Herringbone Twill Blanket
Our Herringbone Twill Blanket is an easy-to-knit wonder that conjures the distinctive zigs and zags of woven twill, as ancient as fabric itself.

You achieve the look of a herringbone twill with easy slip stitches that travel diagonally in one direction, then the other. Like a weaver treadling a familiar pattern, you’ll work your way through a simple repeat and watch as a classic twill emerges, as elegant as a beautifully made suit.


The intriguing intersection between the two colors is a lovely moment that may seem like a complicated colorwork technique is required, but really, it’s just what naturally happens when you finish working the contrast color and move on to the main one!

To make a soft and supple Herringbone Tweed Blanket with luminous stitches, you’ll need one Cotton Pure On A Cone, plus a few skeins of Cotton Pure in a contrast color. Our generous cone of organically grown cotton allows you to knit most of the blanket without having to wind skeins or weave in ends… Very satisfying!

And when it comes to choosing colors, you’ll fall in love with Cotton Pure’s bountiful palette, inspired by a landscape in full bloom. This sophisticated pairing of Pink Smoke and Honey Yellow absolutely glows, or you could try your own pairing… Think subtle tones, muted neutrals, or bold zingers!

With its handwoven sensibility, satisfying stitch pattern, and beautiful yarn, the Herringbone Twill Blanket is truly a project to be treasured for many years to come.
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!

Designed by Purl Soho founder and co-owner, Joelle Hoverson, and Purl Soho designer, Gianna Mueller. Click here to see even more of Gianna’s designs!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoHerringboneTwillBlanket, and #PurlSohoCottonPure. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials

- Main Color (MC): 1 cone of Purl Soho’s Cotton Pure On A Cone, 100% organically grown cotton yarn. Each cone this sport weight yarn is 2,789 yards/ 1 kg; approximately 1200 (2710) total yards required. We used Pink Smoke. NOTE: The Crib size will not require the entire Cone, so you can make two Crib-size blankets with a Cone, or order 5 Cotton Pure skeins instead.
- Contrast Color (CC): 2 (4) skeins of Purl Soho’s Cotton Pure, 100% organically grown cotton yarn. Each skein of this sport weight yarn is 279 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 400 (925) total yards required. We used Honey Yellow.
- US 5 (3.75 mm), 32- or 40-inch circular needles, or size needed to achieve gauge
We came up with 3 more color combinations to inspire you, plus the one we knit for our sample! Clockwise from top left, they are…
MC Pink Smoke + CC Honey Yellow; MC Brown Date + CC Violet Orchid; MC Blue Gale + CC Coastal Blue; MC Hemlock Green + CC Fresh Lettuce
GAUGE
29 stitches and 55 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern
NOTE: As can happen with slip stitch patterns, you may not be able to match both the stitch and row gauge. If in doubt, match the stitch gauge and repeat Rows 1–24 to the measurements given in the pattern, as best you can.
SIZES
Crib (Throw)
Finished Dimensions: 29¾ inches wide x 35 inches long (44¾ inches wide x 54 inches long)
Sample: We knit the Throw size.
NOTES
STITCH MULTIPLE
This pattern is worked over a multiple of 4 stitches.
SLIP STITCHES
Slip all slip stitches purlwise unless otherwise instructed.
PATTERN
With Contrast Color (CC), cast on 216 (324) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Set- Up Row (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise with yarn in back (wyib), purl to last stitch, k1.
Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 knitwise wyib, k2, *slip 2 (see Notes) with yarn in front (wyif), k2, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise wyib, p1, *slip 2 wyib, p2, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p1, k1.
Row 3: Slip 1 knitwise wyib, *slip 2 wyif, k2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, slip 2 wyif, k1.
Row 4: Slip 1 knitwise wyib, p3, *slip 2 wyib, p2, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, slip 2 wyib, p1, k1.
Rows 5–12: Repeat Rows 1–4 two more times.
Row 13 (right side): Slip 1 knitwise wyib, *slip 2 wyif, k2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, slip 2 wyif, k1.
Row 14 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise wyib, p1, *slip 2 wyib, p2, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p1, k1.
Row 15: Slip 1 knitwise wyib, *k2, slip 2 wyif, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Row 16: Slip 1 knitwise wyib, p3, *slip 2 wyib, p2, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, slip 2 wyib, p1, k1.
Rows 17–24: Repeat Rows 13–16 two more times.
Repeat Rows 1–24 four (7) more times, or until piece measures approximately 10 (16) inches from cast-on edge, ending with Row 24.
Cut CC and join Main Color (MC).
With MC, repeat Rows 1–24 fifteen (23) more times, or until piece measures approximately 35 (54) inches from cast-on edge, ending with Row 24.
With right side facing you, bind off all stitches knitwise.
FINISHING
Weave in ends and gently wet block.


Learn About Cotton Pure On A Cone + All Our Beautiful Yarns
Cotton Pure On A Cone is the ultimate yarn for amazing cotton blankets and garments! 2,789 whopping yards of 100% organically grown cotton yarn, you’ll have only two ends to weave in when you’re done… Music to every knitter’s ears! Cotton Pure is also a true natural beauty. This sport-weight yarn feels wonderfully soft and supple and comes in tons of gently heathered colors you won’t find anywhere else! Need some contrast colors or not quite so much yarn? Shop our collection of Cotton Pure 100-gram skeins, too!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our vast collection of (mostly free!) Cotton Pure knitting patterns and cast on!
More Sport-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of sport-weight yarns
- If you want to use a different yarn, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial!
More Yarns With Similar Fiber
- Shop cotton yarn
- Shop machine-washable yarn
- Shop plant-based yarn
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
Hi,
If you want to make a subtle throw blanket using mineral blue for the contrast color, would you go with heirloom white or alabaster cream for the main color?
Thanks,
Barb
Hi Barbara,
We are so happy this pattern caught your eye! I’d recommend Alabaster Cream for a nice subtle color contrast. This will give you just enough variation with a more slight contrast for your blanket. I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Gavriella
I love this herringbone pattern! If I were to make this into a wrap with just a single color, could you recommend the dimensions and yardage I would need? Thank you!
Hi Jenny,
Thank you for writing in! To modify this pattern you will want to start with a gauge swatch. You will then measure your stitches per inch and multiply that number by the desired width of your wrap and that will give you your cast on number. In this case, the gauge is 7.25 stitches per inch so you can multiply the desired width by that number. One thing to keep in mind is that this blanket pattern is worked over a multiple of 4, so you will want to adjust your stitch count to accommodate that number.
After you have created your gauge swatch you can weigh it in grams and divide the square footage (in inches) of your swatch by the total number of grams. This will give you your grams per square inch which you can then use to calculate your yardage.
I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any other questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Hi I’m the one who LOVES all your emails but hasn’t knit anything but garter stitch scarfs for years. This “called simple” looks like I might be able to do it. I only see the directions for the crib size though. Can you show me the “throw” larger size? Could I still do the larger size with one cone plus the different color? AND would the crib size work an an over the shoulders shrug for me? thanks!
Hi Joan,
We are so happy this pattern caught your eye! We definitely think you can conquer this blanket next! This pattern includes instructions for both a Crib and a Throw size! The instructions for the Throw size are the numbers appearing within the parentheses (not before them). Hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Gavriella
Love this pattern! I’d like to
make a scarf with this pattern instead. Same yarn and I just bought the pink and yellow. Any recommendations on how many stitches to cast on? I figured I’d do the blanket gauge and sort of guess from there but wanted to ask if you had any advice.
Hi Sara,
What a great idea! To adjust your cast on number for a different size, you will want to multiply the stitches per inch (7.25) by the desired width of your scarf. One thing to keep in mind is that this blanket pattern is worked over a multiple of 4, so you will want to adjust your stitch count to accommodate that number. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Thanks so much for the reply. I have another question. This is my first time doing a “stitch multiple” pattern so I’m a little confused. I’m also a little embarrassed to ask this question as I’m sure the answer may be obvious to more experienced knitters….but trying to challenge myself 🙂 The gauge uses 29 stitches which is not a multiple of 4 and the 7.25 thing is throwing me off. I knitted rows 1-18 of the gauge (casted on 29 stitches) following the steps exactly and it doesn’t look right. I’m pretty sure I am missing something obvious here! Any suggestions or clarifications would be appreciated
– trying to understand the stitch multiple thing so maybe I can identify where I went wrong or how to improve.
Hi Sara,
Gavriella is off work today, so I’m stepping in! When you knit your gauge swatch, you’ll want to cast on more than 29 stitches. We recommend knitting gauge swatches that are at least 5 inches wide by 5 inches long–this makes for a more accurate gauge measurement! For this pattern, casting on 36 stitches for the gauge swatch should be just right. Then, when you measure the gauge, just lay your ruler or measuring tape on the swatch and count the number of stitches and rows within 4 inches.
All the best,
Lili
When one uses the big cones do you set it on a holder so it spins as one knots?
Hi Marylou,
Thank you for writing in! That is correct! One of the best parts of knitting from a cone is being able to just sit your yarn wherever you find it most comfortable to knit from. We have found them to work really well from a Lazy Susan if you have one! Please let us know if you have any other questions and we would be happy to help!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
I’m excited to try this pattern but am wondering for the crib size, what length circular needles to use? Would the 40″ be too long?
Hi Julie,
Thanks for writing in! The width of the Crib size is 29 3/4 inches, so you can use any circular needles that are longer than that. 40-inch needles should be fine, but you can also use 32-inch needles if the 40-inch ones feel too long to you!
All the best,
Lili
Ciao, volendo fare questa coperta in lana cosa mi consigli?
Grazie
Hi Stefania,
Thank you for writing in! Good Wool or Wigeon would both make great alternatives for this pattern! You can find those along with all of our sport-weight yarns! I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
I would like to knit this blanket in wool, please recommend a yarn from purl soho.
Thank you
Hi Gauri,
Thats a great question! Good Wool or Wigeon would both make great alternatives for this pattern! You can find those along with all of our sport-weight yarns! I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
This is something that most likely won’t work, but I had to ask. Sweetgrass Fine? I know it isn’t a sport weight, but perhaps a nice light throw would be good (I live in a warmer climate)
I bought this to make the Botanical Lace Scarf- so charming, and so difficult. I have cast on about 6 times already and cannot seem to get the hang of the pattern.
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for writing in! I’m afraid this yarn would be far too thin for this pattern. One thing you could try is doubling the yarn or even tripling it to get a similar weight. I’d recommend knitting a gauge swatch just to see if you can achieve the same gauge as the pattern and if you are happy with the fabric. I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Gavriella
Hi! I noticed that the recommended needle size is US 5 but in the comments for the Embossed Triangles blanket with the same yarn, it says anything larger than US 3 won’t work as well. Do you recommend smaller needles for this pattern as well?
Hi Jo,
Thank you for writing in! We suggest using a US 5 (3.75 mm) or size needed to achieve gauge. The gauge of this pattern is 29 stitches and 55 rows per 4 inches in stitch pattern. We used a US for this. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Would it be possible to make the throw with 32” needles?
Hi Cheryl,
A 32″ cord would work perfectly for this pattern! Please let us know if you have any questions along the way!
All the best,
Gavriella
What size needles would I use for a worsted weight yarn? I was thinking of making the baby blanket size using the pattern as-is (I know the dimensions will be bigger).
Hi Danielle,
Thats a great question! I’d recommend starting with the suggested needle size on the yarn label. You will want to give it a try by knitting a small gauge swatch just to make sure you are happy with the fabric and density. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Gavriella
I had a bit of the yarn but not the label so I just gave it my best guess! A size 7 needle is making a lovely swatch! Thank you!
Hello, I’m loving this pattern and the yarn! But I’m hoping you can offer some advice…my edges just do not look as neat and tidy as yours. Any and all suggestions will be much appreciated!
Hi Cheryl,
That’s a great question! We understand that we all work at different tensions and this is something that can naturally occur while we working those edges. One thing you could do is add an additional stitch to each side to make for a nice selvedge edge. To do this you will slip those stitches knit-wise on the right side and then purl them on the wrong side. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Gavriella
Thanks for this – I have the same question. Can you add a little more detail to this answer please? For example, would Row 1 read: Slip 2 knitwise wyib, k2, … to last two stitches, k1, slip 1 knitwise wyib. And Row 2 would read: p1, slip 1 knitwise wyib, p1, …. to last three stitches, p1, k1, p1? Thanks!
Hi Megan,
The way I would recommend doing it for this pattern is just switching around how you treat the edge stitches on each row, rather than adding stitches. I would slip both the first and last stitch on each wrong side row purlwise wyif, and then knit both edge stitches normally on each right side row. This will avoid any conflicting with the slipped stitches that occur near the edges of the right side rows!
All the best,
Lili
Really appreciate the follow up. Thank you!
That is a superb pattern. I just bought some of those yarn to try it. But I am still a beginner and for some reason my results seem flat, less textured. If you have pointers for improving this, it will be appreciated.
Hi Nico,
Thank you for writing in although we are sorry to hear you are running into issues here. Could you please send a photo of your project to [email protected] so we can have a deeper look? We’ll be able to better visualize what’s going on that way!
All the best,
Gavriella
Hello! I have a cone of the Cotton Pure. If I CO for the crib size and used up the cone but didn’t add the contrast color, would it be more of a square than a rectangle? Thanks, and I’ve enjoyed your yarns and patterns for years! Y’all are the best.
Hi Mary,
Actually, you’d be able to knit the entire Crib size with one cone! So you could absolutely make the full rectangle with that amount of yarn, and you wouldn’t have to stop at a square size.
All the best,
Lili
This is the most beautiful pattern, and so incredibly simple! I’m knitting a baby blanket using your 8ply Plein Air, wool/cotton mix, which is wonderful to knit with and so, so soft. Will definitely be making a larger version for the home, and using the same wool!! Thanks for the excellent quality wool and the superb pattern!