Double Seed Stitch Blanket

As even a casual reader of the Purl Bee has probably noticed, we are super inspired by our Super Soft Merino! Since the arrival of Purl Soho's first very own yarn, we have been busy bees, but of all our Super Soft Merino projects, the Double Seed Stitch Blanket may be our favorite!

We love how the simple double seed stitch pattern creates a subtle field of wonderfully nubbly texture. Combined with the comfort and softness of our Merino, this is a seriously cozy blanket with the reassuring weight and warmth of a handknit!

Homespun and sophisticated, the Double Seed Stitch Blanket is so pretty folded at the foot of a bed or over the arm of a couch. We give directions for every size blanket from baby to queen, so cuddle a toddler or cover an entire bed. With a vintage quilt, a linen coverlet, or a modern duvet, this blanket is right at home!

We knit ours up in Super Soft Merino's gorgeous Oyster Gray. Gentle and truly pearlescent, we love this color's warmth and modernity. In double seed stitch, it becomes something straight out of nature: a pebbly stream bed, a frosty snowscape, a starlit beach. But we can imagine equally loving a Desert Blue crib size adding handmade love to a nursery, or a Red Zinnia throw size casting serious drama into a neutral living room, or an Heirloom White queen size being just that, a true family heirloom.

The Materials

To make a Baby (Crib, Throw, Twin, Queen) size blanket:

• 6 (17, 22, 36, 52) skeins of Purl Soho’s Super Soft Merino. We used the color Oyster Gray.

• US #13, 24 or 32 (32 or 40, 40 or 47, 47 or 60, 60)-inch circular needles

The Pattern

Gauge

2 3/4 stitches = 1 inch in double seed stitch pattern

Finished Sizes

Baby (Crib, Throw, Twin, Queen): 28 x 30 (45 x 60, 60 x 60, 66 x 90, 90 x 95) inches

Begin

Cast on 77 (123, 165, 181, 247) stitches.

Row 1: *K1, p1, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.

Row 2: *P1, k1, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.

Row 3: Repeat Row 2.

Row 4: Repeat Row 1.

Repeat Rows 1-4 until work measures desired length.

Bind off in stitch pattern and weave in the ends!

Comments

[CitricSugar]

It looks absolutely gorgeous - there's no denying that!

Can you suggest some alternative yarns? I do appreciate the quality and look of the high-end yarns, and use them, but I can only afford to do the smaller projects since the price is decidedly prohibitive.

[Kristan]

I love this blanket and can't wait to get started on it! But I am new to knitting and would like to know how you got your beautiful edges. Thank you so much!

[Lea, Denmark]

I have quite a few skeins of a merino yarn that is intended for size 3.5 (metric) needles.
I love the look of this pattern and wonder if knitting this pattern with double yarn would look a lot different! Do you have any thoughts on that?
(Of course I could try and knit a sample before starting on a crip-size blanket!!!)
Thanks for always great inspriation! Next time I travel across the pond to the Big Apple I will for sure visit your store.

[purl bee]

Hi Lea-

It will make a much different looking blanket and be a lot more knitting if you use smaller yarn and needles. But as you suggest the only way to tell if you like it is to knit a swatch!

Thank you for writing in and we look forward to seeing you in NYC!

Molly

[Cindy]

I am questioning the larger size blankets. Is the 90" x 95" what you would do for a queen size blanket, casting on 247 stitches and requiring 52 skeins? Or the 66" x 90"?
The blanket and yarn look beautiful together!!

[purl bee]

Hi Cindy-

The queen is 90 X 95-inches and you cast on 247 stitches.

Thank you for your question!

Molly

[Núria]

looks so beautiful!!!!

[purl bee]

Hi CitricSugar-

Unfortunately we don't really carry any other yarn in this gauge and weight. Of course you are welcome to use anything you think you might work! Also, the crib size makes a wonderful throw blanket for adults!

Thanks so much for writing in!

Best-
Molly

[Paige]

Hi Molly,

I'd like to try to make the throw size blanket but am curious if you can recommend which circular needle to buy? The link in your post leads to three different types with many options for 40 or 47 inch circular needles. I used to knit years ago but it's been a while so I need to get all of my supplies from scratch.

Thank you! I can't wait to get started!
Paige

[purl bee]

Hi Paige-

Idealy you'll need a 32" length for the throw size. Unfortunately they are currently out are currently out of stock, if you'd like us to let you know when they come back in please email customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com.

But if you'd like to get started right away the 47-inch size 13 would work! http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8-Skacel-Addi-Turbo-Circular-Needles


Thank you!

Molly

[Samwich]

Why is this pattern called 'double seed stitch'? I thought a double seed stitch was two knits, then two purls until the end of the row, then two purl, two knit for the next row.

Thanks.

[purl bee]

Hi Samwich-

There is no real consensus about what double seed stitch is. The pattern you reference can also called double seed stitch but both are correct. Confusing, right!? Since there is no official dictionary of knitting the terms can get a bit mixed up :)

Thank you for writing in!

Molly

[Sandra]

The blanket it's lovely! Thank you for another beautiful share.
I want to ask if is it possible to describe in the paterns the needles size also in cm (metric), beacause i'm from Portugal EU, and i have to convert the US # to cm in other sites.
Thank you so much! Sandra

[purl bee]

Hi Sandra-

These US# 13 needles are a size 9mm. We list all of the metic needle measurements on at our webstore, purlsoho.com, which is always linked in the materials section:

http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8-Skacel-Addi-Turbo-Circular-Needles

Thank you for writing in!

Molly

[Kelsey]

Hello,

just looking for a little claification. If I wanted to make the queen size would i use the # 13, 24, or 32 ?? (in the 47/ 60 in.)


Thank you, this blanket is beautiful! I am looking forward to working with a more simple pattern like this one :)


Kelsey

[purl bee]

Hi Kelsey-

You should use a #13 needle that is 60-inches long for the queen sized blanket.

Thank you so much for writing in and good luck with the project!

Molly

[Stefanie]

So I don't have to use circluar needles right? Sorry I am new to this but it is an amazing blanket and really want to give it a try! thank you!

[purl bee]

Hi Stephanie-

It will be very hard to fit the large amount of stitches onto a pair of straight needles so the circular needles really are necessary. You might be able to fit the smallest size onto a long pair of straight needles but we wouldn't recommend it.

Thanks for your question!

Molly

[Yvette]

I just started following your blog. Your website is simply gorgeous!

Do you list care instructions for the yarns? I tried to look up whether this merino yarn will require dry cleaning but could not find it.

Thanks!

[purl bee]

Hi Yvette-

We recommend hand washing this yarn.

Thank you for writing in!

Molly

[Shelley]

Hi Molly,

Love your website. Am wanting to knit this blanket. What ply of wool is this?? I live in Australia....:)

Thanks Shelley :)

[purl bee]

Hi Shelley-

This yarn is un-plied but as far as the weight is concerned it is chunky so it's equivalent to a 14 ply.

Thanks so much for your kind words about our website!

Molly

[Meems]

Hi there, I'm a big fan of your website. Everything is simply gorgeous. I'm wondering if it's ok to double up the yarn and make it super bulky. Will I destroy the pattern? What size of needle would you suggest if I use the same gauge of yarn? Thanks!

[purl bee]

Hi Meems-

You could certainly give it a try! It will probably look lovely. I would try a size 19 or 36 needle, depending on how tight a knitter you are. Also, keep in mind you'll need double the yarn!

Good luck with the project and thanks for writing in! Please let us know if you have any more questions.

Molly

[Bailey]

I am going to attempt to make this blanket in Queen size, but I am a little worried about washing it. Has anyone finished it and attempted to wash it yet?

Thank you,
Bailey

[purl bee]

Hi Bailey-

This blanket isn't machine washable. It should be hand washed and then laid out to dry.

Thanks for writing in and good luck with the project!

Molly

[Shelley]

Hi Molly,

Shelly from Australia again....just loving your web page. Do you add new projects for knitting on a regular basis?? I am currently knitting this blanket in 8ply on 6.5mm needles. It has a different look but still looks great. Just love this pattern....thank you so much......:)

[purl bee]

Hi Shelley-

We usually post a new knitting project every week! Additionally we post sewing, embroidery, and crochet projects frequently.You might want to look through our galleries of past knitting projects which you can find towards the top of the inner right hand column of this page under the "Knitting" headline.

Thank you for writing in!

Molly

[Christina]

I have a quick question regarding dye lots on this particular yarn. I really want to make this blanket in a Queen, but find buying all the yarn at once for that project quite high. Would I have much of an issue if I just opt to order 10 skeins at a time? I know a lot of yarn companies have small dye lots anyways (maybe only 10 per lot), in which case, I may be able to get by with just ordering small quantities at a time since the dye lots wouldn't match anyways. Is that the case with this yarn, or are they larger dye lots where I would really need to get all of the yarn for this project at once?

[purl bee]

Hi Christina-

We don't think it will be a problem because the dye lots are large and have been very similar thus far.

Thank you!

Molly

[Maggie]

how can i do this crocheting instead of knitting? i absolutely love this simple cozy style!

[purl bee]

HI Maggie-

We don't have plans to publish a crocheted version but thank you so much for the suggestion! We do have some other crocheted blanket patterns which you can see here: http://www.purlbee.com/crochet-projects/

Thank you!

Molly

[Celine]

Hi,
I'm new to knitting. I was wondering how many yards of your yarn I would need for a throw blanket.

Thanks

[purl bee]

Hi Celine-

You would need 1,914 yards for the throw size.

Thank you for writing in!

Molly

[Queen Blanket Knitter]

To knit a King size blanket-how many yards of yarn would be needed. I plan to use Bernat baby-soft sport yarn. Would this stitch look good in a faragated yarn?

[purl bee]

Hi Queen Blanket Knitter,

It is safe to calculate that you'll need one skein for every 165 square inches of blanket. So when you know what dimensions you'd like your blanket to be, just multiply the width times the length and divide by 165 and that's the number of skeins you'll need!

And as far as variegated yarn goes, the effect would be quite busy (depending on the color range of the yarn), but possibly very pretty.

Please let us know if you have any other questions and thanks for these!

Whitney

[Nancy]

I wanted to reply to Maggie, who asked about crocheting a blanket like this: I think the crochet V-Stitch would have a similar look! She could use different yarns and hooks to find the right gauge.

And purl bee, I was wondering: I don't believe you ever answered Kristan's question about how you got your beautiful edges. I would love to know how as well!

thanks,
Nancy

[Bandgeekmarching]

Hi I was wanting to make this blanket in a king sized version do you know how many skeins I will need in order to make it? I was also wondering how many stitches I should cast on for this blanket. I am new to knitting.

Thanks

Jazmin

[Karenloveskermit]

Is it possible to knit this lovely blanket on normal needles as I've never knitted using circular needles as I live in the UK. Thank you

[purl bee]

Hi Karen-

This blanket is too wide to fit on normal straight needles so it really needs to be knit on a needle with a long cable connecting it. You knit with the circulars just as you would straight needles, the cable connecting the needles just holds the width of the project.

We ship to the UK all the time, and I'm certain that they sell them in the UK as well.

Thank you!

Molly

[Sarah]

I think this might make some lovely cushions...in the UK cushions would be 45cm x 45cm - do you know how many stitches would be required for cast on to do that?

Many Thanks

[Vickyb]

Karen

They sell ciculars in the UK - KnitPro are very good.

This is another lovely project - if I begin now I might finish in time for next winter!

[purl bee]

Hi Sarah-

45 cm is roughly 18-inches so I would cast on 49 stitches. Please do a gauge swatch beforehand to make sure that you are getting the proper gauge (2 3/4-stitches per inch.)

Thank you for your question and good luck with the project!

Molly

[purl bee]

HI Jazmin,

It is safe to calculate that you'll need one skein for every 165 square inches of blanket. So when you know what dimensions you'd like your blanket to be, just multiply the width times the length and divide by 165 and that's the number of skeins you'll need!

And you should cast on the number of stitches per inch (ie the gauge) x the width of the blanket, making sure that you cast on an odd number of stitches. For example, the gauge is 2.75 x 100 inches = 275 stitches.

Please let us know if you need more guidance and good luck!

Whitney

[Kristen]

Hi I'm about to begin knitting the throw in 14 ply in New Zealand and wonder if I should knit into the back of each stitch on the second row to get a firmer edge or simply start the seed stitch on second row. Love your website it's a beautiful inspiration and I have picked up my needles again after ten years so thanks Purl Bee.

Kristen

[Darlene]

Hi i love your double seed stitch blanket but to make a queen size i would need 52 balls
at $22.00 each it is unaffordable could i use another woolof yours .
thanks

[purl bee]

Hi Darlene-

Unfortunately we don't really carry any other yarn in this gauge and weight. Of course you are welcome to use anything you think you might work! Also, the crib size makes a wonderful throw blanket for adults!

Thanks so much for writing in!

Best-
Molly

[purl bee]

Hi Kristen,

Thanks for writing in.

You could knit into the back for the first stitch of each row to help give it more structure, but we didn't find it necessary. We did exactly as written above in the pattern. If you do do that though, please let us know how it turns out.

Thanks again for writing in and for your readership.
Best,
Laura