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| Photos above © Mila - Knitting for all |
What a beautiful knitted blanket pattern! I found it on Pinterest. This knit zig-zag stitch makes a double-sided single-row pattern that looks the same front and back. This knitted square is made with 12 stitches and 1 row. As a rule of thumb, you cast on a number of stitches and multiply by 12 + 13 for symmetry +2 edges.
Full Post: Zig Zag Stitch
Lucky 4-Leaf Afghan Block project shown above. Photo © ladybugaustin.
Lucky 4-Leaf Afghan Block by Margaret MacInnis is a striking knitted square built around four textured leaf shapes that meet in the center to create a four-leaf-clover effect.
Unlike a traditional blanket square worked back and forth from one edge to the other, this design is knitted from the center outward. The construction creates the four leaves as part of one continuous block, so you do not have to knit four separate leaves and sew them together.
The finished block measures approximately 12 inches square and the pattern is currently available as a free download.
The feature that immediately distinguishes this afghan block is the four-leaf motif formed across the center of the square.
Each leaf grows outward as the block expands, creating a symmetrical design that resembles a four-leaf clover.
Because the motif is created through the knitted structure rather than simply added afterward, texture and shaping become an important part of the finished appearance.
Margaret MacInnis explains that the basic block has roots in an antique counterpane design.
Counterpanes are traditional knitted bed coverings often constructed from individual motifs or blocks that are later combined into a larger textile.
Many historical counterpane designs use geometric, floral and leaf motifs, making this four-leaf construction a natural fit for that tradition.
Margaret adapted the older concept specifically for use in afghan block exchanges and made her version available to knitters as a free pattern.
One of the most interesting features of the Lucky 4-Leaf Afghan Block is its center-out construction.
Instead of casting on enough stitches for one full side of the square, the knitter begins in the middle and gradually increases the circumference of the block.
As more stitches are added, the four leaf sections expand outward and the square gradually takes shape.
Center-out construction creates a very different knitting experience from working a conventional square in rows.
At the beginning, only a small number of stitches need to be managed. As the block grows, the rounds become progressively longer.
This method also makes it possible to create strong radial symmetry, which is especially useful for floral and geometric motifs.
The Lucky 4-Leaf Afghan Block is worked in the round.
This allows the four sections of the design to develop simultaneously without creating seams between the individual leaves.
If you have mainly knitted flat scarves or dishcloths, this project can be an interesting opportunity to practice circular construction on a relatively small piece.
Margaret's pattern begins the center-out construction using double-pointed needles (DPNs).
DPNs are useful at the center of a project because the initial circumference is too small for many standard circular needles.
The stitches are distributed across several needles while another needle is used to knit around the developing motif.
As the block grows, more stitches are created and the circumference becomes larger.
At that stage, many knitters find it more comfortable to transfer the stitches to a circular needle of the same size.
This can make the increasingly long rounds easier to manage and reduces the number of needle changes required while working around the square.
The published pattern calls for Aran-weight yarn.
Margaret's original recommendation is Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, a yarn frequently used for afghans and other practical home projects.
An Aran-weight yarn gives the leaf motif enough substance for the textured details to remain visible while producing a useful blanket block.
The 12-inch version lists approximately 150–175 yards (137–160 meters).
Actual yarn use can vary with your gauge, yarn substitution and finishing choices, so having a little extra yarn is sensible if you need the block to match a specific finished measurement.
If you substitute another yarn, try to choose one with similar weight and suitable stitch definition.
Consider:
These considerations become particularly important when multiple blocks will eventually be joined into one blanket.
A solid or gently tonal yarn can be especially effective for this pattern because it allows the shadows and raised areas of the leaf motif to remain visible.
Highly variegated yarn can still create an interesting block, but strong color changes may compete with some of the textured details.
If the four-leaf shape is the feature you most want to emphasize, consider a yarn with enough visual consistency for the stitch pattern to stand out.
The published recommendation is US 7 / 4.5 mm needles.
Use this as the starting point and adjust only when necessary to obtain the required gauge and finished block size.
For a modular afghan, consistent gauge is especially important because blocks that differ significantly in size can be difficult to join neatly.
The listed gauge is approximately 16 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette.
Although the finished block contains texture and shaping rather than plain stockinette throughout, the published gauge gives you a useful reference for choosing needles and yarn.
If you are making only one square as a decorative piece, a small difference in finished size may not matter very much.
But if you plan to join several blocks into an afghan, matching their dimensions becomes much more important.
A consistent 12-inch size makes it easier to arrange blocks into rows and join them without stretching one square excessively to fit another.
This project can introduce or reinforce several useful knitting skills, including:
Lucky 4-Leaf is probably better suited to a knitter who already knows the basic knit and purl stitches and is ready to work in the round.
The unusual center-out construction and use of DPNs can make the first few rounds feel more challenging than a simple flat square.
Once the block becomes larger and the motif is established, however, the construction can become easier to visualize.
This is common with many center-out projects.
A small number of stitches distributed across several double-pointed needles can feel awkward because there is very little fabric available to stabilize the needles.
Work slowly at the beginning and check that the stitches have not become twisted before the structure is firmly established.
The strong four-part symmetry of the design can make stitch markers useful.
Separating the repeated sections can help you identify an increase or decrease error before it affects the entire round.
Always follow the original pattern's marker placement and stitch counts rather than adding markers where they might interfere with the motif.
Center-out patterns rely on controlled increases to produce the intended geometry.
If an increase is missed, the mistake may not become visually obvious until several rounds later.
Checking stitch counts at useful points in the pattern can save much more time than discovering an error near the outer edge of the block.
Blocking is particularly useful for an afghan block containing textured or lace-like shaping.
After knitting, the square may not immediately measure exactly 12 inches or the four leaf sections may look slightly uneven.
Gentle blocking can help the stitches settle and allow the square to reach a cleaner, more consistent shape.
Always use a blocking method appropriate for your yarn fiber.
One Lucky 4-Leaf block can be attractive on its own, but the design was created specifically with afghan exchanges and modular blankets in mind.
You could knit several matching blocks for a repeating four-leaf blanket or combine Lucky 4-Leaf with other 12-inch squares.
Using a consistent yarn weight and block size will make the final assembly much easier.
Although each individual block can be worked in a single color, the finished blanket does not need to be monochromatic.
For example, you could alternate light and dark blocks, create a gradient across the blanket, or use several coordinated colors while keeping the same four-leaf motif.
Repeating the same texture while changing color can produce a cohesive blanket without making every square identical.
Margaret MacInnis originally developed her version of the block after using it in several afghan exchanges.
Standardized block sizes are useful for group projects because different knitters can make individual squares that are later assembled into one blanket.
The 12-inch format makes Lucky 4-Leaf particularly suitable for that type of modular project.
Margaret MacInnis later published a separate 9-inch Lucky 4-Leaf Afghan Block.
In that version, the leaves were modified to be shorter and the border construction was changed to suit the smaller finished square.
If you need a smaller block for your blanket layout, make sure you select the 9-inch pattern rather than simply trying to reduce the 12-inch version yourself.
The two patterns are related but they are not identical.
Choose the version that matches the other squares in your planned blanket.
The Lucky 4-Leaf Afghan 12" Block by Margaret MacInnis is currently available as a free authorized download through the designer's Ravelry listing.
Get the Free 12-Inch Lucky 4-Leaf Pattern →
If you prefer the smaller version, Margaret also offers the 9-inch Lucky 4-Leaf Afghan Block as a separate free pattern.
View the Free 9-Inch Version →
Lucky 4-Leaf Afghan Block is by Margaret MacInnis / Designs By Muggins. The designer notes that her block was developed from an older counterpane design and significantly adapted for afghan use. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's complete pattern instructions.
Pixie Baby Hat. Pattern, tutorial and photo © Marta Porcel / Creativa Atelier
This adorable Pixie Baby Hat by Marta Porcel of Creativa Atelier is a free baby bonnet knitting pattern with a charming pointed shape, adjustable cord and playful tassels.
The hat is worked flat on straight needles, making it especially appealing if you prefer not to knit small circumferences in the round. The knitted piece is folded and seamed at the back to create the distinctive pixie shape.
The original tutorial is written for approximately 1–3 months, but the designer also explains how the basic construction can be adjusted for larger sizes.
The most recognizable feature of this little bonnet is its pointed pixie silhouette.
Instead of shaping a conventional rounded crown, the flat knitted fabric is folded and joined at the back. This simple construction produces the distinctive point at the top of the hat.
Tassels add even more character and give the finished bonnet a playful, traditional handmade appearance.
One of the best features of this pattern is that you do not need to knit the bonnet in the round.
The main fabric is worked back and forth on 4 mm straight needles.
This makes the project particularly useful for knitters who enjoy baby hats but are not yet comfortable using double-pointed needles, Magic Loop or other small-circumference techniques.
Marta Porcel designed the tutorial specifically for a baby of approximately 1–3 months.
Rather than pretending that the free tutorial contains a complete multi-size grading system, it is important to note that the published stitch and row counts correspond to this original size.
The designer does, however, explain how the simple construction can be adapted if you want to make a larger bonnet.
Because the hat is based on a relatively simple flat construction, the designer suggests increasing both the initial number of stitches and the number of rows when making a larger size.
Taking the child's actual head measurements is the best approach whenever possible.
For gift knitting, the original tutorial also provides approximate head circumference references by age to help with planning.
The original sample uses Katia Merino Classic in color 26.
The yarn is listed at approximately:
100 grams = 240 meters
DK / Light weight
The yarn was chosen to coordinate with a matching baby cardigan from Creativa Atelier.
A smooth, soft DK-weight yarn is a sensible starting point when substituting for the original yarn.
Because this is a baby accessory, pay particular attention to softness and care requirements as well as yarn weight.
A washable wool, merino blend or another baby-friendly DK yarn can work well if it produces fabric with dimensions comparable to the designer's sample.
The original 1–3 month version uses:
The crochet hook is optional because the cord can be created using other methods if you prefer.
The bonnet is based largely on simple stockinette fabric.
The designer changes the direction of the stockinette at strategic points to create the sections that will later be folded during finishing.
This is a clever way to build useful construction lines directly into a simple rectangular piece of knitting.
Instead of relying on complicated crown decreases, the Pixie Hat gets its shape from the way the knitted fabric is folded and seamed.
After completing the main piece, the fabric is folded in half and the appropriate edges are joined at the back.
The result is the characteristic pointed bonnet shape without having to shape a traditional rounded crown.
Because the bonnet is knitted flat, one of the main finishing steps is joining the back edges.
The designer notes that you can use a normal seam or an invisible seaming technique.
Taking a little extra time over this seam will help the finished point look neat and keep the inside comfortable.
A cord runs through the lower section of the bonnet and allows the hat to be adjusted around the baby's head.
Marta's sample uses approximately 55 cm of I-cord.
She demonstrates a crochet-hook method for making the cord, but also notes that there are several alternatives, including knitting or making a cord by hand.
The original Pixie Hat is finished with four tassels.
Two decorate the ends of the cord and two are attached to the pointed area of the bonnet.
The designer also suggests replacing the tassels with pom-poms if you prefer a different look.
The simple construction gives you plenty of opportunities to personalize the finished bonnet.
You might choose a soft neutral for a traditional look, a bright color for a playful baby accessory, or coordinate the yarn with another handmade garment.
Tassels and cords can also be made in contrasting colors for an extra decorative touch.
Creativa Atelier also provides tutorials for a matching knitted baby cardigan and baby booties.
The Pixie Hat can therefore be made on its own as a quick accessory or combined with the coordinating pieces to create a complete handmade baby outfit.
This also makes the design especially attractive for baby-shower or newborn gift knitting.
Useful skills for this project include:
The construction is relatively approachable because the main bonnet is worked flat and relies heavily on basic knit and purl techniques.
You do not need to manage circular knitting or complicated crown shaping.
The finishing introduces useful skills such as seaming, picking up stitches and making a cord, making this a nice progression beyond a simple scarf or square.
Many baby hat patterns are knitted in the round, which can be intimidating if you have only worked on straight needles.
This Pixie Hat provides a different route: knit the main shape flat and create the three-dimensional bonnet during finishing.
That makes it an interesting choice for newer knitters who want to make their first baby hat without immediately learning Magic Loop or double-pointed needles.
The designer recommends blocking the knitted fabric before completing the seams.
This helps control the natural curling of stockinette stitch and makes the finishing process easier.
Always use a blocking method appropriate for the fiber in your chosen yarn rather than automatically applying heat or steam to every fiber.
Small baby accessories are excellent projects when you want to make a thoughtful handmade gift without committing to a full blanket or sweater.
The pointed silhouette makes this bonnet more distinctive than a basic beanie, while the tassels give it plenty of handmade charm.
Pair it with knitted booties or the matching cardigan for a more complete gift set.
Because this design includes an adjustable cord and decorative tassels, it should be used appropriately and under adult supervision.
Check all finishing details regularly and make sure tassels and other decorative pieces remain securely attached.
Remove hats and accessories with cords or ties before sleep and follow current infant safe-sleep recommendations.
The Pixie Baby Hat combines a memorable shape with surprisingly simple construction.
It is knitted flat, uses familiar stockinette fabric and requires no complicated rounded crown shaping, yet the finished bonnet has a distinctive pointed silhouette.
The free tutorial, adjustable construction and matching baby garments also make it a useful pattern to keep bookmarked for future baby gifts.
Knitted PIXIE Hat by Marta Porcel of Creativa Atelier is still available as a free step-by-step knitting tutorial from the designer's website.
Get the Free Pixie Baby Hat Pattern →
Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Pattern, tutorial and original images belong to Marta Porcel / Creativa Atelier. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's complete instructions; please use the official tutorial above.
These Days Blanket designed by © Fifty Four Ten Studio.
These Days Blanket by Fifty Four Ten Studio is a modern reversible blanket knitting pattern featuring a beautifully simple geometric texture made entirely with knit and purl stitches.
The repeating design resembles small triangles inside squares, creating a clean contemporary texture that looks attractive on both sides of the blanket.
Even better, the blanket is knitted flat in one piece and the pattern includes six sizes, from a baby blanket to a generous XXL throw.
Pattern availability: These Days Blanket is currently available as a paid PDF knitting pattern directly from Fifty Four Ten Studio. You will find the official pattern link near the end of this guide.
The main attraction of These Days Blanket is its understated geometric texture.
A repeating combination of knit and purl stitches creates small triangle-in-a-square shapes across the surface of the blanket.
From a distance, the repeated shapes form a clean modern pattern. Up close, the raised and recessed stitches give the fabric plenty of texture without the need for cables, lace or colorwork.
One of the most useful features of These Days Blanket is that the stitch pattern is reversible.
The geometric design looks the same on both sides, so there is no obvious right or wrong side of the finished blanket.
This is especially useful for baby blankets and throws because they are constantly folded, wrapped and turned over during everyday use.
Although the finished texture looks detailed, the stitch pattern is created entirely with knit and purl stitches.
There are no complicated cables or lace techniques required to produce the geometric design.
This makes These Days Blanket an appealing project for knitters who have mastered the basic stitches and are ready to practice following a repeating textured pattern.
The geometric texture is built from a six-row repeating stitch pattern.
Short repeats can make a large blanket much more enjoyable to knit because the rhythm of the design becomes familiar after you have worked several repetitions.
You still need to keep track of your rows carefully, but once the pattern becomes recognizable it can develop into relaxing, straightforward knitting.
The pattern includes instructions for six finished sizes, making it useful for everything from a baby gift to a large sofa throw.
These measurements are approximate after blocking. Your finished dimensions may vary slightly depending on your yarn, gauge and knitting tension.
Another useful feature of the design is the ability to add extra pattern repeats if you want a longer blanket.
According to the designer, each additional repeat adds approximately 0.75 inch to the length.
Remember that making the blanket longer will require additional yarn, so plan your yardage before modifying the size.
These Days Blanket is designed primarily for worsted #4 weight yarn.
Approximate yarn requirements for the six sizes are:
Buy additional yarn if you plan to increase the length or if your gauge differs significantly from the pattern gauge.
The designer recommends using a solid-color yarn for the best appearance.
This is good advice for textured knitting. The shadows created by knit and purl stitches are easier to see when the yarn color does not compete with the stitch pattern.
Light and medium shades can make the geometric shapes particularly visible.
The pattern can work with many worsted-weight yarns and is not limited to one particular fiber.
Wool can provide warmth and excellent stitch definition. A washable wool or wool blend can be especially practical for a baby blanket.
Acrylic may offer easy care and a wide range of affordable colors, while suitable cotton yarn can create a different drape and feel.
Whatever fiber you choose, make a swatch first to make sure you like the appearance and feel of the textured fabric.
The designer used US 7 / 4.5 mm needles.
Although the blanket is knitted flat rather than in the round, circular needles are recommended because the cable can comfortably hold the large number of stitches required for a blanket.
Work back and forth on the circular needle exactly as you would on straight needles.
The listed gauge is approximately 19 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in the pattern stitch using US 7 / 4.5 mm needles.
The designer notes that exact gauge is not essential, but the textured pattern tends to look best when the stitches are fairly firm.
A significantly different gauge can change the finished dimensions and the amount of yarn required.
The designer rates These Days Blanket as an easy knitting pattern.
It is particularly suitable for a confident beginner who already knows how to knit and purl and wants to move beyond plain stockinette or garter-stitch projects.
The main challenge is not a difficult knitting technique. Instead, it is accurately following the row-by-row sequence that creates the geometric texture.
Before beginning These Days Blanket, you should be comfortable with:
No advanced cable or lace techniques are required to create the main geometric texture.
Because the design depends on a six-row repeat, keeping track of your current row is important.
A row counter, notebook, phone app or simple pencil mark beside each completed row can help prevent mistakes.
Once you have knitted several repeats, you may begin to recognize the visual rhythm of the pattern, but it is still useful to maintain an accurate row count.
Take a moment every few rows to look at the geometric shapes developing across the blanket.
Since the design is created by the placement of knit and purl stitches, a mistake can interrupt the repeating texture.
Catching an error early is much easier than discovering it after many additional rows have been knitted.
Highly variegated yarn can sometimes hide subtle knit-and-purl textures.
If the geometric pattern is the feature you love most about These Days Blanket, consider a solid or gently tonal yarn that allows the triangle-in-a-square design to remain visible.
The simplicity of one color also gives the finished blanket a clean, contemporary appearance.
The smallest version measures approximately 27 × 30 inches after blocking and requires roughly 760–780 yards of worsted-weight yarn.
This size can be a good choice for a handmade baby gift because it allows you to enjoy the complete geometric design without committing to the yardage required for a full-size throw.
If the blanket will be used for a baby, choose a soft yarn with care instructions that suit the recipient.
If you want a blanket for a sofa, reading chair or bedroom, one of the larger sizes may be more appropriate.
The XL and XXL versions allow the repeating texture to cover a much larger surface, producing a simple but visually impressive throw.
Larger sizes require considerably more yarn, so checking dye lots and purchasing enough yarn at the beginning of the project is a sensible precaution.
Blocking is particularly useful for a textured blanket like this one.
Before blocking, the edges may appear slightly wavy and the geometric texture may not look completely settled.
Gentle blocking can help square the blanket, relax the fabric and make the stitch pattern appear more defined.
Always use a blocking method appropriate for the fiber content of your chosen yarn.
Large blankets often involve many hours of knitting, so a memorable stitch repeat can make the process much more enjoyable.
These Days Blanket combines enough texture to keep the project interesting with a short enough repeat to become familiar.
For many knitters, this balance makes it a good project for relaxed evening knitting once the pattern sequence has been learned.
Designer Mary Lee named the pattern These Days because the geometric stitch design reminded her of the boxes on a paper calendar.
The repeating squares reflect the idea of individual days: some filled with important events, others with challenges, and many with the simple everyday moments that are easy to overlook.
That inspiration gives the otherwise minimalist geometric blanket a thoughtful personal story.
The combination of six sizes, worsted-weight yarn and a reversible texture makes this pattern useful for many different projects.
Knit the smaller version as a baby blanket, choose a middle size for a lap blanket, or work one of the larger versions as a cozy throw.
Because the design is geometric rather than themed, it also works well with many decorating styles and gift occasions.
These Days Blanket is currently a paid knitting pattern.
The original designer, Fifty Four Ten Studio, currently offers the downloadable PDF directly through the official studio website.
At the time of our latest availability check, the official PDF is listed at $6 USD.
We also checked for a legitimate currently available free version of this exact pattern but did not find one. Therefore, we are linking directly to the designer's official pattern page rather than directing readers to an unofficial copy.
Visit Fifty Four Ten Studio to see the complete pattern details and purchase the downloadable PDF directly from the designer.
Get the These Days Blanket Pattern →
These Days Blanket is designed by Mary Lee of Fifty Four Ten Studio. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the copyrighted row-by-row pattern instructions. Pattern pricing and availability may change, so please check the designer's official page for the latest information.
Read Our Pattern Availability Policy →
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| Photos above © Julia VR |
Elephant Family Blanket by Mathilde of Le Pavillon Créatif is a charming knitted baby blanket featuring a family of elephants walking across a simple stockinette background.
The blanket combines a classic seed-stitch border with an animal motif that can be added using several different colorwork methods, making the project adaptable to different levels of knitting experience.
The finished blanket measures approximately 87 × 80 cm (34 × 31 in) and is designed in Aran-weight yarn for a warm, substantial fabric suitable for a handmade baby gift.
Design and original pattern © Mathilde / Le Pavillon Créatif.
The feature that makes this blanket immediately recognizable is the row of elephants across the center of the design.
Rather than covering the entire blanket with complicated texture, the designer uses a simple background so the elephant silhouettes become the focal point. This gives the project a clean and modern look while still making it playful enough for a nursery.
The animal motif also makes this a versatile baby-gift project because the design is not tied to one particular color palette.
One of the most useful features of the Elephant Family Blanket is that the elephant design can be worked using different techniques.
The designer explains three possible approaches:
This flexibility allows knitters to choose the method that best matches their experience and personal preference.
For knitters who are new to colorwork, the easiest approach is often to knit the main blanket in one color and add the elephant shapes afterward using duplicate stitch or embroidery.
This allows you to concentrate first on making an even stockinette fabric without managing several yarn colors at the same time.
Once the blanket is finished, the chart can be used as a guide for positioning the elephants over the existing stitches.
More experienced knitters may prefer to incorporate the elephant shapes directly into the blanket using intarsia.
With intarsia, separate lengths or balls of yarn are used for individual color sections rather than carrying the contrasting yarn continuously across the entire row.
This method can create clean blocks of color and eliminates the need to embroider the design afterward.
The blanket uses seed stitch as part of its border design.
Seed stitch alternates knit and purl stitches to create a textured, pebbled-looking fabric. It gives the edge visual definition and contrasts nicely with the smoother stockinette center.
A textured border can also help a stockinette-based blanket lie more neatly than an entirely plain rectangle.
The main background of the blanket is worked in stockinette stitch.
This smooth surface is an excellent choice for the elephant motif because it does not compete visually with the animal shapes.
It also creates a regular grid of stitches that works naturally with the charted design.
The designer lists the finished dimensions as approximately:
87 cm × 80 cm / 34 in × 31 in.
This is a practical baby-blanket size for supervised cuddling, stroller use and other everyday situations.
Always compare the finished measurements with your intended use rather than relying only on the general label “baby blanket.”
The original model uses DROPS Nepal, an Aran-weight yarn made from approximately 65% wool and 35% alpaca.
The designer specifies:
The referenced yarn contains approximately 75 meters / 82 yards per 50-gram ball.
That gives the original project enough yarn for both the main fabric and contrasting decorative sections.
You do not necessarily have to use the exact original yarn, but choose an Aran-weight substitute that can achieve the required gauge.
For an elephant chart, a relatively smooth yarn with good stitch definition is especially helpful because it keeps the edges of the motifs recognizable.
For a baby blanket, also consider softness, washability and how the yarn will hold up to regular use.
The published gauge is:
17 stitches × 24 rows = 10 × 10 cm / 4 × 4 in in stockinette stitch.
Although a blanket does not require the same exact fit as a sweater, gauge still affects the final dimensions and total yarn consumption.
A looser gauge may produce a larger blanket and use more yarn, while a tighter gauge can make the blanket smaller and denser.
The original pattern specifies 5 mm / US 8 knitting needles.
For a blanket of this width, many knitters may find a long circular needle more comfortable than straight needles because the cable can hold the weight of the growing fabric.
The blanket can still be worked flat even when using a circular needle.
The elephant motif chart covers approximately 115 stitches × 38 rows.
A chart like this represents the knitted fabric as a grid, with each square corresponding to a stitch.
Whether you use duplicate stitch, intarsia or another colorwork technique, checking the placement carefully before beginning the motif will help keep the elephants centered and aligned.
The blanket can be approached by a confident beginner because the designer allows the elephant motif to be added after the main knitting is complete.
Using duplicate stitch means you can make the blanket mainly with basic knit and purl techniques, then treat the elephants as a separate finishing step.
Knitters who already have experience with colorwork can increase the challenge by using intarsia or stranded knitting instead.
This makes the same design suitable for more than one skill level.
Check the chart position before starting. Count carefully from the blanket edges so the motif remains centered.
Use contrasting colors. The elephant shapes are easiest to see when the motif yarn clearly contrasts with the background.
Keep duplicate stitches relaxed. Pulling embroidery stitches too tightly can distort the stockinette fabric underneath.
Manage intarsia joins carefully. Twist the yarns correctly at color changes to avoid holes between sections.
Block gently. Blocking can help smooth the background and improve the final appearance of the charted motif.
The original style works beautifully with neutral shades, but there is no need to limit the blanket to gray elephants.
Possible combinations include:
The simple silhouette means the design can work with both traditional nursery colors and more modern palettes.
A handmade blanket can be useful for supervised cuddling, stroller use, floor time and other age-appropriate situations.
Always follow current infant safe-sleep guidance and avoid placing loose blankets in an infant sleep space when they are not recommended.
A legitimate free English download is currently linked from Mathilde's original Le Pavillon Créatif page for the exact Elephant Family Blanket design.
The same pattern is also currently listed as a paid download in the designer's Ravelry store, but Amazing Knitting prioritizes the designer's own currently available free source when one exists.
View the Free Elephant Family Blanket Pattern →
On the designer's page, choose the link labeled “Click here for the download English version” for the English pattern.
Elephant Family Blanket combines a straightforward baby-blanket construction with a memorable animal motif.
Its greatest strength is flexibility: beginners can add the elephants after the knitting is finished, while experienced knitters can integrate the motif using intarsia or stranded colorwork.
The seed-stitch border, smooth central fabric and charming family of elephants give the finished blanket enough detail to feel special without requiring complicated lace or cable construction.
It is an especially appealing project for a handmade baby gift or nursery keepsake.
Amazing Knitting links readers to legitimate designer or publisher sources whenever possible. Pattern prices, download locations and availability can change after an article is published.
Read Our Pattern Availability Policy →
Amazing Knitting is an independent pattern discovery and project-guide site. The Elephant Family Blanket design, chart and knitting instructions remain the intellectual property of Mathilde / Le Pavillon Créatif. This guide does not reproduce the designer's complete row-by-row instructions or elephant chart.
Blue Bell Baby Blanket. Photos © AishahBey & © Yarnfanatic
Blue Bell Baby Blanket by Ann V. Gallentine is a free baby blanket knitting pattern featuring a beautiful shell-stitch border surrounding a simple stockinette center.
The original blanket measures approximately 42 inches square and is knitted with worsted-weight yarn. Its combination of an elegant lace-like border and uncomplicated center makes it a lovely choice for a handmade baby gift.
The feature that gives the Blue Bell Baby Blanket its distinctive look is the decorative Lucina Shell Pattern used around the edges of the blanket.
Ann Gallentine explains that the border reminded her of bluebell flowers, which inspired the name of the design. The shell pattern surrounds a straightforward stockinette-stitch center, allowing the decorative edge to stand out.
The Lucina Shell Pattern used for the border was adapted by the designer from Barbara G. Walker's Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns.
The original Blue Bell Baby Blanket was knitted with worsted-weight Berroco Comfort, a nylon and acrylic blend. The designer lists 5½ skeins of 3.5 ounces each for the original blanket.
The recommended needle size is 6.5 mm (US 10½), with a gauge of 4 stitches and 6 rows per inch in stockinette stitch.
If you substitute another worsted-weight yarn, make a gauge swatch before starting if you want your finished blanket to remain close to the original dimensions.
Worked according to the original instructions, the blanket measures approximately 42 inches square.
This gives you a generously sized baby blanket that can work well in a nursery, stroller or as a handmade gift.
Yes. One of the useful features of Ann Gallentine's design is that the size can be customized.
The designer explains how to increase or decrease the cast-on count while preserving the shell-pattern repeat. Check the original pattern before changing the dimensions so that the decorative border remains correctly aligned.
Remember that making a larger blanket will require additional yarn.
The original version combines the decorative shell border with a stockinette center, but Ann also suggests another option: work the entire blanket in the shell pattern.
This creates a much more heavily textured version of the design. It will also require more yarn than the original stockinette-center blanket.
This pattern offers a useful balance between decorative and simple knitting. The shell border provides visual interest, while the large stockinette center gives the eye a place to rest and keeps the finished design from becoming overly busy.
A solid or softly tonal yarn is a particularly good choice when you want the shadows and curves of the shell-stitch border to remain clearly visible.
The complete Blue Bell Baby Blanket by Ann V. Gallentine is available free on the designer's original Ann's Knitting Page.
Get the Free Blue Bell Baby Blanket Pattern
Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.
Soft-as-a-Cloud Baby Afghan by Laura Polley is a classic textured baby blanket featuring a repeating geometric design created with simple knit and purl stitches.
First published in 2001, the blanket has remained popular with knitters because its bold texture looks much more complicated than the basic stitches used to create it.
The original design is worked with worsted-weight yarn on relatively large needles, producing a cozy blanket measuring approximately 34 × 41 inches.
Pattern availability update: Soft-as-a-Cloud Baby Afghan circulated online as a free pattern for many years. During our latest review, however, we could not verify a current authorized source offering the original Laura Polley pattern for download. We have therefore preserved this page as an informational pattern guide rather than directing readers to an unofficial copy.
The feature that makes Soft-as-a-Cloud Baby Afghan immediately recognizable is its repeating geometric texture.
Instead of using several yarn colors to create the design, the blanket relies on the contrast between knit and purl stitches.
Raised and recessed areas interact with the light to produce a pattern that appears almost three-dimensional across the surface of the blanket.
One of the appealing things about this design is that the visual effect comes primarily from basic knitting techniques.
Knit and purl stitches are arranged in a repeating sequence to form the geometric motifs.
This makes the blanket an interesting example of how simple stitches can create sophisticated-looking fabric without cables, lace or stranded colorwork.
The geometric design repeats across the width and length of the afghan.
Once you begin to recognize how the textured sections develop, the pattern becomes much easier to read directly from the knitted fabric.
This visual rhythm is one reason textured knit-and-purl blankets can be enjoyable long-term projects.
The original construction incorporates simple knitted borders around the textured center.
A garter-style edge helps frame the geometric design while also helping the outer edges of the blanket lie flatter.
The combination of a simple border and a more decorative center keeps the finished afghan visually balanced.
Soft-as-a-Cloud Baby Afghan was designed for worsted-weight yarn.
The yarn associated with the published pattern is Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted Solids & Heathers.
Encore is a wool-and-acrylic blend, a combination that makes sense for a frequently used blanket because it balances warmth, softness and practical care.
You do not necessarily need the exact original yarn to create a blanket with a similar type of fabric.
When choosing a worsted-weight substitute, look for:
A smooth yarn will generally display the geometric texture more clearly than a highly fuzzy or novelty yarn.
Textured patterns often look especially effective in a solid color.
With fewer color changes competing for attention, shadows across the raised and recessed stitches make the geometric design easier to see.
Light and medium shades can show stitch texture particularly well, although darker colors can create a dramatic effect when photographed or viewed in strong light.
Published pattern information lists approximately 1,600 yards / 1,463 meters of worsted-weight yarn.
This is a substantial amount of yarn, so it is wise to purchase enough for the entire blanket before beginning.
If possible, buy yarn from the same dye lot so the color remains consistent throughout the project.
The original pattern lists US 11 / 8 mm needles, which are relatively large for many worsted-weight yarns.
Using larger needles can produce a more open, flexible fabric instead of the dense material you might expect from smaller needles.
Your own tension and yarn choice will affect the result, so a swatch is useful before committing to the full blanket.
Published information lists a gauge of approximately 12 stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm.
Gauge affects the finished size as well as the total amount of yarn required.
If your stitches are substantially smaller or larger than the published gauge, your finished blanket dimensions will also change.
The original Soft-as-a-Cloud Baby Afghan measures approximately 34 × 41 inches.
This provides a generous baby-blanket size with enough surface area for the repeating geometric motif to make a strong visual impact.
The techniques behind the textured fabric are relatively straightforward because the design relies heavily on knit and purl stitches.
However, successfully maintaining a repeating geometric pattern across a large blanket requires careful row tracking and attention to stitch placement.
For that reason, this style of project is especially suitable for a confident beginner or intermediate knitter who is comfortable reading repeating stitch instructions.
Textured knit-and-purl patterns depend on placing the right stitches on the right rows.
A row counter, notebook or simple checklist can help you remember where you are in the repeat.
This becomes particularly useful with a blanket because the project is likely to be worked over many separate knitting sessions.
One useful skill when knitting geometric textures is learning to recognize knit and purl stitches visually.
Knit stitches typically appear as small V shapes on the side facing you, while purl stitches show a horizontal bump.
As you become familiar with the design, looking at the fabric can help you confirm whether the next section of the pattern is developing correctly.
Stop every few rows and look across the entire blanket.
The geometric design should develop consistently from one repeat to the next.
A misplaced knit or purl stitch can interrupt the motif, and catching it early is much easier than discovering the mistake many rows later.
When working a wide blanket with repeated motifs, removable or needle-mounted stitch markers can make counting easier.
Placing markers between pattern repeats can help you identify an error before it affects the rest of the row.
Always make sure marker placement does not interfere with the actual stitch instructions.
Knit-and-purl textures can sometimes exaggerate changes in knitting tension.
Try to work with relaxed, consistent movements rather than tightening certain sections of the pattern.
Gentle blocking at the end can help the fabric settle, but good tension while knitting will give the best result.
A baby blanket is likely to need frequent cleaning.
If you are choosing a substitute yarn, check its washing instructions before starting the project.
A machine-washable yarn can make a handmade baby blanket considerably easier for parents to use in everyday life.
Blocking can help square the edges and allow the textured pattern to settle into its final appearance.
Avoid aggressively flattening the surface because the raised knit-and- purl texture is an important part of the design.
Always follow blocking methods appropriate for the fiber content of your chosen yarn.
Geometric knitted blankets have a timeless quality because they do not depend heavily on a particular color trend or novelty motif.
Soft-as-a-Cloud Baby Afghan can work equally well in traditional baby colors, modern neutrals or a shade chosen specifically for the recipient.
The textured design gives the blanket enough visual interest to make it feel special while remaining practical for everyday use.
Soft-as-a-Cloud Baby Afghan was first published more than two decades ago, yet the distinctive geometric blanket continues to attract knitters.
Its appeal comes from the combination of basic knitting techniques and a finished fabric that looks much more intricate than plain stockinette or garter stitch.
It is also a good example of the many older knitting patterns that circulated freely online for years but whose original download sources have since disappeared.
Soft-as-a-Cloud Baby Afghan by Laura Polley was historically available online as a free knitting pattern.
The design was originally published in 2001 in House of White Birches, Quick Knitted Afghans and later circulated through online knitting-pattern resources.
During our latest review, we could not verify a current authorized source offering the original Laura Polley pattern for download.
For that reason, Amazing Knitting does not link to third-party PDF copies or unofficial reuploads simply to preserve an outdated “Free Pattern” claim.
If an authorized free source for the exact pattern becomes available again, we will give that source priority and update this page.
Ravelry maintains a useful database record for Soft-as-a-Cloud Baby Afghan with the designer, publication, yarn, gauge and sizing information.
The record currently indicates that the original pattern is no longer available from its previous external sources.
View the Soft-as-a-Cloud Baby Afghan Pattern Record →
Soft-as-a-Cloud Baby Afghan is designed by Laura Polley. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the copyrighted row-by-row pattern instructions. We have not verified a current authorized download source for the original pattern, so this article is maintained as an educational and historical pattern guide.
This colorful Mitered Squares Throw With a Fabric Lining is a beautiful example of how a knitter can take the construction ideas from an established blanket pattern and give the finished project a very different look.
The version shown here was created by Elaine of Italian Dish Knits. Her project was inspired by Mitered Crosses Blanket by Kay Gardiner, but Elaine made several important modifications, including replacing the original crosses with colorful mitered squares and adding a fabric backing to the finished blanket.
The result has the visual character of both knitting and patchwork quilting: color-changing knitted squares are surrounded by broad light-colored borders, while the fabric lining gives the reverse side a clean, finished appearance.
Featured project and photos: Elaine / Italian Dish Knits. Original blanket design inspiration: Mitered Crosses Blanket by Kay Gardiner.
Elaine originally discovered Kay Gardiner's Mitered Crosses Blanket and decided to use its modular construction as the starting point for her own throw.
Instead of reproducing the cross motif from the original design, she changed the colorful sections into mitered squares.
This creates a striking geometric effect: multicolored squares appear to float inside wide light-colored frames.
The individual blocks also make the project portable during much of the knitting process because the blanket does not become one large piece until the blocks are assembled.
The inspiration for this project is Mitered Crosses Blanket by Kay Gardiner, originally published in 2011.
Kay Gardiner's original blanket combines two modular knitting ideas: mitering and log-cabin construction.
Each original block begins with knitted miters that form a cross. The cross is then surrounded by garter-stitch strips to create a larger square block.
The blocks are eventually joined and finished with an applied edging.
The blanket featured in the photographs should not be confused with an unaltered sample of the original pattern.
Elaine deliberately changed several elements to create her own version.
Most noticeably, she chose mitered squares rather than mitered crosses for the colorful centers.
She then surrounded those colorful sections with a neutral background, producing the strong grid-like appearance visible in the finished throw.
A mitered square is shaped by strategically decreasing stitches around a central point.
As the decreases are repeated, the knitted fabric develops diagonal lines that travel toward the center of the square.
When worked in garter stitch with a self-striping or color-changing yarn, those diagonal lines can make the color changes look especially dramatic.
Once the technique becomes familiar, mitered squares can be satisfying small modules to knit one at a time.
One advantage Elaine noted about this style of blanket is its portability.
For much of the project, you are working on individual blocks rather than holding an entire blanket on your needles.
That makes modular blankets particularly convenient for knitters who like taking a project with them while traveling or working away from home.
Only later, when the blocks are assembled, does the project grow into its full blanket size.
The colorful centers are especially effective when knitted with yarn that changes gradually from one shade to another.
Because the mitered construction creates diagonal lines, the changing colors develop differently across each square.
Surrounding those colorful centers with a quieter neutral shade helps define each block and prevents the overall blanket from becoming visually overwhelming.
This makes the project an interesting source of inspiration for combining self-striping yarn with a solid background color.
One of the most useful ideas in Elaine's project is the fabric backing.
After completing the knitted blanket, she added fabric to the reverse side. This gives the throw a finished appearance similar to a quilt and hides the back of the knitted construction.
The combination of knitted blocks on the front and fabric on the back also creates an interesting meeting point between knitting and sewing.
A fabric lining can serve several purposes.
It can give the reverse side of a modular blanket a cleaner appearance, cover yarn ends or joins, and add another decorative element to the finished project.
However, knitted fabric and woven fabric behave differently. Knitting is naturally stretchy, while many woven fabrics have much less give.
For that reason, the lining should be attached carefully so that it does not pull, distort or restrict the knitted blanket.
Before attaching a lining, finish the knitted portion completely.
Weave in loose ends and block the blanket according to the care requirements of your yarn.
Blocking first allows the knitted fabric to settle into its final dimensions before the lining is measured and attached.
This is especially useful for a modular blanket because blocking can help the individual sections sit more evenly.
If you want to use Elaine's project as inspiration for your own lined blanket, choose a backing fabric that works well with the weight and intended use of your knitting.
The fabric should be large enough for the finished dimensions of the blocked blanket, including any allowance required for finishing the edges.
Washable materials are practical when the finished throw will be used regularly, but always consider the care requirements of both the yarn and fabric before combining them.
Depending on whether you follow the original Kay Gardiner design or create a modified version inspired by Elaine's throw, useful skills may include:
For reference, the published information for Kay Gardiner's Mitered Crosses Blanket lists:
These specifications refer to Kay Gardiner's original Mitered Crosses Blanket, not necessarily to every modification used in Elaine's Mitered Squares Throw.
Older references to this project may describe the underlying pattern as a charity pattern or may point to an older download location.
The situation has changed over time.
Kay Gardiner's Mitered Crosses Blanket is currently a paid pattern.
For that reason, Amazing Knitting does not describe this project as a free knitting pattern.
Elaine's original article explains how she adapted the Mitered Crosses idea into squares and how she added a fabric lining to her finished throw.
See the Mitered Squares Throw Project →
If you want to knit Kay Gardiner's original design rather than Elaine's modified project, the Mitered Crosses Blanket pattern is currently available as a paid Ravelry download.
View the Original Mitered Crosses Blanket Pattern →
Amazing Knitting links readers to legitimate designer or publisher sources whenever possible. Pattern prices, download locations and availability can change after an article is published.
Read Our Pattern Availability Policy →
Amazing Knitting is an independent pattern discovery and project-guide site. Mitered Crosses Blanket and its original knitting instructions remain the intellectual property of Kay Gardiner. The featured modification and photographs belong to their respective creator. This article provides project information and links readers to the credited sources rather than reproducing the complete knitting pattern.
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| Photos above © Destiny - Knifty Knittings |
Chunky knitted pillows are an easy way to bring handmade texture into a living room or bedroom. This pillow collection combines several bold stitch textures in neutral shades, including a beautiful herringbone-style design that stands out especially well in bulky yarn.
If these pillows brought you here, this guide will help you understand the designs, choose suitable materials and look for a reliable pattern with a similar style.
This pillow set was previously shared online as a knitting pattern resource. During our latest review, however, we could not verify a current authorized free source for the exact original set shown here.
We have therefore preserved this page as a project and design guide rather than reproducing or reconstructing the missing instructions.
What makes this collection attractive is the combination of simple shapes with strong knitted texture. A square pillow cover is a relatively straightforward project, so the stitch pattern becomes the main design feature.
The cream pillow shown prominently in the original photographs has a distinctive herringbone-style surface. The surrounding pillows demonstrate how dramatically a different stitch texture can change the appearance of the same basic home-decor project.
Project: Knitted throw pillow covers
Style: Chunky, textured home decor
Construction: Square pillow-cover format
Featured Texture: Herringbone-style knitting
Best Yarn Look: Bulky yarn with good stitch definition
Current Status: Exact authorized free source unverified
Bulky yarn exaggerates stitch definition, which is especially useful when the texture is the main feature of the project. Raised stitches, ribs and herringbone-style patterns become much more visible than they would be in a very fine yarn.
Chunkier yarn can also make a pillow cover a relatively quick home-decor project compared with a large blanket or garment.
Herringbone knitting is recognizable by its diagonal, interlocking appearance. There is not just one universal herringbone knitting method; several constructions can produce fabrics with a similar woven-looking effect.
If you would like to understand the technique before choosing a pillow pattern, see our herringbone knitting guide:
Explore the Herringbone Knitting Guide →
For a pillow where texture is the main attraction, look for a smooth yarn that allows individual stitches to remain visible. Very fuzzy yarns can hide the definition of herringbone, cables and other dimensional stitch patterns.
Neutral colors such as cream, gray and natural wool shades work particularly well for textured knitting because light and shadow make the stitch structure more noticeable.
Since we could not verify the exact original pattern, we do not recommend trying to reconstruct it from the photographs alone. Instead, look for an authorized pillow-cover pattern designed for the size of insert you plan to use.
When comparing similar patterns, check the finished dimensions, yarn weight and gauge. Pillow covers usually look best when they fit the insert closely rather than hanging loosely around it.
Buy your pillow insert before finalizing the cover dimensions. That gives you a real measurement to work toward and makes it much easier to achieve a neat, full-looking finished pillow.
If the texture is what attracted you to this pillow set, these Amazing Knitting guides are useful places to continue exploring:
Pattern instructions belong to their respective designer or publisher. When an older pattern source disappears or its current authorization cannot be confirmed, Amazing Knitting preserves useful information about the project without recreating copyrighted row-by-row instructions.
Editorial note: Amazing Knitting independently reviews older archive pages to identify original sources and verify current pattern availability. If an authorized source for this exact pillow set becomes available again, this guide can be updated with the verified link.
See our Pattern Availability & Editorial Policy for more information.
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| Design by © Cathy Payson |
Sampler Block Throw by Cathy Payson is a colorful knitted blanket that lets you practice several different stitch patterns while creating one cozy finished project.
The original Red Heart pattern is still available as a free official download from Yarnspirations.
✓ Free Pattern Available
The original Red Heart Sampler Block Throw pattern is currently available as a free download from Yarnspirations. Some of the original yarn shades may have been discontinued, but the knitting pattern itself remains available.
Pattern: Sampler Block Throw
Designer: Cathy Payson
Brand: Red Heart / Yarnspirations
Craft: Knitting
Skill Level: Easy
Finished Size: 50 × 60 in (127 × 152.5 cm)
Yarn Weight: Aran
Availability: Free official download
The fun of a sampler blanket is that you do not spend the entire project repeating one stitch pattern.
Sampler Block Throw combines several textured designs, including Moss Diamonds, Broken Rib, Zigzag Moss, Square Lattice and Vertical Zigzag.
The blocks are arranged into panels and then joined to create the finished throw. This also makes the project convenient to work on in smaller sections instead of carrying an entire blanket on your needles.
Another useful feature of the original pattern is that the stitch patterns are provided in both written and charted form.
This makes the project a nice opportunity to practice reading knitting charts while still having written instructions available for reference.
The original design uses Red Heart With Love yarn. Some original shades associated with the pattern may no longer be available, but that does not prevent you from knitting the throw.
Choose a compatible yarn and make a gauge swatch before beginning, especially if you want to reproduce the original 50 × 60 inch finished size.
Yarnspirations currently provides the complete original Red Heart pattern as a free download with no sign-up required.
Get the Free Sampler Block Throw Pattern →
Pattern credit: Sampler Block Throw was designed by Cathy Payson for Red Heart. Amazing Knitting provides this independent project guide and links to the authorized free pattern rather than reproducing the complete knitting instructions.