Color Wash Blanket in New Colors
Our Color Wash Blanket is like a window onto a glorious landscape, with Linen Quill’s lush world of color washing over you.
Our Color Wash Blanket Bundles have all the yarn you need to knit this blanket pulling two strands of Linen Quill together. This makes your finished piece extra cozy, but it also means that you can create really beautiful marled colors that slowly fade into new combinations, evoking moments in nature like an evening sky, a tidal cove, or a morning fog rolling in.
You begin your blanket by knitting the center panel, with sections of the “window pane” at the top and bottom and a cascade of color in the middle. After the center panel is complete, you pick up stitches on each side to finish the frame.
And it’s all in satisfying garter stitch, making this your next pick-up-your-needles-to-relax knit. But the anticipation and joy of changing colors will also make it your next don’t-wanna-put-it-down knit!
Fifty percent fine highland wool, 35% alpaca, and 15% linen, Linen Quill has a natural fascination that comes from the way these fibers absorb dye differently. The depth of color and complexity of the fiber content work together to bring tremendous dimension to your Color Wash Blanket. It shimmers and glows, it vibrates and breathes… It sparks your imagination and takes you places!
You can choose from a whopping 20 super-inspiring Color Wash Blanket Bundles, each with its own color story and each available in small and large throw sizes. We knit up little swatches of each one so you can decide which window view you want to create…
Maybe choose the Bronze Patina Color Wash Blanket Bundle (above). Like rays of sun shining across a crystal pool, the golden yellows of Linen Quill’s palette contrast with its icy blues, both uplifting and grounding at the same time.
Or Sundown (below), which has all the mystery and comfort of the day’s end, with oranges fading against a dark sky.
Another option is strike out on your own and play with Linen Quill’s amazing 62-color palette. One of our Bundles or something you come up with yourself, our Color Wash Blanket is full of inspiration and beauty, with the promise of a truly rewarding knitting experience!
Zoom + Knit: Color Wash Blanket
A wonderful source of camaraderie, fun, and support, our Zoom + Knits are always a warm welcome! If you’re casting on our Color Wash Blanket, or just want a closer look at the project, our Color Wash Blanket Zoom + Knit video is a great resource. It’s full of demonstrations and encouragement, walking you through each step of knitting this gorgeous blanket so you can cast on with confidence!
Designed by Purl Soho founder and co-owner, Joelle Hoverson.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoColorWashBlanket, and #PurlSohoLinenQuill. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
Our Color Wash Blanket Bundles come in two sizes: Small (Large) Throw. They include…
- 8 (16) skeins of Purl Soho’s Linen Quill, 50% fine highland wool, 35% alpaca and 15% linen. Each skein is 439 yards/ 100 grams.
- Color A: 2 (4) skeins, approximately 765 (1725) yards required
- Color B: 2 (4) skeins, approximately 760 (1725) yards required
- Color C: 1 (1) skein, approximately 175 (390) yards required
- Color D: 1 (3) skein(s), approximately 439 (1150) yards required
- Color E: 1 (3) skein(s), approximately 439 (1040) yards required
- Color F: 1 (1) skein, approximately 225 (439) yards required
Samples: We used the palettes Bronze Patina, Lapis, Birthday Party, Golden Fig, and Sundown for our blankets.
Choose from 20 palettes! They are…
TOP ROW
Lime Tree- Color A: Fresh Nutmeg; Color B: Peach Stone; Color C: Clover Green; Color D: Bright Mint; Color E: Pale Celery; Color F: Lemon Lime
Strawberry Patch- Color A: Golden Green; Color B: Lemon Lime; Color C: Red Poppy; Color D: Sweet Potato; Color E: Super Orange; Color F: Peachy Pink
Winter Berry- Color A: Kiln Red; Color B: Red Poppy; Color C: Pale Oats; Color D: Wheat Flour; Color E: Pale Mushroom; Color F: Reed Gray
SECOND ROW
Succulent- Color A: Pale Celery; Color B: Bright Mint; Color C: Pale Oats; Color D: Honey Pink; Color E: Peony Pink; Color F: Rose Granite
Desert Rose- Color A: Rose Granite; Color B: Pale Mushroom; Color C: Peachy Pink; Color D: Peony Pink; Color E: Pale Celery; Color F: Bright Mint
Field Mouse- Color A: Peach Stone; Color B: Fresh Nutmeg; Color C: Raw Sienna; Color D: Baked Earth; Color E: Peony Pink; Color F: Honey Pink
THIRD ROW
Ocean Fog- Color A: Stonewall Gray; Color B: Reed Gray; Color C: True Turquoise; Color D: Vintage Celadon; Color E: Birds Egg Blue; Color F: Pale Oats
Sunfish- Color A: Twig Brown; Color B: Stonewall Gray; Color C: Vintage Celadon; Color D: Birds Egg Blue; Color E: Baked Earth; Color F: Butterscotch Yellow
Bronze Patina- Color A: Eggshell Blue; Color B: Birds Egg Blue; Color C: Raw Sienna; Color D: Butterscotch Yellow; Color E: Turmeric Yellow; Color F: Mustard Seed
FOURTH ROW
Morning Light- Color A: Rose Granite; Color B: Lavender Opal; Color C: Buttercup Yellow; Color D: Golden Wheat; Color E: Honey Pink; Color F: Pale Oats
Golden Fig- Color A: Raw Sienna; Color B: Turmeric Yellow; Color C: Magnolia Blossom; Color D: Crocus Bud; Color E: Honey Pink; Color F: Golden Wheat
Old Photo- Color A: Turmeric Yellow; Color B: Butterscotch Yellow; Color C: Twig Brown; Color D: Stonewall Gray; Color E: Pale Mushroom; Color F: Wheat Flour
FIFTH ROW
Silver Lupine- Color A: Rose Granite; Color B: Pale Mushroom; Color C: Magnolia Blossom; Color D: Crocus Bud; Color E: Purple Smoke; Color F: Lavender Opal
Wildflower- Color A: Crocus Bud; Color B: Purple Smoke; Color C: Red Poppy; Color D: Sweet Potato; Color E: Baked Earth; Color F: Peony Pink
Flamingo- Color A: Pink Pop; Color B: Magnolia Blossom; Color C: Bright Flamingo; Color D: Peachy Pink; Color E: Peony Pink; Color F: Baked Earth
BOTTOM ROW
Birthday Party- Color A: Cobalt Blue; Color B: Mountain Bluebird; Color C: Magnolia Blossom; Color D: Pink Pop; Color E: Peachy Pink; Color F: Bright Flamingo
Sundown- Color A: Dark Denim; Color B: Stillwater Blue; Color C: Lychee Pink; Color D: Super Orange; Color E: Peachy Pink; Color F: Oatmeal Gray
Nightfall- Color A: Kettle Black; Color B: Dark Denim; Color C: High Tide; Color D: Mountain Bluebird; Color E: Gray Denim; Color F: Salt + Pepper
NOT PICTURED
Lapis- Color A: Dark Denim; Color B: Stillwater Blue; Color C: Blue Pansy; Color D: Blue Blue; Color E: Cobalt Blue; Color F: Mountain Bluebird
Radish- Color A: Wheat Flour; Color B: Pale Mushroom; Color C: Rhubarb Pink; Color D: Pink Pop; Color E: Bright Flamingo; Color F: Kiln Red
You will also need…
- US 7 (4.5 mm), 32- or 40- inch circular needles
GAUGE
19 stitches and 38 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch, with yarn doubled
NOTE: The Small Throw uses just about the entire skeins of Colors D and E, and the Large Throw uses almost the entire skein of Color F. To be sure you have enough, we recommend swatching in other colors and checking your gauge, or consider ordering an extra skein. If you don’t end up needing it, you can return unwound yarn for a refund within 30 days of purchase, or within 6 months for store credit. Our Return Policy has all the details!
SIZES
Small (Large) Throw
Finished Dimensions: 32 inches wide x 39 inches long (48 inches wide x 58½ inches long)
Samples: All of our blankets are the Small Throw size.
NOTES
DOUBLE THE YARN
Throughout this pattern, you will pull two different-color strands together.
TURN + SLIDE
When you work the Two-Color Garter Stitch Pattern, you either “slide” or “turn” the work at the end of each row. This video shows you how!
For more help on this technique, visit our Turn + Slide Tutorial!
OLD COLORS + NEW COLORS
In this pattern, “Old Colors” are the two different-color strands of yarn you have been knitting with, and “New Colors” are the two different-color strands you’re going to knit with.
TWO-COLOR GARTER STITCH PATTERN
Set-Up Row (right side): With Old Colors, knit to end of row. Measure off 15 (25) yards of Old Colors, cut yarns and wind into a ball. Slide work (see Turn + Slide, above).
NOTE: The reason you make a ball of Old Colors is because you need to knit two more rows with them, but a ball of one of the colors needs to be available to use for the New Colors. This will be clear when you’re actually doing it!
Row 1 (right side): With New Colors, purl to end of row. Turn work (see Turn + Slide, above).
Row 2 (wrong side): With little ball of Old Colors, purl to end of row. Slide work.
Row 3 (wrong side): With New Colors, knit to end of row. Turn work.
Row 4: (right side): With little ball of Old Colors, knit to end of row. Slide work.
Repeat Rows 1–4.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2.
Cut Old Colors.
PATTERN
CENTER PANEL
BOTTOM BORDER
With one strand of Color A and one strand of Color B (see Notes, Double The Yarn), cast on 114 (172) stitches.
With Colors A and B, knit every row until piece measures 9 (13½) inches from cast-on edge, ending with a wrong-side row.
Cut Colors A and B.
COLOR WASH SECTION
With Colors C and D and starting with a right-side row, knit every row for 5 (7½) inches, ending with a wrong-side row.
Using Colors C and D as Old Colors and Colors D and E as New Colors, work Two-Color Garter Stitch Pattern (see Notes).
Continuing with Colors D and E, knit every row for 9 (13½) inches, ending with a wrong-side row.
Using Colors D and E as Old Colors and Colors D and F as New Colors, work Two-Color Garter Stitch Pattern.
Continuing with Colors D and F, knit every row for 1¼ (1¾) inches, ending with a wrong-side row.
Using Colors D and F as Old Colors and Colors E and F as New Colors, work Two-Color Garter Stitch Pattern.
Continuing with Colors E and F, knit every row until Color Wash Section measures 24 (36) inches, ending with a wrong-side row.
Cut Colors E and F.
TOP BORDER
With Colors A and B and starting with a right-side row, knit every row for 6 (9) inches, ending with a wrong-side row.
With right side facing you, bind off knitwise to finish Center Panel. Do not cut yarns.
LEFT SIDE PANEL
With right side facing you and bind-off edge at top, rotate blanket 90 degrees clockwise. With Colors A and B, pick up and knit one stitch between each garter ridge along selvage now at top. Be sure to pick up and knit first stitch between Center Panel bind off and first garter ridge and also last stitch between last garter ridge and Center Panel cast on.
NOTE: For assistance, please see our Picking Up Stitches Tutorial and scroll down to the section titled Along A Vertical Edge: Garter Stitch, Between Ridges.
Continuing with Colors A and B, knit every row for 4 (6) inches, ending with a wrong-side row.
With right side facing you, bind off knitwise. Cut Colors A and B.
RIGHT SIDE PANEL
With right side facing you and Center Panel bind off-edge at top, rotate blanket 90 degrees counter-clockwise. Joining Colors A and B, pick up and knit one stitch between each garter ridge along selvage now at top, starting at Center Panel cast-on edge corner. Be sure to pick up and knit first stitch between Center Panel cast on and first garter ridge and also last stitch between last garter ridge and Center Panel bind off.
Continuing with Colors A and B, knit every row for 4 (6) inches, ending with a wrong-side row.
With right side facing you, bind off knitwise.
Weave in ends and block as desired!
What a beautiful design! Is this yarn washable?
Thank you,
Beth
Hi Beth,
Thanks for writing in! We are so excited about this pattern as well! Our Linen Quill yarn used in this pattern is unfortunately not machine washable but you can check out all of our yarns that are machine washable here. I would also like to share that while some of our yarns are not machine washable, they are all indeed hand washable! I always like to refer to our How to Hand Wash a Sweater tutorial for my projects that can’t be machine laundered. Let us know if you need help choosing colors or further assistance along the way; we would be happy to help!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
What are the dimensions of the swatches? These would make a gorgeous throw.
Thank you, Nancy
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for writing in! We know those are such fun little swatches! These swatches are 5.25″ wide by 6.75″ tall.
Let us know if you have any more questions!
Happy making,
Gavriella
I am also drawn to the swatches! Could you give a few more details on how to make them? Number of stitches and rows?
Thanks!
Hi Kristie,
Thanks for writing in. You can create a swatch for the pattern by casting on approximately 24 stitches and knitting about 65 rows. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
I cast on this blanket, combining peach stone and rosewood pink for the frame (or side panels). I had both in stash already and wanted to use them.
Do you have any recommendations for colors in the middle panel? Thanks in advance!!
Hi Sara,
Thanks for writing in! Those colors sound sooo lovely together! What do you think about pairing them with Raw Siena and Turmeric Yellow? It could really be the most warm happy combination of colors!
Warmly,
Gavriella
Thank you! I’ll go with those!
Hi there,
I’m very excited to make this blanket, however, I would like to use a washable yarn. What yarn would you recommend I use? I love soft and cozy.
Hi Maureen,
Thank you for writing in! We are so happy to hear you will be making this blanket! I would recommend our Santolina yarn as a washable option for this pattern. Santolina is a blend of 70% organically grown cotton, 20% rayon from bamboo, 10% hemp making it wonderfully soft! Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
This design is so gorgeous. Reminds me of a Mark Rothko painting. I bought the Library Blanket bundle last fall, but am feeling kind of intimidated by the project, so now I wonder if I might adapt that yarn, at least partially, for this pattern instead? The right answer is to do both, but struggling to determine my best route. Any tips for the Library Blanket or using its yarn for this? thank you!!
Hi MK,
Thank you for writing in! You could absolutely use some of the yarns from your previous bundle to complete this project! You will just want to check yardage in the pattern to see what else you will need to order to complete your blanket. We believe in you and are here every step of the way if you need us! You can also take advantage of our free 1-on-1 project help sessions or email us at customerservice@purlsoho.com with any questions you may have!
All the best,
Gavriella
I feel like a dummie but how many do you cast on to start for a small blanket? Thank you!
Hi Tish,
That is a great question! For this pattern, you will cast on 114 sts for the small-size blanket!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Would you please explain why the pattern was designed with the bottom border thicker than the top border. Thanks!
Hi Debbie,
Thank you for writing in! This was simply a design choice but if you would prefer to knit your borders the same thickness, you can absolutely do that! Please let us know if you have any more questions and we would be happy to help!
Warmly,
Gavriella
I would like to use Santolina, the washable yarn, as recommended above. Can you recommend some subtle, neutral colors for a baby girl’s blanket? Which colors would you recommend for the border? Thank you!
Hi Sharon,
Thank you for writing in! I think the following color palette could work wonderfully for this project;
Color A: Red Smoke
Color B: Pink Blossom
Color C: Peach Lily
Color D: Beige Bunny
Color E: Heirloom White
Color F: Gray Owl
I hope this helps but let us know if you have any other questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Thank you! I like those colors! Can I just use the no. of yards required for each color to help me determine how many skeins of Santolina I will need?
Hi Sharon,
I can help you out with that! Depending on what size you are making, you will need the following to make this blanket in Santolina:
Color A: 3 (6) skeins
Color B: 3 (6) skeins
Color C: 1 (2) skeins
Color D: 2 (4) skeins
Color E: 2 (4) skeins
Color F: 1 (2) skeins
Hi there–I love so many of these. I’m wondering if you could give me some color help? I want to make a baby blanket, don’t know if it’s for a girl or boy. I’m not against having some pink or some blue for either, but I don’t want something that’s mainly one or the other.
I’m especially drawn to the Golden Fig and the Silver Lupine. I’m wondering how these middle color sequences would be:
Silver Lupine’s center: Mountain Bluebird, Purple Smoke, Crocus Bud, Lavender Opal (change first color, switch #2 and 3 around).
Golden Fig’s center: Mountain Bluebird, Purple Smoke, Honey Pink, Golden Wheat (change first two colors).
Any help/suggestions are appreciated…thanks so much!
Hi Giovanna,
All of those color combinations sound absolutely wonderful! I think the Golden Fig Palette you have put together sounds like the perfect gender-neutral pop of color you are going for. The transition from Mountain Bluebird to Golden Wheat is really going to pull the colors together perfectly. I hope this helps, but please let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Gavriella