MMMmmmm polka dots on the brain! Do you want to knit along with me and make yourself a POP blanket? Did you download the pattern only to find that it is gibberish to you? Are you are getting ready to send me a nasty email about how you don’t know any of the techniques required?
Please don’t send me that nasty email. Or do if you like! I will be sure to read it and respond by politely referring you to this tutorial. So if you would like to knit this Norolicious polka-dot blanket of happiness, then grab some beautiful yarn [requirements here], your needles of choice, download the pattern if you haven’t already, and knit one or 20 squares along with me. You will learn some great new techniques and we all know that practice makes perfect!
Because the squares are all made the same way, you can use any weight of yarn (and needles to correspond), and your squares will just be a little bigger or smaller than our original. For example, Alexa used leftover sock yarn, held double, to form the polka dot, and an aran weight yarn for the outside. The blanket is a great pattern for using up colourful leftovers!
If you’re looking for some POP inspiration check out all of the beautiful blanket on Ravelry or Instagram!
POP Construction
OK well enough prelude – lets get down to business. How is POP constructed?
Start by casting on a few stitches at the very centre… then increase as you knit in the round to form the CC polka dot… then switch to the MC and work one corner at a time… then bind off and block your square… then make a bunch more the same… and finally sew them all together! It’s not so hard, really.
We can take a closer look at how a single square is constructed:
Casting on at the centre
SO LET US BEGIN (at the beginning). Using your CC (Contrast Colour) yarn, you will do the pinhole cast-on. Don’t know how to do a pinhole cast on? Check out the full pinhole cast on tutorial here
After casting on you will work the square in the round, following the pattern. To knit in the round, you can use DPNs (double pointed needles) or a single long circular needle (and the magic loop technique).
If you are using DPNs, you will transfer the stitches you just cast on onto DPNs before proceeding to knit in the round following the pattern.
If you are using a single long circular needle and the Magic Loop technique, you can keep the cast-on stitches on the needle that you cast onto.
Don’t know how to knit in the round? Check out our tutorial on using double pointed needles here, or our magic loop tutorial here.
Follow the pattern to work the polka dot, switching from CC to MC when indicated.
If you are working on double pointed needles, you will have started out on 3, and after you have a few more stitches, you can transfer your stitches onto 4 DPNs, in preparation for working the corners. Then you will reach the point where you must turn the circles into squares. This is done by working short-rows at each corner.
The pattern indicates how markers should be placed to indicate the corner locations. If you are knitting on DPNs, you probably won’t use the markers, but will instead have your stitches divided into 4 equal sections, each on a needle, with the start of round at the end of one needle. The corners will be at the gaps between needles.
Each corner is worked the same way, one at a time, following the pattern to work a series of short rows. You can work these with traditional wrap and turns, or try our favourite method German short rows.
When working short rows, you work part of the way to the end of a row or round, but instead of completing it, you stop and turn the work, and work back in the opposite direction. In order to avoid having holes in the work where you turned, you make a wrap around the base of the stitch next to your turning stitch. Later, when you come to work that wrapped stitch, you pick up the wrap and knit it together with the stitch that it was wrapped around.
If you are using the magic loop technique, you can pull the cable out wherever is convenient to allow you to work the short-rows back and forth on the needles. If you are using DPNs, you can either add in another needle to work the short rows on, or else just use the needles that you have in the work already. After you have worked the set of short rows, you will have formed one corner, and you will be at the start-of-round marker, which also indicates the first corner location.
To work the next corner you need to knit around until you get to the next corner location. On the way, you will come to the wrapped stitches created by your short rows. As the pattern indicates, you will ‘pick up wraps and knit them together with the stitches they wrap.
You do this by inserting the tip of the RH needle under the wrap, and then through the wrapped stitch itself, then knit these 2 together with one stitch.
Once you have reached the next corner, you simply repeat the series of short rows again, and proceed to the next corner, until you have worked all 4. After the fourth corner, you work half way to the first corner, and that is the end of the knitting. Then you proceed to bind off.
In order to achieve a good end result, and have a blanket that can be neatly seamed up and completed, you must use a very stretchy bind-off method, so that the squares can be blocked out nice and flat. The one that I recommend is as follows:
k1, *k1, insert left hand needle tip into fronts of 2 stitches on right hand needle, and k2tog-tbl, repeat from * until all stitches have been bound off.
During your bind-off round, you will come to stitches that are wrapped. In this case, when you knit them, pick up and knit the wraps together with the wrapped stitches (then bind them off as per the bind-off above).
Once you’ve bound off all of your stitches take a look at your square and give that bind-off a stretch. The bind off for the squares REALLY needs to be stretchy for it to take shape.
OK so you have completed your first square, congratulations! Weave in the ends (except the last bind off end) and block the square. I have created a tutorial on how to wet block here.
Once the square is dry, you can assess whether you like the way it turned out. Is the bind-off stretchy enough to allow the square to lie flat? If not, you should try binding off on larger needles, with a looser tension, or another bind-off method entirely.
Once you have created all of your blocks, you can decide how you want them to go together. When I was laying out my POP blanket, I considered 3 different layouts:
In the end, I chose the random option, because both Alexa and I liked it best. This is a fun part, so take your time, and consider your options!
To sew the squares together, I used a slip stitch crochet seam. Don’t know how? Check out the full tutorial here.
Finish by working a round of single crochet around the outside edge of the blanket, then block it once more to get a nice flat and consistent fabric. Then drag it around with you everywhere to show everybody you know what a pretty thing you’ve made!
More great blanket patterns from Tin Can Knits:
Lullaby
POP
Fly Away
Bounce
Vivid
Dogwood
September 6, 2019 @ 8:13 am
I love the blanket and I like to knit it. I don’t I understand the pattern cause I expect a row by row instructions. If you can guide me like that please do. I’m looking for a perfect blankets and yours is!
September 10, 2019 @ 2:02 pm
Hi Marianna – So glad you like it! The pattern itself includes the line by line instructions, the tutorial is meant to go along with the pattern
July 19, 2019 @ 5:18 pm
I have finished the squares using Noro Kureyon color 344 (blues, browns, aqua & lime). I did 25 squares for a baby blanket. I blocked each square using cold water. When I started putting the blanket together I realized that the Noro ran on my main color (which is white). Anyone else have problems with the Noro not being colorfast? Any suggestions on how to fix the problem? I am just sick about this – so much work as gone into the protect.
May 24, 2019 @ 7:30 pm
I don’t understand this…
….During your bind-off round, you will come to stitches that are wrapped. In this case, when you knit them, pick up and knit the wraps together with the wrapped stitches (then bind them off as per the bind-off above)….
Is this going down into past rows? Or just the last row prior to bind off? I have a beautiful dot and terrible holey squares.
May 29, 2019 @ 3:45 pm
Hi Rebecca – last row prior to bind off.
July 4, 2021 @ 4:02 am
This was quite an undertaking for me but I learned a lot! My only concern is that when I bind off as you suggested I get a big gap between where I started to bind off and where I end up and it looks messy. Any suggestions? I thought it was because of the circular needles and the tugging.
July 4, 2021 @ 10:45 pm
Hi Katharine – You can either use your tail to sew up that gap, OR you can pick up an extra stitch in the first stitch bound off and then bind that stitch off too (that closes the gap)
Winter Crafts Worth Trying – Crafty Like Granny
January 7, 2019 @ 1:07 pm
[…] polka dots by designer; Emily Wessel at Tin Can Knits is truly gorgeous. Emily also has created a tutorial to guide you along your […]
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November 1, 2018 @ 8:57 am
[…] POP blanket by Tin Can Knits out of my handspun. […]
February 24, 2017 @ 1:06 pm
I love your Pop Blanket! It has made me conquer my fear of Magic Loop and learn several new techniques!
It has a distinctive modern appeal to my three 30-something children, so I am making each of them one. I just started a few squares of a “test blanket” for myself in four different shades of blue on ecru. I am already dreading the crochet finish, so question: can the squares be left with “live” edge stitches on stitch holders and then joined using the Three-Needle Bind-Off? I would put two squares together wrong sides facing each other so the seam would show because I like the look of the ridges on your blanket. So I suppose I would still bind off the outside edges of the perimeter squares normally?
Is this idea possible? Would I need to knit one extra round in order to pick up the wrapped stitches (stitches 8, 10, and 11 of each section), or just pick them up as I bind seams together? (some backwards and upside down). Should I knit that 4th section clear to the end instead of stopping after six stitches?
Is there another way to join squares by knitting? I don’t mind having to map out the pattern of the four colors in advance and join them as I go.
I love this pattern!
Thank you!
February 24, 2017 @ 4:09 pm
Hi Marsha – you can absolutely finish it with live edges worked together with a 3 needle bind off. You may want to try a few squares and see if you are happy with the stretchy-ness of this method.
Crafty Like Granny Begins - Crafty Like Granny
November 29, 2016 @ 9:58 pm
[…] polka dots by designer; Emily Wessel at Tin Can Knits is truly gorgeous. Emily also has created a tutorial to guide you along your […]
November 20, 2016 @ 9:17 am
I love the pattern and the look of Kuryeon, but don’t understand how you can get all the variety of colors and shades in all of the squares with just 2 colourways of Kuryeon. Did you use other shades, or ONLY just 272 and 284 for ALL of the squares? If you used other shades, do you have a list? I know of a sale on Kuryeon which ends soon, so please answer as soon as you are able. Thanks
November 21, 2016 @ 10:52 pm
Hi Sarah – Kureyon used to be different, with slightly shorter repeats so we did use 272 and 284 but a few years ago.
August 30, 2016 @ 10:57 am
I am making the polka dot blanket and just finished the circle, ready to move to MC and beginning row 14. I don’t know what “pm” means? Can you help please”
August 30, 2016 @ 11:58 am
Hi Terry – place marker.
June 21, 2016 @ 6:47 am
Hi! I love this blanket. I just started and have never done short rows before. When I bind off, I have some bumpy pieces- is this normal or am I doing something wonky with my turns & wrapping?
June 21, 2016 @ 9:29 am
This is pretty normal, you may want to try German Short Rows (I love them myself). Have you blocked your square? Once you have blocked it you can see if you like the final square.
April 18, 2016 @ 9:10 am
I am having such a problem doing the wrap and turns. I’ve tried regular ones and German ones, and either way it looks bad. I’ll keep trying.
March 23, 2016 @ 5:39 pm
This is a great pattern. Making the squares was a great way to unwind at the end of the day. I knitted 80 squares, 8×10, and crocheted a border around it to finish it off.
The end result was very pleasing. So pleasing, I did some blatant showing off, on Facebook, of the finished project. Amazing response. This is thanks to your pattern and its use the Noro wool. It was a joy to knit. Thanks
March 22, 2016 @ 9:49 am
Bravo et grand merci pour toutes ces explications que je cherche depuis plusieurs semaines, pour faire une horloge. Bonne continuation, Nicole.
January 4, 2016 @ 1:16 pm
Hi I’ve had your POP pattern for a while now dug it out this evening and decided to give it a go with some scraps of wool. I’ve finished a square and I can’t stop looking at it am thrilled with the results and great fun to knit.
Gonna knit some more!!
October 4, 2015 @ 12:29 pm
I am giving up, I do not think this should be categorised as suitable for beginners!!!
October 6, 2015 @ 12:08 pm
I wouldn’t categorize it for beginners either, there are a few tricky techniques
July 31, 2015 @ 5:05 am
Sooooooo cool ….
March 17, 2015 @ 9:54 pm
This is great…just a thought though…it would be lovely if you filmed yourself knitting a square and put it on youtube or something as it would be easier to follow for us visual learners…I would love to make a blanket but am a little intimidated…
February 21, 2015 @ 2:37 am
Hi Help it is second unsuccessful square when you say Knit do I just knit without adding stitches at all? because when I follow just knit my colourful part ends up like a tube and when I add one stitch to every needle it is not good either I’m not sure what to do here. it’s my very first circular knit so I hope you can help so I can knit this beautiful blanket ^-^
February 25, 2015 @ 9:43 pm
I’m not sure I follow. When it says to knit, you just knit. The increases rounds are increasing more than one st, it is doubling your sts. It may look like a tube at first, but it will relax once you have finished your square.
February 10, 2016 @ 1:39 pm
Thanks Alex figured out what went wrong :-)
December 1, 2014 @ 2:25 pm
I loved making the squares but now I am seaming the square together and it is a bunched up mess! Help! I blocked each square and they are fairly flat.
December 3, 2014 @ 5:30 pm
How are you seaming them? I find if you are using the crochet seam method it is important to go up several hook sizes, otherwise it’s toooooo tight.
October 24, 2014 @ 12:40 am
Hello, bonjour !
Do you have the pattern of POP BLANKET in FRENCH ? I will buy it but I don’t find in FRENCH ! Merci, thank you very much, Cataliluc
August 8, 2014 @ 3:15 pm
Hello! I’m nearing the end of the knitting part of my 120 square blanket and am considering adding a backing fabric. Do you have any suggestions for what type of fabric to use and how to sew it on? Will a sewing machine work?
June 21, 2014 @ 7:00 pm
So I downloaded the pattern and have made it to my first short row corner and something is confusing me. The pattern says ‘knit 4, w&t, purl 8, w&t…’ And so forth. How is it that I only knit 4 on the first part, especially when I turn and have to purl 8? Is there a correction I don’t know about? Shouldn’t I knit 10 first in order to purl 8? Or have I missed something? Help! :) I’ve made it this far. Thanks!
June 22, 2014 @ 12:04 pm
Never mind. Figured it out. But it sure was confusing. :) For newbies to magic loop {such as myself}, you might put in bold letters the statement of adjusting your cable in order to do the short rows. I had done short rows before but not with magic loop. Or maybe not this way. Whew. I finished my first square but I feel like it was a well-worn battle to get there. Lol. I looked at this pattern and my knitting forever before it clicked. I’m almost scared to try again. But I will. ‘Cause I’m super stubborn. 😉
June 28, 2014 @ 11:40 pm
The first time you make one of these, it takes a bit of a mental leap! But you get a lot of practice when you’re making a blanket with 20+ squares! ~ Emily
June 28, 2014 @ 11:42 pm
Just follow the pattern as written! You will k4, then w&t, and when you are purling 8, you have to purl PAST the corner marker (slip it, leaving it in position at the centre of the corner). Hope this helps!
June 1, 2014 @ 1:40 pm
I really love this pattern which I saw made up last week in Baa Ram Ewe on Otley Road in Leeds. I I’m enjoying the challenge of knitting the squares and know it will be perfect when completed as a buggy blanket for my new grandson. Thank you for a wonderful design and the very helpful blog!
June 10, 2014 @ 10:28 am
You are very welcome!
My very own POP! | Tin Can Knits
May 2, 2014 @ 6:54 pm
[…] Pattern: POP! by Emily Wessel (if you are feeling daunted by these little squares check out our in depth tutorial here) […]
April 24, 2014 @ 4:22 am
Why don’t you weave in the yarn end at the end of the bind off? What do you do with it? Is it crocheted into the slip stitches?
April 24, 2014 @ 11:21 pm
If you leave a good sized tail you can use it to seam up your squares (makes for fewer ends if you use them for seaming too!)
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April 15, 2014 @ 9:25 am
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Emily is Coming!!! «
September 29, 2013 @ 10:22 pm
[…] is bringing the adorable Pop blanket with her – book now to learn all the techniques from the designer herself! Classes will be run at the North Van and Point Grey shops on Oct 21st […]
August 23, 2013 @ 9:33 am
I’m at 110 of 120 blocks, and have started making strips to combine into rows. All looks very good EXCEPT despite having blocked each square carefully, they have lost their flatness and the circles are popping up. Is this how it should look, or do I need to wet block it? My LYS has sen me through the project, and thinks the 3D effect is what it should be. She thinks just spraying the seams will be all that is needed. Help!
August 23, 2013 @ 11:06 am
Hi Kathy – I’d suggest blocking the finished blanket – soak it in the bathtub, wring it out gently, get it as dry as possible by rolling in towels, then lay it out somewhere for a couple days. You could also put it through the washer if you have a ‘spin cycle only’ setting to get most of the water out. The more dry you can get it before you lay it out the faster it will dry all the way through. If you have a spare bed in the house, strip the sheets off it and lay out the damp blanket on it (that’s what I do). If not, perhaps there’s a rug? My blanket, after some time, ‘popped’ a bit (the central circles pop up a bit, it’s not 100% flat), but I think it kind of adds to the charm :)
Hope this helps –
Emily
February 27, 2016 @ 2:27 pm
You can also take it to a laundromat and use an extractor… it’ll pull out a lot more water than a spin cycle alone.
June 21, 2013 @ 5:44 pm
Being a relatively new knitter, I taught myself last summer, I was rather challenged by the pattern for this awesome blanket. But, the owner of the yarn shop that I frequent was making it and I wanted to try! I have gone from reading the instructions step by step, checking and double checking my process on the tutorial to making square after lovely square without even looking at the instructions! A big thank you to helping in my knitting success!!!
March 17, 2013 @ 1:08 am
I bought the “Pop” blanket pattern at The Edinburgh Yarn Festival yesterday at The Drill Hall ( a great day, please repeat ). It looks an interesting “challenge – now I have read your DIY page I am going to try it one quiet weekend- use up my stash of odd balls of wool.thanks Janet.
March 17, 2013 @ 9:42 am
Good luck with it! If there is anything you still don’t understand from the tutorial, be sure to let us know! It was lovely to meet so many knitters! ~ Emily
January 31, 2013 @ 8:16 am
The POP Blanket is a Winner! I loved making the individual squares, it was almost a mantra at the end, as if I could not end the day without having made another module! Baby Axel, now covered with this blanket, certainly wears a big smile when he sees the colorful circles! Well written pattern, very easy to comprehend. I knitted the corners knitting forward and backward so I did not have to change DPNs, easier with circular needles :-).
Thanks again for this very nice design.
Share the love | Aphaia | One Stitch More
December 25, 2012 @ 5:56 pm
[…] all available individually too) plus some fabulous tutorials : Gramps top-down sweater series, POP blanket tutorial, and Sweater Sizing […]