I’m very excited to announce that the pattern for my Giganto-blanket is now available!
This enormous blanket is knit on 1 1/2” PVC pipe, using slightly-felted superwash (yes, you read that right) unspun wool roving. This pattern is more of a tutorial, as the pattern is: CO 28, k2 p2, BO!
If you’ve ever wanted to knit in a gigantic gauge, this pattern teaches you where to find the raw materials, how to create “yarn” and “needles” from unusual objects, and finally how to knit up your very own giganto-blanket!
The tutorial and pattern is now on sale for $4.99 on Ravelry. Buy it now!
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Have questions about the giganto-blanket? Check out the FAQ!
Can you give an idea on how much roving you used? I love how you took this to the extreme!
P. S. I think you meant (“Buy it now!”)
You’re right! Thanks for the typo correction.
And I used about 5.5 pounds of roving.
If I made one of these, I think I’d be tempted to sleep on top of it! It looks sooo smooshy!
I sleep under mine almost every night! It’s fantastically squishy!
Anxious to try this. By any chance were you inspired by a blanket that Anthropologie sold in 2008? I purchased it for myself and it looks to be made of exactly the fiber that you’ve worked up. It is cabled and lovely. Just the right weight to snuggle, but not too warm because of the openness of the weave. My family fights over who gets “the blanket”. I took it to my local knit shop (quite an undertaking because its about 7 feet by 7 feet) and they were completely befuddled as to how construct it. A friend and I are going to tackle this project, so that we can put an end to the squabble.
Hi! I *think* I was inspired by that Anthro blanket, but I only saw an unattributed picture of the blanket and heard someone say that it was from Anthro later. I never got to see that original blanket in person, so I’d love to hear if my pattern matches up to it! Please keep me informed!
OH MY GOSH!! I am going to cast this on tomorrow!!! I have several huge bags of rovings fresh from the mill that I can use!! All I will need in the morning is some pvc pipe
What sort of cast on technique did you use though, if I may ask??? I always use a long-tail, but thinking that is not the way to go for this sort of project hahaha
Thank you so much for posting this, what a great idea!!
Hi Claire — the pattern has all the details of how I treated the yarn before knitting and a few more tips and tricks. You’re right about the cast-on: long-tail is WAY overkill at this gauge, so I used backwards loop.
I have done this type of thing with cut up strips of polar fleece instead of ‘yarn’. Works really well – not quite as bulky as roving…
That’s a cool idea!
Wow, how much fun is this! I don’t knit, but I was mesmerized by the possibilities. Can I ask, how long does a typical blanket take? I may just become a knitter after all! Thank you for sharing!
It takes about 2 days: one day to felt and dry the yarn, then a few hours for the actual knitting. There’s only about 700 stitches in the blanket, so the actual knitting doesn’t take very long at all!
Thank you so much for leading me to your site for the pattern (I put a shout out on pinterest, and you answered). I really appreciate it!
This is so beautiful. I’ll be purchasing your tutorial and sharing this on Facebook/Twitter. One question, tho, do you explain how to felt the roving in the tutorial? Hope so. Thanks for the cool video and cool design. Take care!
Thanks! I’m so glad you like it! And I absolutely explain how to felt the roving in the tutorial — I’d say that’s 80% of the tutorial, actually
The “pattern” itself is pretty simple — k2, p2.
Ok. Knitting needles made. We are trying PVC end caps for points and the T-joint on the bottom to prevent stitches from slipping off. Just waiting on the yarn that has been ordered. Question: what would happen if we didn’t felt? That’s the intimidating process.
I believe the felting is necessary because otherwise the “yarn” would be too fragile to knit up. I think it would pull apart too readily without the felting. Also, the felting fluffs the roving up a bit and allows you to split it in half easier, which gives you twice the yardage. Finally, the felting should help the blanket from shedding or pilling too much. But don’t be too intimidated by that process — it’s really not all that difficult! It just takes a little patience.
Do you show how to make the “yarn” in the tutorial?
Hi Amber — the tutorial is actually about 80% of how to make the “yarn” and how to make the “needles” — the pattern is just K2, P2, so it’s definitely mostly tutorial!
I was just wondering what are the proportions of the finished blanket?
I need to know how big the finished pattern is to see if I need more to accommodate my project!
Thanks
I was also wondering, who is you supplier, or where do you get your roving from?
Hi Kaitlin — It ends up being approximately 50″ by 84″ depending on your “gauge” and I get my wool from Sheep Shed Studios: http://www.thesheepshedstudio.com/NewSuperpage.html But you could get your wool from anywhere that sells roving in long strips!
i was wondering if you had any more pictures. in theory, i would really like to make this. but before i buy 5 pounds of roving, i’d like to make sure that i am up for the task. i was also wondering what sort of tools i would need for the felting process of all this.
Hi Samantha — There are more pictures on my previous post here: http://nocturnalknits.com/2011/01/20/giganto-blanket-finished/
Also, there’s more detailed information and pictures in the pattern about all the tools you’ll need, including PVC pipe, duct tape, and a needle felting kit. For the felting process all you need is a bathtub, some rain boots, and, ideally, a washing machine to help drain the water out. You do need to be fairly able-bodied (or find a friend to help) to finish this project since it involves stomping on wool in the bathtub and then knitting with PVC pipe.
Hi,
Sorry to be a pain, I’d like to make this, but I don’t want to buy the pattern only to find I cant afford how much roving you need.
I actually haven’t a clue what roving is, but I’m allergic to wool so would need to use merino, would there be merino roving? And where do I buy it and how much would I need? If the roving ends up at like $200 there is no point me buying the pattern, but it really is a beauty.
Rachael
Hi Rachael,
Please don’t feel like a pain — I’m happy to answer any questions! First of all, Merino is simply a type of wool, so you should make sure you’re not allergic to it before buying it — Merino is simply a more fine and soft than your average wool, but they both come from a Sheep. Roving is simply the wool from the sheep that’s been washed and “carded,” which is a term that means it’s been brushed over and over until it forms a long strand. The roving I buy is the brown sheep superwash from Sheep Shed Studios online, and 6 pounds costs $80 plus about $20 shipping, so $100 total. I know others have found much cheaper sources of roving so you might want to check around. Just make sure they have enough of a supply for you, and that it comes in a few long pieces rather than many small ones, which will cause a problem.
Hope that helps!
-Laura
Hi Laura, this is gorgeous! Wondering – how do you wash the blanket? We have 2 small kids and a dog, so everything at our house eventually needs a good wash
Thanks, Mei! Here are the care instructions: Soak with a no-rinse wool wash in the washing machine — do not agitate. Drain, and spin out excess water. Dry flat, or as flat as you can.
I absolutely LOVE this blanket! I have absolutely no knowledge of how to knit. Do you have any idea where I would be able to purchase a blanket like this one? Do you sell any of them by chance? Let me know!
Hi Allyson –
I do sell this on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/75932222/giganto-blanket-custom-made-for-you-huge
I know the price is steep, but it’s a lot of work so I have to charge appropriately for my time and effort
Thanks for liking my blanket!
-Laura
i am going to buy this pattern but am on the sheep shed website and it says that the brown sheep superwash does not felt. is this type of roving wrong for this purpose? i just need a little more guidance regarding roving before i buy the pattern and try it out for myself.
thanks!
kristin
The superwash roving is definitely what you want — even though it’s “superwash” it will felt slightly in hot, soapy water, and for this blanket we don’t want a heavy felting, we just want a slight felting to reduce shedding and to fluff up the yarn. I’ve now made 5 blankets with the superwash roving and it works great! I know it’s kinda confusing
I have never felted before. How do you felt, and is it really necessary for this project?
Hi — I believe the felting is necessary in order to fluff up the wool and keep it from shedding too much.
This looks both incredibly intriguing and incredibly intimidating. Someday, I will be ready to tackle this
It’s not as intimidating as it looks!
Can I just purchase one from you??
Hi Candice — the blanket is available for purchase on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/75932222/giganto-blanket-custom-made-for-you-huge
Hi Laura!,
I found the website you buy your wool roving from but I am very confused on which to pick. As far as color goes, that isn’t important right now, but which type did you buy for this blanket?
Hi Karina – what you’re looking for is the “brown sheep superwash” in “#1 white” color — it’s in the first section of this page, bottom left corner: http://www.thesheepshedstudio.com/NewSuperpage.html
Right now it’s $14/pound. Hope that helps!
what is roving .where do i get it . i tried using 4 skiens of reg. yarn at a time ,but its too expensive.
Roving is wool that has been prepared for spinning into yarn. More info can be found on my FAQ page: http://nocturnalknits.com/about/giganto-blanket-faq/
can you send me to a link that shows how to felt. i kin
d of get it but id like to see someone doing it
Hello I went to the site for roving that you suggested and it says superwash does not felt that confused me a bit also I NOTICED sooo many other colors on that site would I be able to use them instead of just white? Basically to search for this I am just looking for roving?
Hi Pam — Superwash roving RESISTS felting, but any wool will felt if given enough heat/friction, etc. We just want a very light felting for this project, so superwash actually works quite well. And yes, you can use any color you’d like! Just be careful when felting that any sheets you use to wrap up the wool aren’t precious/expensive, ’cause you’ll likely get some dye running. Thanks!
This is great, I’ve been looking around for a ‘chunky’ blanket pattern and this is by far the best one i’ve come across! I’m super excited to get started on this project …… Thank you very much for your creativity!
I have a few questions before I buy the instructions on how to felt from you and the wool. How much space do I need for felting? (I live in a small apartment). How expensive are the materials needed to felt (not including the roving)? Are they odd items (maybe hard to find) or common ?
I Lindsay — you basically need a clear space the size of the sheets you’re using to roll up (so, queen sized open space or so) and a bathtub and somewhere for the wool to dry. I did my first blanket in a small one-bedroom apartment.
The additional materials are probably about $30 total, but I haven’t priced them recently. They should all be available at Home Depot and Amazon.
I think that the website has changed since you last posted the link. I’m a little confused as to how to order
So far it’s the cheapest place to get roving even though the shipping is costly. Since you’ve ordered from here, can you offer me some tips or advice? I don’t order online much
Hi Nona — their site hasn’t changed, but it’s a bit confusing. Click on this link and find the section that reads:
“We also offer
#1 White Superwash.
$14.00 per pound
It is a glistening white
fiber ready to spin or to
dye into glorious glowing
colors.
Very easy to handle, no
felting in the dyepots.
..or wash.”
Then below that hit “Add to cart” and then on the paypal cart page change the “quantity” to the number of pounds you need. Hope that helps!
thank you so much much! Helped tons!