Sand Drift Blanket In Santolina
When a yarn like Santolina comes around, our fiber-loving instincts take over and works in progress become “works we’ll get back to,” and the time to cast on with this beauty becomes now!
Santolina is a perfectly calibrated blend of 70% organically grown cotton, 20% rayon from bamboo, and 10% hemp. Together these fibers have an incredibly soft hand, a very satisfying drape, a gently heathered look, and a subtle shine… And you can put in the washing machine and dryer, too!
Santolina’s palette of silvery colors lends itself to the smooth gradient of our Sand Drift Blanket. Originally knit in our undyed Sweetgrass, we used the same simple (and fun!) slip stitch pattern but, this time, added some color to the picture.
Here in an ocean of blues, or else in a cool glen of greens or a cozy den of pinks, our Sand Drift Blanket in Santolina Bundle comes in a crib and throw size. Sorry to whatever else we were knitting… There’s a new yarn in town!
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, #PurlSohoSandDriftBlanket, and #PurlSohoSantolina. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
Our Sand Drift Blanket in Santolina Bundle comes in a Crib size (above left) and a Throw size (above right). It includes…
- 8 (16) skeins of Purl Soho’s Santolina, 70% organically grown cotton, 20% rayon from bamboo, and 10% hemp. Each skein is 328 yards; approximately 328 (656) yards of Color A and E and 592 (1,184) yards of Color B, C, and D required.
- Color A: 1 (2) skein(s) of Santolina
- Color B: 2 (4) skeins of Santolina
- Color C: 2 (4) skeins of Santolina
- Color D: 2 (4) skeins of Santolina
- Color E: 1 (2) skein(s) of Santolina
You will also need…
- US 10 (6mm), 32- or 40-inch circular needles
Choose from 3 pretty palettes…
BLUES, shown above and the colors we used for our sample
- Color A: Heirloom White
- Color B: Ice Pond
- Color C: Juniper Berry
- Color D: Stormy Sea
- Color E: Well Water
GREENS
- Color A: Heirloom White
- Color B: Winter Green
- Color C: Green Agave
- Color D: Sea Turtle
- Color E: Teal Spruce
PINKS
- Color A: Beige Bunny
- Color B: Heirloom White
- Color C: Peach Lily
- Color D: Blossom Pink
- Color E: Red Smoke
Gauge
20 stitches and 46 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern, with yarn doubled
Sizes
Crib (Throw)
Finished Dimensions: 30 inches wide x 38 inches long (42 inches wide x 56 inches long)
SAMPLE: We knit the Crib size.
Notes
Slip Stitches
Slip all slipped stitches purlwise.
Double The Yarn
Throughout this pattern you will hold two strands of the same color yarn as you work. The easiest way to do this is to pull from both the inside and outside of the ball.
Stitch Pattern
Row 1 (right side): With Yarn 2, *slip 1 with yarn in back (wyib), k1, repeat from * to last stitch, slip 1 wyib.
Row 2 (wrong side): With Yarn 2, *slip 1 with yarn in front (wyif), k1, repeat from * to last stitch, slip 1 wyif.
Row 3: With Yarn 1, *k1, slip 1 wyib, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 4: With Yarn 1, *k1, slip 1 wyif, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Pattern
NOTE: This pattern is very similar to our original Sand Drift Blanket pattern, but this one has two sizes, a different gauge and cast on number, and uses five instead of six colors.
With 2 strands of Color A, cast on 151 (211) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Set-Up Row (wrong side): With Color A, *k1, slip 1 with yarn in front (wyif), repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Join Color B.
Work in Stitch Pattern (see Notes), using two strands of Color A as Yarn 1 and two strands of Color B as Yarn 2, until piece measures 9½ (14) inches from cast-on edge.
Cut Color A.
Using just Color B (doubled), repeat Rows 1-4 of Stitch Pattern one time.
Join Color C.
Work in Stitch Pattern, using two strands of Color B as Yarn 1 and Color C as Yarn 2, for 9½ (14) inches.
Cut Color B.
Using just Color C (doubled), repeat Rows 1-4 of Stitch Pattern one time.
Join Color D.
Work in Stitch Pattern, using two strands of Color C as Yarn 1 and two strands of Color D as Yarn 2, for 9½ (14) inches.
Cut Color C.
Using just Color D (doubled), repeat Rows 1-4 of Stitch Pattern one time.
Join Color E.
Work in Stitch Pattern, using two strands of Color D as Yarn 1 and two strands of Color E as Yarn 2, for 9½ (14) inches.
Cut Color D.
Using just Color E (doubled), repeat Rows 1-4 of Stitch Pattern one time.
With right side facing you, use Color E (doubled) to bind off in 1×1 Rib. Here’s how…
Bind Off Row (right side): K1, *p1, pass first stitch over, k1, pass first stitch over, repeat from * to end of row.
Weave in ends and block your finished blanket!
Thank you for another lovely and free pattern.
I really hate using 2 strands together. If I wanted to make it with a single strand, what size needle would you recommend?
I’d like to simplify the design, using only 2 colours. I’d be most grateful if you could give me an idea of how many skeins I’d need to complete the crib throw.
Many thanks in advance.
All best wishes,
Ros Pearl
Hi Ros,
Thanks for writing in! You can certainly knit this blanket using a single strand! I would suggest using a US 2 or 3 needle. I would also recommend working a gauge swatch prior to beginning to calculate your gauge so you can adjust the cast on! I would recommend approximately 1,600 yards for the crib size and 3,200 yards for the throw size. That would be about 5 skeins (or 3 of each color to ensure you have enough) of Santolina for the crib size or 10 skeins for the throw size!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
What pattern can I follow if I want to make this throw in only one color? Also if only using one color how many yards/skein of your Santolina will I need?
Hi Lois,
Thanks for reaching out! If you wanted to make the Sand Drift Blanket using only one color, you can still follow the same pattern and just omit the use of the other colors, working with the same color throughout (you’ll still be holding two strands of yarn, but they’ll be the same color). You’ll still need either 8 or 16 skeins, depending on which size blanket you’d like to make! I’d recommend only winding the skeins as you’re about to use them, in case you do end up with extra. That way, you can save the extra for another project, or return or exchange them for another product!
Warmly,
Kelsey
Can you show what the pattern would be like with just two colors? How many skeins of each?
Hi Kim,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, we don’t have a sample knit-up in just two colors to share as an example, but you could certainly adapt the pattern for only two colors! If you wanted to use two colors evenly throughout, then you would need approximately 4 skeins of each color for the crib size and 8 skeins of each color for the throw size!
Warmly,
Kelsey
I’m attempting the throw in two colors, and maybe one day I’ll have a good photo. For now, I’m on my third attempt because I don’t like the way my Color 2 shows on one edge of the wrong side. I wish there was a photo of both sides of the finished sample on the site or a tutorial showing how to handle the working yarn when it’s the second stitch in.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for reaching out, although I’m sorry to hear that your edges aren’t coming out as expected! If you send a photo of your work to customerservice@purlsoho.com, we’d be happy to take a look and give you some advice.
In the meantime though, I can give you some general information about how the edges should look, as well as what to do with the working yarn at any point! In this blanket, you will only ever be knitting the first and last stitches of a row with Yarn 1. If you take a look at Rows 1 and 2 of the stitch pattern, which are done with Yarn 2, you’ll see that both the first and last stitches are slipped, meaning that you don’t work them at all with Yarn 2. Then, on Rows 3 and 4, you can see that these stitches are both knit with Yarn 1. That means that your edges should look like a column of garter stitch in Yarn 1 only!
I hope this helps, but I’ll also keep an eye out for an email from you, if you decide to send us a photo of your work!
All the best,
Lili
Hello
Can I knit this blanket with just a single yarn instead of doubling it up? I don’t enjoy holding 2 yarns together for some reason. 😊. Maybe use a smaller needle size?
Thank you
Anjali
Hi Anjali,
Thanks for writing in! You can certainly knit this blanket using a single strand! I would suggest using a US 2 or 3 needle. I would also recommend working a gauge swatch prior to beginning to calculate your gauge so you can adjust the cast on!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
Thank you Gianna. Can I still get one of the bundles or should I buy individual skeins?
Thanks
Anjali
Hi Anjali,
Thanks for your response! You can certainly buy a bundle, you may have a bit of yarn leftover but you will certainly have enough for the blanket!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
Hi, I ordered 2 sets of colors for the baby blanket size. I can’t wait to get started. One issue, I can’t print the pattern from the website or download. I’m sure it’s my phone and computer, but is there a way to get a printable copy? I went to purlsoho.com/…Still couldn’t print. Help!!! Thank you.Heidi
Hi Heidi,
Thanks for reaching out! If you’re on a desktop version of the site, you will find a “print” icon in the right column just below the “Save To Favorites” button. If you’re on a mobile version of the site, you will find a “print” icon below the pattern and above the comments. Follow the easy on-screen instructions to delete whichever parts of the pattern you don’t want to print or save. For example, you may decide to shorten the pattern by omitting certain images or the list of materials. To remove images, click the drop-down next to the image icon and change from 100% to 0%.
If you are still having difficulties printing, please email our customer service team directly at customerservice@purlsoho.com
Also, for future reference, we are always happy to print the pattern for you and send it along with your order! If you would like us to do this, just type out the name of the pattern you would like us to print for you in the special instructions box on the checkout page! for example “Please print the Sand Drift Blanket in Santolina patter”
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
I love this blanket but want to make it in brighter blues like the worsted twist or the super soft merino in blue pansy, cobalt blue and blue blue. Which do you suggest (or any others) that is really soft and similar to this yarn in gauge?
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for reaching out! I think a bright blue color palette would look stunning! Since this version of the blanket uses two strands together, it works up to a similar gauge to a light worsted/worsted weight so I would suggest using Worsted Twist! I would just be sure to work a gauge swatch prior to beginning to ensure you are consistent with the pattern!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
I love this pattern, but am finding that my work was a looking very sloppy. Any pointers on the stitch pattern that might help me?
Hi Maryanne,
Thanks for reaching out! My best tip to keep your tension as even as possible throughout the row, and when you are slipping the stitches be extra careful to not overstretch the stitch! Once you finish knitting I would suggest blocking the blanket, that will also give you a chance to re-distribute and even out the stitches. You can check out our Blocking tutorial, it is an excellent resource to use!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
I am starting to make this blanket but I am confused with the instructions. What does it mean when you refer to Yarn 2 or Yarn 1. For the stitch pattern: Row 1 is with Yarn 2 and row 3 is with Yarn 1? Please help.
Hi Marsha,
Thanks for writing in! Yarn 1 or yarn 2 refer to the color you are using since the blanket works with 2 colors per section. For example, in the first section, you are working with colors A and B. In our blanket that would be Color A: Heirloom White and Color B: Ice Pond. So for the stitch pattern, it is telling you how to work the rows, but further down in the pattern it will tell you what colors you are working on and when. So you start off by casting on with Color A (this would count as yarn 1) then you work the setup row also with yarn 1 before moving on to the “Stitch Pattern” then you will begin with the row 1 instructions, now working with Color B (this is yarn 2.)
I hope this clarifies things, happy knitting!
Gianna
My question is about preparing the yarn – “The easiest way to do this is to pull from both the inside and outside of the ball.” Any suggestions for how to do this? Can I use two balls of yarn and draw from each? Thank you!
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for reaching out! Since you are using 1 yarn doubled, it means you have 2 strands of the same color but are using it to work as a single strand. If you are making the throw size and have multiple skeins of each color you can certainly use two balls of the same color and draw from each. However, if you are making the crib size that only has one skein of some of the colors, you will need to use one strand from the outside of the ball and one strand from the inside of the ball to get two strands. To do this you will simply be pulling from both ends! If you are winding the balls by hand I recommend googling “How to wind a center-pull ball by hand”, there are some great youtube videos to show you how to do this so that you can still pull from the outside and inside! Alternatively, if you wind the balls on a swift you can simply reach into the center and pull the end go the yarn out to work with.
I hope this clears things up and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
I love this blanket but do not want to spend as much $$. Can you recommend a less expensive yarn? How much yarn will I need to make the throw size? (PS I really like using two strands together.)
Hi Camille,
Thanks for reaching out! I would recommend using Buttercup Cotton in place of Santolina, it is the same weight (fingering weight) so you will still use two strands together, it also has about the same yardage per skein (364 yards per skein) but is a bit less expensive! You will still need the same amount of yarn for the throw size, Color A: 2 skeins Color C: 4 skeins Color D: 4 skeins Color E: 2 skeins
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
When slipping the stitches do you slip as if to knit or purl?
Hi Mary,
Thanks for reaching out! You will slip all stitches purlwise!
happy knitting!
Gianna
I can’t figure out how to slip a stitch when I change colors in row one. I know how to join a new color when it’s a knit stitch, but I can’t make it work when the first stitch of a new color is a slip stitch. Can you clarify?
Thanks!
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for writing in! It may seem complicated but it is actually very easy, you are going to be joining the color just as you would if you were starting the row that way, but just instead, having the first stitch slipped! So you will slip the first stitch, and then simply knit the next stitch with your new color! I recommend checking out our tutorial Adding a Ball of Yarn, it is a great resource to use and will walk you through beginning with a new strand!
I hope this clears things up, happy knitting!
Gianna
Thank you! But just to clarify, I slip the first stitch that is already on the needle, yarn 1, then join the new color, yarn 2, at the second stitch which is a knit stitch. Do I have that right?
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for your response! Yes, that is correct!
Please let me know if you have any other questions, happy knitting!
Gianna
I have finished the first 9 1/2 inch section (using color A and B). I know I need to cut color A and do 4 rows of color B (doubled). I am confused about how to double color B. I would appreciate any guidance. Thank you.
Hi Maryanne,
Thanks for reaching out. In this section, you’ll use Color B for both Yarn 1 and Yarn 2! This means that you’ll be using 2 strands of Color B for Yarn 1 and another 2 strands of the same color for Yarn 2. The easiest way to hold two strands at once is to pull from both the inside and outside of the ball!
All the best,
Lili
I have another question, so in line 2 are you really then working with 4 strands of yarn. 2 of color A and 2 of color B? Then I don’t think 16 skeins is going to be enough for a throw?
Hi Marsha,
Thanks for reaching out! You are correct, you will be working with four strands of yarn at a time, 2 strands for Yarn A and 2 strands for Yarn B (the colors being held together will change, depending on which section you’re working on). As long as you’re working at the gauge called for in the pattern (20 stitches and 46 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern, with yarn doubled), then with 16 skeins you should have sufficient yarn to complete the throw size!
Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Warmly,
Kelsey
Hello,
I love the blanket knitted in Santolina, however, I am interested in using the yarn for either a summer top, perhaps a shawl or year round sweaters. Do you have any suggestions as to what Soho patterns this yarn might work well with?
Thank you,
Carolyn
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for reaching out! Santolina would be an excellent option for a summer top, shawl, or year-round sweater! Luckily we have lots of excellent patterns for fingering weight yarns. You can find out full selections of fingering weight garments here! I personally think that Santolina would be a perfect yarn for our Julie Hoover For Purl Soho: Gibson In Linen Quill or our lovely Contour Tee!
Also, if you are interested in the shawl/accessories side rather than garments you can find our selection of fingering weight scarves and wraps here!
Also, even though all these patterns work with fingering weight yarn, I do recommend starting off with a gauge swatch to ensure you are consistent prior to beginning!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions, happy knitting!
Gianna
Hi! I ordered the bundle for the throw size and just completed my gauge swatch. I tend to knit tightly, so it looks like I’ll need to increase the cast-on to around 255 stitches for the desired width. Do you think that the large bundle will have enough yarn to cast on that many stitches, or should I plan to order more? I recently knit the tonal blanket and similarly cast on more stitches than the pattern called for without needing to purchase additional yarn.
Hi Isabel,
Thanks for reaching out! I would actually suggest changing your needle size first and try to achieve the correct gauge rather than adjusting the cast on amount. I would also suggest checking out our wonderful tutorial All About Gauge, it is an excellent resource to use!
If you still can’t get gauge on a different needle size then you can make other adjustments, like adjusting the cast on.
I hope this clears things up, happy knitting!
Gianna
I am about 5 inches into this blanket and I love the way the right side looks. It is just beautiful but I do not like the way the wrongs side looks as it is kind of boring and definitely denotes a wrong and right side. I am asking if it is possible to make this blanket with the regular seed stitch using the same amount of yarn and needle size I want to continue to do the two strand deal as well. I recently made the big wool blanket and I would use that pattern.
Hi Camille,
Thanks for reaching out! You could certainly use seed stitch instead for this blanket! I would suggest starting off by working a gauge swatch with the two strands together on the same needle, from there you can calculate your cast on amount! I also think you should also have plenty of yarn to complete the blanket that way, but you can always order additional skeins to be safe, if you don’t end up using them you can return the yarn for store credit within 6 months as long as it is on original condition!
I hope this helps and please let us know how this turns out!
Gianna
Thank you so much for the info. It really does help. I’ll send you a photo when it’s done.
Hi! I’ve been really struggling with this pattern. Everytime I try, it ends up looking quite messy, not at all like a seed stitch or with the kind of clean pattern that seems to be depicted in the photos. Instead, it’s quite bulky. I’ve tried taking this apart and starting over four or five times now, but I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. Help!
Hi Heather,
Thanks for reaching out! We are happy to help! You can send this information and a photo of your work to our customer service team at customerservice@purlsoho.com and they can help troubleshoot what may be happening from there!
Warmly,
Gianna
Beautiful!
Do you know how much the blanket will shrink after washing? I’m trying to decide on size.
Seriously beautiful!
Sheryl
Hi Sheryl,
Thanks for reaching out! I haven’t heard of anyone experiencing shrinking with Santolina, so you should be good to go! However if you want to be extra safe, you can work up a swatch and wash it as you would with the blanket and see if there is any shrinking that happens before you decide on the size!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Hello, I usually slip the first stitch of every row purlwise to create a tidy edge. Can I still do that for this pattern or would I need to add one or two stitches?
Hi Meghan,
Thanks for reaching out! You can add a slip stitch border if you would like, if you do I would recommend adding 2 more stitches. But be sure to watch out for the colorwork, with the border. I would actually recommend working a little swatch first with the slip stitch border to see if you like how it looks before starting the blanket!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Hi, I am finishing up the first block and have done 2 rows of color B. Row 3and 4 begin with a knit stitch. So on these 2 rows my first stitch will be grey instead of white. Is this correct? Thanks for the help. ME
Hi Mary,
Thanks for reaching out! Actually, for rows 1 and 2 you are using your color 2, and then for rows 3 and 4 you are working with color 1. If you are finishing the 1st section, yarn 1 would be color A (Heirloom White) and yarn 2 would be color B (Ice Pond), so when you finish rows 3 and 4 your first stitch should be white since you start both rows 3 and 4 with a k1 in color A.
I hope this clears things up!
Gianna
What are the planned dimensions of the throw size?
Hi Mindy,
Thanks for reaching out! The throw size is 42 inches wide x 56 inches long, you can find this information under the SIZE section of the pattern!
Warmly,
Gianna
I have finished the blanket and am ready to block it. Would you recommend wet blocking or steam? The blanket sheds a little and I’d like to reduce that. Any suggestions?
Hi Stevie,
Thanks for reaching out! I would suggest west blocking the blanket, For more tips on that please check out our wonderful Blocking tutorial! Blocking the finished blanket should help reduce some shedding!
Happy crafting!
Gianna
Hi there, I am about 8 inches into the crib size blanket and realise I have made a mistake several rows down. Is it possible to correct this by ‘laddering down’ or will I need to undo some rows?
Hi Fiona,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, due to the stitch pattern, you can’t easily ladder down to fix a mistake so it is much easier to undo a few rows to find the error!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
In the pattern, as you are directed to join the second color, it says that you should slip the first stitch. How do you slip a stitch as you are just joining a new color?
Hi Anne-Marie,
Thanks for writing in. When you join a new color on a row that begins with a slip stitch, you actually join the color on the second stitch of the row! Just slip the first stitch as you would normally, and then start using the second color to work the rest of the stitches. Hope this helps clarify the instruction!
All the best,
Lili
Great – that is what I had surmised from my Google search but wanted to make sure! Appreciate your response.
Hi there,
How many stitches are in the pattern so i can make it smaller? I thought it was only 2 but as i am casting on an odd number this cant be the case.
Hi Rachael,
Thanks for writing in! This pattern works over an odd number of stitches, so any odd number that you cast on will work. The reason that it’s an odd number is to make sure that the stitch pattern is symmetrical!
All the best,
Lili
I am having trouble with the part in between color changes where you use one color and work the 4 row pattern. I am slipping the stitches of the previous color and it is getting too tight. I am confused because at that point I am only knitting with one color but the Rows 1-4 Stitch Pattern refers to two colors. I would appreciate if you could explain exactly how to do the 1-4 pattern with one color. Thanks!
Hi Emily,
Thanks for reaching out. In this portion of the pattern, you can actually ignore the instructions to use two different colors! Just work through those rows as normal, but do not change colors. If you’re noticing that your knitting is getting too tight, then you may be slipping the wrong stitches on one of the rows. On Rows 1 and 2, you’ll slip the odd numbered stitches, and on Rows 3 and 4, you’ll be slipping the even numbered stitches! Hope this helps clarify things.
All the best,
Lili
When transitioning to a new color (knitting 4 rows w the same color) should all the stitches in rows 3 and 4 be the same color?
Hi Stacy,
That’s a great question! When you’re working those transition rows, all the stitches in rows 3 and 4 should be the same color. It sounds like you’re already on the right track so I hope the confirmation helps you move forward.
All the best,
Zha Zha
I’d like to use the doubled Santolina yarn for the super easy crib blanket. Would this bundle work for the garter stitch, same cast on, needle size, etc.? Thanks!
Hi Shari,
Thanks for reaching out. I think that’s a great idea, but I’m honestly not sure exactly how the two bundles would line up in those terms! I would start by knitting a gauge swatch in garter stitch with Santolina doubled to get a sense of the fabric it creates. 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 the nearest whole number. This way, you can create a blanket to any dimensions you’d like! Hope this helps.
All the best,
Lili
Im in love with this blankee. No kidding! Thank you Sir Jake. And everyone else equally. I keep think of your 2ply Twisted (I forgot the rest, u know what I mean.) I just finished a scarf w dbling the finger weight myself and it was no worries. I am saving for this bundle in the greens, my element us earth. Anyway wht do you think if the other yarn I spoke of? And can u tell me wht is the heaviest weight it comes in? Blessings.
Hi Sue,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m not actually sure what yarn you’re referring to! Can you specify the name of the yarn? Is it perhaps Linen Quill? I’ll keep an eye out for your reply!
All the best,
Lili
I have just finished this lovely blanket in a crib size. I feel it is very generous in size, and I was thinking of using one kit to make two smaller size “car seat” blankets. Would that work? What would the cast on # be and finished dimensions?
Thank You!
Hi Jane,
Thanks for writing in. I think that’s a great idea! I’d recommend making two blankets that are about 20 inches by 28 inches. The area of these will add up to the area of the full crib sized blanket, so they will take the same amount of yarn as one crib blanket! To make a blanket with these dimensions, you’ll need to cast on 99 stitches and knit with each color combination for 7 inches. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hi. I want to make this blanket, but bigger. About 50 by 75, give or take. Can you recommend how much extra yarn of what colors I should buy in order to add to each of the three color blocks proportionately?
Hi Helaine,
Thanks for reaching out. I can absolutely calculate that for you! You’ll need a total of 26 skeins of Santolina to make a blanket of that size, and here’s how that would break down in terms of the colors:
Color A: 4 skeins
Color B: 6 skeins
Color C: 6 skeins
Color D: 6 skeins
Color E: 4 skeins
I hope this helps you plan your project!
All the best,
Lili
Could you substitute Tulip Cotton in this project? If so, how many skeins would I need to make a blanket about 50 x 75?
Thanks,
Margene
Hi Margene,
Thanks for reaching out. You can absolutely use Tulip Cotton for this blanket, but you would need to hold just a single strand of yarn, because Tulip Cotton is already a worsted weight yarn! To make this pattern with the dimensions of 50 x 75 inches, you’ll need the following amounts of skeins:
Color A: 4 skeins
Color B: 8 skeins
Color C: 8 skeins
Color D: 8 skeins
Color E: 4 skeins
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
I’ve started the throw in Heirloom White and Purple Moor (thank you for helping me choose colors and quantities!), and I don’t plan to do the “four rows in one color” segments because that seems to be for transition and I’m using only two colors for the entire throw. Is that a good idea, or do those one-color rows serve an additional purpose?
A suggestion, if I may: A tutorial demonstrating how to begin the rows that call for slip 1 wyib and slip 1 wyif would be enormously helpful.
Hi Susan!
Thank you so much for your comment! These four rows in one color serve the purpose of helping to transition between the foreground and background colors, so I would recommend knitting them in this pattern when changing colors, but you are welcome to take them out when making a longer stripe! Since they are only four rows, the segment between color changes will not be too noticeable, if you are concerned about the transition between stripes. Each stripe will have a little “halo” effect, just like the blanket in our photos!
And thank you for letting us know which tutorials would be helpful! We will pass your feedback along to our team, but in the meantime, we can offer some help for these stitches here. This pattern states to slip all slip stitches purlwise, which means that you will insert your needle into these slip stitches as if to purl and slip them from your left needle to your right. Where you hold your yarn is just dependent on the row directions and likely plays nicely with the upcoming stitches, because the slipped stitches frame the grid pattern in this blanket from carrying the yarn in front of or behind the work!
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
Hello,
I’m interested in the Sand Drift Throw, but I see that the kit is out of stock. I’m wondering if I could make it with other Santolini colors, in particular I love the greens and blues. Would anyone be able to help me to select the colors (as long as they are available). Perhaps all Santolini yarns are out of stock right now. I appreciate your help. Thank you.
Hello,
Thanks for reaching out to us! Unfortunately, our Sand Drift Throw Bundles are out of stock and we don’t yet have a timeline for when they will be restocked, but please feel free to sign up to be notified when they are back in stock on the Sand Drift Bundle product page! You can select the colorway you want and add your email to the box before clicking “Apply”.
Our individual skeins of Santolina are fully stocked, besides the Sea Turtle color, which is low in stock, so you can put together all the yarn you need to complete this project! Here’s the link to Santolina!
Please let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Carly
I have the crib size bundle and would like to use up as much of the yarn as possible. Did you have much left over and if so about how many stitches/rows could I safely add?
Thank you so much for all your free patterns!
Hi Judy!
Thank you for your question! We had the equivalent of about a half skein of Santolina left over (192 yards) for the crib size, so you could safely add only a few rows at most to each section to use up this leftover yarn.
I hope this helps, and happy knitting!
All the best,
Margaret
I love this pattern and just ordered the yarn, do you have a video that shows how to do this stitch? I’m a newbie and want to make sure I do this process correctly.
Hi Janna,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m afraid that we do not have a video for this entire stitch pattern though! However, it only consists of knit stitches and slipped stitches, so I’d recommend getting comfortable with those individually first. Then, the pattern as a whole will definitely feel less daunting!
You could also consider signing up for 1-On-1 Project Help, where we’d be happy to demonstrate working this stitch over Zoom!
All the best,
Lili
I would like to make the throw longer, for a dorm throw, approximately 74”. Should I add a section? I’m going to do the blues, could you tell me how to accommodate the length I require? Thanks!
If I want to use Blue Sky organic cotton, using only 1strand, and make it appr. 74”, how much yarn would I require? Should I add a section (color)?
Hi Mindy,
Thanks for reaching out. I’d say that you would need 3 skeins of Worsted Cotton each for Colors A and E, and 4 skeins each for colors B, C, and D! To add the extra length, I’d recommend adding another section, and also increasing the distance you knit each section by about half an inch. Hope this helps you in planning your project!
All the best,
Lili
Hello! I am enjoying this pattern very much.
I am about 9 inches into the first 2 colors. I layed the work flat to measure and make sure all was on track. To my surprise ( and disappointment) the work measured 25.5 inches wide.
According to the pattern it should be 30 inches. I am not a tight knitter.
Please help. Thank you in advance.
Best, Lisa
Hi Lisa!
Thank you for your question! I suggest measuring your gauge from the knitting you have done so far to make sure it matches what is in the pattern (20 stitches and 46 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern, with yarn doubled). We have a full tutorial called All About Gauge which may be helpful for this process! While blocking might also help your blanket stretch to a wider measurement, I think checking your gauge would be the best way to see if perhaps a different size needle would do the trick, too!
I hope this is helpful!
All the best,
Margaret
Margaret,
Thank you for your response! I counted the stitches in a 4×4 square with the work I have done. I have 22 stitches per 4 inches (on needle) Which should be more than I need. I’m perplexed.
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for sharing your gauge! It sounds like you have a tighter tension, so to help offset this and create less stitches per inch, I suggest making a swatch with a larger needle to see how that changes your gauge. If you find that your gauge is closer to 20 stitches per 4 inches with a larger needle, it might be best to restart with a larger needle instead of changing needles midway through the blanket. Alternatively, you can aggressively block your blanket to help stretch it to the desired width, however I think swatching with a larger needle would be the best way to achieve the dimensions in this pattern!
I hope this helps, and please feel free to email us at customerservice@purlsoho.com if you would like some extra help with this!
All the best,
Margaret
Is there a special edging used on the crib blanket?
Hi Mary!
Thank you for your question! There is not a special edging used in this blanket because the slipped stitch pattern creates a clean, smooth edge. If you wanted to add a border to this blanket, though, I would suggest an Attached I-cord.
I hope this helps, and happy knitting!
All the best,
Margaret
Hello,
I’m having a bit of an issue getting gauge for this pattern (I’m quite a tight knitter). Using a 6.5mm needle I’m still only getting 23 stitches and 48 rows/4 inches. I’ve tried 8mm needles but the resulting fabric wasn’t very attractive. If I stick with 6.5 mm needles but cast on approximately 30 extra stitches to achieve the desired width (as well as knit extra rows to get the length) will I have enough yarn? I purchased the kit to make a throw. Thank you!
Hi Claire!
Thank you for your question. I think sticking with the gauge you are getting on 6.5mm needles and casting on 30 extra stitches to keep a 42″ wide blanket is a great plan! As for whether you will run out of yarn, you should have about 128 yards left over of each Color B, C, and D, however you will use up most of the yardage of Colors A and E, so I suggest getting an extra skein of Colors A and E at least. You can leave them unwound until you need them, and you are welcome to return any unused yarn in its original condition as well!
I hope this helps with your project planning!
All the best,
Margaret
Another pattern question about the 4 rows switching from yarn 1 (white) & 2 (ice blue) to 2 & 3( Juniper berry)! I’ve cut yarn 1, followed the pattern for rows 1 & 2. Starting row 3 & 4, and the “wrong” side is all bumpy. Should all the stitches on my needle be Yarn 2 (ice blue). Enjoying this knitting…. until now. What am I missing? Thank you
Hi Jennifer!
Thank you for your question! Yes, all the stitches on your needles during these four rows should be Ice Blue. These four transition rows function as a way for the foreground yarn to move to the background, so that it can be established as the background color by the time you incorporate the next foreground color! Using only one color while continuing this stitch pattern should maintain the established design in the pattern, though you may find it helpful to have another ball (or two!) of Ice Blue to pull from, as if it were Heirloom White, instead of pulling all four strands from the same ball of yarn.
I hope this helps, but please feel free to reach out to us at customerservice@purlsoho.com if you would like some additional help!
All the best,
Margaret
May I see a picture of the wrong side of this pattern showing how the yarn carries every two rows for the Heirloom white on the first section of the blanket? I have some rows that are doing a curved carry and some that are straight up. I am sure I have held the yarn differently when changing colors. I don’t know which way is correct. Thank you!
Hi Kathy,
I’ve just emailed you some photos that show the wrong side of this blanket pattern, so keep an eye out in your inbox for those! This stitch pattern is created through slipped stitches, so the longer bars of held-over yarn on the wrong side should always be going horizontally.
All the best,
Lili
I am interested in knitting the crib size blanket in tulip cotton as the Santalino is out of stock.
Will 2 skeins of colors A &E suffice or will I need 3 in light of the yardage differences?
I was planning on purchasing four skeins of colors B-C-D. Will that work?
Also are there any complaints about pilling with this yarn? (This for a miracle baby).
Thanks so much for your help.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for reaching out. Using Tulip Cotton is a great idea, and you would need to hold just a single strand of yarn, because Tulip Cotton is already a worsted weight yarn! That also makes calculating yardage a whole lot easier, fortunately. You will need 2 skeins each of colors A and E, and then 3 skeins each of colors B, C, and D.
We haven’t heard of any cases of pilling with this yarn!
All the best,
Lili
All of these blankets are beautiful. As a beginner, I would love to try a blanket. Do you have any pattern(s) you recommend? Thank you.
Hi Lindsey,
Thanks for reaching out! I’d say that our best blanket pattern for a beginner would be our Super Easy Baby Blanket. This pattern is a great introduction to the knit stitch, as well as knitting in stripes!
All the best,
Lili
Hi there. I’ve just finished the blue version of the crib blanket, and was delighted to confirm that the yarn is machine washable and dryable. My only concern is whether or not the dyes might bleed? It was a fun–but also very LONG–knit, so would love to know your experience with how fast the dyes are before throwing it in the washer? Also, how much shrinkable have you experienced with this yarn when putting it through the dryer? And what settings would you recommend for both washing and drying?
Hi Barbarina,
Thanks for reaching out! We have not had any experience of the dye bleeding in this yarn. However, if you’d like to double check before throwing it in the washing machine, you can submerge a small amount of each color in a glass of water. Leave the yarn to soak for a few hours, and then check to see if the water is still clear. If it is, then you’re good to go! If not, then I’d recommend putting a color catcher in with the blanket for the first few times you wash it. This would soak up any excess dye, preventing any bleeding in the future!
We also haven’t experienced much shrinkage, but that’s another thing you can test out! If you knit a swatch and measure its dimensions before and after washing and drying it as you would the actual blanket, you can measure exactly how the length and width change. This will give you a precise ratio of shrinkage for your full blanket!
Finally, we recommend machine washing this yarn on the cold temperature and tumble drying it on low. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
I’ve made several attempts to bind off; once as the pattern states, then I tried a regular bind off, then a regular bind off using a smaller needle (8). All of them resulted in a curly, lumpy edge.
Please advise!
Hi Eileen,
I’m so sorry to hear that your bind-off isn’t turning out as expected! Would you be able to send a photo of your in-pattern bind-off to customerservice@purlsoho.com? That way, we’ll be able to visualize exactly what’s going on and give you more specific advice!
All the best,
Lili
Hello, I plan to make this as a house warming present for a friend. Her home’s color palette includes a bit of gold. I’m thinking I’d like to include one (or two) double stranded rows of Golden Pollen at each color change transition row, and frame the whole throw with Golden Pollen using a single crochet stitch. I hope what I’m describing is making sense. Can you help me figure out how many skeins of the Golden Pollen I need to purchase?
Hi Gita,
You’ll probably only need 1 skein to do what you’re describing, although you might end up needing 2. I’d recommend purchasing 2 just in case, and I wanted to mention that we accept returns of skeins in their original condition. So if you purchase 2 skeins, I’d recommend only winding each one until you’re certain you need to use it. That way, you can return the 2nd one for store credit if you don’t end up using it!
All the best,
Lili
I am 3/4 + done with my crib blanket and absolutely love it. (Hopefully the baby will not notice my many mistakes!) I bought extra yarn, planning to make a matching pouch/bag that will be knitted in the round. Can you please help me figure out what to do with the Stitch Pattern rows that would normally be be the wrong side (Rows 2 & 4) so I can make sure that the pouch/bag has the same pattern as the blanket? Also, any suggestions on how to decrease stitches in pattern as I decrease to create the bottom of the pouch/bag? Lastly, can you suggest a baby hat pattern that I could follow using this same yarn and stitch pattern?
Thanks so very much!
Hi Joyce,
Thanks for reaching out, and I’m glad that you’re enjoying the Sand Drift Blanket pattern so much! To work this stitch pattern in the round, all you need to do is switch the “slip 1 wyif” to “slip 1 wyib” and switch the knit stitches to purl stitches on Rows 2 and 4.
Unfortunately don’t have any existing patterns to help with your ideas, but we recommend the following to help you get started modifying with the sand drift pattern:
Dumpling Bag
Essential Hat
You can use these patterns as a base for your modifications, and I also highly recommend swatching your ideas for the sand drift pattern first to see how things turn out!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you so much for your helpful response. Your instructions are so clear, and kind of what I thought they would be. Looking forward to creating these accessories to my Sandrift blanket.
With gratitude,
Joyce
Love this blanket and the blues! I’m making the crib size for my new grandson. I wish it didn’t have a ‘right’ side and a ‘wrong’ side… are there any stitch patterns that would give me the same look on both sides? I really like the ‘right’ side look.
Hi Bonnie,
Thanks for reaching out! There are indeed a number of stitches that look the same on both sides. Garter stitch, seed stitch, and double seed stitch are some that come to mind immediately, and these are all great stitches for a blanket! The one thing is that you wouldn’t be able to create the same gradient that this blanket design features. But I hope this helps you consider all your options!
All the best,
Lili
I am knitting this blanket for my baby nephew! I don’t understand knitting with two colors. For example, in the pattern it says to “join color B” what does that mean? And “cut color A.” How do I do that?
Do you have tutorials on how to knit using two colors?
Thank you!
Hi Maddie,
Thanks for your question! Unfortunately, we don’t have a video with this specific technique but I think I can help you out here. When the pattern indicates to Join a new color, you will simply begin knitting with that color being sure to leave a 6″ tail to weave in later. When the pattern says to ‘cut’ a new color, it is indicating that you are done with that color for now so you can cut it, also leaving a 6″ tail.
I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any other questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella