Coziest Blanket Ever
A golden ray of warmth for the icy days ahead, our Coziest Blanket Ever is cozier than cozy. It’s the coziest!
We knit this blanket in garter stitch and on the bias, which means you cast on only three stitches (you’re welcome!). Using simple increases, then decreases, to create a rectangle, the result is an extra stretchy covering whose corners reach over errant elbows and toes!
The over-the-top cushy warmth of this blanket is all due to our gorgeous Fiddlehead. One hundred percent alpaca, it is similar to a bouclé but with curly waves of roving along the central threads, rather than in loops.
All those curls mean that this yarn is wonderfully fluffy knit up, but also as light as air… Perfect when you’re making such a generous swath of fabric!
Fiddlehead comes in nine beautifully marled colors, so pick up six skeins for a crib-sized blanket, or thirteen for a throw, and cast on!
Designed for Purl Soho by Hiromi Glover.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoCoziestBlanketEver, and #PurlSohoFiddlehead. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 6 (13) skeins of Purl Soho’s Fiddlehead, 100% alpaca. Each skein is 65 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 380 (830) yards required. We used the color Black-Eyed Susan.
- US 11 (8 mm), 47-inch circular needles
- A removable stitch marker or scrap yarn
NOTE: If you’re knitting the Throw size, you may not need the 13th skein (we used about half of the 12th skein for our sample). We recommend leaving your last skein unwound so you can return it if you don’t need it after all! Check out our full Return Policy here.
GAUGE
9 stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch
SIZES
Crib (Throw)
Finished Dimensions: 30 inches wide x 36 inches long (38 inches wide x 54 inches long)
Sample: We knit the Throw size.
PATTERN
BEGIN + INCREASE
Using a basic Long Tail Cast On, cast on 3 stitches.
Row 1 (right side): Knit front and back (kfb), k1, kfb. [5 stitches]
Mark right side of fabric with scrap yarn or removeable stitch marker.
Row 2 (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Row 3: K1, kfb, knit to last two stitches, kfb, k1. [2 stitches increased]
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 forty-seven (57) more times, ending with Row 3. [101 (121) stitches; piece measures approximately 31 (37½) inches along selvage from cast-on point]
Repeat Row 2 one more time.
CONTINUE
Row 1 (right side): K1, kfb, knit to last three stitches, knit 2 together (k2tog), k1.
Row 2 (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures approximately 36 (54) inches along selvage from cast-on point, ending with Row 2.
CONTINUE + DECREASE
Row 1 (right side): K1, slip slip knit (ssk), knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1. [2 stitches decreased]
Row 2 (wrong side): Knit to end of row.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 5 stitches remain, ending with Row 2.
Next Row (right side): Ssk, k1, k2tog. [3 stitches remain]
With wrong side facing you, bind off knitwise.
FINISHING
Weave in the ends and spray block, if desired.
I have worked with this yarn and it’s so soft, but a little difficult determining stitch definition. I’m a little hesitant about knitting a corner-to-corner pattern with this yarn. But I’m sold on the idea of a blanket with this yarn!
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for writing in! Since Fiddlehead is so fluffy, it will have less stitch definition than more tightly plied yarns but its sheer softness is pure joy! We hope you’ll give this blanket pattern a try!
All the best,
Cat
Oh I love the yarn and definitely will purchase, but my heart is set on white. Will you honor the sales price when it’s re-stocked?
Hi Kathleen,
I’m afraid that we won’t be able to get Heirloom White back in stock until fall 2023. We’re so sorry for the delay and are anxious to see it back too!
If that’s not too late for you, we’d recommend signing up to be notified when it returns by going to the product page, selecting Heirloom White, and entering your email address. This way, you’ll be the first to know!
But we know how disappointing it can be to miss a sale due to an item being out of stock and would be happy to honor the latest offering on the website! When this yarn comes back in stock, just reach out to customerservice@purlsoho.com, and we can go from there!
All the best,
Lili
I just started knitting my coziest throw and am wondering the best way to join the yarn. I am doing plain garter stitch and not knitting on the bias.
Thank you
Hi Terri,
Thanks for reaching out! For this yarn, I’d recommend leaving the yarn ends as they are until you finish the blanket. Then, you can weave them in to secure them. Because of the busy texture of Fiddlehead, the ends will be virtually unnoticeable once you weave them in!
All the best,
Lili
Thanks so much for the speedy reply. I just finished the first skein so great timing!!! Happy Holidays!!! You know what I’ll be knitting for my week off next week.
Gorgeous blanket! How many skeins would you say for a 50 inch x 70 inch throw?
Hi Em!
To make the blanket measuring 50 x 70 inches, you would need 19 skeins of Fiddlehead. Let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Cat
If I made a 50×70 blanket, how many stitches would I need to increase to?
Hi Natasha,
Thanks for your question! If you’d like to knit this blanket like a rectangle rather than on the diagonal, then you would cast on 113 stitches to make the width 50″ and then knit until the length is 70″. If you’re knitting it on the bias, then you would just do the “Begin + Increase” section until your work measures about 50″ and then move onto the “Continue” section and work that until your blanket is 70″. Then you would work the rest of the pattern as written. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
Is the Fiddlehead color “River Stone” black & grey? It looks in some photos to have a lavender or dark navy blue hue instead of black and grey. Thank you!
Hi Em,
River Stone is a marled mix of navy and a lavender-toned gray. I’d say it’s an equal mix of navy and gray, but the navy does tend to stand out more. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
What would be the pattern if I wanted to use this yarn for a rectangular throw and how many skiens would be needed?
Thank you!
Hi Gloria,
Thanks for your question! To knit the throw size (38 x 54″) as a rectangle rather than diagonally with increases and decreases, you can cast on 86 stitches rather than 3 and just work back and forth in garter stitch until your blanket measures the length that you’d like. The number of skeins that you’d need would stay the same and be 13 skeins. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
I would like to knit this beautiful blanket in Northern Spruce, as I already have 2 skeins. If I purchase additional skeins when Northern Spruce becomes available, will the sale price still be honoured? Thanks
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for writing in! Yes, we’d be happy to honor the sale price of Northern Spruce when it’s back in stock. Please reach out to customerservice@purlsoho.com about that when you place your order in the future. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
Why don’t you think this yarn would work in just garter stitch, without the increase and decrease?
Hi Janice,
Thanks for writing in! This yarn would work great in garter stitch knit flat like a rectangle! You could certainly make the blanket that way if you prefer and would just need to cast on 68 stitches for the crib size and 86 for the throw size. Let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Cat
This looks like a great blanket but I am curious why it’s knit on the diagonal. It seems much more difficult and fiddley. Can it be knit straight across and get a similar effect and dimensions?
Hi Marcia,
Thanks for reaching out! I find when knitting large projects like blankets on the diagonal, it’s really nice to not have too many stitches on the needles for a good portion of the project, which makes it easier on the hands. It’s also exciting to see the rectangular shape emerge from the initial triangle through the increases and decreases! Still, project construction is definitely up to preference, so this blanket can for sure be knit straight across and will still have all the cloud-like softness and coziness! I hope you’ll give it a try! Let us know if any other questions come to mind.
All the best,
Cat
Would love a wrap from this yarn. Would the crib blanket work or can you recommend a wrap pattern for Fiddlehead?
Hi Sydney,
This blanket would be so cozy and amazing as a wrap! To make a wrap with the dimensions of 15 x 68″, you would cast on 34 stitches and knit in garter stitch to that length or your preferred length. And the number of skeins used in the crib blanket (6 skeins) would work for a wrap of this size. If you’d like to adjust the width, feel free to change the number of CO stitches! The gauge for this pattern is 9 stitches and 18 rows = 4″ in garter stitch, which is 2.25 stitches per inch, so you would just need to multiply the number of inches for the width by 2.25 to get the CO number. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
I didn’t see anywhere about how to wash this yarn? Is it machine washable?
Hi Lois,
Thanks for reaching out! Fiddlehead is not machine washable and is hand wash, lay flat to dry only. Let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Cat
Hi, I really like the idea of the larger size mentioned above (50 x 70) but don’t know how to alter the pattern to accommodate that. So I’m think it might be easier to just do it in garter stitch. Could you tell me how many stitches would need to be cast on for that size. I understand I would need 19 skeins of the wool. Many thanks!
Hi Regina,
Thanks for your question! To make the throw 50″ in width, you would cast on 113 stitches since the gauge for this pattern is 2.25 stitches per inch. You could definitely do this blanket in garter stitch and it’ll be every bit as fluffy and wonderful!
All the best,
Cat
Would this look ok with 3 different colours? With Either multiple Stripes or just colour blocking?
Hi Laura,
I think a striped version of this blanket would look fantastic! You can check out our Colorful Corner Blanket In Tulip Cotton Blanket (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2022/03/10/colorful-corner-blanket-in-tulip-cotton/) which has a similar construction to get an idea of how the stripes would look going diagonally. If you’d prefer to knit the blanket flat as a rectangle, the stripes would be horizontal instead. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
Is there a way I can get / buy a pdf version of this pattern?
Hi Brandi,
To save or print a PDF of the pattern, you can click “Print” on the right side of the pattern page and then “PDF” towards the top of the window that appears. After clicking PDF, a box will appear with a green button that says “Download your PDF.” Click that and the PDF should save to your computer! You can also adjust the size of the page size by clicking on “Letter,” which will give you the option to stay with “Letter” or switch to A4 size paper. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
Thank you so much Cat, I really appreciate your prompt response!!
Brandi B.
Hi Brandi,
No problem at all, I’m so happy to help! Hope you have a great rest of your day!
All the best,
Cat
Sooo lovely!! I have only 900 grms of this yarn! Could this project work by increasing until I use half of my yardage and then start decreasing??? Thanks in advance!
Hi Gabriela,
Thanks for writing in! We’re so happy you’re a fan of the pattern! I don’t think halving your yardage would work unfortunately because that doesn’t leave much yardage for binding off, which typically takes a fair amount of yarn. With 900g of Fiddlehead, or 9 skeins, you could make a blanket in between the crib size and the throw size that measures about 45″ x 54″. You would just need to follow the pattern until your bottom width reaches around 45″ and then start decreasing after that point. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
Hello! Do you have any blanket pattern suggestions to use two colors of fiddlehead? I love the burnt orange and mustard colors. I’m not sure if stripping the blanket or stripping in multiple inches would look great. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thank you,
Meredith
Hi Meredith,
Thanks for your comment! I think this blanket would look incredibly cool with striping! To get a sense for how the stripes would look on the bias, you can take a look at our Colorful Corner Blanket In Tulip Cotton Blanket (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2022/03/10/colorful-corner-blanket-in-tulip-cotton/) which has a similar construction. Horizontal stripes would look awesome as well! You could do 3 skeins of each color for the crib size and then 6 skeins and 7 skeins of each color for the throw size if you’re making a blanket with 2 colors. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
Thank you!
Hi Meredith,
No problem at all, I’m glad I could help!
All the best,
Cat
Hello! Can you make this same throw crocheted instead? And recommendations on how to do so. Thank you so much!
Hi Sol,
Thanks for your question! We don’t have a crochet pattern featuring Fiddlehead yet, but you could certainly try making a crochet blanket with this yarn! We recommend a US L or M/N (8 or 9 mm) crochet hook with Fiddlehead. You could first knit a test swatch with either of these hooks to get the sense of your gauge and then chain the amount of stitches needed for the width of your project based on that. Hope this helps, and let us know if you give crocheting this blanket a try!
All the best,
Cat
Hello,
My question is: if knitting the large throw, what size needles do I need? And I think I’d like to knit it straight across, so how many stitches to cast on, please.
Wish you weren’t out of the darker colors, but I’m sure the white would work with any room.
Thank you for your help,
Ginny
Hi Ginny,
Thanks for reaching out! For this blanket, we recommend using US 11 (8 mm), 47-inch circular needles. And if you’re planning to knit the Throw size of the blanket starting from the shorter edge (top or bottom), I’d recommend casting on either 85 or 86 stitches. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
I think I’d like to make this throw in a bulky rather than a super bulky yarn. Can you help me determine how much yarn I’d need if I use something that is approx 100gm/130 yards?
thanks
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for writing in! If you’d like to make the throw blanket in a bulky yarn, I’d estimate that you would need about 11 skeins based on the yarn that you’re thinking of working with. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Cat
Can this be knit up as a car seat blanket 24x 30 or somewhere around that size? Is it just knitting the pattern until it measures 30 in then starting decreases?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Sara,
Thanks for reaching out. You have essentially the right idea! You’ll work the INCREASE section until the selvages reach 24 inches, then work the CONTINUE section until the longer edge reaches 30 inches, and then you can move onto the DECREASE section. This will make a rectangular blanket with dimensions of 24 x 30 inches. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hi — I’m currently working on this throw in the gray color and love it so much that I’d like to do another in the heirloom white.
But, yikes! I just read that you anticipate it being unavailable until Fall 2023!
Is there another yarn you can suggest that would have the same boucle look and squishy feel?
Thanks!
Janice
Hi Janice,
Thanks for writing in! We’re now hoping to reorder this yarn sooner (it’s been a big hit!), so our estimate is now to have it back by April.
In the meantime though, I’m afraid that we do not have a yarn that’s quite like Fiddlehead. You could use Super Soft Merino for this pattern, since it’s also a chunky/bulky weight yarn, but that’s not going to give you the same boucle look. But it will be super soft (hence the name) and squishy!
All the best,
Lili
Just received my Fiddlehead shipment and I am ready to CO for larger-than-throw size of this blanket. What kind of a “join” would you recommend for this yarn? (I am normally a spit splicer with wool!)
Thank you!
Hi Lydia,
Thanks for reaching out! For this yarn, I’d recommend leaving the yarn ends as they are until you finish the blanket. Then, you can weave them in to secure them. Because of the busy texture of Fiddlehead, the ends will be virtually unnoticeable once you weave them in!
All the best,
Lili
How many skeins would you recommend for a baby blanket? What dimensions? Thank you so much. I just love your yarn.
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for reaching out. We actually have a Crib size of this blanket, so you can follow the instructions for that! You’ll need 6 skeins of Fiddlehead, and the dimensions are 30 inches by 36 inches.
All the best,
Lili
Can Fiddlehead be spit spliced?
Hi Margene,
That’s a great question! While Fiddlehead can definitely be spit spliced, I would not recommend doing so. Spit splicing creates a small felted area at the join, and I think that that will contrast too much with the boucle texture of this yarn and end up being way more noticeable than it’s intended to be.
For this yarn, I’d recommend leaving the yarn ends as they are until you finish the blanket. Then, you can weave them in to secure them. Because of the busy texture of Fiddlehead, the ends will be virtually unnoticeable once you weave them in!
All the best,
Lili
I am knitting the smaller blanket and have gotten to my 101 stitches.
In the “Continue” section of the instructions, why do we increase one at the start of the row, only to decrease one at the end? Could we not just knit our 101 stitches for 5” before commencing the “Continue- decrease”? I am a bit perplexed.
Thanks very much!
Hi Missy,
Thanks for reaching out. The reason that you’ll need to increase at one end and decrease at the other is because you’re knitting on the bias. When you’re knitting on the bias, the rows are slanted, so increasing and decreasing like this ensures that the blanket becomes rectangular in shape! If you just knit every row without the increase and decrease, then the blanket would be a diamond. Hope this helps you envision this!
All the best,
Lili
You might have already answered this but I am still confused? Unsure of what to do next. I have been knitting this throw on the bias but, but because I wanted it bigger I kept going for 5-7 rows longer when increasing. Now I am knitting the “continue” part and need to measure it. My problem is: how to measure. You say in directions to measure along selvage but aren’t both sides considered selvage? If so, at this point one side is shorter than the other. Help! I am afraid I have made a terrible mistake! This is the first time I have knitted by increasing from e stitches, or on the bias.
Thank you. Your answers are always helpful and kind to all of us ask them.
Hi Caroline,
When measuring along the selvedge in the CONTINUE section, you’ll need to measure the edge that begins at the cast-on point, which is the longer edge! This will be the full length of the blanket. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili