A knitted square is the knitter’s version of a granny square: small, portable, and easy to turn into a blanket one piece at a time. These ten are squares only, from a knitted granny square and a mitered one to cables, a log cabin and three Christmas trees you can drop into a holiday blanket.
All ten are free, and each one links straight to the designer’s own page. Most are 8 inches square, so they combine easily, and I put the seasonal ones last. If you want the patchwork and jacket side of this idea, see our knitted granny square patterns, and for something bigger try our knitting cardigan patterns.
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Items you’ll need:
- Knitting needles
- Circular knitting needles
- Cable needle
- Worsted weight yarn
- Tapestry needles and stitch markers
- Blocking mat and pins
Knitted squares to explore
1. Knitted Granny Square
Designer Susan Rainey on Ravelry. A knitted take on the crochet granny square, worked in the round on US 6 (4 mm) double pointed needles in worsted weight yarn, with a new color for each of five tiers (about 22 to 25 yards in total). Five rounds make a 4 inch square, and you can keep going for a bigger one. It was adapted from Betty Salpekar’s knitted square with permission, and a video shows each step. The free download needs a free Ravelry account.
2. Mitered Square
Designer Kristen Mangus at GoodKnit Kisses. An 8 inch garter stitch square worked from the outside in: cast on 76 stitches and decrease at the center of each row with k2tog and ssk, ending in a point at the center. It uses #4 yarn (Red Heart Chic Sheep) on US 8 circular needles and is rated easy. It can be adjusted to other sizes and yarn weights. The full pattern is free on the page, with an embedded tutorial video.
3. Log Cabin Afghan Square
Designer Sarah Bradberry at Knitting-and.com. About 9 inches square in DK wool on 4 mm needles. You start at the center with 10 stitches and 20 rows, then pick up along the ridges and build outward in strips, with the last section at 50 stitches. A diagram shows the order, and the sample used three colors, though you can use as many as you like. Free on the page.
4. Mossinette Square
Designer Noorain at Noor’s Knits. An 8 by 8 inch square in moss stitch with stockinette stripes: cast on 24 stitches and work 36 rows. It uses about 70 yards of medium weight yarn (Caron Simply Soft Tweeds) on US 10.5 circular needles, and the page calls it beginner friendly. The free pattern is on the page, with an ad free PDF sold separately.
5. Arcadia Cable Square
Designer April Garwood at Banana Moon Studio. An 8 inch cable square in Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice worsted weight on US 9 needles, using about 46 yards, with row by row instructions and a chart. Rated intermediate. The pattern is free on the page, and a paid PDF adds a second 8 inch square.
6. Apple Picking Square
Designer Katherine (JojodabomsCrafts), shared on Knitting with Chopsticks. An 8 by 8 inch square: cast on 36 stitches and work 38 rows of knit and purl with simple cable twists (C4F and C4B) every sixth row. It uses about 75 yards of worsted weight yarn on US 8 needles, with a stitch chart. Free on the page.
7. Cable Square
Designer Susan at A Box of Twine. About 8 inches square on a reverse stockinette background, with one main cable in the center and two narrow cables on each side. It takes 50 to 55 yards of worsted weight yarn on US 8 needles after casting on 36 stitches. One stitch abbreviation in row 1 looks inconsistent, so read the pattern through before you start. The free pattern is on the page, and a printable PDF is sold in a bundle.
8. Christmas Tree Square
Designer Heather at Daisy and Storm. A knit and purl Christmas tree on 45 stitches, about 8.5 inches square in DK yarn on 4 mm needles (or 10 inches in worsted on 4.5 mm), with a chart and written instructions. The sample uses Cascade 220 Superwash in Christmas Green. The blog has more than a dozen other free Christmas squares in the same size, including a reindeer, snowman, snowflake, holly and gift, so you can build a whole holiday blanket.
9. Christmas Tree Square
Designer Sammy Bristow at Handmade With Love for Preemies UK. A small tree shaped with purl stitches: cast on 29 stitches in DK yarn on 4 mm needles and work 43 rows. The squares are made for premature babies, and the page says the finished item can be donated to charity. The designer asks that you do not copy the pattern, so link to it rather than sharing it.
10. Christmas Tree Coaster
Designer Norman at Nimble Needles. A small square of about 12 cm (4.7 inches) with a tree on it, cast on 19 stitches in worsted cotton on 4.5 mm double pointed needles, with written rows and a chart. Optional French knots add baubles. It works as a coaster, or as a mini square for a Christmas patchwork.
