Whit's Knits: Pixie Dust Lap Blanket
This is a where-did-you-get-this?! kind of blanket. Big, loopy stitches; hand dyed, extraordinary color; and smatterings of sparkly "pixie dust" all conspire to make this no ordinary blanket.
The yarn comes from the incredibly creative yarn company, Knit Collage. We used their super funky Handspun Yarn to knit up the Fun Kid's Hat last spring, and now we're turning our attention to their more subdued (relatively speaking!) Pixie Dust yarn. A blend of wool and mohair, Pixie Dust is a handspun, ultra bulky yarn that really sparks the imagination. I'm transported right into the land of fairy tales. With this color (Lemon Meringue), I can't help but think of Rapunzel and "Let down your golden hair!".
You won't be the only one who thinks your new blanket is awfully cuddily. While I was making the Pixie Dust Lap Blanket, my cat Butterfly stalked my every move, waiting for the moment I would set down my needles so she could finally claim her rightful place deep inside the blanket's soft stitches. Now that the finished blanket is at Page's house her cat, Sylvy, has taken up right where Butterfly left off!
I can't think of an easier way to makeover a room than to whip up this show stopper. Provided you can wrest it from your cat, it may even keep you toasty warm all winter!
The Materials
- 7 skeins of Knit Collage's Pixie Dust, a blend of Wool, Mohair and Pixie Sparkles. This color is "Lemon Meringue".
- A US #36, 32 or 40 inch circular needle.
Other Ideas!
We also knit up the Pixie Dust Lap Blanket in a cool white "Snowflake" version. It's equally gorgeous!
Or try doubling up Knit Collage's Sister. Same size needles, same pattern, same textural adventure, a Sister Lap Blanket is a beautifully affordable 100% wool alternative. You'll only need five skeins (you could even get away with four if you don't mind losing a few inches!). Here's a swatch:
The Pattern
Gauge
1 stitch = approximately 1 inch in 1 x 1 rib
Finished Size
Approximately 26 inches wide by 56 inches long
Begin
Cast on 27 stitches.
Row 1: *K1, p1, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 2: *P1, k1, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you have used all 7 skeins minus about 4 yards (or until piece measures 56 inches).
Bind off in pattern and weave in the ends. (Little Tip: Rather than wresting this yarn through the eye of a tapestry needle, just use your hands to weave in the ends. It's easy - you'll see!)
October 2, 2010
Reader Comments (88)
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/650-Cascade-Yarns-Magnum
Hope this helps!
The Purl Bee
You can find them at the bottom of this page:
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8
Yes size 36 needle for the Magnum too.
Enjoy!
However, HOWEVER, it did give me the idea to use less expensive yarns, mixed together to create the bulk to make a soft and fuzzy blanket. I have my own sparkles at home and can sprinkle them on it.
This is Jen writing from the purlsoho.com warehouse - we sold out of many colors today on this yarn and also sold out of the US 36 needles but we are expecting another shipment of the yarn within about a week and half or so and more needles in about a week. If you'd like to be notified when it is in, you can email us at customerservice@purlsoho.com and I'll let you know!
Jen
You use a circular needle for the width of the blanket. You can cast on all of the stitches you need so no sewing up.
Hi Alicia,
Of course you can use this yarn for crochet. We recommend using one of those giant blue plastic hooks. (size Q?). We are out of them at the moment, but they'll be coming in again soon.
Any help here would be great. I picked up some of the cascade magnum.... a great option!! I'm excited to cast on!
I looked on your site, and did not see a US #36... could you specify yet again for me?
Thanks so much.
Such a lovely blanket!!
A size 36 is 20mm (I'm sure a 19mm wouldn't make that much of a difference if you have that available). This project was really popular so we sold out of the size 36's temporarily, but we have more on the way! If you'd like us to email you when they are back in stock please let us know at the following link:
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/contact
Thanks!
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/650-Cascade-Yarns-Magnum
Hope this helps!
The Purl Bee
Those Q crochet hooks are great--you would finish the blanket in a flash! It might be too dense, though, since crochet uses more yarn than knitting.
You might also want to check out Revelation from Lorna's Laces, it's a bit thinner than the PIxie Dust, but it's hand-dyed and has more variation in the weight than the Magnum. You can find the Revelation here:
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/7179-Lornas-Laces-Revelation
Thanks,
Brenda
I was about half done with the blanket before I decided to start over - I would like mine to be less narrow.
Thanks,
Tracie
Yes, use the size 36 needles. The yarn is very cozy and warm. It's quite soft for a 100% wool, put isn't plush like alpaca or cashmere.
Enjoy!
For this project you are using a circular needle because it holds the wide width of the project better than straight needles, You will not be knitting in a circle, which as you noted, would produce a tube. You will simply be knitting back and forth and treating the circular needle like straight needles. Hope this helps.
Thank you for your comment- The Purl Bee
Thanks for your comment. We ordered more Magnum today so we should be getting it in stock very soon.
Happy Knitting-
Molly
You are correct that you need 250 yards total of any yarn you decide to use. Because the yarn and needles are so big it goes further than you think. With that said, this blanket is a long rectangular shape, 26-inches wide by 56-inches long, perfect for a lap blanket. But if you want it larger you might want to get 500 yards total and cast on double the stitches for a finished blanket of 52-inches by 56-inches.
Thanks so much for your nice comment.
- The Purl Bee
I agree that the Revelation wouldn't be as thick as the Pixie Dust and that it would be a much looser knit. One option is to use a smaller needle (like a US #17) and cast on some more stitches. You would still have a bulky blanket, just not quite as dramatically so. Another option is to add a worsted weight yarn to the Revelation and stick with the #36 needles. It may take a little experimentation to see what you like, but I'm sure you'll find a beautiful solution!
Thank you for your question!
Whitney
The yarn, though pricey, is gorgeous and I may just have to order some for this heirloom gift. Purl Bee, you are so generous to give these lovely patterns and advice.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for your question. Rather than sewing two blankets together it might be easier to just cast on 55 stitches, which would yield a blanket with double the width. You might want to use a longer circular needle, either 47 or 60-inches would probably work. And you would want to get 14 skeins total.
Thanks again!
Molly
I am making this blanket now, and wanted to do the same thing-- that is, for it to be closer to square than narrow....and bigger. With that, I've tripled the pattern. I am also using the Cascade Magnum, paired with the Cascade Baby Alpaca, about 6 or 7 skeins of each. I'm 2 skeins in and it's amazing. The fibers I'm using don't have the uneven texture in the same way as the Pixie, but they are producing what will be a thick and cozy blanket.
Loving this blanket, glad to have come across the pattern and fibers!
Emily