Arbor Blanket
It’s easy to imagine sweet honeysuckle or bountiful wisteria climbing the trellis of our Arbor Blanket. In such a reverie, every stitch feels like a seed!
And in fact, it is. In a variation of the classic Diamond Brocade stitch, intersecting lines of seed stitch form an on-the-bias grid, both striking in its clarity and delicate in its grace.
A timeless beauty, the Arbor Blanket demands a yarn notable for its stitch definition and its durability (this blanket is going to be around for a while, after all!), and our Cotton Pure fits the bill! One hundred percent organically grown cotton, it is super soft, machine washable, and absolutely lovely.
One Cotton Pure On A Cone is all you need. Choose from twenty lovely colors, then cast on to spend some quality time dreaming about climbing vines, garden paths, and pure cotton goodness!
UPDATE: NOW A WRAP IN KNITTING YARN
SEPTEMBER 2022
This blanket is also a wrap! Our Arbor Wrap is knit up in our Knitting Yarn, a 100% merino wool from New Zealand. Soft and sturdy, it has a pleasant toothiness, a squishy feel, and a wonderfully even hand. It comes in twenty gently heathered colors that add a beautiful depth to the wrap version of this pattern. So, pick your favorite color and cast on!
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, #PurlSohoArborBlanket, and #PurlSohoCottonPure We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
To make one Throw size or two Crib size blankets, you’ll need…
- 1 Cotton Pure On A Cone, 100% organically grown cotton. Each cone is approximately 2,789 yards/ 1 kg; approximately 1,116 (2,647) yards required. We used the color Moonflower Blue for the Crib size and Heirloom White for the Throw.
- US 3 (3.25 mm), 32- or 40-inch circular needles
PLEASE NOTE: If you want to make just one Crib Blanket, you’ll need 4 skeins of Purl Soho’s Cotton Pure. Or if you want to make the Throw but prefer skeins, you’ll need 10.
Gauge
22 stitches and 37 rows = 4 inches in brocade stitch
24 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Sizes
Crib (Throw)
Finished Dimensions: 29¾ inches wide x 36 inches long (40½ inches wide x 56 inches long)
Notes
Stitch Multiple
This pattern works over a multiple of 12 + 7 stitches.
Pattern
Cast on 163 (223) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Repeat Rows 1–12 from either the Written Instructions or Chart Instructions, below, 27 (40) times, or until piece measures approximately 36 (56) inches from cast-on edge. Then proceed to Bind Off section.
Written Instructions
Set-Up Row (wrong side): [K1, p1] 2 times, *k1, p9, k1, p1, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k1, p1, k1.
Row 1 (right side): K3, *p1, k1, p1, k7, p1, k1, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, p1, k3.
Row 2 (wrong side): K1, p3, *k1, p1, k1, p5, [k1, p1] 2 times, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p2, k1.
Row 3: K3, *k2, p1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1, k1, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 4: K1, p3, *p2, [k1, p1] 4 times, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p2, k1.
Row 5: K3, *k4, [p1, k1] 3 times, k2, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 6: K1, p3, *p4, k1, p1, k1, p5, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p2, k1.
Row 7: Repeat Row 5.
Row 8: Repeat Row 4.
Row 9: Repeat Row 3.
Row 10: Repeat Row 2.
Row 11: Repeat Row 1.
Row 12: [K1, p1] 2 times, *k1, p9, k1, p1, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k1, p1, k1.
Chart Instructions
Start in the bottom left corner of the Chart (see below) and work Set-Up Row on the wrong-side. Then work right-side (odd numbered) rows from right to left and wrong-side (even numbered) rows from left to right.
Chart
Key
(Want to see it bigger? Click here and view the chart as a PDF!)
Bind Off
Bind-Off Row (right side): K2, pass first stitch over, k1, pass first stitch over, *[p1, pass first stitch over, k1, pass first stitch over] 2 times, [k1, pass first stitch over] 6 times, p1, pass first stitch over, k1, pass first stitch over, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, p1, pass first stitch over, [k1, pass first stitch over] 3 times. Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitch.
Weave in the ends and wet block.
I just downloaded the ARBOR BLANKET pattern, this is a magnificently beautiful pattern. It says the pattern works over 12+7 stitches,how the pattern works how many repeats would I need to do if I cast on 288+7 stitches. I seen that some parts of the pattern are in brackets and need to be repeated so many times. Can you please let me know how those repeats would work over the 288+7 stitches. Your understanding and help is incredibly important for me. Thank you for your time and understanding! Magdalena
Hi Magdalena,
Thanks for reaching out! As long as you are working over the 12 + 7 multiple the pattern will work, and you can follow each row repeating the repeats until you reach the end of the row! So 288 + 7 (295 total) will work perfectly.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Would one cone be enough to knit this size of a throw?
Hi Ann,
Thanks for reaching out! You can find this information in the MATERIALS section, for this pattern you only need one cone to make either one Throw size or two Crib size blankets!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hi
For newbies, I need just one cone?
What does set up row mean?
Thanks
Shelley
Hi Shelley,
Thanks for reaching out! You are correct, to complete 1 Throw sized blanket or 2 Crib sized blankets you will need just one Cotton Pure Cone! The Set-Up Row is the row that you will work immediately after you cast on for the blanket. This row is worked only once and is used to set up the stitch pattern used in the 12-row repeat that you will follow for the rest of the blanket.
I hope this helps clarify things for you, and please let us know if you have any questions!
Warmly,
Kelsey
Could this pattern work in repeats of 24, to make the trellis pattern larger?
Hi Ellen,
Thanks for reaching out! That is a great question! We haven’t tried this out for ourselves but I think it should work fine!
If you try this, please let us know how it turns out, happy knitting!
Gianna
This beautiful, of course. Any suggestions on a slightly heavier yarn & larger needles? Those 3s are tricky!
Hi Chermia,
Thanks for reaching out! You could certainly use another yarn for this pattern, I would suggest using Morning (US 5 or 6 needle) or Campo (US 7 or 9 needle)
Just be sure to work a gauge swatch prior to beginning to determine your cast on, and keep in mind that the pattern only works over a multiple of 12 + 7 stitches!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
This is worked with a multiple of 12 + 7 stitches?
Hi Liz,
Yes, that’s correct! If you wanted to adjust the size of the Arbor blanket, then you’d just need to make sure to cast on any multiple of 12 and then add 7 more stitches to stay in line with the pattern as written. I hope this helps, and please let us know if you have any other questions!
Warmly,
Kelsey
I just purchased the yarn to make this blanket and can’t wait for it to arrive. Can you tell me how long of a tail I should use for the throw size (223 stitches)? This would very helpful.
Hi Fran,
Thanks for reaching out! We recommend using Long Tail Cast On, and a trick we always recommend to detriment the tail for this cast-on is to, first measure out a length of yarn 3½ times the width of what you plan to make. So for a 6-inch wide scarf, measure out approximately 21 inches of yarn, and at that point, make a loop. So for the throw size of this blanket, I would suggest using 142″ or 3.9 yards (40 1/2 x 3 1/2 = 141.75)
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Self-taught/still learning knitter here, I’ve noted to keep a tail 3.5x the width of my work from this post from now on. But why do we do that?
Hi Ashley,
Thanks for writing in! It looks like Gianna suggested that length for a tail when doing a long tail cast-on. This is because, when working that cast-on, you use up a good portion of the tail making the stitches. For other purposes, you definitely don’t need this long a tail! But it is important to have that much extra yarn for the long tail cast-on in particular. Hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Lili
How many skeins of Campo to make the throw size blanket ?
Hi Janet,
Thanks for reaching out! To make this blanket in Campo I would suggest 11-12 skeins! Just be sure to work a gauge swatch prior to beginning with an appropriately sized needle to calculate your gauge and cast on number, and keep in mind that the pattern works over a multiple of 12 + 7 stitches!
Warmly,
Gianna
Just got my yarn and I’m ready to knit! Made a sample swatch, and I’m concerned about the stretchiness of the cast on and cast off. Is there another cast-on you would recommend? German twist or cable cast on, perhaps?
Hi Margrethe,
Thanks for reaching out! Long Tail Cast On and a Basic Bind Off should be totally fine for this blanket, you can even use one size larger needle to cast on and bind off if you would like. But if you would like, you could certainly try a different cast-on method!
Warmly,
Gianna
Does this blanket hold its shape? It looks kind of flimsy. I am worried it will get all stretched out?
Thanks
Chris
Hi Cris,
Thanks for reaching out! This blanket actually holds its shape pretty well, and it is a bit denser than you would expect! So far I have not heard of any issues with Cotton Pure stretching out, so I would not be too concerned about that.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Hello, I am considering making this in a twin size. Could you help me figure out the pattern changes I would need to use? This is in Cotton Pure.
Thank you,
Canadian Knitter
Hi Canadian Knitter,
Thanks for reaching out! Luckily this pattern is very easy to adjust! Typically a twin-size blanket is about 66 inches x 90 inches, so If your gauge is consistent with the pattern (22 stitches and 37 rows = 4 inches in brocade stitch) I would suggest casting on 367 stitches, keeping in mind the stitch multiple of 12 + 7 to maintain the pattern (12 x 30 + 7 = 367.)
From there you can follow the pattern as written until you reach 90″ or your desired length!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Thank you!!!
I’m thinking of making this pattern as a shawl out of fingering weight yarn. I was wondering about using 12-15 repeats with a perhaps a US 4 needle. I have approximately 1100 yards of a lovely variegated yarn that I was hoping to use. What do you think? Thanks
Hi Angela,
Thanks for reaching out! I think this stitch pattern would look beautiful as a wrap with fingering weight yarn! I think 1100 yards should be good, and I would suggest starting off by working a gauge swatch with the US 4 needle, from there you can determine your cast on. Just be sure to keep in mind that the stitch pattern works over a multiple of 12 + 7 stitches!
I hope this helps and please let me know how this turns out!
Gianna
My nephew wants me to knit him a king size blanket. Would it be feasible with this pattern? I’m not sure if that many stitches will fit on circular stitches?
I’ve made several of your blankets and just adore them!
Thank you?
Linda
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reaching out! I think you could certainly knit this pattern in a king-size blanket, just be sure to keep in mind that this pattern works over a multiple of 12 + 7 stitches! I think it should fit on 60″ circular needles but I just found out that Skacel Addi is making larger than 60″ circular needles! We don’t carry them here at the moment but you should be able to find them on Skacel Addi’s website!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
Hello! To make this in a crib size with Morning, how many skeins would you recommend? And would you say that Morning is “squishier” than Cotton Pure?
Thanks!
Hi Eda,
Thanks for reaching out! Morning would be a great option for this blanket, it is a bit more squishy than Cotton Pure and it is a bit of a heavier weight yarn so it will knit up pretty quick! However, since it is a heavier weight yarn you will need to start off by working a gauge swatch to calculate your stitches per inch to determine how to adjust the cast on, just be sure to keep in mind that this pattern works over a multiple of 12 + 7 stitches. Also, for the crib size of the pattern, you will need approximately 1,116 yards, so you will need 6 skeins of Morning to complete this blanket!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
This is a lovely pattern….other than cotton or cotton/wool blend is there a softer fiber that will still clearly shown the pattern and keep the shape?
Hi Andrea and Marie,
Thanks for writing in, and thanks for your kind words. I think Wigeon could be exactly what you’re looking for! Wigeon is 100% merino, which means it’s super soft, and it is a sturdy yarn with wonderful stitch definition. Hope this recommendation helps!
All the best,
Lili
Can you bind this throw by using just a typical bind off and not follow the intricate bind off pattern as written.
Hi Helene,
Thanks for writing in! You can certainly do a typical bind-off for this blanket. However, I find that when binding off a stitch pattern like this one with knits and purls, a typical knit-only bind-off tends to create an edge that can look “stretched out.”
I also want to try to clarify the bind-off for this pattern, because it’s not actually as complicated as it looks! The bind-off is actually just Row 1 of the stitch pattern, but you bind off every stitch as you go! Since it’s just Row 1, I would recommend reading it off the chart instead of the written instructions, because I feel that the chart is easier to understand. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Can I knit this in wool and larger?
Hi Gail,
Thanks for reaching out! You can certainly use wool for this blanket, as well as make it larger! The yarn we used is a sport weight, so any other sport weight yarn would work wonderfully without requiring any gauge adjustments to the pattern. I think a yarn like Good Wool would be lovely! As for making it larger, if your gauge is consistent with the pattern you can adjust your cast on based on the stitch multiple. This pattern works over a multiple of 12 + 7 stitches!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
This beautiful blanket pattern is just what I’ve been looking for! I’ve read the comments, questions and answers with reference to “Arbor” and now have a question of my own. Wigeon was suggested as an alternative yarn…what needle size would I use…number of skeins…if using Wigeon to knit a crib size blanket? I love the parakeet blue color! Many thanks…
Hi Kay Ellen,
Thank you for your question! We’re so happy that you’re a fan of the Arbor Blanket and can’t wait for you to cast one on! This blanket would look absolutely stunning in Wigeon. Even though they’re both classified as sportweights, I believe Wigeon is slightly thinner than Cotton Pure and comes in at 5.75-6.25 stitches per inch, while Cotton Pure comes in at 5.5-6 stitches per inch.
Because of this difference, I would highly recommend doing a gauge swatch and wet blocking your swatch to make sure that you’re getting the same gauge as in the pattern. We have a guide on swatching called All About Gauge, which I’ve linked here in case you might be interested!
I would suggest trying out a 3.75mm needle first, since Wigeon is a tad thinner. If you’re not getting gauge, I’d play around with the needle size and your yarn tension until you’re able to get the 22 stitches and 37 rows = 4 inches in brocade stitch and 24 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch that’s listed in the pattern. And for a crib size blanket, I would recommend 4 skeins of Wigeon.
I hope this was helpful! Have a great day!
All the best,
Cat
Hello! This is such a beautiful blanket. I’m about 74K stitches into the larger size blanket and I’m starting to think about the washing process. The care instructions say machine washing in cold water with a tumble dry on the low setting is safe. How much shrinkage should I expect? Is regular detergent (e.g. Tide, Cheer, etc.) okay to use? Thanks in advance. This is a gift I’m making for my sister-in-law for Christmas. I hope she likes it!
Hi Christie,
Thanks for writing in, and I’m happy to hear that you’ve gotten so far in the Arbor Blanket! You can absolutely use any detergent when washing it, and it shouldn’t shrink at all.
All the best,
Lili
This pattern is so lovely. I’d love to knit this up for a friend of mine who is having a baby. Could you recommend another yarn that isn’t cotton and is machine washable?
Thanks,
Dawn
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, we don’t have any machine-washable yarns other than Cotton Pure at this gauge (sport weight.) If you feel comfortable regauging the pattern for a lighter-weight yarn and a smaller needle, I would then suggest using our lovely yarn Posy! It is a blend of 75% superwash merino, 15% cashmere, and 10% nylon, so it is super soft, machine washable, and yet durable with the added 10% nylon making it the perfect option for a baby blanket! Luckily Posy is on the thicker side for a fingering weight yarn, so you may be able to use the US 3 needle and follow the pattern as written. However, I do recommend starting off by working a gauge swatch to determine if it is consistent with the pattern or if you need to go down in needle size to achieve the correct gauge.
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
Hello! Thank you for the beautiful pattern! I want to do an i-cord edging which I plan to add once the blanket is done (I want it to be a different color). Should I do something different with the first and last couple of stitches on each row in this pattern, or is it okay to follow as written?
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for reaching out. You can absolutely knit an i-cord edging around this blanket without changing up the instructions at all! Just so you know, the first and last stitch of each row are both knit, so the edges as they are without an i-cord are essentially garter stitch. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hello, The pattern is pretty.
I was wondering how many stitches do I need to cast on for making a wrap. Will 4 skeins of yarn be enough?
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for reaching out. Could you let me know what specific dimensions you’re hoping to knit your wrap to? The yardage and number of skeins will depend on that, and I can absolutely calculate it for you, but I’d just need to know the dimensions!
Thanks,
Lili
Hi Lili,
Can I substitute “Line Weight” for the cotton pure?
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for reaching out! Line Weight is a fingering weight yarn and Cotton Pure is a sport weight, because of this Line Weight will be quite a bit thinner, but you can certainly adjust the needle size and gauge to use it for this pattern! I would suggest starting off by working a gauge swatch with Line Weight on an appropriately sized needle (for Line Weight we recommend a US 1 – 4) since we used a US 3 for Cotton Pure I would recommend a US 1 or 2. From there you can compare your gauge to the gauge of the pattern, and determine your cast on amount. Just be sure to keep in mind that this blanket pattern works over a multiple of 12 + 7 stitches.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Beautiful pattern! I was wondering if the edges roll when completed. I sometimes do a seedstich “frame” to prevent this. Do you think this would be warranted?
Thank you so much!
Hi Patricia,
Thanks for reaching out. I’ve knit this blanket myself, and I can say that while the edges roll slightly, it’s very insignificant compared to the overall size of the blanket! But if you’d like to eliminate the roll completely, a seed stitch border would work great, and I think it would look very nice. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hey Patricia! I, too, am a dedicated “framer” when it comes to blankets, towels, washcloths, etc… Just adds a polished elegance!
For this beautiful blanket I added 10 sts when casting on (233 total) so each edge is 5 seed stitches starting with a knit stitch. After long tail cast on, I worked 6 rows in seed stitch and then proceeded on next row (WS) with set-up row. This gives approximately the same width for cast-on edge and 2 lengthwise edges!
I’ve never knitted from a cone and there’s a lot of yarn on Cotton Pure on a Cone. Should I pull the yarn from the inside or the outside of the cone when I’m knitting? It’s a beginner’s question and I don’t want to start wrong. Thanks very much for your reply.
Hi Suzi,
Thanks for reaching out. The way the cones are constructed, you will only be able to pull from the outside! The other end of the yarn is sandwiched very tightly inside, against the cardboard, so it would be very difficult to access and use. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Please use mm reflect sizes as it is difficult for the rest of the world to understand sinsce everywhere but USA use mm needle sizes. I fought the change at first but realized how less complicated my needlework supplies have become.
Thank you for considering my request in a positive manner
Marilyn in Canada
Hi Marilyn,
Thanks for reaching out. It looks like we noted the mm size for our recommended needles in parentheses right beside the US size! For this pattern, we recommend: US 3 (3.25 mm) needles. We know that we have many customers living internationally for whom having metric needle measurements is very important!
All the best,
Lili
I am confused about the amount of yarn needed. I just want to make the crib size and it mentions 1 cone and in another spot in the instructions it says 4 cones?? Can you please clarify? Is this a nice size baby blanket?
Hi Roberta,
Thanks for writing in. To make 1 crib size blanket, you will need 4 skeins (not cones) of Cotton Pure! I hope this helps clear things up.
All the best,
Lili
Beautiful blanket. I would like to add a seed stitch border on a 34 X 42 baby blanket (After blocking). What size should the border be and what should the overall stitch count be?
The blanket is for a Florida baby so I am thinking cotton, but is pure cotton soft like moreno wool or would you recommend something else?
I appreciate your advice.
Hi Fran,
Thanks for writing out. I’d be happy to help you figure out how to add a border to a blanket! However, I’ll need a bit more information on your project before I can give accurate advice. Stitch count depends on your gauge, which you’ll only be able to figure out once you choose a yarn, so I’d suggest beginning with that. Cotton Pure is a great choice, as it’s an extremely soft yarn! It has a different texture than merino wool, but we use it for baby blankets all the time, and it’s lightweight and cool, so perfect for Florida weather. Hope this helps get you started!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you. I I wanted to make a 34 X 42 inch blanket, including a seed stitch border. Would Line Weight yarn work well with this pattern?
If yes, how much yarn should I purchase?
For the correct proportion, how many inches should the border be?
I appreciate your expert advice.
Will this blanket have enough substance with Line weight yarn? Should I knit with two strands? If yes what needle size would I need and how much yarn would I need?
Sorry, for the repetitive posts, I keep coming up with questions – I so miss being able to go to your store in Manhattan!
Is this blanket reversible?
Hi Fran,
I think that Line Weight would be perfect for this blanket! Holding it double will definitely give you a thicker blanket, but I think it will still be super warm and cozy if you hold just one strand. If you choose to hold the yarn double, you can use whichever needle size gives you the fabric texture you like the most. I’m thinking that a size 5, 6, or 7 might be nice, but I would suggest doing some swatching to figure out your favorite!
Since you’re altering the weight of the yarn, which subsequently alters the gauge, it’s actually quite hard for me to give you an accurate estimate of how much yarn you’ll need. You will definitely need at least 4 skeins of Line Weight to make a 34- by 42-inch blanket, but I’d recommend playing it safe and ordering 5 or 6 skeins. If you only wind each skein once you’re absolutely sure you’re going to use it, you can return the unused ones back to us for store credit!
The width of the seed stitch border can be anything you’d like! I’m thinking that 2 inches might be nice? But it’s completely up to you! To figure out your cast-on number, you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in pattern. Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by 34 minus the width of the border doubled and cast on the nearest multiple of 12 + 7 stitches, plus a few stitches for each border (this number is also based on your gauge). Then you can follow the pattern as written, with the addition of the seed stitch at the borders!
In answer to your final question, this stich pattern is not reversible. The wrong side of the blanket is mainly purl bumps. I hope this helps you in planning your project!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you for all the advice. I appreciate it.
Since you indicate the blanket will have plenty of substance with a single strand of Line Weight I think I will do that. I believe the 5/6 skeins you recommend above is if I use the yarn doubled.
How much yarn should I get if I’m using a single strand of Line Weight to create a
34 X 42 blanket?
Hi Fran,
5 or 6 skeins will also be enough to knit a blanket of that size with a single strand as well!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you for your help.
What do the brackets mean?
Hi Lois,
Thanks for reaching out. The brackets indicate to work the instructions within brackets as many times as directed! You can read more about brackets and other knitting abbreviations and terms on this page. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
I just received my Cone of Cotton and am feeling intimidated!
I am planning to make a blanket and wondered if you could give me pros and cons of attempting either the Arbor or Shifting Angles pattern. The patterns seem straight forward but I might be fantasizing!
Thanks
Hi Lois,
Thanks for writing in! Both of these projects are pretty straight-forward, and they’re great projects for Cotton Pure on a Cone. I’d say that the written instructions of the Shifting Angles Blanket is easier to follow than the written pattern for the Arbor Blanket. But the Arbor Blanket has the benefit of coming with charted instructions as well, which are useful for many knitters! I’ve actually knit the Arbor Blanket myself and found the charted instructions very clear.
I hope this helps, and we’re always here to answer any questions you might have along the way!
All the best,
Lili
Hi there,
I’ve just started knitting this as a throw. As I’m knitting with Cotton pure on a cone for the first time, I just wanted to know if this yarn fills after washing and blocking? I find that my seed stitch looks a hole-y in some places and just wondered if the yarn would fill this once washed. Many thanks.
Hi Tarika,
Thanks for writing in! We’ve found that Cotton Pure shrinks a bit and softens in the wash, so the stitch texture will definitely become a bit more dense. That should minimize the holes you’re noticing!
All the best,
Lili
I’m nearly finished with my Arbor blanket and have a question about blocking. I see you recommend wet blocking; I’d then use pins and rods. Will a steam iron (not touching the fabric) leave a less desirable effect? I know it shrinks a bit in the wash, but is that after a gentle cycle machine wash, or is that after some light time in the dryer? I’m hoping that the blocking will take care of some of the tiny “holes” as well as straightening up the edges so they’re more crisp. (I’ve been toting the project along and stuffing it into my bag, so it’s really taken some abuse and held up beautifully. )
Hi Kelly,
Thank you for your question! We recommend either spray blocking (laying it on a flat surface and spraying it with water) or wet blocking (soaking it in water and laying it flat to air dry). If you opt to wet block the blanket, a good tip is to put it in a pillowcase before placing it in the water to soak so that the entire project can be removed from the water without stretching, and the excess water can be gently pressed out before laying it flat to dry. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Thank you Gavriella. Great tip!