanks for reaching out! We’re currently in the process of transitioning our full size Posy and Pocket Posy skeins into 50g skeins this year. We’re hoping to launch this new size around mid-spring but in the meantime we’re having a clearance sale for any remaining colors! For another washable alternative I would recommend MADELINETOSH Tosh Merino Light!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hello! I am excited to start this pattern. I am not familiar with a set up row for garter stitch. I saw your video on set up rows for Brioche, and that made sense, but is it the same method for this project? Thank you.
Hi Kate,
Thanks for reaching out! Unlike brioche that requires a set up row for the stitch pattern to begin, this is just simply knitting across your cast on stitches to establish one row before you begin the shaping (decreasing on one side!) So after you cast on you will knit across the row, this will become your wrong side, you will then begin the pattern with row 1 working on the right side of the fabric: knit to last 2 stitches, k2tog.
I hope this clears things up!
Warmly,
Gianna
I want to make this with a cotton yarn I have used for several blankets in the past. But I really like the design of this one and the way the different colors play with each other. Could you let me know which colors are ABCDE & F on this pattern so that I can choose colors accordingly. Thank you
Hi Jane,
Thanks for reaching out! You can find this information under the materials section of the pattern! We used Linen Quill:
Color A: Eggshell Blue
Color B: Bright Flamingo
Color C: Oatmeal Gray
Color D: Pale Oats
Color E: Super Orange
Color F: Dandelion Yellow
Warmly,
Gianna
My question is related to the final seaming of triangle #4 to triangle #1.
As an option is it possible (or advisable) to do a provisional cast-on for Triangle #1, and complete the final seaming using the Kitchner stitch to join Triangle #4 to Triangle #1?
I am looking forward to starting this interesting and colorful blanket.
Thank you!
Hi Susanna,
Thanks for writing in! I would recommend sticking to the original instructions since each triangle will be going in a different direction. For example, Kitchener stitch wouldn’t work since you are connecting the cast on edge to the salvage edge of the triangle!
I hope this clears things up and please feel free to reach out with any more questions!
Gianna
I’d like to make this with the Super Soft Merino that you recommend for the Four Points Baby Blanket. Can you recommend the proper yardage/# of skeins please?
Hi Ethel,
Thanks for reaching out! You will need 8 skeins total of Super Soft Merino for a crib size blanket! I don’t have the exact yardage available in each color since the pattern is a bit different with a fingering weight yarn, But depending on which colors you would like to use for each section you will want 1-2 skeins, just be sure you have 8 skeins total.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna