Tonal Blanket In New Colors
Our gorgeous new palette of Season Alpaca demands new Tonal Blankets, still tonal, still soft and cozy, and still beautiful!
The genius of our original Tonal Blanket holds: a fascinating waffle texture, little checks of gradating color, and a super fun slip-stitch knit!
Pick up a Tonal Blanket in this great-outdoors Cool palette or in our toasty Warm spectrum. Patterned for a Crib or a Throw size, use whatever you pick for the knit or crochet version… So many options but impossible to go wrong!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!
Share your progress + 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 is featured in two palettes: Cool (above, left) and Warm (above, right). The Crib size requires 5 skeins of Heirloom White and the Throw size requires 10, but only one skein of each contrast color is needed for both sizes. To knit or crochet your own, you will need…
- 10 skeins of Purl Soho’s Season Alpaca, 100% baby alpaca. Each skein is 218 yards.
- MC: 5 (10) skeins; approximately 1,015 (2,030) yards required
- Color A: 1 skein; approximately 124 (218) yards required
- Color B: 1 skein; approximately 124 (218) yards required
- Color C: 1 skein; approximately 124 (218) yards required
- Color D: 1 skein; approximately 124 (218) yards required
- Color E: 1 skein; approximately 124 (218) yards required
The Cool palette requires the following colors…
- MC: Heirloom White
- Color A: Sapphire Blue
- Color B: High Tide
- Color C: Reef Green
- Color D: Frond Green
- Color E: Fresh Pickle
The Warm palette requires…
- MC: Heirloom White
- Color A: Purple Foxglove
- Color B: Red Plum
- Color C: Red Pine
- Color D: Autumn Oak
- Color E: Pink Apricot
You will also need…
- US 4 (3.5 mm), 40- or 47-inch circular needles
These bundles also work for our Crochet Tonal Blanket!
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)
Pattern
For the free pattern, please visit our original knit Tonal Blanket or our Crochet Tonal Blanket story!
Can you share the cast on method that was used for the tonal blanket swatches? Mine looks different. Thank you!
Hello Harper,
We used a long tale cast on for this project.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi – I’d like to make this blanket for my son to take to college but it would need to be washable because…college. Could I use Posy for this? Would the gauge change drastically? Thanks.
Hi Ruth,
Thanks for reaching out, and what a lovely gift! Posy is a bit thinner than Season Alpaca, so it isn’t drastic, but you will have to adjust the pattern a bit. I would suggest knitting or crocheting a gauge swatch in pattern using a US 3 needle or an F hook, comparing your stitches per inch to ours, and adjusting the cast on as necessary. Another washable option that won’t require any changes to the pattern would be Cotton Pure!
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
I’m also thinking of using cotton pure to make as our second wedding anniversary gift. Do I follow your adjusted pattern or the original instructions? Also do you have color recommendations if I wanted to do this in a cool palette or a grayscale palette?
Thank you!
Hi Jean,
Thank you for writing in! Cotton Pure is a wonderful substitute for this blanket that wouldn’t require any changes or modifications to the pattern. For a cool palette, consider using Gray Birch or Heirloom White as MC with Sprout Green, Parsley Green, Peacock Teal, Ultramarine Blue and Moonflower Blue as CC’s. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting!
Gaby
Oh thanks for this
I made this blanket for my husband for Valentine’s Day (2018?). It took two years for me to finish the larger size but he loves it! It has a nice heavy weight and almost completely covers me in the large size (5’3″). It lives on the couch and gets lots of use. Love the pattern and the yarn isn’t pilling?Yay!
Hello,
What colors would you choose in Linen Quill Worsted to match the cool palette?
To make the Throw size in Linen Quill Worsted, how many skeins should I buy of each color- please give me an amount even if it’s more than enough, so that I definitely won’t run out. And what size needle would I use?
Hi Natalie,
Thank you for writing in! Because Linen Quill Worsted is significantly heavier and would have a drastically different gauge than Season Alpaca, I wouldn’t advise using this yarn. However, our original Linen Quill would be a wonderful substitution for this pattern and the color palette below would make a great match for the original cool palette.
Main Color: Wheat Flour or Pale Oats
Contrast Color A: Cobalt Blue
Contrast Color B: High Tide
Contrast Color C: True Turquoise
Contrast Color D: Juniper Green
Contrast Color E: Fresh Pickle
You would need 3 skeins of your Main Color and 1 of each CC to complete this pattern. I recommend knitting a swatch on a US 4 and making any changes from there based on your gauge.
I hope this helps!
Gaby
I love this blanket! I would like to make a throw, but for a friend who is 6’6, so a normal throw size wouldn’t be big enough. I’ve made the optic blanket for another tall friend, and could make that again, but would prefer to make a new one.
-Do you have suggestions for what dimensions would be a good throw for a large person?
-If it’s both wider and longer, how should I adjust lengths of each color block to make them 1/5th of the total? Or add a sixth contrast…
-Do you have a sense of appropriate yardage?
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for writing in! I’m happy to help you get a better idea of how much yarn you might need to make a larger blanket.
It’s hard to say exactly what size your friend might prefer, but my guess would be around 70″ long x 54″ wide so the blanket could potentially cover most of their body while being a bit wider and more proportional. Exact yardage is difficult to approximate but a blanket of this size would require around 17 skeins of Season Alpaca in Heirloom White and 2 of each of the 5 contrast colors. A cast on of 351 stitches should be just right as this pattern stretches a bit with use/blocking, and I recommend aiming for 14″ color blocks. I hope this makes sense and is helpful- please write back if you have any more questions!
Happy knitting!
Gaby
Thank you so much for answering questions during this difficult time. It really is appreciated.
I am thinking of making this beautiful blanket for friends who live in a cold climate but I’m worried that the suggested yarn may not be very warm.
I have recently completed Nature’s Palette in Linen Quill held double. It is lovely and warm and drapes beautifully so I’m wondering if I could make the Tonal Blanket this way. Do you have any thoughts on this? If it would work, how many skeins would be needed to make a blanket approximately 48″ x 60″. (Alternatively, maybe Season Alpaca is a nice warm weight??)
Thank you so much. Deb
Hi Deb,
Thanks for writing in! Season Alpaca is very warm, and has a lovely drape to it! I’d say it’s actually warmer than Linen Quill, as it’s 100% alpaca, which is known for being super warm. I hope this helps!
Best,
Cassandra
If you can’t use Worsted with this pattern, do you have a suggestion for a throw pattern that you could use with Worsted? I am just finishing the Mineral Wrap and need to give my eyes a break. I want bigger needles and a thicker wool (not chunky).
Help please!
Janice
Hi Janice,
Thanks for reaching out! You could certainly knit this pattern in a worsted weight yarn if you alter the pattern a little! To do so, I would recommend knitting a gauge swatch in pattern using a US 8 or 9 needle. You can then multiply your stitches per inch by 27 3/4″ for the crib size or 42″ for the throw and round to the nearest odd number to determine how many stitches to cast on. We have many other worsted weight blankets that you might be interested in, however! Our Colorblock Jute Stitch Blanket, Rectangular Colorblock Bias Blanket, Mosaic Blanket, and Shadow Study Throw are all worsted weight blankets you might want to consider!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I can no longer see Comments! These are often very useful to me. Is this just a glitch in the system today or a change? When I click on older or newer comments, nothing comes up. On some other projects it will tell me the number of comments but I can’t access these either. Thanks for your help!
Hi Sandra,
Thanks for bringing this to our attention! We recently updated our website and we are still working out some of the kinks. Missing comments are one of them. Don’t worry! We still have all of the comments. Hopefully, they will be back on display shortly.
Best,
Oscar
Hello, I love this pattern but would like to do the throw size in one of your worsted yarns. Can you tell me the yardage required?
Thank you so much!
Lori
Hi Lori,
Thanks for writing in! Although it’s very easy to change the gauge of this pattern to use a worsted weight yarn, it’s a bit more difficult to estimate how much yarn you will need when doing so. Once you knit your swatch in pattern, you can weigh it and use the size of the swatch and the weight to calculate how much you will need for the full blanket, but if you are guessing how much to order, I would get at least 981 (1962) yards of the main color and 110 (195) yards of each contrast color.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I have just begun working on this beautiful blanket. I do have one question about Row 4 of the pattern. I the slipped stitch slipped purlwise? Doing that seems logical, but I just want to be certain.
Thanks very much,
Claire
Hi Claire,
Thanks for writing in! Yes that is correct, you will slip all of the stitches purlwise!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
I would like to do a simple chain edge selvedge on my blanket (slip first stitch with yarn in back and then purl last stitch), but I did not add 2 stitches to compensate for this. I have only knitted the first row after the 273 stitch cast on (throw size). First of all, will this work with this pattern with the adding of the colors, and secondly, if it will work, do I need to add two stitches to the cast on or do you think it would work if it did the chain edge and then just followed the pattern as written. I hope this makes sense!
Hi Robyn,
Thanks for reaching out! I think a chain edge selvedge would absolutely work with this pattern. You could either switch the K1’s at the beginning of each row to sl1’s, and then follow the remainder of each row as written, or you could certainly add two stitches to the cast on. Either way will work, so it’s up to your own preference!
All the best,
Lili
I would like to make the warm version, but several of the colors are bait available (baby fawn, burnt sienna). Could you recommend another warm palette?, or would linen quill work for this pattern?
Thank you, Carolyn
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for writing in! Since some of the colors from our original Warm palette have been discontinued, I would recommend using MC: Heirloom White, Color A: Peony Pink, Color B: Mountain Rose, Color C: River Pink, Color D: Fresh Fig, and Color E: Red Plum!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
Is the bundle still available?
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately, we no longer offer bundles for this blanket, but you can purchase all the yarn necessary from the Season Alpaca product page!
Warmly,
Gianna
I am working on this tonal blanket. Everything was going fine and suddenly I finished a 4th row and noticed I had one color yarn at one end and one color at the other. I guess I made a mistake somewhere. What did I do wrong to make that happen. Ugh 😩
Hi Helena,
Thanks for reaching out! My best guess is that you have actually worked an odd number of rows rather than an even number and that you have not worked an return row with the yarn that is now on the other end. The best way to look at this pattern is that Rows 1 and 3 either the Main Color or the Constation Colors are working to the opposite end, but then Rows 2 and 4 return Main Color or the Constation Colors back to the beginning. For example, Row 1 the Main Color works to the opposite side, then Row 2 you work the yarn back to where it started. Row 3 you work Color A to the opposite side, then Row 4 you work Color A back to the side where it started.
I hope this clears things up!
Gianna
Hello! I love the stitch pattern of this blanket so I’m knitting the crib size blanket with different (non tonal) colors in Santolina. However I’m wondering if I’m doing something wrong. Instead of the waffle-y texture shown in the pictures (where it looks like teeny tiny little squares of color framed by the Heirloom White main color) each color block looks like it’s pinstriped. I believe I’m following the instructions correctly for Rows 3&4 but can’t help thinking I’m missing something. Don’t get me wrong – I’m digging the pinstripes within the wide stripes of color. Still, I’d really like to be to achieve the waffle texture like in the pics. Is this pinstriping effect the result of using Santolina instead of the Season Alpaca as called for? Or perhaps my slip 1 wyib needs review? Any insights would be much appreciated. Thank you!!!
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for reaching out. We’ll be able to give better advice if we can visualize what’s going on! I’d recommend sending an email to customerservice@purlsoho.com with photos of your work, so we can see as well.
All the best,
Lili
This is the exact problem I am having as well! I don’t see a reply to your comment but I’d be very interested to know what I’m doing wrong. I really want the waffle pattern show in the pictures!
Hi Melissa,
I’m sorry to hear that you’re experiencing the same problem! It looks like I had asked Jenny to send along photos to customerservice@purlsoho.com so we could visualize what’s going on. I’d recommend doing the same, since we’ll be able to give more specific advice that way!
All the best,
Lili
What technique do you use to weave in the ends. The back side of my blanket is looking a bit … not as great as I’d like with my weaving in.
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for reaching out. I’d highly recommend taking a look at our Weaving in Your Ends tutorial! I’ve learned many new things from this tutorial myself, and I bet you’ll find a technique that works well for your blanket. In particular, I think that the weaving in ends on the diagonal method will hide the ends well and keep them very secure!
All the best,
Lili
Hi,
I am looking to make this blanket as a wedding present for some friends who would like it in cotton. I was planning to use Cotton Pure but I am struggling with the colour way as I can’t see that the sprout green colour (suggested above for the cool palette) is available. Are you able to suggest an alternative (or alternative colours) as I am in the UK and don’t want to get the colours/order wrong . Many thanks Sarah
Hi Sarah!
Thanks for writing in with your question!
Cotton Pure would be a great substitute for Season Alpaca! Because the nature of these yarns are so different, I would recommend doing a gauge swatch before casting on your project to be sure you’re using the right size needles to get the proper gauge.
For color recommendations, I was looking at using Peacock Blue and Parsley Green to substitute those greener shades you like! An example palette would be something like Heirloom White, Moonflower Blue, Waterdrop Blue, Blue Gale, Peacock Teal, and Parsley green!
I hope these recommendations help!
All the best,
Carly
Hi!
Can you suggest a new set of colors for a warm palette since you don’t have the original colors?
I love the three pinks you have (on top next to the white)… and then there’s the fresh fig, red plum, wild lupine, purple foxglove for the purple tones.
Can’t wait to hear what you suggest!
Natalie
Hi Natalie,
Thanks for writing in!
I would suggest checking out our Good Wool as a substitute for Season Alpaca! This beautiful 100% wool yarn comes in colorways that are perfect for the Tonal Blanket!
If you were interested in putting together a warmer tonal palette, you can try pairing colors like Heirloom White, Pink Dawn, Apple Cider, Barn Door, Violet Night, and Wild Heath (or Purple Pansy for a brighter pop).
I hope these suggestions help!
All the best,
Carly
Hi Carly-
Thanks, however –
I was actually interested in using the Season Alpaca- but putting together new warm palette colors.
Still using good wool seems like another interesting option- I will think about that!
Also, Good Wool has greater yardage- for the MC how many skeins will I need for small/large blankets?
should I use the same needle size for Good Wool , or start with a gauge swatch on #4? Is it possible I will need to go up a needle size?
Hi Natalie,
I’m sorry I misunderstood your question! I love the palette you chose in Season Alpaca! I like the rosier tones of the Peony Pink, Mountain Rose, River Pink blended with the deeper plum tones in Fresh Fig and Red Plum. Purple Foxglove and Wild Lupine are both very cool compared to the others, but would be a nice anchor for the purple tones!
For the MC in Good Wool, you will need either 3 skeins for the small blanket and 6 skeins for large. I also recommend doing a few swatches to be sure you are getting the correct gauge, especially when you substitute yarns, and starting on a size 4 needle is a great idea, too!
All the best,
Carly
Hello, I have just finished this in a crochet version and its really lovely
Id like to do an edge to tie it together..DO you have any suggestions for that?
thanks
Hi Robyn,
We’re so thrilled to hear you’re so pleased with your Tonal Blanket and would be happy to suggest some options for an edging to finish your project! My go-to option for a finished edge is almost always an Attached I-Cord, which gives a clean, beautiful finish to any project. For a crocheted edge, a single crochet border or a slip stitch edge would be nice, especially in a contrast color, or you could do a two-four rows of double crochet and fold it over on itself for a thicker, wider edge! I hope this gives you some inspiration for the perfect edging for your blanket, and please let us know if there’s anything else we can help you with!
Warmly,
Kelsey
Hi Kelsey,
I would love to do this in a wrap, 34 by 75 or so. I was wondering what the stitch count is for the pattern. I’m probably blind but I didn’t see it above. Do you think the 15 skeins of main color and 1 each of the other 5 colors will be enough?
Thanks
Hi Jane,
The stitch count for this pattern is 181 (273), but I’d recommend casting on 221 for a 34-inch width. You will need 12 skeins of the main color and 1 skein of each contrast color for the size you want to make!
All the best,
Lili
Hello,
I am about to start this project for a gift for my sister’s baby shower. Before I begin, do you have any any suggestions for a worked as I go edging on the two sides? Or do you still recommend an attached I-cord all the way around once the project is completed?
Thanks!
Hi Ali,
Thanks for reaching out. I would recommend working an attached i-cord around the blanket after you’ve finished it! We find that this method is simpler to do and creates a more even edging. Plus, you can work the i-cord around all 4 sides of the blanket very easily!
All the best,
Lili
Help! I am knitting this blanket and starting Row 3 with Color A. What do I do with MC while I am knitting Row 3? Does it get brought up the side with the first knit stitch at the edge? And are all the slip stitches on Rows 3 and 4 slipped purlwise? Thank you for your help!
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for writing in! When changing colors, you will want to carry the new yarn up the selvedge in back of the old yarn. To answer your next question, you are correct that you will be slipping all your stitches purlwise unless otherwise noted in the pattern. I hope this helps but please let me know if you have any other questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella