Our Fair + Square Blanket turns knitting’s inherent grid structure into a playground of shapes and colors and a fanfare of whimsy!

Fair + Square Blanket, Knit Version | Purl Soho

Since knitting isn’t the only game in town, we also hooked up a crocheted version of our Fair + Square Blanket. Equally winning, you can get that free pattern right here. We’re sorry ahead of time if you knit and crochet, because we didn’t know how to choose one over the other either!

Fair + Square Blanket, Knit Version | Purl Soho

The knit Fair + Square Blanket is constructed square by square, knitting each one in the round and decreasing to its center. Happily, you’re not left with a pile of squares to sew together at the end but, instead, build your blanket by picking up and knitting into an adjacent square (or squares). The anticipation of knitting each square’s little story makes this a super fun and satisfying knit!

Fair + Square Blanket, Knit Version | Purl Soho

But the most charming part of all? These colors like a big field of wild flowers! Credit for that goes to our wonderfully soft and persistently cheerful Morning, a machine washable mix of organically grown cotton and yak. Pick up all the Morning you need with a Fair + Square Blanket Bundle (no longer available), available in sizes Small or Large Throw, and in this Full-Spectrum Palette or in a Four-Color Palette (which uses the same pattern but requires less yarn).

Fair + Square Blanket, Knit Version | Purl Soho

UPDATE: NOW A WASHCLOTH IN TULIP COTTON

JUNE 2023

Fair + Square Blanket, Knit Version | Purl Soho

It turns out the clever construction of the Fair + Square Blanket squares makes for a fun, easy, and quick washcloth! We chose our lovely Tulip Cotton for our free Fair + Square Washcloth pattern. Thick and plush, quick to knit and wonderfully soft, its 100% Turkish cotton is a long-staple fiber, which is extra strong, very smooth, and grows softer with age and wear… A winning match for handknit washcloths!

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, #PurlSohoFairAndSquareBlanket and #PurlSohoMorning. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

Full-Spectrum Palette

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To knit your own Crib (Throw) size blanket, you will need (NOTE: the Fair + Square Blanket Bundles are no longer available)…

  • 22 (27) skeins of Purl Soho’s Morning, 75% organically grown cotton and 25% yak. Each skein is 191 yards. (NOTE: Winter Pink is no longer available)
    • Main Color: 7 (12) skeins of Heirloom White; approximately 1,295 (2,292) yards required
    • Color A: 1 skein of Winter Pink; approximately 42 (74) yards required
    • Color B: 1 skein of Purple Allium; approximately 26 (46) yards required
    • Color C: 1 skein of Pink Radish; approximately 53 (94) yards required
    • Color D: 1 skein of Pink Lemonade; approximately 57 (101) yards required
    • Color E: 1 skein of Sweet Apricot; approximately 40 (71) yards required
    • Color F: 1 skein of Yellow Apple; approximately 55 (97) yards required
    • Color G: 1 skein of Cucumber Ice; approximately 49 (87) yards required
    • Color H: 1 skein of Tender Green; approximately 38 (67) yards required
    • Color I: 1 skein of Araucana Blue; approximately 31 (55) yards required
    • Color J: 1 skein of Fresh Sky; approximately 57 (101) yards required
    • Color K: 1 skein of Dungarees Blue; approximately 30 (53) yards required
    • Color L: 1 skein of Blue Morning Glory; approximately 23 (41) yards required
    • Color M: 1 skein of Mountain Purple; approximately 40 (71) yards required
    • Color N: 1 skein of Stone Cottage; approximately 38 (67) yards required
    • Color O: 1 skein of Grassland Gray; approximately 36 (64) yards required

Four-Color Palettes

Another option is to make a Small or Large Throw blanket using fewer skeins and just four contrast colors. You will need…

  • 11 (18) skeins of Purl Soho’s Morning, 75% organically grown cotton and 25% yak. Each skein is 191 yards.

We love these three cheery palettes…

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LEMONADE

  • Main Color: 7 (12) skeins of Heirloom White; approximately 1,295 (2,292) yards required
    • Color A: 1 (2) skein(s) of Yellow Apple; approximately 191 (338) yards required
    • Color B: 1 (2) skein(s) of Pink Radish; approximately 176 (312) yards required
    • Color C: 1 (1) skein of Pink Lemonade; approximately 93 (165) yards required
    • Color D: 1 (1) skein of Sweet Apricot; approximately 104 (184) yards required

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POOL

  • Main Color: 7 (12) skeins of Heirloom White; approximately 1,295 (2,292) yards required
    • Color A: 1 (2) skein(s) of Fresh Sky; approximately 191 (338) yards required
    • Color B: 1 (2) skein(s) of Araucana Blue; approximately 176 (312) yards required
    • Color C: 1 (1) skein of Cucumber Ice; approximately 93 (165) yards required
    • Color D: 1 (1) skein of Tender Green; approximately 104 (184) yards required

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HYACINTH

  • Main Color: 7 (12) skeins of Heirloom White; approximately 1,295 (2,292) yards required
    • Color A: 1 (2) skein(s) of Purple Allium; approximately 191 (338) yards required
    • Color B: 1 (2) skein(s) of Mountain Purple; approximately 176 (312) yards required
    • Color C: 1 (1) skein of Dungarees Blue; approximately 93 (165) yards required
    • Color D: 1 (1) skein of Blue Morning Glory; approximately 104 (184) yards required

You will also need…

Gauge

20 stitches and 40 rounds = 4 inches in garter stitch

Dimensions of individual square for Small Throw: 6 x 6 inches (see Basic Square, below, and cast on 120 stitches)

Dimensions of individual square for Large Throw: 8 x 8 inches (see Basic Square, below, and cast on 160 stitches)

Sizes

Small Throw (Large Throw)

Finished Dimensions: 30 inches wide x 42 inches long (40 inches wide x 56 inches long)

Notes

Basic Square

Cast on number of stitches instructed in pattern.

Place unique marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Round 1: *K30 (40), place marker, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 2: Purl to end of round.

Round 3: [Slip slip knit (ssk), knit to 2 stitches before next marker, knit 2 together (k2tog), slip marker (sm)] 4 times. [8 stitches decreased]

Small Throw Only

Rounds 4-27: Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 twelve more times. [16 stitches remain]

Round 28: [Ssk, k2tog] 4 times. [8 stitches remain]

Large Throw Only

Rounds 4-37: Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 seventeen more times. [16 stitches remain]

Round 38: [Ssk, k2tog] 4 times. [8 stitches remain]

Both Sizes

Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail, and thread tail onto a tapestry needle. Sew tail through remaining stitches.

Pull taut and bring tail to back of Square to weave in.

Schematics

Full-Spectrum Palette Schematic

Fair + Square Blanket, Knit Version | Purl Soho

Want to see it bigger? Here’s a PDF

Four-Color Schematic

NOTE: Follow the pattern as written, but instead of using the contrast colors indicated in the pattern, refer to the schematic below for which colors to use in which squares.

Fair + Square Blanket, Knit Version | Purl Soho

Want to see it bigger? Here’s a PDF

Pattern

NOTE: Refer to the Schematics, above, for a visual reference to the following instructions, and if making 4-Color Blanket, use Schematic to determine which contrast color to use throughout pattern.

Row 1

Square 1A

With Main Color (MC), cast on 120 (160) stitches. We used a Long Tail Cast On.

**Continuing with MC, work Rounds 1-20 (1-26) of Basic Square (see Notes). [48 (64) stitches remain]

Cut MC. Join Color K.

With Color K, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 21 (27).  

Square 1B

With MC, cast on 90 (120) stitches.

With right side facing you, pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along an edge of Square 1A. [120 (160) stitches]

**Continuing with MC, work from beginning of Basic Square instructions through Round 8 (12). [96 (120) stitches remain]

Cut MC. Join Color D.

With Color D, work Rounds 9-14 (13-20) of Basic Square. [72 (88) stitches remain]

Cut Color D. Join MC.

With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 15 (21). 

Square 1C

With MC, cast on 90 (120) stitches.

With right side facing you and Square 1A at the bottom, pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 1B. [120 (160) stitches]

**Continuing with MC, work from beginning of Basic Square instructions through Round 12 (18). [80 (96) stitches remain]

Cut MC. Join Color M.

With Color M, work Rounds 13-20 (19-26) of Basic Square. [48 (64) stitches remain]

Cut Color M. Join MC.

With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 21 (27).

Square 1D

With MC, cast on 90 (120) stitches.

With the right side facing you and Square 1A at the bottom, pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along the top edge of Square 1C. [120 (160) stitches]

**Continuing with MC, work from beginning of Basic Square instructions through Round 12 (18). [80 (96) stitches remain]

Cut MC. Join Color A.

With Color A, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 13 (19).

Square 1E

With MC, cast on 90 (120) stitches.

With the right side facing you and Square 1A at the bottom, pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along the top edge of Square 1D. [120 (160) stitches]

**Continuing with MC, work from beginning of Basic Square instructions through Round 8 (12). [96 (120) stitches remain]

Cut MC. Join Color C.

With Color C, work Rounds 9-24 (13-32) of Basic Square. [32 (40) stitches remain]

Cut Color C. Join MC.

With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 25 (33).

Row 2

Square 2A

With MC, cast on 90 (120) stitches.

With right side facing you and Row 1 oriented horizontally with Square 1A on the right-hand side, pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 1A. [120 (160) stitches]

**Continuing with MC, work from beginning of Basic Square instructions through Round 8 (12). [96 (120) stitches remain]

Cut MC. Join Color F.

With Color F, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 9 (13).

Square 2B

With MC, cast on 60 (80) stitches.

With right side facing you and Row 1 oriented vertically with Square 2A at the bottom, pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 2A. [90 (120) stitches]

Turn piece 90 degrees counter-clockwise so that Row 1 is oriented horizontally, then pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 1B. [120 (160) stitches]

**Continuing with MC, work from beginning of Basic Square instructions through Round 20 (26). [48 (64) stitches remain]

Cut MC. Join Color C.

With Color C, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 21 (27).

Square 2C

With MC, cast on 60 (80) stitches.

With right side facing you and Row 1 oriented vertically with Square 2A at the bottom, pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 2B. [90 (120) stitches]

Turn piece 90 degrees counter-clockwise so that Row 1 is oriented horizontally, then pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 1C. [120 (160) stitches]

**Continuing with MC, work from beginning of Basic Square instructions through Round 6 (10). [104 (128) stitches remain]

Cut MC. Join Color E.

With Color E, work Rounds 7-12 (11-18) of Basic Square. [80 (96) stitches remain]

Cut Color E. Join MC.

With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 13 (19).

Square 2D

With Color H, cast on 60 (80) stitches.

With right side facing you and Row 1 oriented vertically with Square 2A at the bottom, pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 2C. [90 (120) stitches]

Turn piece 90 degrees counter-clockwise so that Row 1 is oriented horizontally, then pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 1D. [120 (160) stitches]

**Continuing with Color H, work from beginning of Basic Square instructions through Round 6 (10). [104 (128) stitches remain]

Cut Color H. Join MC.

With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 7 (11).

Square 2E

With MC, cast on 60 (80) stitches.

With right side facing you and Row 1 oriented vertically with Square 2A at the bottom, pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 2D.

Turn piece 90 degrees counter-clockwise so that Row 1 is oriented horizontally, then pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 1E.

Continuing with MC, work from beginning of Basic Square instructions through Round 20 (26). [48 (64) stitches remain]

Cut MC. Join Color J.

With Color J, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 21 (27).

Row 3

Square 3A

With MC, cast on 90 (120) stitches.

With right side facing you and piece oriented horizontally with column A on the right, pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 2A. [120 (160) stitches]

**Continuing with MC, work from beginning of Basic Square instructions through Round 12 (18). [80 (96) stitches remain]

Cut MC. Join Color E.

With Color E, work Rounds 13-24 (19-32) of Basic Square. [32 (40) stitches remain]

Cut Color E. Join MC.

With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 25 (33).

Square 3B

With Color J, cast on 60 (80) stitches.

With right side facing you and piece vertically with column A at the bottom, pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 3A. [90 (120) stitches]

Turn piece 90 degrees counter-clockwise so that piece is oriented horizontally, then pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 2B. [120 (160) stitches]

Work from ** of Square 2D, using Color J as contrast color.

Square 3C

With MC, cast on 60 (80) stitches.

With right side facing you and piece vertically with column A at the bottom, pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 3B. [90 (120) stitches]

Turn piece 90 degrees counter-clockwise so that piece is oriented horizontally, then pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 2C. [120 (160) stitches]

Work from ** of Square 1D, using color G as contrast color.

Square 3D

With MC, cast on 60 (80) stitches.

With right side facing you and piece vertically with column A at the bottom, pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 3C. [90 (120) stitches]

Turn piece 90 degrees counter-clockwise so that piece is oriented horizontally, then pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 2D. [120 (160) stitches]

Work from ** of Square 1B, using color L as contrast color.

Square 3E

With MC, cast on 60 (80) stitches.

With right side facing you and piece vertically with column A at the bottom, pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 3D. [90 (120) stitches]

Turn piece 90 degrees counter-clockwise so that piece is oriented horizontally, then pick up and knit 30 (40) stitches along top edge of Square 2E. [120 (160) stitches]

Work from ** of Square 1D, using color N as contrast color.

Row 4

Square 4A

With MC, cast on and pick up as for Square 3A, now picking up along edge of Square 3A.

Work from ** of Square 1A, using color O as contrast color.

Square 4B

With MC, cast on and pick up as for Square 3B, now picking up along edges of Squares 4A and 3B.

Work from ** of Square 1D, using color B as contrast color.

Square 4C

With MC, cast on and pick up as established.

Work from ** of Square 3A, using color I as contrast color.

Square 4D

With MC, cast on and pick up as established.

Work from ** of Square 1A, using color F as contrast color.

Square 4E

With Color D, cast on and pick up as established.

Work from ** of Square 2D, using Color D as contrast color.

Row 5

Square 5A

With MC, cast on as established for first Square of the row.

Work from ** of Square 1D, using Color D as contrast color.

Square 5B

With MC, cast on and pick up as established.

Work from ** of Square 1B, using color H as contrast color.

Square 5C

With MC, cast on and pick up as established.

Work from ** of Square 1A, using color L as contrast color.

Square 5D

With MC, cast on and pick up as established.

Work from ** of Square 2A, using color O as contrast color.

Square 5E

With MC, cast on and pick up as established.

Work from ** of Square 1E, using color M as contrast color.

Row 6

Square 6A

With Color A, cast on as established for first Square of the row.

Work from ** of Square 2D, using Color A as contrast color.

Square 6B

With MC, cast on and pick up as established.

Work from ** of Square 1A, using color B as contrast color.

Square 6C

With MC, cast on and pick up as established.

Continuing with MC, work from beginning of Basic Square instructions through Round 6 (10). [104 (128) stitches remain]

Cut MC. Join Color J.

With Color J, work Rounds 7-20 (11-26) of Basic Square. [48 (64) stitches remain]

Cut Color J. Join MC.

With MC, finish Basic Square, starting with Round 21 (27).

Square 6D

With MC, cast on and pick up as established.

Work from ** of Square 1D, using color K as contrast color.

Square 6E

With MC, cast on and pick up as established.

Work from ** of Square 1A, using color E as contrast color.

Row 7

Square 7A

With MC, cast on as established for first Square of the row.

Work from ** of Square 2A, using Color G as contrast color.

Square 7B

With MC, cast on and pick up as established.

Work from ** of Square 1C, using color N as contrast color.

Square 7C

With Color F, cast on and pick up as established.

Work from ** of Square 2D, using color F as contrast color.

Square 7D

With MC, cast on and pick up as established.

Work from ** of Square 3A, using color C as contrast color.

Square 7E

With MC, cast on and pick up as established.

Work from ** of Square 1B, using color I as contrast color.

Finish

Weave in all the ends and wet block. All done!

Fair + Square Blanket, Knit Version | Purl Soho
Fair + Square Blanket, Knit Version | Purl Soho