Blanket Projects (Knitting)

I'm sure knitters out there know about Ravelry and equally dangerous Knit Picks.com. Combine the two and you get an afternoon of procrastination. 

I've wanted to knit a blanket/throw for a really long time. After some researching at Ravelry (and other knitting websites), I have found some really cute blankets that are easy, yet that look great. Plus there's a little something from Martha. THE Martha Stewart. For an added bonus. I'mo also sharing what fiber/yarn and color I'm thinking about knitting the blanket in.

 A side note: I wanted an adult sized blanket. It took me a while to find something that's not "baby" sized or "perfect for your baby". Blah. 

• Blanket for Seriously Cold People. It's just knit and purl. Simple enough. Around here Cascade Magnum retails for about $20 a ball. Times that by 6-8. Since this isn't a sweater or something, I plan on using something a little less inexpensive. Like this. In suede or porcini. (I realize that the yarn I picked out is bulky and not super bulky like the pattern states, but being a throw I have a little room to play, right? ;) Oh, check the author's blog for more trendy patterns. 
• Another knit and purl blanket.  I love chunky blankets like this one! I'm not going to drop $40 (times 7). It's beautiful yarn, but let's snap back to reality. I'm not sure what fiber/yarn I'd substitute. Knit Picks doesn't have a huge "bulky" collection. I love to find something with mohair to keep that whole look/feel. 
• Martha Stewart "patch-work" comforter. It requires 38 skeins of a bulky yarn+3 skeins merino. Mmm, yeah. Anyway. I'd do it in this. It's machine washable and super soft against the skin. Colors? 
• Main color: Silver
• thread: some other brand.  
• Another Purlbee blanket called Hudson Bay Inspired crib blanket. It IS a baby blanket, but they suggest I use it for a little lap blanket. Or maybe double it?!?! (Why in the H does Purl Bee recommend $20-50 a ball/skein yarn?!?) Here's the yarn I'd maybe knit it. It's DK weight, so to get to worsted (or slightly thicker), you'd knit to strands with two strands of DK at all times. Because I'm cheap, I'd still do five or six rows, but alternate between two or three colors...so I don't have to buy all this yarn. ya know? 
• main color: platinum 
• stripe one: timber
• stripe two: honey
• stripe three: tiger lily

(my next project is the Blanket for Seriously Cold People. It's Summer now, but by the time I'm done with it...)