Baby Honeycomb Pattern - Tutorial

Photos above ©  Knitting Knife Crochet Paradise

Baby Honeycomb Stitch is a beautifully textured knitting pattern that creates a repeating surface inspired by small honeycomb cells.

It is especially attractive for baby blankets, cardigans, scarves and other projects where you want more depth and interest than plain stockinette or garter stitch.

This guide will help you understand the look of the stitch, how to practice it successfully, where it works best, and what to watch for before using it in a larger project.

The original Amazing Knitting post was inspired by a video tutorial from Knitting Knife Crochet Paradise. Rather than reproducing another creator's full instructions here, this updated page focuses on helping you understand and use the honeycomb texture with confidence.

About This Tutorial

This page is an Amazing Knitting educational guide to the Baby Honeycomb texture. It does not reproduce the complete instructions from the original video source.

Baby Honeycomb Stitch at a Glance

Type: Textured knitting stitch

Appearance: Repeating honeycomb / cell-like texture

Best For: Baby blankets, sweaters, cardigans, scarves and accessories

Fabric Character: Raised and dimensional

Recommended First Step: Practice on a swatch

Page Type: Educational stitch guide

What Does a Honeycomb Knitting Pattern Look Like?

Honeycomb knitting patterns use repeating stitches to create raised sections that resemble the cells of a honeycomb.

Depending on the exact technique, the shapes may appear as small hexagons, diamonds or softly rounded cells.

What makes the texture attractive is the combination of recessed and raised areas. Light catches the surface differently across the fabric, giving even a single-color yarn much more visual depth.

Why It Works So Well for Baby Knits

Textured stitches are especially popular in baby knitting because they can make a simple project feel special without relying on complicated colorwork.

A honeycomb texture can be used to add interest to:

• Baby blankets
• Cardigans
• Pullovers
• Hats
• Scarves
• Blanket borders
• Decorative panels

Even a narrow section of honeycomb texture can become the focal point of an otherwise simple garment.

Start with a Swatch

Before using any textured stitch in a large project, make a generous practice swatch.

This is particularly useful with honeycomb patterns because the texture can change the width and elasticity of the fabric compared with plain stockinette.

A swatch lets you check:

• Whether you like the texture in your chosen yarn
• How much the fabric contracts
• Whether the stitch definition is clear
• How the fabric behaves after washing
• Whether your needle size gives the drape you want

Choose Yarn with Good Stitch Definition

Honeycomb textures tend to look best when the individual stitches remain easy to see.

Very fuzzy yarn can soften the raised structure and make the honeycomb effect less obvious.

Smooth yarns often show the pattern particularly well, although the best choice depends on the project you plan to make.

Solid Colors Can Show the Texture Beautifully

You do not need complicated color changes to make this stitch interesting.

A single solid or lightly heathered shade often allows the raised honeycomb structure to stand out more clearly than a highly variegated yarn.

Soft cream, gray, pastel blue, blush, sage and warm neutral shades can all work beautifully for baby projects.

Watch Your Tension

Textured stitches can expose differences in tension more clearly than basic garter stitch.

Try to keep your working yarn relaxed and consistent throughout the repeat.

If some honeycomb cells look noticeably tighter or larger than others, check whether you are pulling certain stitches more firmly than the rest.

Do Not Judge the Texture Too Early

Many dimensional knitting stitches look slightly uneven during the first few rows.

Give the pattern enough vertical repeats to develop before deciding whether the stitch is working correctly.

The honeycomb effect often becomes much easier to recognize after several complete repeats.

Use a Light-Colored Practice Yarn

If you are learning the technique for the first time, a medium or light solid color makes it easier to see where each stitch belongs.

Very dark yarn can make the structure harder to read, particularly when you are trying to identify mistakes.

Count Your Stitches Regularly

Textured patterns often depend on maintaining an exact stitch repeat.

If you accidentally add or lose a stitch, the honeycomb cells can begin to shift out of alignment.

Count the stitches at the end of a repeat section rather than waiting until the fabric looks obviously wrong.

Use Stitch Markers for Wide Projects

If you adapt the stitch for a wide baby blanket, markers can help divide the row into smaller repeat sections.

That makes it easier to identify exactly where a mistake occurred instead of recounting an entire blanket-width row.

Honeycomb as an All-Over Pattern

One way to use the texture is across an entire project.

An all-over honeycomb baby blanket can look rich and detailed even when knitted in only one color.

If you choose this approach, consider adding a simpler border so the textured center remains the main visual feature.

Honeycomb as a Decorative Panel

You can also use the texture more selectively.

A central honeycomb panel surrounded by stockinette or garter stitch can add interest without making the whole project heavily textured.

This approach works particularly well on sweaters and cardigans.

Using Honeycomb in a Baby Blanket

If you want to design a simple blanket around a honeycomb stitch, begin by deciding the finished width and making a swatch.

Measure how many stitches your swatch produces per inch or centimeter, then use that measurement to estimate the number of repeats needed for your blanket.

Add border stitches separately if you want a garter, seed-stitch or ribbed frame.

Remember That Texture Changes Gauge

Do not assume the gauge from stockinette will be the same in the honeycomb pattern.

Raised and crossed structures can pull the fabric inward, sometimes producing a narrower piece than expected.

Measure the actual textured swatch rather than using the yarn-label gauge alone.

Blocking the Honeycomb Texture

Blocking can help even out the fabric after knitting, but avoid stretching the piece so aggressively that you flatten the texture.

The goal is to relax the stitches and straighten the edges while preserving the raised honeycomb structure.

Always use a blocking method appropriate for the fiber in your yarn.

Choosing Yarn for Baby Projects

If you plan to use the honeycomb stitch for a baby item, consider the practical qualities of the yarn as well as its appearance.

• Soft against sensitive skin
• Easy to wash
• Durable enough for repeated use
• Good stitch definition
• Comfortable drape
• Suitable care instructions for the recipient

Simple Borders Pair Well with Honeycomb

Because the center texture already provides plenty of visual detail, simple borders often work best.

Garter stitch, seed stitch or a basic rib can frame the honeycomb without competing with it.

Common Problems to Watch For

If your honeycomb fabric does not look as expected, check these common causes:

• A missed stitch in the repeat
• Uneven tension
• Beginning the next repeat in the wrong place
• Working the wrong-side row incorrectly
• Losing track of the row number
• Using yarn that hides too much stitch definition

Keep Track of Rows

A row counter or simple paper checklist can be extremely helpful.

Textured stitch patterns usually become easy once the rhythm is familiar, but losing your place halfway through a repeat is one of the easiest ways to distort the pattern.

Is Baby Honeycomb a Specific Garment Pattern?

No. The original Amazing Knitting page is best understood as a stitch tutorial, not as a complete baby sweater or blanket pattern with fixed sizing and yardage.

That is actually useful because the stitch can be adapted to many different knitting projects.

Looking for a Complete Baby Project?

If you like textured knitting but would rather follow a complete published baby pattern with established sizing and yarn requirements, these free patterns already verified in the Amazing Knitting archive are good places to continue:

• Treasured Heirloom Baby Blanket - Free Pattern
• French Macaroon Baby Sweater - Free Pattern
• Fuss Free Baby Cardigan - Free Pattern
• Seed Stitch Baby Jacket - Free Pattern

Explore More Knitting Stitches

If stitch patterns are what brought you here, continue exploring Amazing Knitting:

• Twisted Rib Stitch Tutorial
• Knitting Stitch Tutorials
• Textured Knitting Stitches
• Baby Knitting Patterns

Before You Use This Stitch in a Project

Knit a swatch first and allow several complete repeats to develop.

Measure the fabric in the actual honeycomb texture rather than relying on stockinette gauge, and wash or block the swatch the same way you plan to treat the finished project.

Once you are happy with the stitch definition, drape and dimensions, you can confidently adapt the texture to a blanket, scarf, cardigan panel or another project of your choice.

Source note: The original 2019 Amazing Knitting post credited its reference image and video inspiration to Knitting Knife Crochet Paradise. This updated Amazing Knitting article is an independent educational guide and does not reproduce another creator's complete video instructions.

How to Knit Herringbone Stitch - Knitting Stitch Guide

Photo above © Room on  the left 

Herringbone Stitch is a beautiful knitting technique that creates a dense fabric with distinctive diagonal lines resembling classic woven herringbone.

At first glance, the finished fabric hardly looks knitted at all. Instead, the stitches appear to interlock and travel diagonally across the surface, creating the familiar V-shaped movement associated with herringbone textiles.

The technique can feel unusual the first time you try it, but once you understand how the stitches overlap, the movement becomes much easier to recognize.

In this guide, we'll explore how knitted herringbone is constructed, why tension matters so much, how to choose yarn and needles, common mistakes to avoid, and where this beautiful texture works best.

Knitting Stitch Guide

Herringbone is a general knitting technique rather than one specific garment pattern. There are several knitted herringbone methods and variations, so instructions from different tutorials may not be identical even when the finished fabrics have a similar woven look.

Herringbone Stitch at a Glance

Technique: Herringbone Stitch

Category: Textured knitting stitch

Appearance: Dense, diagonal, woven-looking texture

Worked: Flat or in the round, depending on the variation

Best For: Scarves, cowls, blankets, bags and textured accessories

Key Challenge: Maintaining loose, even tension

Skill Level: Advanced beginner to intermediate, depending on the variation

What Is Herringbone Stitch?

Herringbone Stitch is a family of knitting techniques designed to create diagonal lines that resemble the structure of traditional woven herringbone fabric.

Instead of seeing clearly separated columns of ordinary knit stitches, the surface develops overlapping diagonal movements.

This gives the fabric an unusually polished and almost woven appearance.

Why Does It Look Woven?

In a common form of knitted herringbone, neighboring stitches are worked together while part of the stitch remains available to interact with the next stitch.

This repeated overlap changes the direction in which the visible loops travel across the fabric.

When those diagonal movements alternate, they create the characteristic herringbone effect.

Herringbone Is Not Just One Stitch Pattern

This is important when following tutorials online.

There is no single universal knitting instruction called "the Herringbone Stitch."

Different designers and knitting teachers use several constructions to produce herringbone-like fabrics.

You may encounter:

• Traditional dense herringbone techniques
• Mini herringbone
• Slip-stitch herringbone
• Reversible herringbone variations
• Herringbone worked in the round
• Two-color herringbone effects

These methods can look related while using different stitch multiples, row repeats and techniques.

Traditional Herringbone Construction

One common herringbone method works neighboring stitches together while allowing one of those stitches to remain involved in the following movement.

Repeating this across the row produces overlapping stitches instead of independent vertical columns.

The reverse row changes the direction of the operation, helping create the distinctive alternating diagonal structure.

Why Tension Is So Important

Herringbone has a natural tendency to become dense.

If every stitch is pulled tightly against the needle, inserting the needle into the next pair of stitches can quickly become uncomfortable.

The finished fabric may also become much stiffer than intended.

Try to keep the working yarn relaxed as each stitch is formed.

Consider Using Larger Needles

Herringbone often benefits from a larger needle than you might normally choose for the same yarn.

The overlapping construction naturally compresses the fabric, so extra needle space can help the stitches move more easily and improve drape.

Do not choose a needle size from the yarn label alone.

Make a swatch and judge the actual herringbone fabric.

Swatching Is Especially Useful

Herringbone is one of those stitches where a small swatch can save a great deal of frustration.

Knit enough rows for the diagonal structure to become visible, then ask:

• Can I insert the needle comfortably?
• Does the fabric bend easily?
• Are the diagonal lines visible?
• Is the fabric too stiff?
• Would a larger needle improve the drape?

If the knitting feels difficult, changing needle size may be more useful than simply trying to force the stitches.

Choosing Yarn for Herringbone Stitch

Smooth yarns are particularly useful when you want the diagonal structure to remain clearly visible.

A highly fuzzy yarn can soften the lines, while a smooth wool or wool blend tends to emphasize the interlocking texture.

Herringbone can be worked with many yarn weights, but your yarn and needle combination will strongly influence the density of the finished fabric.

Solid Colors

A solid yarn allows the shadows created by the overlapping stitches to define the pattern.

Neutral colors can make herringbone look especially similar to classic woven textiles.

Rich solid colors can give the same structure a more contemporary appearance.

Variegated and Gradient Yarn

Herringbone can also interact beautifully with color-changing yarn.

Because the stitches overlap diagonally rather than forming ordinary vertical columns, color changes can appear to travel across the fabric in unusual ways.

The result depends heavily on the length and frequency of the color changes, so a swatch is highly recommended.

What Projects Work Well in Herringbone?

The dense, textured fabric makes herringbone especially attractive for projects where structure and warmth are useful.

Good possibilities include:

• Scarves
• Cowls
• Blankets
• Throws
• Cushion covers
• Bags
• Headbands
• Textured garment panels

Herringbone Scarves

Scarves are one of the easiest ways to experiment with this stitch.

Their simple rectangular construction lets you concentrate on learning the technique rather than shaping a garment.

The dense fabric can also produce a warm accessory with an elegant tailored appearance.

Herringbone Cowls

Some herringbone variations can be worked in the round, making them particularly attractive for cowls.

Working in the round also avoids having a traditional scarf edge and can emphasize the continuous diagonal movement of the stitch.

Herringbone Blankets

Herringbone can produce a substantial, warm fabric that works beautifully in blankets and throws.

Keep in mind that a dense stitch may consume more yarn and take longer to work than a simple stockinette or garter-stitch fabric.

A generous swatch will help you estimate both gauge and yarn usage before committing to a large blanket.

Common Problem: The Stitches Are Too Tight

This is probably the most common difficulty when learning dense herringbone.

If inserting the needle into neighboring stitches requires significant force, stop and examine your tension.

Try:

• Relaxing the working yarn
• Forming stitches farther up the needle rather than at the narrow tip
• Using a larger needle
• Choosing a smoother yarn while learning

Common Problem: The Pattern Is Hard to See

Do not judge the stitch after only one or two rows.

Herringbone needs enough fabric for its diagonal structure to become obvious.

Work several rows, gently relax the fabric, and look at it from a little distance.

Common Problem: Uneven Diagonal Lines

Uneven tension can make one section look compressed while another looks loose.

Concentrate on forming each stitch with approximately the same amount of yarn.

Consistency usually improves naturally as the hand movement becomes more familiar.

Is Herringbone Reversible?

It depends on the version.

Some herringbone methods have a clearly different right and wrong side, while other variations are designed to look attractive from both sides.

This is another reason to check the exact tutorial or project pattern you are using instead of assuming that all herringbone methods behave identically.

Mini Herringbone

Mini Herringbone is a popular variation that creates a refined, all-over texture reminiscent of classic herringbone tweed.

It can be a useful next step once you understand how overlapping stitches create diagonal movement.

Purl Soho maintains a detailed free tutorial showing its particular Mini Herringbone technique.

View the Mini Herringbone Tutorial →

Try Herringbone in a Free Project

Once you understand the basic idea, working an actual project is one of the best ways to develop consistent tension.

Purl Soho's free Mini Herringbone Scarf is a useful example of how this dense woven-looking texture can be used in a simple rectangular accessory.

View the Free Mini Herringbone Scarf →

Another Herringbone Variation

Wool and the Gang also maintains a free educational guide to a herringbone knitting method.

Comparing different legitimate tutorials can be helpful because it shows how several knitting constructions can create related herringbone textures.

Explore Another Herringbone Technique →

Herringbone vs. Ordinary Stockinette

Stockinette produces recognizable vertical columns of V-shaped knit stitches.

Herringbone disrupts those vertical columns and redirects the visible stitches diagonally.

It generally produces a denser and more structured fabric, which is why the same yarn can behave very differently in the two stitch patterns.

Before Starting a Large Project

Do not jump directly from learning the technique to casting on a large blanket.

First make a generous practice swatch.

Experiment with needle size until the stitches are comfortable to work and the finished fabric has the amount of drape you want.

Once your hands understand the unusual stitch movement, herringbone becomes much more enjoyable.

More Knitting Stitch Guides

Continue building your knitting skills with these Amazing Knitting resources:

• Twisted Rib Stitch - Knitting Tutorial
• Baby Honeycomb Stitch - Knitting Guide
• Knitting Stitch Tutorials
• Textured Knitting Stitches

Final Tips for Learning Herringbone Stitch

The biggest secret is not speed — it is tension.

Keep your stitches relaxed, give yourself enough needle space, and allow several rows for the diagonal structure to develop before deciding whether your swatch is successful.

Also remember that different herringbone tutorials may use genuinely different techniques.

Choose one method, learn its movement consistently, and then experiment with other variations once you understand how the woven-looking texture is created.

Editorial note: Herringbone is a general family of knitting techniques with multiple variations. Amazing Knitting provides this independent educational guide rather than reproducing another publisher's tutorial. External tutorials linked above remain the work of their respective authors and publishers. Please retain the existing photograph and its original credit from the old Amazing Knitting post.

That Nice Stitch - Free Pattern

Photos above © stitchnerd

Looking for a simple but eye-catching free cowl knitting pattern? That Nice Stitch by Susan Ashcroft is a clever accessory pattern that uses an easy slipped-stitch texture to create a fabric that looks interesting on both sides.

The design was created especially to show off variegated yarns, which can sometimes be difficult to match with the right knitting pattern. The result is a lightweight, textured cowl that can be adjusted in length and adapted to different yarn weights.

That Nice Stitch Pattern at a Glance

Pattern: That Nice Stitch

Designer: Susan Ashcroft

Published by: Stitchnerd Designs

Craft: Knitting

Category: Cowl

Technique: Slipped-stitch texture

Suggested Needle Size: US 6 / 4.0 mm

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches

Yardage: Approximately 219–437 yards (200–400 m)

Size: Length is easy to adjust

Pattern Availability: Free

About That Nice Stitch

That Nice Stitch is a cowl pattern designed by Susan Ashcroft of Stitchnerd Designs. The pattern grew from a request from the designer's mother, who wanted a cowl made with the same attractive stitch texture Susan had used in another design.

The finished fabric has a subtle woven-looking texture created with slipped stitches. One of the most appealing features of the pattern is that both sides of the fabric look attractive, making it particularly well suited to a cowl that naturally twists and folds while being worn.

A Great Pattern for Variegated Yarn

Variegated yarns can be beautiful in the skein but sometimes difficult to pair with complicated stitch patterns. That Nice Stitch was designed specifically to make the most of those changing colors.

The slipped-stitch texture adds visual interest without competing too strongly with the color changes in the yarn. This makes the pattern an appealing option for hand-dyed, multicolored, and other variegated yarns.

Yarn and Yardage

The original version was made using sock-style yarn, with the designer suggesting yarns such as Malabrigo Sock and Malabrigo Arroyo.

The published yardage range is approximately:

219–437 yards (200–400 meters)

The exact amount you need will depend on your yarn choice and how long or wide you decide to make the cowl.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern lists US 6 / 4.0 mm needles and a published gauge of:

22 stitches = 4 inches

If you substitute a different yarn weight, your gauge and finished measurements will change. Check the designer's original notes before choosing yarn and needles.

Adjustable Length and Size

One of the useful features of this pattern is its flexibility. The length can be adjusted, so you can make a shorter single-loop cowl or a longer version that can be wrapped around the neck more than once.

The original sample was designed as a relatively slim double-loop accessory, but the pattern also includes guidance for adapting the project to different yarn weights and finished sizes.

Skills Used in This Pattern

That Nice Stitch uses a relatively simple textured knitting technique, but the complete cowl also introduces a few useful finishing skills.

• Slipped stitches
• Working a repeating texture pattern
• Provisional cast-on
• Grafting / Kitchener stitch

The stitch pattern itself is described by the designer as easy to knit. The finishing techniques help create a continuous-looking cowl with an attractive result on both sides.

Why This Pattern Has Stayed Popular

That Nice Stitch combines several qualities knitters often look for in an accessory: a memorable texture, simple repetitive knitting, flexible sizing, and the ability to showcase colorful yarn.

It is also a practical project when you have a special skein of variegated yarn and want the yarn itself to remain the focus of the finished piece.

Is That Nice Stitch Free?

Yes. That Nice Stitch by Susan Ashcroft is currently available as a free Ravelry download.

The pattern and knitting instructions remain the copyrighted work of Susan Ashcroft. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the pattern instructions here.

Get the Free That Nice Stitch Pattern

Visit the designer's original Ravelry page to download the pattern and view the complete instructions, sizing guidance, yarn information, and any updates.

Get the Free That Nice Stitch Pattern →

Pattern credit: That Nice Stitch was designed by Susan Ashcroft and published through Stitchnerd Designs. Pattern availability and technical details are controlled by the designer and may change over time.

More Knitting Stitch and Cowl Inspiration

If you enjoy textured knitting, explore more knitting stitch patterns and free cowl knitting patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive.

Before You Start

Check the original pattern page before choosing your yarn so you can confirm the latest yarn suggestions, gauge, finishing instructions, and pattern updates.

Stitch Stripe Shawl Knitting Patterns

Beauitiful Knitting Shawls 

Stitch stripe shawls are a wonderful way to combine several knitting techniques in one wearable project.

Instead of relying only on color stripes, these shawls alternate sections of garter stitch, lace, slipped stitches, moss stitch, eyelets, dropped stitches and other textures.

The result can look complex while still allowing you to work through one manageable stitch pattern at a time.

About This Guide

This Amazing Knitting page is an independent guide to textured stripe shawls. We do not reproduce designers' complete knitting instructions. Pattern availability can change, so use the original designer or publisher links for the current pattern.

What Is a Stitch Stripe Shawl?

A stitch stripe shawl is built from visible bands or sections where the knitting technique changes.

One section might be simple garter stitch, while the next introduces lace, slipped stitches, moss stitch, eyelets or another texture.

Color changes can make those sections even more obvious, but they are not essential. A single-color shawl can still show dramatic striping when the stitch patterns create enough contrast.

Why These Shawls Are So Interesting to Knit

Long shawls can sometimes become repetitive. A sampler-style design solves that by changing the knitting experience as the fabric grows.

You may spend one section working relaxing garter stitch and the next following a lace or slipped-stitch motif.

This makes textured stripe shawls especially useful for knitters who enjoy variety without wanting to make many separate small projects.

Good Techniques for Stitch Stripe Shawls

Common techniques include:

• Garter stitch
• Stockinette and reverse stockinette
• Moss or seed stitch
• Lace and eyelets
• Slipped stitches
• Mosaic-style colorwork
• Dropped stitches
• Twisted stitches
• Bobbles
• Textured ribs

You do not need all of these techniques in one design. Even two or three contrasting stitch patterns can produce a strong striped effect.

Free Pattern: Lueur Shawl

Lueur by Audrey Borrego is an excellent modern example of the stitch-sampler idea.

It combines several textures including twisted stitches, bicolour moss stitch, bobbles and a garter tweed motif.

The shawl is an asymmetrical triangle worked sideways and uses two colors of sport-weight yarn.

Lueur is currently available as a free Ravelry download.

View the Free Lueur Shawl Pattern →

Free Pattern: Guild Park

Guild Park by Laura Chau is another interesting textured wrap.

Published by Knitty, it combines a zigzag lace mesh with twisted stitches and dropped-stitch sections that create soft waves across the fabric.

Guild Park is a rectangular wrap worked flat in sport-weight yarn and remains available as a free Knitty pattern.

View the Free Guild Park Pattern →

Free Web Pattern: Cambria Wrap

Cambria Wrap by Alexandra Tavel is a large triangular wrap that alternates simple fabric with eyelet and lace details.

The design uses worsted-weight yarn and is approximately 76 inches / 193 cm wide with a depth of about 38 inches / 97 cm.

The designer currently offers a free web version, while a paid PDF version is also available for knitters who prefer that format.

View Cambria Wrap Pattern Information →

One Color or Several?

Both approaches work.

With a single color, the eye is drawn to the changing stitch texture. This can produce an elegant and understated shawl.

With two or more colors, the stripe structure becomes much more graphic.

If the stitch pattern is already elaborate, consider using relatively simple color combinations so that color and texture do not compete for attention.

These Patterns Are Excellent for Stash Yarn

Multi-section shawls can be useful stash projects because different colors can be assigned to different bands.

Before mixing leftover yarns, make sure they behave reasonably well together.

Similar yarn weights and compatible washing instructions usually make finishing easier.

Watch Your Gauge When the Stitch Changes

Different stitch patterns can produce very different fabric widths even when worked with the same yarn and needle.

Garter stitch, lace, slipped stitches and seed stitch may not all have the same natural gauge.

In a well-designed pattern, the designer has already accounted for these differences. Avoid changing stitch counts or needle sizes inside individual sections unless you understand how that will affect the overall shawl shape.

Use Lifelines in Lace Sections

If a shawl alternates easy texture with more complicated lace, a lifeline can be useful before beginning a difficult section.

That gives you a known-correct row to return to without undoing an earlier completed stripe.

Keep Notes as You Work

Sampler shawls are much easier to manage when you keep a simple record of your progress.

Note which section you are working, which color you used and where you stopped.

This is especially useful if the project is set aside for several days or weeks.

Blocking Makes a Big Difference

Blocking is especially important when several textures appear in one shawl.

Lace usually opens after blocking, while garter and moss stitch settle into a more even surface.

Use a method appropriate for your yarn and follow the designer's finished measurements rather than stretching every section as far as possible.

How to Choose a Stitch Stripe Shawl

Before choosing a pattern, consider what you want from the project.

• Choose garter and simple texture if you want relaxing knitting.
• Choose lace sections if you enjoy charts and openwork.
• Choose slipped stitches if you want color effects without traditional stranded knitting.
• Choose a sampler shawl if your goal is to practice several techniques in one project.
• Choose a multicolor design if you want to use leftover yarn or mini skeins.

More Stitch Stripe Shawl Patterns

The original inspiration for this older Amazing Knitting post was a collection from In the Loop Knitting, which continues to maintain a large roundup of stitch-stripe shawl patterns from many different designers.

Some are free, while pattern availability can change over time. Always follow through to the individual designer or publisher before assuming that a pattern is still free.

Explore More Stitch Stripe Shawls at In the Loop Knitting →

Explore More Free Shawls on Amazing Knitting

• Free Shawl Knitting Patterns
• Lace Shawl Knitting Patterns
• Textured Shawl Knitting Patterns
• Scarves & Shawls

Before You Start

Check the current pattern source before purchasing yarn because older roundup pages can remain online long after an individual designer has changed a pattern from free to paid or discontinued it.

Once you choose a design, read through all of its stitch sections before casting on and make sure you understand any unfamiliar techniques.

Then choose colors that allow the texture to remain visible and enjoy the changing rhythm of the different stitch patterns.

Editorial note: This Amazing Knitting page is an independent educational and discovery guide. The linked patterns belong to their respective designers and publishers. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce their complete copyrighted instructions.

Waffle Blanket - Free Pattern

Photo Projects © Ravelry 

Waffle Blanket by Alexis Layton is a free knitted afghan pattern that uses a simple repeating stitch pattern to create an attractive textured fabric.

Worked with Aran-weight yarn on 5 mm / US 8 needles, the finished blanket measures approximately 40 × 51 inches, making it a useful sofa throw or cozy everyday blanket.

Best of all, the original pattern remains available as a free Ravelry download.

✓ Free Pattern Availability

Waffle Blanket by Alexis Layton is currently available as a free Ravelry download. Use the original pattern listing below for the complete knitting instructions.

Waffle Blanket at a Glance

Pattern: Waffle Blanket

Designer: Alexis Layton

Published: January 2010

Category: Blanket / Throw / Afghan

Yarn Weight: Aran

Suggested Yarn: Bernat Super Value Solids (Vintage)

Needles: US 8 / 5 mm

Yardage: Approx. 764 yd / 699 m

Finished Size: Approx. 40 × 51 in / 102 × 130 cm

Features: Textured stitch pattern, eyelet details

Availability: Free Ravelry download

About the Waffle Blanket

Waffle Blanket is a knitted throw designed by Alexis Layton and first published in January 2010.

Its appeal comes from the combination of relatively straightforward knitting and a textured fabric that looks more elaborate than the construction might suggest.

The repeating pattern creates visual depth across the blanket while still allowing the project to function as a warm, practical afghan.

Finished Blanket Size

The published finished dimensions are approximately:

40 inches wide × 51 inches long

approximately 102 × 130 cm

This makes it a useful throw-sized blanket for a sofa, reading chair or an extra layer of warmth.

Yarn

The original pattern lists Bernat Super Value Solids (Vintage), an Aran-weight yarn.

The published yardage is approximately:

764 yards / 699 meters

Because the originally listed yarn is a vintage/discontinued entry, knitters today may prefer to substitute a currently available Aran-weight yarn.

When substituting, focus on producing a fabric with the right balance of texture, drape and warmth rather than trying to match the old yarn by name.

Needles

The published needle size is:

US 8 / 5 mm

For a blanket, many knitters find a long circular needle more comfortable than straight needles because the cable can support the weight of the growing project.

The blanket can still be worked back and forth even when using a circular needle.

The Waffle-Like Texture

The defining feature of this design is its textured stitch pattern.

Repetition across a large rectangular surface creates the visual rhythm that gives the blanket its distinctive appearance.

Texture can also make a single-color blanket visually interesting without requiring complicated color changes.

A Good Pattern for Showing Off Texture

If you want the stitch pattern to be the main feature, consider using a solid or gently tonal yarn.

Highly variegated yarns can be beautiful, but strong color changes may compete visually with a textured stitch pattern.

A lighter or medium shade can also make shadows within the textured fabric easier to see.

Choosing a Substitute Yarn

Since the yarn listed with this older pattern is a vintage yarn entry, substitution is likely for many modern knitters.

Look for a suitable Aran-weight yarn and make a swatch before buying the full blanket quantity.

Your swatch can tell you several things:

• Whether you like the stitch definition
• Whether the fabric feels too stiff or too loose
• How the yarn behaves in the textured pattern
• Whether the finished fabric has enough drape
• How the yarn responds to washing or blocking

Gauge and Blanket Size

Ravelry lists the original pattern gauge as 18 stitches in stockinette stitch for the published gauge information.

For a blanket, a small gauge difference is generally less critical than it would be for a fitted sweater, but it will still affect the finished dimensions and yarn consumption.

If your gauge is significantly different, expect the blanket to become larger or smaller and plan your yarn quantity accordingly.

Keep Your Tension Consistent

Repeating textured patterns look their best when the tension remains reasonably consistent from one section to the next.

Try not to tighten your stitches when concentrating on a new part of the repeat.

Once you become familiar with the pattern rhythm, the knitting usually becomes much more relaxed.

Use Stitch Markers if Helpful

Long blanket rows can make it frustrating to discover a mistake only after reaching the end.

If the stitch repeat allows it, markers placed between logical repeat sections can help you identify an error much sooner.

They are especially useful during the first few repeats while you are learning how the stitch pattern should look.

Check the Pattern Visually

One advantage of a strong textured repeat is that the fabric itself eventually becomes a useful error detector.

Stop occasionally and look across the previous rows.

If one section suddenly stops aligning with the others, investigate it before knitting much farther.

Consider a Lifeline

If you are uncomfortable correcting mistakes in textured knitting, periodically inserting a lifeline through a known-correct row can be useful.

It provides a safe point to return to if an error is discovered several rows later.

Working a Large Blanket Comfortably

Blankets become progressively heavier as they grow.

If possible, allow the weight of the project to rest on your lap or a table rather than supporting the entire blanket with your wrists.

A long circular needle can also help distribute the weight more comfortably.

Blocking the Finished Blanket

Blocking can help settle the textured fabric and even out the edges.

Use a blocking method appropriate for your chosen fiber and follow the yarn manufacturer's washing instructions.

Avoid aggressively stretching the blanket if doing so would flatten the texture that gives the design its character.

Skills Used in This Project

Waffle Blanket is useful for practicing:

• Working long rows consistently
• Following a repeating stitch pattern
• Maintaining even tension
• Reading the knitted fabric
• Managing a large project on the needles
• Finishing and weaving in ends
• Blocking a textured blanket

Is Waffle Blanket Still Free?

Yes.

Waffle Blanket by Alexis Layton is currently listed on Ravelry as a free download.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted knitting instructions. Use the original pattern listing for the complete pattern.

Get the Free Waffle Blanket Pattern

Visit Ravelry for the original free pattern:

Get the Free Waffle Blanket Pattern →

More Free Blanket Knitting Patterns

If you enjoy textured blankets, you can continue with other free blanket patterns already verified in the Amazing Knitting archive.

Shivaree Throw by Berroco Design Team is another excellent choice, combining cables and double seed stitch in a free official pattern.

See the Free Shivaree Throw →

You can also explore:

• Free Blanket Knitting Patterns
• Textured Blanket Patterns
• Free Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns

Before You Start

Choose a suitable Aran-weight yarn, make a swatch and decide whether you like the way your yarn displays the textured stitch pattern.

Make sure you have enough yarn for the full blanket, especially if your gauge or planned dimensions differ from the original.

Finally, use Alexis Layton's current Ravelry download for the complete instructions rather than copied versions found elsewhere online.

Pattern credit: Waffle Blanket was designed by Alexis Layton and first published in January 2010. Amazing Knitting provides an independent project guide and does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted knitting instructions. Please preserve the existing photograph and its original credit on this page.

Treetops Baby Blanket - Free Pattern

Photo above © bflaible

Treetops Baby Blanket by Darlene Dale is a beautiful striped baby blanket built around an eye-catching butterfly stitch texture.

Originally published by Naturally Caron in 2010, the design uses DK-weight yarn and combines the textured center with simple garter-stitch borders.

The pattern was originally distributed for free. However, the original Caron and Yarnspirations pattern pages are no longer available, so this older pattern now needs a little more explanation before you begin.

Pattern Availability Update

Treetops Baby Blanket was originally published as a free pattern by Naturally Caron. The original publisher and Yarnspirations sources are no longer available. Ravelry currently references an archived version of the original pattern.

Treetops Baby Blanket at a Glance

Pattern: Treetops Baby Blanket

Designer: Darlene Dale

Published: February 2010

Original Publisher: Naturally Caron / Caron International Yarns

Category: Baby Blanket

Yarn Weight: DK

Original Yarn: NaturallyCaron.com Spa

Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm

Yardage: Approx. 962 yd / 880 m

Finished Size: Approx. 31 × 35 in / 79 × 89 cm

Main Feature: Butterfly stitch

Availability: Originally free; original publisher source unavailable

About the Treetops Baby Blanket

Treetops Baby Blanket was designed by Darlene Dale and published in February 2010 through Naturally Caron.

Its distinctive appearance comes from a textured butterfly stitch arranged across colorful stripes.

The resulting fabric has plenty of visual interest without requiring elaborate cables or complicated garment shaping, making the design an appealing blanket project.

Finished Size

The published finished size is approximately:

31 × 35 inches / 79 × 89 cm

This is a practical baby-blanket size that is large enough to showcase the repeating stitch pattern without becoming an especially large knitting project.

The Butterfly Stitch

The main decorative feature is the butterfly stitch.

The pattern uses the stitch across contrasting stripes to create the distinctive gathered texture visible in finished Treetops blankets.

The published pattern information describes the butterfly stitch as a 20-row repeat.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's complete stitch instructions here. Use the original pattern information referenced below for the actual knitting sequence.

Gauge

The original pattern gives a butterfly-stitch gauge of:

20 stitches × 24 rows = 4 × 4 inches / 10 × 10 cm

A separate garter-stitch gauge is listed as:

20 stitches × 30 rows = 4 × 4 inches / 10 × 10 cm

Gauge on a blanket does not affect fit in the same way it does on a sweater, but it still influences the finished dimensions and the amount of yarn required.

Needles

The original pattern calls for:

US 7 / 4.5 mm needles

For a blanket, a circular needle can be convenient even when knitting back and forth because the cable helps support the weight of the growing fabric.

Original Yarn

Treetops was designed using NaturallyCaron.com Spa, a DK-weight yarn.

The original yarn contained acrylic and bamboo-derived fiber and came in 251-yard / 230-meter balls.

That yarn is now discontinued, so modern knitters will normally need to make a yarn substitution.

Original Yarn Colors

The published sample used three colors:

• Ocean Spray
• Soft Sunshine
• Naturally

The soft combination of blue-green, yellow and neutral tones works particularly well with the alternating textured stripes.

You can, of course, create an entirely different palette while preserving the same overall design.

How Much Yarn?

Ravelry lists total published yardage of approximately:

962 yards / 880 meters

If you substitute yarn, allow some flexibility in your estimate. Different fibers, gauge and modifications to the blanket dimensions can change the total amount required.

Substituting the Discontinued Yarn

Because Naturally Caron Spa is discontinued, there is no reason to feel that you must locate the original yarn before knitting this blanket.

Instead, look for a suitable modern DK-weight yarn that produces the required gauge and a fabric you like.

For a baby blanket, useful qualities include:

• Softness
• Easy washing and care
• Good stitch definition
• Comfortable drape
• Colors with enough contrast to show the striped texture

Make a swatch before purchasing the full blanket quantity whenever possible.

Garter-Stitch Borders

The blanket uses garter stitch to provide a simple visual frame around the more decorative center.

The original construction also involves picking up stitches to work the side borders.

A plain border is particularly effective here because it does not compete with the butterfly-stitch texture.

Picking Up the Side Borders

When picking up stitches along a long knitted edge, distribution is more important than simply picking up one stitch from every row.

Too many picked-up stitches can make the border ruffle. Too few can pull the blanket edge inward.

Follow the pattern's intended distribution and check that the fabric lies comfortably flat as the border develops.

A Useful Tip from a Finished Project

The project shown on this Amazing Knitting page was made by Ravelry member bflaible.

In the project notes, the knitter specifically mentions avoiding picking up every row along the side edge because doing so could create a ruffled border.

That's a useful practical reminder when finishing this type of blanket.

Managing the Color Changes

Because Treetops uses stripes, changing colors neatly can reduce the number of finishing problems later.

Depending on the spacing of the stripes and the instructions in the pattern, yarn may sometimes be carried carefully along an edge rather than cut after every color change.

Avoid carrying yarn so tightly that it shortens or puckers the side of the blanket.

Choose Colors That Show the Texture

Butterfly stitch already provides strong visual texture, so color choices can either emphasize or soften the effect.

Pastel combinations create the gentle appearance associated with many baby blankets, while brighter contrasting colors can make the repeated sections much more graphic.

Solid or lightly tonal yarns will generally allow the stitch structure to remain easier to see than highly variegated yarns.

Check Your Work as You Go

Repeating textured patterns become easier once you recognize how a correct repeat should look.

Stop occasionally and compare the newest section with earlier repeats.

Finding a misplaced stitch early is much easier than discovering it after several more inches of blanket have been knitted.

Skills Used in Treetops

This project is useful for practicing:

• Working a repeating textured stitch pattern
• Changing colors
• Maintaining even tension
• Working long rows
• Garter stitch borders
• Picking up stitches along side edges
• Managing yarn ends
• Blocking a baby blanket

Is Treetops Baby Blanket Still Available?

This requires a little clarification.

Treetops Baby Blanket was originally a free pattern published by Naturally Caron.

However, the original Naturally Caron and later Yarnspirations sources are no longer available.

Ravelry currently records the pattern under an archived Internet Archive source rather than an active publisher page.

For copyright reasons, Amazing Knitting does not host or reproduce an unofficial copy of Darlene Dale's complete pattern.

View the Treetops Pattern Record

Ravelry maintains the pattern record, including the original specifications and archived-source information:

View Treetops Baby Blanket on Ravelry →

Looking for a Free Alternative?

If you would rather use a pattern with an active free source, the Jordan Baby Blanket by marianna mel is already verified in the Amazing Knitting archive and remains available for free.

See the Free Jordan Baby Blanket →

You can also explore:

• Free Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns
• Textured Baby Blanket Patterns
• DK Baby Blanket Patterns

Before You Start

Remember that this is an older pattern whose original publisher page is no longer active.

If you decide to make Treetops, review the archived-source information through its Ravelry record, choose a modern DK substitute for the discontinued Naturally Caron Spa yarn and make a swatch before beginning.

Pay particular attention to maintaining consistent tension through the butterfly-stitch sections and to picking up the side-border stitches evenly during finishing.

Pattern credit: Treetops Baby Blanket was designed by Darlene Dale and originally published by Naturally Caron / Caron International Yarns in 2010. The project photograph currently shown on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to bflaible. Amazing Knitting provides an independent historical project guide and does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted knitting instructions.

Lace Mesh Wash Cloth - Free Knitting Pattern

Photo above © Coffee & Cream

Lace Mesh Wash Cloth by Selina Kyle is a simple, practical knitting project that combines an open lace-mesh center with a neat seed-stitch border.

It is a useful small project for knitters who want to practice basic lace techniques without committing to a large shawl or garment.

The open mesh gives the cloth a light, flexible texture, while the textured border helps frame the square and gives the design a tidy finished appearance.

Free references to the original pattern are still available online, although the designer's old Coffee and Cream blog is no longer as easy to verify as it once was.

✓ Pattern Availability

Lace Mesh Wash Cloth is a free knitting pattern by Selina Kyle. The pattern has historically been associated with her Coffee and Cream blog and is still referenced by established knitting-pattern directories as a free design.

Lace Mesh Wash Cloth at a Glance

Pattern: Lace Mesh Wash Cloth

Designer: Selina Kyle

Original Blog: Coffee and Cream

Category: Washcloth / Dishcloth

Main Feature: Lace mesh center

Border: Seed stitch

Construction: Worked flat

Good For: Practicing basic lace knitting

Availability: Free pattern references remain online

Why This Wash Cloth Is a Good Learning Project

Lace knitting can look intimidating when you first encounter a large shawl covered in charts and complicated motifs.

A washcloth is a much more manageable place to begin.

Because the project is small, you can practice the relationship between yarn overs and decreases without having hundreds of stitches on your needles.

The Lace Mesh Center

The central feature of the design is a simple open mesh.

Mesh lace is created by deliberately making holes in the knitted fabric, usually through yarn overs balanced by decreases.

The result is lighter and more flexible than a completely solid knitted square.

Why Yarn Overs Matter

A yarn over creates an extra loop on the needle.

When worked correctly, that extra loop becomes the decorative opening visible in the finished lace.

The increase created by the yarn over usually needs to be balanced by a decrease elsewhere in the stitch pattern so the overall stitch count remains controlled.

Watch the Stitch Count

One of the most common mistakes in beginner lace knitting is forgetting either a yarn over or a decrease.

Because the two usually work together, a missing stitch can shift the mesh pattern and make the next row harder to understand.

Count your stitches periodically while learning the repeat.

The Seed Stitch Border

The mesh center is surrounded by a seed-stitch border.

Seed stitch alternates knit and purl stitches to create a small, pebbled texture.

It is particularly useful around washcloths because it gives the edge a visually solid frame around an open center.

Seed Stitch Also Helps Control the Edges

A textured border can help a small knitted square sit more neatly than an unbordered piece of stockinette.

It also gives the cloth additional texture around the outside, which is useful both aesthetically and practically.

A Good Introduction to Reading Your Knitting

This type of project encourages you to recognize the difference between:

• Knit stitches
• Purl stitches
• Yarn-over holes
• Decreases
• Border stitches
• Mesh-pattern stitches

Learning to identify those elements visually makes future lace projects much easier.

Worked Flat

A washcloth like this is worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round.

That makes the project convenient for knitters who are still becoming comfortable with basic needles and turning their work at the end of each row.

Choose a Practical Yarn

For washcloths and dishcloths, cotton is usually a very practical yarn choice.

It is absorbent, washable and shows textured stitches clearly.

However, because the exact original yarn specification is not reliably documented in the current sources we could verify, use the yarn recommendation from the original pattern if you have access to it.

Why We Are Not Giving an Exact Needle Size

Older copies and pattern roundups sometimes repeat specifications without making the original source clear.

Rather than turn an uncertain number into an authoritative-looking recommendation, Amazing Knitting does not list a specific needle size here unless it can be verified from the designer's own pattern record.

Use the needle size recommended by the authorized pattern source or select one that produces a flexible but useful cloth fabric with your chosen yarn.

Solid or Gradient Yarn?

Both can work well.

A solid color makes the lace holes and seed-stitch border very easy to see.

A gradient yarn can create a more decorative effect, and one surviving pattern roundup specifically highlights an ombré version of Selina Kyle's washcloth.

Keep the Mesh Relaxed

Lace usually looks better when it is not worked too tightly.

If your tension is extremely firm, the yarn-over holes may appear small and the mesh may lose some of its open character.

A small swatch can help you decide whether you like the fabric before knitting the entire cloth.

Blocking Can Improve the Lace

Washing and gently shaping the finished cloth can help the mesh settle into a more even appearance.

Always follow the care instructions for the yarn you use.

Cotton may behave quite differently from wool or synthetic fibers, so avoid assuming that every washcloth should be blocked in exactly the same way.

A Quick Skill-Building Project

Small household projects are useful because they let you practice a new technique while still producing something practical.

With Lace Mesh Wash Cloth, you can practice:

• Knit and purl stitches
• Seed stitch
• Yarn overs
• Basic lace decreases
• Maintaining a border
• Reading your knitting
• Keeping an even stitch count

Washcloth or Dishcloth?

The same basic knitted square can often be used either in the bathroom or the kitchen, depending on yarn choice and personal preference.

For face or body use, choose a yarn that feels comfortable against the skin.

For kitchen use, durability, absorbency and easy washing may be more important.

Make a Coordinated Set

Small cloths are excellent scrap-yarn projects and can also be made in coordinated colors for a handmade gift set.

Pair several washcloths with handmade soap or other bath items for a simple practical gift.

Is Lace Mesh Wash Cloth Still Free?

Current knitting directories still identify Selina Kyle's cloth pattern as a free design.

The exact original Coffee and Cream blog source is old and not as easy to verify today, but Selina Kyle remains identified as the designer and established knitting sites continue to point knitters toward the free pattern.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's complete row-by-row instructions here.

Find the Free Pattern

A reliable current route is the Ravelry ecosystem and knitting directories that still identify the original Selina Kyle design.

View Selina Kyle's Knitting Designs →

More Free Washcloth Patterns

If you enjoy quick household knits, you can also explore:

• Daisy Stitch Knit Washcloth
• Free Washcloth Knitting Patterns
• Dishcloth Knitting Patterns
• Beginner Lace Knitting Projects

Why This Small Pattern Is Still Useful

Lace Mesh Wash Cloth is not a dramatic garment or a huge heirloom project.

Its value is exactly the opposite: it gives you a small, forgiving project where you can concentrate on the mechanics of lace.

The combination of an open mesh center and textured seed-stitch border makes it a useful bridge between beginner knit-and-purl projects and more elaborate lace knitting.

Pattern credit: Lace Mesh Wash Cloth is attributed to Selina Kyle / Coffee and Cream. Amazing Knitting provides an independent project guide and does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted knitting instructions. Please retain the existing photograph and its original credit from the old Amazing Knitting post.

Shivaree Throw - Free Pattern

Photo above © sonomahead

Shivaree Throw by the Berroco Design Team is a richly textured knitted blanket featuring dramatic braided cables surrounded by classic double seed stitch.

Designed in Berroco Ultra Alpaca, the combination of cables and textured background gives this throw a timeless, substantial appearance. Best of all, the original Shivaree Throw knitting pattern is still available free directly from Berroco.

✓ Free Pattern Availability

Good news: Shivaree Throw is still available as a free knitting pattern from Berroco. We have updated this guide to direct readers to the current official Berroco pattern page rather than relying on older third-party links.

Shivaree Throw at a Glance

Pattern: Shivaree Throw

Designer: Berroco Design Team

Craft: Knitting

Project Type: Throw / Home

Skill Level: Intermediate

Finished Size: Approximately 48 × 60 inches

Suggested Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca

Yarn Required: 13 hanks

Main Needle: US 8 / 5 mm circular needle

Notions: Cable needle

Main Textures: Braided cables and double seed stitch

Current Availability: Free official Berroco pattern

About the Shivaree Throw

Shivaree is a generously sized knitted throw built around a repeating combination of braided cables and double seed stitch.

The cables create strong vertical lines across the blanket, while the surrounding textured stitch provides contrast and helps the cable motifs stand out.

Unlike a blanket assembled from individual squares, Shivaree is worked as one large piece. This creates a continuous pattern across the entire throw and avoids the need to join multiple knitted blocks afterward.

Finished Size

Berroco gives the finished dimensions as approximately:

48 inches wide × 60 inches long

That makes Shivaree large enough to work as a substantial sofa throw or an extra layer for a bed or reading chair.

Berroco Ultra Alpaca

The original design uses Berroco Ultra Alpaca.

The official pattern calls for:

13 hanks of Berroco Ultra Alpaca

The photographed Berroco version was made in the colour Sweet Potato #6229.

If you substitute another yarn, matching the original gauge and creating a fabric with good cable definition are more important than simply choosing a similar colour.

Needles and Equipment

Berroco specifies a:

29-inch US 8 / 5 mm circular knitting needle

The circular needle is used to comfortably hold the large number of stitches in the blanket; the throw itself is worked flat rather than joined in the round.

You will also need a cable needle for the braided cable pattern.

Gauge

Because Shivaree combines two different textures, Berroco provides gauge information for both.

For the double seed stitch section:

20 stitches × 28 rows = 4 inches

For the cable pattern:

13 stitches = 2 inches and 28 rows = 4 inches

These measurements are based on the US 8 / 5 mm needle.

Berroco specifically recommends checking gauge before beginning. With a project this large, even a modest gauge difference can affect both the finished dimensions and the amount of yarn required.

Braided Cable Design

The cables are the visual centerpiece of Shivaree.

Rather than using a single simple rope cable, the pattern creates a more elaborate braided effect through a repeating cable sequence.

Each cable section is worked over 13 stitches, with the cable pattern repeating over eight rows.

The official Berroco pattern provides the complete cable instructions and stitch glossary, including the required front- and back-crossing techniques.

Double Seed Stitch Texture

Between the braided cables is a textured stitch pattern that Berroco identifies as Double Seed Stitch.

This creates a small-scale knit-and-purl texture that contrasts nicely with the larger flowing cable motifs.

The combination is particularly effective because the quieter background texture allows the braided cables to remain the dominant feature.

How the Throw Is Constructed

Shivaree is worked flat on a circular needle.

The pattern begins with a large cast-on and establishes alternating sections of double seed stitch and cable motifs across the row.

Once the stitch patterns are established, the knitter continues the repeating textures until the piece reaches the required length.

Use Berroco's original pattern for the exact cast-on count, cable crossings, stitch sequence and row-by-row instructions.

Why Use a Circular Needle for a Flat Blanket?

A circular needle does not necessarily mean a project is knitted in the round.

Large blankets can contain hundreds of stitches, making conventional straight needles uncomfortable or impractical. A circular needle allows the flexible cable between the needle tips to support much of the weight of the project.

You simply turn the work at the end of each row and knit back and forth as you would with straight needles.

Skill Level

Berroco classifies Shivaree as an Intermediate knitting pattern.

Useful skills include:

• Casting on a large number of stitches
• Knitting and purling
• Following repeating stitch patterns
• Working with a cable needle
• Crossing cable stitches to the front and back
• Maintaining several pattern sections across a long row
• Checking gauge
• Binding off evenly
• Blocking a large knitted project

A Good Project for Learning Cable Rhythm

Although Shivaree is not a small project, repeating cable designs can become easier to follow once their rhythm becomes familiar.

Stitch markers placed between major pattern sections may also help you notice mistakes earlier instead of discovering them several rows later.

If you are relatively new to cables, consider practicing the cable motif with spare yarn before casting on the full blanket.

Choosing a Substitute Yarn

When substituting yarn for a cable blanket, look beyond yarn weight alone.

A yarn with good stitch definition can make the braided structure easier to see. Very fuzzy yarns may soften the appearance of the cables, while a smoother yarn can emphasize every crossing.

Also consider durability, warmth and washing requirements. A throw may receive considerably more everyday use than a decorative shawl or occasional garment.

Is Shivaree Throw Still Free?

Yes. Shivaree Throw remains available as a free knitting pattern directly from Berroco.

This is the best source to use because it comes from the company and design team responsible for the original pattern.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce Berroco's copyrighted row-by-row pattern instructions. Instead, we provide project information and direct knitters to the legitimate original source.

Get the Free Shivaree Throw Pattern

Berroco currently provides the complete free pattern on its official website.

Get the Free Shivaree Throw Pattern →

More Free Knitted Blankets

If you enjoy textured throws and cable knitting, continue exploring the Amazing Knitting archive for more free blanket patterns.

Explore Free Blanket Knitting Patterns →

You can also browse cable knit blankets, free knitted throws, and seed stitch blankets.

Before You Start

Download or open the current Berroco pattern first, then make a gauge swatch that includes the relevant textured stitches.

Because this is a large project using 13 hanks in the original version, make sure you have enough yarn before casting on. If possible, purchase the yarn for the complete blanket at the same time to reduce the chance of noticeable dye-lot differences.

Pattern credit: Shivaree Throw was designed by the Berroco Design Team. The existing project photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to sonomahead. The knitting pattern remains the property of its respective rights holder. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce Berroco's copyrighted row-by-row instructions.