Reyna Shawl – Free One-Skein Sock Yarn Knitting Pattern

Reyna Shawl. Photo © Noora Laivola

Reyna by Noora Backlund is a free one-skein shawl knitting pattern designed especially for those beautiful skeins of variegated sock yarn that can sometimes be difficult to match with the right project.

Alternating sections of simple garter stitch and open mesh allow the yarn's changing colors to remain the star of the project. The shawl is worked from the top down in one seamless piece and requires approximately 380–420 yards (347–384 m) of fingering-weight yarn.

Reyna Shawl Pattern Details

• Designer: Noora Backlund
• Published: June 2015
• Craft: Knitting
• Category: Shawl / Wrap
• Pattern availability: Free Ravelry download
• Shape: Triangle
• Style: Adult / teen / unisex
• Yarn weight: Light Fingering / fingering sock yarn
• Yardage: Approximately 380–420 yards (347–384 m)
• Suggested needle: US 4 (3.5 mm)
• Gauge: No fixed gauge specified by the designer
• Construction: Top down and worked flat
• Construction style: One piece and seamless
• Stitches: Garter stitch and mesh
• Pattern format: Written instructions
• Languages: English, French and German, with an additional Hungarian translation available separately

A One-Skein Shawl for Variegated Sock Yarn

Reyna was created to solve a problem familiar to many knitters: finding the right project for a gorgeous skein of variegated sock yarn.

Highly variegated yarn can sometimes hide complicated lace or textured stitches. Reyna takes the opposite approach and uses relatively simple stitch patterns that give the colors room to shine.

One skein of fingering-weight yarn is enough for the original shawl, making this a particularly useful pattern for special hand-dyed yarn waiting in your stash.

Garter Stitch and Mesh

The shawl alternates between garter-stitch sections and open mesh sections.

Garter stitch creates calm bands of texture where the yarn's colors can flow naturally, while the mesh opens the fabric and adds a lighter, airier appearance.

The contrast between these two simple textures gives the shawl its distinctive look without competing with a colorful yarn.

Top-Down Triangle Construction

Reyna is a top-down triangular shawl.

The project begins at the middle of the long upper edge and gradually expands outward as you work toward the lower point.

The entire shawl is knitted flat as one continuous piece, so there are no separate sections to sew together afterward.

Finished Size

Noora Backlund's original blocked sample measures approximately 58 inches (148 cm) along the top edge.

From the middle of the top edge to the center tip, it measures about 21½ inches (55 cm).

These measurements are for the designer's sample. Your finished size can vary depending on yarn, needle size, gauge and how many rows you choose to work.

No Fixed Gauge Required

One unusual and useful feature of Reyna is that the designer intentionally does not specify one required gauge.

Instead, Noora recommends choosing a needle size that creates a fabric you like.

The goal is to achieve enough drape for a comfortable shawl without making the fabric excessively loose and see-through.

The listed 3.5 mm (US 4) needle is therefore a useful starting point rather than a rigid requirement.

The Original Reyna Yarn

The original sample was knitted with Miss Babs Cosmic Hand Painted Sock in the Gal Noir colorway.

This fingering-weight sock yarn contains 80% merino wool and 20% nylon and has approximately 400 yards per skein.

That combination fits the central idea behind Reyna perfectly: take one beautiful skein of colorful sock yarn and turn it into a wearable shawl.

Other Suggested Yarns

The current pattern listing also suggests popular fingering and sock yarns such as:

• Malabrigo Yarn Sock
• Hedgehog Fibres Sock
• Miss Babs Cosmic Hand Painted Sock

You do not need to use one of these exact yarns. A fingering-weight yarn with suitable yardage and a fabric you enjoy can work well.

Solid, Tonal or Variegated Yarn?

Although Reyna was specifically designed with variegated yarn in mind, the pattern does not require it.

A solid yarn will emphasize the contrast between garter stitch and mesh, while a tonal yarn can provide subtle color movement.

Speckled and highly variegated yarns can be particularly fun because the simple stitch patterns allow their colors to remain clearly visible.

An Adjustable Shawl Pattern

Reyna is also easy to adapt if your skein contains slightly more or less yarn than the original.

The designer explains that the number of rows in the garter and mesh sections can be changed to adjust the finished size.

This flexibility is especially useful for one-skein projects because yarn quantities can vary from one brand or hand-dyed skein to another.

Can You Use a Different Yarn Weight?

Yes. Noora Backlund specifically notes that heavier or lighter yarn weights can also be used.

Changing the yarn weight will change both the finished dimensions and the amount of yarn required, so choose an appropriate needle size for your yarn rather than automatically using the original 3.5 mm needles.

The most important goal is a fabric with enough drape for a shawl.

Skills Used in the Reyna Shawl

Useful techniques for this project include:

• Knitting and purling
• Garter stitch
• Working flat
• Yarn overs
• Basic increases
• Basic decreases
• Working a simple mesh pattern
• Top-down shawl shaping
• Binding off
• Blocking a shawl

A Good Introduction to Simple Lace and Mesh

Reyna can be an appealing next step if you are comfortable with basic knitting and want to try an openwork shawl without starting with a highly intricate lace pattern.

The mesh creates the airy look of lace while the garter sections provide simpler stretches of knitting between the openwork sections.

The result is enough variation to keep the project interesting without hiding the colors of the yarn beneath a very complicated stitch pattern.

Tips for a Successful One-Skein Reyna

If you have a limited amount of yarn, it is helpful to keep track of how much remains as the shawl grows.

Remember that later rows contain many more stitches than the early rows, so they consume yarn more quickly.

Because the designer allows the garter and mesh sections to be adjusted, you have some flexibility to finish the shawl according to the amount of yarn available.

Blocking the Finished Shawl

Blocking helps the mesh open and allows the triangular shape to settle into its finished dimensions.

After washing according to your yarn's care instructions, gently shape the shawl so the top edge and center point are clearly defined.

Avoid overstretching if you want to preserve the contrast between the denser garter sections and the more open mesh.

A Popular Free Shawl Pattern

Reyna has become a favorite one-skein shawl project among knitters because it combines simple construction with a clever approach to colorful yarn.

Instead of requiring the perfect solid yarn for complicated lace, it embraces the color changes already present in hand-dyed and variegated sock yarn.

The combination of an adjustable size, modest yardage and straightforward garter-and-mesh construction also makes it a pattern that can be knitted again with very different results.

Why Knit Reyna?

Reyna is particularly useful when you have one skein of colorful sock yarn and want a project designed specifically to show it off.

With approximately 380–420 yards, simple garter and mesh sections, flexible sizing and no rigid gauge requirement, the pattern gives you plenty of freedom to work with the yarn already in your stash.

And because the shawl is worked top down, flat and in one piece, the construction remains straightforward while the changing texture and yarn colors provide the visual interest.

Get the Free Reyna Shawl Knitting Pattern

The complete Reyna by Noora Backlund is currently available as a free downloadable knitting pattern from the designer's Ravelry store.

Get the Free Reyna Shawl Knitting Pattern

Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.

Morning Surf Scarf - Free Pattern

 Photo above © BohoBerry 

Morning Surf Scarf by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer is a wonderfully adaptable knitted scarf featuring soft, undulating openwork inspired by waves moving across the sea.

The design uses dropped yarnovers to create long, flowing stitches and an airy lace-like fabric. It is particularly attractive in variegated and handspun yarns, but one of the great advantages of Morning Surf is its flexibility: the pattern can be adapted to many different yarn weights and scarf widths.

✓ Free Pattern Availability

Good news: Morning Surf Scarf is still available as a free knitting pattern. The pattern is associated with Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer and HeartStrings FiberArts and has also been published by Spin-Off / Interweave.

Morning Surf Scarf at a Glance

Pattern: Morning Surf Scarf

Designer: Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer

Original Publication: January 1998

Craft: Knitting

Category: Scarf

Yarn Weight: Adaptable to different yarn weights

Gauge: Flexible — choose a needle that produces good drape

Width: Adjustable in 10-stitch increments

Notable Technique: Dropped yarnovers

Construction: Worked flat

Current Availability: Free pattern

About the Morning Surf Scarf

Morning Surf is a scarf where the yarn can become just as important as the stitch pattern.

Instead of dense cables or complicated colourwork, the design creates long open stitches that move gently across the fabric. The result has a wave-like appearance that works especially well with yarns containing several colours or subtle changes in texture.

This makes Morning Surf an interesting choice for a special skein of hand-dyed or handspun yarn that you want to showcase rather than hide inside a very complicated stitch pattern.

The Story Behind Morning Surf

The scarf has an especially fitting origin.

Designer Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer was inspired by a morning walk along the beach while attending a spinning event in Florida. The colours and movement of the water influenced both her choice of fibre and the undulating stitch sequence that eventually became Morning Surf.

The original scarf was created to showcase handspun yarn whose variations in colour and texture became part of the character of the finished piece.

A Pattern Designed for Different Yarns

One of the most useful characteristics of Morning Surf is that it was not designed around one rigid yarn specification.

The pattern can be adapted to a wide range of yarn sizes. Rather than insisting on one yarn weight and one needle size, the designer provides guidance for selecting needles that create a fabric with attractive drape without becoming excessively loose.

This makes Morning Surf particularly useful for:

• Handspun yarn
• Variegated yarn
• Hand-dyed yarn
• Special single skeins
• Stash yarn
• Experimenting with different yarn weights

Adjusting the Width

The scarf width is also easy to customize.

The cast-on can be increased or decreased in increments of 10 stitches, allowing you to make a narrower scarf or a broader wrap-like version.

Remember that increasing the width also increases yarn consumption, so allow extra yardage if you plan to make a substantially wider or longer scarf.

The Dropped-Yarnover Effect

Morning Surf gets much of its distinctive appearance from dropped yarnovers.

Yarnovers create additional loops while knitting. In this design, selected loops are later released in a controlled way, allowing the surrounding stitches to lengthen and form the characteristic open, wave-like sections.

Although the finished fabric looks unusual, the underlying concept is approachable once you understand what is supposed to happen to the extra loops.

This is one of those techniques where a small practice swatch can make the full project much easier to understand.

Why Variegated Yarn Works So Well

Highly variegated yarn can sometimes hide elaborate textured stitches. Morning Surf takes almost the opposite approach.

The elongated stitches create enough visual space for changing colours to remain visible, while the repeating waves add movement without competing heavily with the yarn.

For this reason, the pattern can be particularly effective when you have a colourful skein that looks beautiful by itself but seems difficult to match with a conventional stitch pattern.

Needle Choice

Because Morning Surf is designed for different yarn weights, there is no single needle size that every knitter must use.

The goal is to choose a needle that produces a draping fabric without becoming sloppy.

Make a small swatch first. If the fabric feels stiff, try a larger needle. If the elongated stitches look excessively loose or unstable, try a smaller needle.

Straight or Circular Needles?

The designer specifically recommends straight needles for this project.

Circular needles can technically be used for flat knitting, but the multiple yarnovers used in Morning Surf may be less convenient to slide from the flexible cable back onto the needle tip.

If you normally prefer circular needles, this is worth considering before beginning the project.

Skills That Help

Useful skills for Morning Surf include:

• Casting on
• Knit stitches
• Purl stitches
• Working yarnovers
• Handling multiple yarnovers
• Dropping designated loops intentionally
• Following a repeating stitch sequence
• Binding off
• Blocking a knitted scarf

Use Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer's original pattern for the exact stitch sequence and row-by-row instructions.

A Good Handspun Yarn Project

Morning Surf has a particularly strong connection with handspinning. The original scarf was designed specifically to showcase the character of handspun fibre.

Handspun yarn does not always have the absolute uniformity of commercially produced yarn, but in a design like this those variations can become part of the visual effect rather than something that needs to be hidden.

The pattern later appeared in Spin-Off, making that relationship with spinning even more appropriate.

Blocking Morning Surf

Blocking helps the elongated stitches settle into position and allows the wave-like structure to become more visible.

Follow the washing instructions appropriate for your chosen fibre, especially when working with handspun or unusual blends.

Shape the damp scarf gently and allow it to dry completely before removing it from the blocking surface.

Is Morning Surf Scarf Still Free?

Yes. Morning Surf Scarf by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer is still listed as a free knitting pattern.

The pattern has a long history, having first appeared in the late 1990s and later being published in Spin-Off.

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

Get the Free Morning Surf Scarf Pattern

Ravelry currently lists Morning Surf Scarf as a free pattern and provides the pattern information and source details.

Get the Free Morning Surf Scarf Pattern →

More Free Knitted Scarves

If you enjoy adaptable scarf projects, continue exploring the Amazing Knitting archive for more free patterns and stitch ideas.

Explore Free Scarf Knitting Patterns →

You can also browse lace scarf patterns, handspun knitting projects, and projects for variegated yarn.

Before You Start

Choose the yarn you would like to showcase and make a small swatch before deciding on your final needle size and scarf width.

Pay particular attention to the dropped-yarnover technique. Once you understand how the elongated stitches are created, the repeating pattern becomes much easier to recognize as you knit.

Pattern credit: Morning Surf Scarf was designed by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer of HeartStrings FiberArts. The existing photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to BohoBerry. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted row-by-row knitting instructions.

June Bunnies Shawl - Free Knitting Pattern

Photo above © Mardunk

June Bunnies Shawl by Inese Andzane is a soft, customizable triangular lace shawl designed to be simple enough for knitters taking their first steps into lace.

The design alternates relaxing sections of simple knitting with decorative lace insertions, creating an elegant shawl without making every row demanding.

It is also wonderfully flexible: the designer encourages knitters to add as many or as few lace repeats as they like, making it possible to adapt the shawl to different yarns and finished sizes.

Best of all, the original June Bunnies Shawl pattern is still officially available for free.

✓ Free Pattern Availability

June Bunnies Shawl remains available as a free Ravelry download. The designer's original Silver Lining Knits blog post is also still online and identifies the shawl as a free pattern.

June Bunnies Shawl at a Glance

Pattern: June Bunnies Shawl

Designer: Inese Andzane

Published: July 2012

Original Source: Silver Lining Knits

Category: Shawl / Wrap

Shape: Triangle

Construction: Top-down, one piece

Suggested Yarn Weight: Fingering

Published Yardage Range: 400–600 yd / 366–549 m

Size: Customizable

Instructions: Charted and written

Difficulty: Suitable for adventurous lace beginners

Availability: Free Ravelry download

About the June Bunnies Shawl

June Bunnies began with the yarn.

Designer Inese Andzane explains that she had received an exceptionally soft angora, merino and nylon blend and wanted to cast on something immediately.

Because she wanted a project simple enough to knit while watching a movie, she chose a straightforward lace idea and developed it into this triangular shawl.

That relaxed origin is still reflected in the finished design.

Why Is It Called June Bunnies?

The playful name is connected to the yarn used for one of the original shawls.

The soft angora blend reminded the designer of the softness associated with bunnies, giving the project its memorable name.

A Customizable Triangle Shawl

One of the most useful features of June Bunnies is that the finished size is not rigidly fixed.

The designer describes it as a pattern that can be adjusted for different yarn weights and different shawl sizes.

You can add more lace repeats for a larger shawl or use fewer repeats for a smaller accessory.

How Much Yarn Do You Need?

The Ravelry record gives a general range of:

400–600 yards / 366–549 meters

For a full-size shawl in fingering-weight yarn, the designer suggests approximately:

400–500 yards

A finer yarn or a larger shawl may require more.

Fingering Weight Is a Natural Starting Point

Fingering weight is the primary yarn weight associated with the pattern, but the design was intentionally created to be adaptable.

That makes June Bunnies particularly appealing when you have a special skein and want a shawl pattern that does not force you into one exact finished size.

The Original Yarn Inspiration

One of the original versions used a fingering-weight blend of:

• 40% Angora
• 40% Merino
• 20% Nylon

This combination produces a soft fabric with a gentle halo.

Another version was made with a much finer merino, silk and cashmere blend, demonstrating how differently the same design can look when the fiber and yarn thickness change.

There Is No Need to Copy the Original Yarn Exactly

June Bunnies was designed with flexibility in mind.

When substituting yarn, think about the finished fabric you want rather than searching only for an exact discontinued or difficult-to-find yarn.

Consider:

• Yarn weight
• Total yardage
• Drape
• Fiber content
• Halo
• Stitch definition
• How the yarn behaves after blocking

What Needle Size Should You Use?

June Bunnies is designed to work with different yarn weights, so there is no single needle size that makes sense for every version.

Choose a needle that produces an open, attractive fabric with your selected yarn.

A small swatch is useful if you are unsure whether your yarn and needle combination gives the lace enough room to open after blocking.

Top-Down Construction

June Bunnies is a top-down triangular shawl.

The project begins with relatively few stitches and grows outward as you work.

This construction is especially convenient for a customizable shawl because you can watch the triangle develop and decide how large you want the finished piece to become.

Simple Sections Between the Lace

One of the reasons June Bunnies feels approachable is that the entire shawl is not densely covered in complicated lace.

Decorative lace insertions are separated by simpler sections, giving the knitter periods of more relaxed knitting between the patterned areas.

This creates visual rhythm in the finished shawl and makes the project easier to manage.

A Good First Lace Shawl

The designer specifically describes June Bunnies as well suited to lace beginners.

Experienced lace knitters may also enjoy it as a relaxing project that does not demand constant concentration.

If you already know the basic knit and purl stitches and are ready to practice yarn overs and decreases, this can be an appealing introduction to triangular lace-shawl construction.

Skills You May Practice

• Top-down shawl construction
• Yarn overs
• Lace decreases
• Reading a lace chart
• Following written lace directions
• Maintaining a center line
• Repeating lace motifs
• Stretchy binding off
• Blocking lace

Charted and Written Instructions

June Bunnies is particularly useful for knitters who are still learning how they prefer to follow lace.

The pattern provides both charted and written information, so you can work with the format that feels most comfortable.

Learning to compare the chart with the written instructions can also be a useful way to build chart-reading confidence.

Use a Lifeline While Learning Lace

A lifeline can save a great deal of frustration.

After completing a section you know is correct, thread a smooth contrasting yarn through the live stitches.

If you later make a mistake that requires unraveling several rows, the lifeline gives you a safe place to stop.

Count Your Stitches Regularly

Lace patterns rely on increases and decreases occurring in the correct places.

A forgotten yarn over can affect not only one row but the alignment of the following motif.

Periodic stitch counting helps you catch mistakes while they are still easy to repair.

Blocking Reveals the Lace

Do not judge the finished appearance while the shawl is still bunched together on the needles.

Appropriate blocking opens the lace, evens the stitches and allows the triangular shape to settle.

Always choose a blocking method suitable for the fiber content of your yarn.

Try a Slightly Variegated Yarn

The designer specifically suggests that June Bunnies could look lovely in a slightly variegated yarn.

Because the lace is separated by calmer sections, gentle color variation can add interest without necessarily overwhelming the stitch pattern.

For strongly variegated yarn, however, a swatch is useful to see whether the color changes compete with the lace.

Make It Smaller or Larger

One of June Bunnies' Best Features

The designer intentionally allows you to add as many or as few lace repeats as you like. This means the pattern can become a smaller shawlette or a more generous full-size shawl depending on your yarn supply and preference.

Keep Enough Yarn for the Finish

Customizable shawls create one important planning challenge: it is easy to keep knitting until very little yarn remains.

Remember that you still need enough yarn for the final lace section and bind-off.

If your yarn supply is limited, weighing the remaining yarn between sections can help you make a more informed decision about adding another repeat.

Is June Bunnies Shawl Still Free?

Yes.

June Bunnies Shawl by Inese Andzane remains officially available as a free Ravelry download.

The designer's original Silver Lining Knits blog post is also still online and continues to identify the pattern as free.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted chart or row-by-row instructions. Use the authorized pattern source below for the full directions.

Get the Free June Bunnies Shawl Pattern

The easiest current route is the official Ravelry pattern record:

Get the Free June Bunnies Shawl Pattern →

Visit the Designer's Original Post

You can also visit Inese Andzane's original Silver Lining Knits post introducing the shawl:

Visit the Original June Bunnies Shawl Post →

More Free Lace Shawls

If you enjoy June Bunnies, these verified free patterns in the Amazing Knitting archive are natural next projects:

• Begonia Swirl - Free Lace Shawl Pattern
• Birds Nest Shawl - Free Knitting Pattern
• Seascape Stole - Free Knitting Pattern
• Morning Surf Scarf - Free Knitting Pattern

Explore More Free Shawl Patterns

• Free Lace Shawl Knitting Patterns
• Triangle Shawl Knitting Patterns
• Beginner Lace Knitting Projects
• Free Shawl Knitting Patterns

Before You Cast On

Decide how large you want your June Bunnies Shawl to become and check how much yarn you have available.

The pattern's flexibility means you do not have to reproduce one exact sample size.

Choose a yarn and needle combination that creates a fabric you enjoy, keep track of your lace repeats, and leave enough yarn for the final section and bind-off.

For a first triangular lace shawl, June Bunnies offers a particularly appealing balance: enough lace to learn something new, but enough simple knitting to keep the project relaxing.

Pattern credit: June Bunnies Shawl was designed by Inese Andzane and published through Silver Lining Knits in July 2012. Amazing Knitting provides an independent project guide and does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted chart or knitting instructions. 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.

7 Free Scarf Knitting Patterns for Cozy, Beautiful Projects

Looking for a beautiful free scarf knitting pattern for your next project? Scarves are one of the most versatile things you can put on your needles: they are easy to customize, useful for experimenting with new stitches and perfect for turning special yarn into something you can actually wear.

This collection brings together 7 free scarf knitting patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive. You'll find quick keyhole scarves, beginner-friendly garter stitch, lace, cables, colorful chevrons and patterns that work beautifully with hand-dyed or gradient yarn.

Most importantly, each pattern below has been reviewed for current availability. Every link first takes you to our detailed Amazing Knitting guide, where you can find yarn, needle, sizing and construction information together with the legitimate current pattern source.

✓ All 7 patterns in this collection currently have a legitimate free pattern source.

7 Beautiful Free Scarf Knitting Patterns

1. ZickZack Scarf

ZickZack Scarf by Christy Kamm is a wonderfully colorful scarf built from simple chevron shaping and self-striping fingering-weight yarn.

Despite its dramatic appearance, the zigzag pattern uses straightforward increases and decreases rather than complicated colorwork techniques. Two different color-changing yarns alternate throughout the project, allowing the yarn itself to create the striking striped effect.

The finished scarf measures approximately 9 × 63 inches and uses about 831 yards of fingering-weight yarn on 3 mm needles.

Best for: Color lovers, self-striping yarn and an impressive project that is easier than it looks.

See the Free ZickZack Scarf Pattern →

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2. Cherry Pie Scarf

Cherry Pie Scarf by Yucca is a short keyhole scarf featuring beautiful star-stitch texture.

Instead of wrapping long ends around your neck, one end of the scarf slips through a knitted opening, helping the scarf stay neatly in place under a coat or jacket.

It uses approximately 208 yards of DK yarn and measures about 6 inches wide by 36 inches long. The original pattern also includes a photo tutorial for the star stitch.

Best for: Quick gifts, textured knitting and anyone who wants a compact scarf that stays securely in place.

See the Free Cherry Pie Scarf Pattern →

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3. Birch Trees Scarf

Birch Trees Scarf by Julia Marsh is a graceful DK-weight lace scarf with branching motifs that resemble slender trees.

Five lace panels run along the length of the scarf, framed by a moss-stitch border. The result is decorative enough to feel special while still relying on a manageable set of lace techniques.

The scarf uses approximately 380–400 meters of DK yarn and measures about 64 × 10 inches when finished.

Best for: Knitters ready to practice lace while still working a traditional rectangular scarf.

See the Free Birch Trees Scarf Pattern →

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4. The Simple Thing

The Simple Thing by Melina Brell sits somewhere between a small scarf and a tiny shawl, which is exactly what makes it so useful.

It is worked sideways in relaxing garter stitch from one narrow point to the other, with tidy I-cord edges along the sides.

The original version uses only one skein of DK yarn—approximately 219–273 yards—but the designer makes the construction easy to adjust. You can knit it longer, shorter, wider or narrower depending on the amount of yarn you have.

Best for: One special skein, simple garter stitch and a lightweight scarf-style accessory.

See The Simple Thing Free Knitting Pattern →

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5. Wainscot Scarf

Wainscot Scarf by Pauline Walpole is a simple, unisex bulky-weight scarf with a beautifully textured repeating stitch.

One of its biggest advantages is the rhythm of the pattern: the same stitch sequence is worked repeatedly, making it an excellent choice when you want relaxing knitting without ending up with a plain garter-stitch scarf.

The original scarf uses two skeins of Ewe Ewe Baa Baa Bulky, approximately 260–264 yards in total, and measures around 7 × 68 inches.

Best for: Easy winter knitting, gifts for men or women and quick projects in bulky merino.

See the Free Wainscot Scarf Pattern →

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6. Chestnut Street Scarf

Chestnut Street Scarf by Alexandra Davidoff for Lion Brand brings classic cable texture to a straightforward rectangular scarf.

The design uses Fishermen's Wool and a traditional cable motif, producing a warm, substantial accessory with a timeless look.

Because the basic shape remains simple, the project lets you concentrate on cable technique without having to manage garment shaping at the same time.

Best for: Classic cables, wool yarn and a traditional cold- weather scarf.

See the Free Chestnut Street Scarf Pattern →

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7. Morning Surf Scarf

Morning Surf Scarf by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer is a highly adaptable lace-style scarf designed to work with many different yarn weights.

Its undulating openwork pattern is particularly effective with variegated, hand-dyed or handspun yarn because the stitch structure allows the yarn's colors to remain visible.

The pattern can also be adjusted easily: the cast-on count can be changed in multiples of ten, letting you make the scarf wider or narrower to suit your yarn and preferred finished size.

Best for: Handspun yarn, variegated skeins and knitters who like easily customizable patterns.

See the Free Morning Surf Scarf Pattern →

Which Free Scarf Should You Knit First?

The best choice depends on the kind of knitting you enjoy and the yarn already waiting in your stash.

• For dramatic color: ZickZack Scarf
• For a quick gift: Cherry Pie Scarf
• For lace practice: Birch Trees Scarf
• For one special skein: The Simple Thing
• For easy bulky knitting: Wainscot Scarf
• For classic cables: Chestnut Street Scarf
• For hand-dyed or handspun yarn: Morning Surf Scarf

Choosing Yarn for a Knitted Scarf

Scarves are particularly forgiving projects for experimenting with yarn because you do not usually have to match body measurements as precisely as you would with a sweater.

That does not mean yarn weight is unimportant. Changing from fingering to DK or bulky yarn can dramatically alter the width, length, drape and amount of yarn required.

For textured stitches and cables, smooth solid or lightly tonal yarns usually show the stitch pattern most clearly. Self-striping and gradient yarns are especially effective in simpler designs such as ZickZack, where the color changes become part of the visual effect.

Scarves Are Great Skill-Building Projects

A scarf can be one of the easiest ways to learn a new knitting technique without also worrying about sweater fit or complicated shaping.

This collection gives you several skills to explore:

• Garter stitch and I-cord edges
• Star stitch
• Lace increases and decreases
• Chevron shaping
• Textured knit-and-purl patterns
• Cable knitting
• Working with self-striping and variegated yarn

Don't Skip Blocking

Blocking can make a noticeable difference to the appearance of a finished scarf, particularly when lace or cables are involved.

Lace may look compressed directly from the needles. After appropriate washing and blocking, the openwork can relax and the motif becomes much easier to see.

Always use a blocking method appropriate for the fiber content of your yarn and follow the original designer's recommendations when available.

More Free Knitting Collections

If you'd like a larger neck-and-shoulder accessory, explore our separate shawl collection:

Explore 7 Free Shawl Knitting Patterns →

Or if you have only one skein waiting in your stash, we also have a collection built specifically around small-yarn projects:

Explore 7 Free One-Skein Knitting Patterns →

Free Pattern Availability

All seven patterns in this collection were reviewed as currently available through legitimate free sources when this article was prepared.

Pattern availability can change over time. A designer or publisher may move a pattern, discontinue it or change it from free to paid.

For that reason, every project in this collection links first to its corresponding Amazing Knitting guide. Those pages identify the designer, provide useful project information and direct readers toward the current authorized pattern source.

Read Our Pattern Availability & Editorial Policy →

Amazing Knitting is an independent pattern discovery and project-guide site. The knitting patterns featured in this collection remain the intellectual property of their respective designers and publishers. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce their complete copyrighted row-by-row instructions or charts.

Triple Slip Rib Square - Free Loom Knitting Pattern

Photos above © Bethany A Dailey

Triple Slip Rib Square by Bethany A Dailey is a textured loom-knitting square from the Knitting Board Stitchology series.

The design uses slipped stitches and ribbed texture to create long, alternating raised lines with a rustic woven appearance.

Best of all, the original pattern is still available free, making this an excellent small project for practicing textured loom knitting before using the stitch in a larger scarf, cowl or blanket.

✓ Free Loom Knitting Pattern

Triple Slip Rib Square: Stitchology 17 by Bethany A Dailey remains available as a free loom-knitting pattern. This is a loom knitting project, not a traditional two-needle knitting pattern.

Triple Slip Rib Square at a Glance

Pattern: Triple Slip Rib Square: Stitchology 17

Designer: Bethany A Dailey

Series: Stitchology

Publisher: Knitting Board Blog

Published: January 2016

Craft: Loom Knitting

Project: Afghan Block / Stitch Square

Finished Size: Approx. 8 × 8 in / 20 × 20 cm

Yarn Weight: Worsted

Yardage: Approx. 75 yd / 69 m

Original Sample Yarn: Berroco Vintage

Stitch Repeat: 8 rows

Availability: Free

Important: This Is a Loom Knitting Pattern

Before You Begin

Triple Slip Rib Square was specifically designed for loom knitting. The original instructions refer to loom pegs and loom-knitting techniques rather than conventional knitting needles.

This distinction matters because the words "knitting pattern" are often used for both loom knitting and needle knitting.

If you normally knit with two needles or circular needles, do not assume that conventional needle-knitting instructions can be substituted directly for the original loom pattern.

About the Stitchology Series

Triple Slip Rib is part of the Stitchology collection published through the Knitting Board Blog.

The series explores different stitch patterns that can be created on a knitting loom, often presenting them as small squares.

These squares allow loom knitters to learn a texture on a manageable project before adapting the idea to larger pieces.

What Does Triple Slip Rib Look Like?

The finished fabric features long alternating raised lines that create a strong vertical and horizontal rhythm.

Bethany A Dailey describes the appearance as resembling a rustic weave.

The slipped-stitch structure also creates a relatively thick and sturdy panel.

An 8-Row Repeat

One of the attractive features of Triple Slip Rib is that the texture is based on a relatively short:

8-row repeat

Once the sequence becomes familiar, the repetitive structure can make the stitch easier to remember than textures with very long row repeats.

Use the designer's original instructions for the exact peg-by-peg sequence.

Finished Square Size

The Stitchology sample is designed to produce an approximately:

8 × 8 inch square

approximately 20 × 20 cm

This makes it useful as a practice swatch, sampler square or building block for a larger afghan.

Original Yarn

The published sample uses Berroco Vintage, a worsted-weight yarn.

The original square requires approximately:

75 yards / 69 meters

You do not necessarily need to use the exact sample yarn, but a worsted-weight yarn with good stitch definition will help the slipped texture remain visible.

Choosing a Substitute Yarn

When choosing another worsted-weight yarn, consider:

• Stitch definition
• Fiber elasticity
• Finished fabric thickness
• Washability
• Whether the yarn suits your final project

A smooth yarn will generally display the long slipped-stitch lines more clearly than a very fuzzy or highly textured yarn.

Solid Colors Work Especially Well

The Triple Slip Rib texture creates much of its visual interest through light and shadow.

A solid or gently tonal yarn allows those raised and recessed areas to remain easy to see.

Variegated yarn can also work, but strong color changes may compete with the stitch structure.

Original Loom Setup

The designer's sample was created using an Authentic Knitting Board Adjustable Hat Loom configured with rounded pieces and peg connectors for approximately a 3/8-inch gauge.

The designer also identifies the Sock Loom 2 and All-n-One Loom as possible loom options.

Check the current original instructions before setting up your loom, because peg spacing and configuration affect the finished dimensions.

Tools and Notions

In addition to the loom and yarn, the original project calls for basic loom-knitting tools such as:

• Loom tool
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Helpful optional tools include:

• Peg markers
• Row counter
• Blocking pins

Why a Row Counter Helps

An eight-row repeat is not especially long, but keeping track of your position is important because the alternating slipped sections create the overall woven effect.

A simple row counter can prevent accidentally repeating or skipping part of the sequence.

Use Peg Markers While Learning

Peg markers can help identify repeating sections while you are becoming familiar with the pattern.

As the stitch becomes easier to recognize visually, you may find that you need fewer reminders.

Understanding Slipped Stitches

A slipped stitch is carried without being worked in the same way as its neighboring stitches.

Repeating this strategically allows elongated strands and raised areas to develop in the fabric.

In Triple Slip Rib, those effects contribute to the distinctive long dash-like texture.

A Thick and Sturdy Fabric

The designer specifically notes that Triple Slip Rib creates a fairly thick and sturdy panel.

That characteristic makes it useful for projects where you want more substance than a lightweight open stitch.

More Than an Afghan Square

Although Stitchology presents the pattern as an 8-inch square, the texture can inspire larger projects.

The designer suggests it would work particularly well for:

• Cowls
• Scarves
• Blankets
• Sampler afghans

Using Triple Slip Rib for a Scarf

The long linear texture can create a strong visual effect when repeated along the length of a scarf.

Before adapting the square, make a sample first so you can evaluate the fabric thickness, drape and reverse side.

Using It for a Cowl

A thick slipped-stitch texture can be particularly suitable for a warm cowl.

However, adapting a flat Stitchology square into a different construction may require changes to the setup and finishing.

Do not assume that the square instructions automatically become an in-the-round cowl pattern.

Using the Squares for a Blanket

The original 8-inch format naturally lends itself to sampler blankets.

You can create multiple loom-knit squares and join them later, or combine Triple Slip Rib with other Stitchology textures for a varied afghan.

Before making many squares, check your first finished and blocked square to make sure its dimensions work with the rest of your project.

Blocking the Square

Blocking can help even the edges and bring a sample closer to its intended dimensions.

Choose a blocking method suitable for the fiber content of your yarn.

Avoid stretching so aggressively that the raised slipped-stitch texture becomes flattened.

Is Triple Slip Rib Beginner Friendly?

It can be a good next project for someone who already understands the basic operation of a knitting loom.

The eight-row repeat is relatively manageable, and the designer describes it as a stitch that does not require excessive tricky finger work.

A complete first-time loom knitter may want to practice basic loom knitting and yarn handling before beginning the square.

Skills You Will Practice

• Loom setup
• Working across loom pegs
• Slipped-stitch texture
• Following an 8-row repeat
• Maintaining even tension
• Binding off
• Finishing and blocking a square

Keep Your Tension Consistent

Slipped-stitch patterns can exaggerate differences in tension.

Avoid pulling the working yarn excessively tight across the slipped areas, because this can distort the square or make the fabric less flexible.

Consistent yarn handling becomes easier as you repeat the sequence.

Don't Confuse Loom and Needle Instructions

Important

Triple slip rib can also describe textures used in conventional needle knitting. The specific project featured here is Bethany A Dailey's Triple Slip Rib Square: Stitchology 17 and was designed for a knitting loom. Do not combine its specifications with unrelated needle-knitting patterns that happen to use a similar stitch name.

Is Triple Slip Rib Square Still Free?

Yes.

Triple Slip Rib Square: Stitchology 17 is currently documented as a free loom-knitting pattern from the Knitting Board Stitchology series.

Amazing Knitting provides this independent project guide rather than reproducing the designer's complete peg-by-peg instructions.

Get the Free Triple Slip Rib Square Pattern

Visit the original Knitting Board Stitchology resource for the complete loom-knitting instructions:

Get the Free Triple Slip Rib Square Pattern →

Pattern Record on Ravelry

Ravelry also maintains the pattern record with project specifications and designer information:

View Triple Slip Rib Square on Ravelry →

More Stitch Guides on Amazing Knitting

• Lattice with Seed Stitch - Knitting Stitch Guide
• Herringbone Stitch - Knitting Stitch Guide
• Baby Honeycomb Pattern - Knitting Stitch Guide
• Rabbit Ears Knitting Stitch - Textured Stitch Guide

Explore More Knitting Techniques

• Loom Knitting Projects
• Slip Stitch Knitting
• Textured Knitting Projects

Before You Begin

Make sure you are following the loom-knitting version of Triple Slip Rib, select an appropriate worsted-weight yarn, and configure your loom according to the designer's current instructions.

Use markers and a row counter if helpful while learning the eight-row sequence, and pay particular attention to maintaining relaxed, consistent tension across the slipped sections.

Once you are comfortable with the square, the same texture can become a useful starting point for larger loom-knitting projects.

Pattern credit: Triple Slip Rib Square: Stitchology 17 was designed by Bethany A Dailey and published through the Knitting Board Stitchology series. Amazing Knitting provides an independent editorial guide and does not reproduce the complete copyrighted pattern instructions. Preserve the existing photograph and its exact original credit from the current Amazing Knitting page.

Lamina Scarf - Free Knitting Pattern

Photo above © Foxberryjam

Lamina by Karen S. Lauger is an elegant knitted lace scarf built around a bold leaf motif with distinctive wavy garter-stitch tips.

Originally published in Knitty's First Fall 2010 issue, Lamina is designed especially well for variegated yarn and is worked in two matching halves from the center outward. The pattern remains completely free, with both the original Knitty version and an updated Ravelry download available today.

✓ Free Pattern Availability

Lamina remains available as a free knitting pattern. The updated Ravelry download includes both written instructions and charts, while the original pattern remains available free from Knitty.

Lamina Scarf at a Glance

Pattern: Lamina

Designer: Karen S. Lauger

Published In: Knitty, First Fall 2010

First Published: July 2010

Craft: Knitting

Category: Scarf

Size: One size

Finished Width: Approx. 7 in / 18 cm

Finished Length: Approx. 63 in / 160 cm

Suggested Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend

Yarn Weight: DK / 8 ply

Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm

Gauge: 18 stitches × 24 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette

Construction: Worked flat in two halves

Techniques: Lace, provisional cast-on, charts and increases/decreases

Availability: Free pattern

About the Lamina Scarf

Lamina is a decorative lace scarf designed by Karen S. Lauger.

The name is especially appropriate: lamina means the blade of a leaf, and a large leaf shape forms the central visual feature of the scarf.

Rather than creating a small repeating leaf pattern across the entire fabric, the design uses a much bolder motif, accompanied by wavy garter-stitch tips.

Finished Size

After blocking, the original scarf measures approximately:

7 inches wide × 63 inches long
18 cm × 160 cm

These are the designer's finished measurements for the original version. As with most lace knitting, the dimensions can change noticeably during blocking.

Original Yarn

Karen S. Lauger designed Lamina using Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend.

This is a DK-weight blend of approximately 70% merino wool and 30% silk, with about 150 yards / 137 meters per 50 g skein.

The original Knitty version calls for two skeins.

The combination of wool and silk gives the yarn enough definition to show the lace while also providing softness and drape.

A Great Pattern for Variegated Yarn

One of the designer's goals with Lamina was to create a scarf that could show off the beauty of variegated yarn.

The large-scale leaf design provides enough visual structure to remain interesting without relying on a solid-color yarn.

If you have a special hand-dyed DK yarn in your stash, this is the kind of project where its color changes can become an important part of the finished design.

Needles and Gauge

The original Knitty pattern specifies:

US 7 / 4.5 mm straight needles

The published gauge is:

18 stitches × 24 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch

Remember that the recommended needle size is only a starting point. Use the needle size necessary for you to obtain an appropriate fabric and gauge.

Worked in Two Halves

One of the most interesting features of Lamina is its construction.

Instead of casting on at one end and knitting continuously to the opposite end, the scarf is worked in two halves from the center.

The first half begins with a provisional cast-on. After that half is completed, the provisional cast-on is removed and the live stitches are placed back on the needle.

The second half is then worked in the opposite direction.

Why Use Two-Half Construction?

This construction is particularly useful for a directional motif such as a leaf.

If the scarf were simply knitted from one end to the other, the motif would appear upright at one end and upside down at the other.

Working outward from the center allows the decorative elements to maintain a balanced orientation when the scarf is worn.

The Provisional Cast-On

A provisional cast-on creates temporary cast-on stitches that can later be removed to expose live stitches.

Lamina uses this technique at the center of the scarf so the second half can be knitted directly from the first half's starting edge.

If provisional cast-ons are new to you, practice the technique on a small swatch before starting the scarf.

The Leaf Lace Motif

The central leaf is formed through carefully arranged yarn overs, decreases and increases.

These operations create both the open lace areas and the shaping that gives the motif its distinctive leaf-blade appearance.

The stitch count changes during parts of the design, so careful row tracking is useful.

Wavy Garter-Stitch Tips

The ends of Lamina contrast with the central lace through their sculptural, wavy appearance.

Garter stitch gives these areas additional texture while helping the scarf's ends stand apart visually from the main leaf section.

Blocking is important for revealing the final shape of these decorative ends.

Charts or Written Instructions?

Knitters have two useful options.

The original Knitty publication provides the pattern with charts, while Karen S. Lauger later made an updated free PDF available through Ravelry that includes written instructions as well as the charts.

This makes the newer version especially useful for knitters who prefer written lace instructions.

Skills That Help

Helpful skills for knitting Lamina include:

• Casting on and binding off
• Knit and purl stitches
• Yarn overs
• Working lace increases and decreases
• Reading a knitting chart
• Following written lace instructions
• Using stitch markers
• Working a provisional cast-on
• Returning live stitches to a needle
• Blocking lace

Use Stitch Markers

The original design uses stitch markers to help separate the edging stitches from the main lace section.

This can make it easier to see whether an accidental increase or decrease has occurred before the error travels into the next section.

Keep Track of Your Rows

Lace projects become much easier when you always know which pattern row you have just completed.

Use a row counter, paper checklist or another method that works reliably for you.

Checking your progress regularly is especially helpful in Lamina because the shape evolves as you move through the charts.

Consider a Lifeline

If you are still becoming comfortable with lace, consider adding a lifeline after a correctly completed section.

A smooth contrasting thread passed through the live stitches gives you a safe point to return to if you later need to unravel several rows.

Blocking Lamina

Blocking is an important finishing step for this design.

Lace often appears compressed while it is still on the needles. Appropriate wet blocking allows the leaf motif and decorative points to open into their intended shapes.

Follow the care requirements of your chosen yarn and use the designer's finished dimensions as a useful reference rather than aggressively stretching the fabric.

Choosing a Substitute Yarn

If you do not use the original Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend, look for a DK-weight yarn with enough stitch definition to show the lace clearly.

A smooth wool, wool blend or another yarn with suitable drape can work well, but always make a swatch before committing a special skein to the project.

Variegated and hand-dyed yarns are particularly worth considering because the original design was intentionally created to showcase them.

Is Lamina Still Free?

Yes. Lamina by Karen S. Lauger remains available as a free knitting pattern.

Ravelry currently provides a free downloadable version containing both written instructions and charts. The original 2010 version also remains available free through Knitty.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted instructions or charts. This page provides an independent project guide and directs knitters to the legitimate original sources.

Get the Free Lamina Pattern

If you prefer written instructions plus charts, use the free Ravelry version:

Get the Free Lamina Pattern on Ravelry →

You can also use the original free Knitty publication:

View the Original Free Pattern on Knitty →

More Free Scarf Knitting Patterns

If you enjoy Lamina, explore more lace scarves and free scarf patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive.

Explore Free Scarf Knitting Patterns →

You can also browse lace scarf patterns, leaf knitting patterns, and free lace knitting patterns.

Before You Start

Decide whether you prefer the chart-based original Knitty version or the updated Ravelry version with both written and charted instructions.

If this is your first provisional cast-on project, practice that technique first. Make a swatch with your chosen yarn, and remember that blocking plays an important role in the final appearance of the leaf lace and wavy ends.

Pattern credit: Lamina was designed by Karen S. Lauger and originally published in Knitty, First Fall 2010. The existing project photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to Foxberryjam. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted charts or complete knitting instructions.

Rice Stitch Baby Blanket - Free Knitting Pattern

Photo above © Liz Chandler

Rice Stitch Baby Blanket by Liz Chandler of PurlsAndPixels is a softly textured, reversible baby blanket designed around simple knit-and-purl techniques.

The finished blanket measures approximately 40 × 40 inches, making it a practical size for a crib, stroller, nursery or handmade baby gift.

One of the most interesting features of this design is that Liz Chandler explains two different ways to create the same finished texture: a rice-stitch method and a broken-rib method.

The complete pattern is still free to read on the official PurlsAndPixels website. An optional printable, ad-free PDF is also offered separately.

✓ Free Web Pattern Available

Liz Chandler continues to publish the complete Rice Stitch Baby Blanket pattern free on PurlsAndPixels. A separate printable/ad-free PDF option is available for knitters who prefer an offline version.

Rice Stitch Baby Blanket at a Glance

Pattern: Rice Stitch Baby Blanket

Designer: Liz Chandler

Publisher: PurlsAndPixels

Published: January 2017

Category: Baby Blanket

Finished Size: 40 × 40 in / approx. 102 × 102 cm

Original Yarn: Caron Simply Soft

Yarn Weight: Worsted

Needles: US 8 / 5 mm

Main Techniques: Knit, purl, slipped stitches; optional knit-through-back-loop method

Availability: Free web pattern + optional paid PDF

About the Rice Stitch Baby Blanket

This is a simple square baby blanket with an all-over textured surface.

Rather than using cables, lace or complicated colorwork, the design gets its character from the way knit and purl stitches interact across the fabric.

The result has texture on both sides, which is especially useful for a blanket because there is no obvious plain "wrong side" that always needs to be hidden.

Two Ways to Make the Same Blanket

Liz Chandler's pattern is unusual in that it explains two ways to create the same finished blanket.

One version uses a broken-rib-style approach built from knit and purl stitches.

The other uses the rice-stitch method and introduces knitting through the back loop.

The designer notes that either method produces the same finished blanket, so you can choose the technique that best suits your experience.

Which Version Is Easier?

If you are still becoming comfortable with basic knitting, the knit-and-purl version may be the most approachable place to begin.

If you already know the basics and want to practice working stitches through the back loop, the rice-stitch version adds a useful technique without changing the final project.

Why This Is a Good Beginner Blanket

Baby blankets are excellent practice projects because they do not require garment shaping or precise body fit.

This particular design also contains a large amount of repetition, which gives new knitters time to develop more consistent tension.

At the same time, the texture keeps the project visually more interesting than plain stockinette.

Finished Size

The published baby blanket measures approximately:

40 × 40 inches

That is approximately:

102 × 102 cm

The square format works well for a baby gift and is large enough for many everyday nursery uses.

Original Yarn: Caron Simply Soft

The pattern was designed using Caron Simply Soft.

This is a worsted-weight yarn, and the original project demonstrates both solid-color and variegated possibilities.

A smooth solid shade emphasizes the stitch texture, while a variegated yarn adds color movement without requiring stranded colorwork or frequent yarn changes.

Can You Substitute the Yarn?

Yes.

The designer notes that many worsted-weight yarns can work successfully provided that you check the gauge and like the resulting fabric.

For a baby blanket, consider:

• Softness
• Washability
• Durability
• Gauge
• Fiber care
• Whether the yarn clearly shows the texture

Solid or Variegated Yarn?

Both can work well, but they create different effects.

A solid yarn gives the eye more opportunity to notice the small textured bumps created by the stitch pattern.

Variegated yarn adds visual movement and can make the simple repeat feel more colorful without adding technical difficulty.

Needles

The pattern is associated with:

US 8 / 5 mm needles

Treat this as a starting point rather than a guarantee.

If your personal tension differs from the designer's, you may need a different needle size to create the intended fabric.

A Note About Gauge

Use the Current Designer Version

Older pattern listings and revised PurlsAndPixels documents do not all display the same historical stitch-gauge number. For the most reliable current information, use the gauge stated in the latest version provided directly by Liz Chandler when you begin your blanket.

Why Gauge Still Matters on a Blanket

A baby blanket does not need to fit a body, so gauge is more forgiving than it would be in a sweater.

However, gauge still affects:

• Finished width and length
• How much yarn you use
• How dense or drapey the fabric feels
• How clearly the texture appears

A small swatch can therefore save a surprising amount of time and yarn.

Understanding the Texture

The surface of the blanket contains small raised areas arranged in a regular grid-like texture.

On the opposite side, the stitch arrangement creates a broken-rib appearance.

This two-sided character is one of the reasons the pattern works so well for a blanket.

What Is Broken Rib?

Broken rib combines knit-and-purl texture with rows that interrupt a conventional rib pattern.

The effect resembles ribbing but does not behave exactly like ordinary continuous 1×1 or 2×2 rib.

In this blanket, the technique contributes to the reversible textured fabric.

What Does Knit Through the Back Loop Mean?

Knitting through the back loop changes the orientation of the stitch.

Instead of inserting the needle through the usual front leg, you enter through the back leg.

This creates a twisted stitch and is one of the techniques used in the alternate rice-stitch method.

Practice Twisted and Untwisted Stitches

Liz Chandler specifically presents the alternate method as an opportunity to practice twisting and untwisting stitches.

This makes the blanket more than a repetitive project: it can also serve as a controlled practice piece for understanding stitch orientation.

Keep Your Tension Relaxed

Long repetitive blankets can expose small changes in tension.

Try not to tighten your working yarn as the project becomes familiar. Maintaining a relaxed rhythm usually creates a more even fabric.

If your hands become tired, taking a short break is often better than continuing while gripping the yarn too tightly.

Use Row Counters or Progress Markers

Repetitive stitch patterns can make it easy to lose your place.

A row counter, removable marker or simple written tally can help you keep track of progress without repeatedly recounting the entire blanket.

Check the Width as You Work

Measure the blanket occasionally rather than waiting until the end.

This helps you catch major tension changes early and gives you a better idea of how your actual fabric compares with the intended finished size.

Skills Used in This Project

• Casting on
• Knit stitch
• Purl stitch
• Turning the work
• Slipping stitches
• Binding off
• Weaving in ends
• Optional knitting through the back loop

Is It Suitable for Beginners?

Yes, particularly if you choose the method based mainly on basic knit and purl stitches.

The designer describes the pattern as an easy project for someone who is becoming familiar with knitting.

More experienced knitters may also enjoy it as a relaxing, repetitive project.

A Good Baby-Shower Gift

A 40-inch square blanket is a substantial handmade gift without requiring garment measurements or size decisions.

Using a neutral solid color can give the project a classic heirloom look, while brighter or variegated yarn can make it more playful.

Washability Matters

Baby blankets are likely to be washed frequently.

If you substitute yarn, check the manufacturer's care label before you begin and choose a fiber that suits the recipient's lifestyle.

The original PurlsAndPixels care guidance notes that a blanket made with the recommended materials can be machine washed on a gentle cold cycle, with low-heat tumble drying or flat drying.

Keep It Away from Velcro

Liz Chandler gives one especially practical care warning: knitted yarn can snag badly on Velcro.

Be careful around baby jackets, toys, bags or accessories that have exposed hook-and-loop fasteners.

Blocking

Blocking is optional but can help even the fabric and square the edges.

Use a blocking method appropriate for the fiber you chose and avoid overstretching the blanket.

Want a Larger Version?

PurlsAndPixels also publishes a larger Rice Stitch Afghan based on the same general textured concept.

The larger throw is a useful next project if you enjoy the baby blanket and want a version intended for a sofa or adult-sized lap blanket.

Free Online Pattern vs Printable PDF

Free Pattern + Optional PDF

The complete Rice Stitch Baby Blanket instructions remain free to read on PurlsAndPixels. Liz Chandler also offers an optional clean, ad-free PDF for knitters who prefer to print or save the pattern offline. You do not need to purchase the PDF to access the free web version.

Is the Rice Stitch Baby Blanket Still Free?

Yes.

The complete pattern is currently available free on Liz Chandler's official PurlsAndPixels website.

Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the creator's complete row-by-row instructions. Use the official page for the current full pattern.

Get the Free Rice Stitch Baby Blanket Pattern

Visit PurlsAndPixels for the complete current pattern and designer notes:

Get the Free Rice Stitch Baby Blanket Pattern →

Pattern Details on Ravelry

You can also view the pattern record and projects made by other knitters:

View Rice Stitch Baby Blanket on Ravelry →

More Free Baby Blankets on Amazing Knitting

• Jordan Baby Blanket - Free Knitting Pattern
• Waffle Blanket - Free Knitting Pattern
• Treasured Heirloom Baby Blanket - Free Knitting Pattern
• Yellow Sunny Baby Blanket - Free Knitting Pattern

Explore More Blanket Knitting

• Free Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns
• Textured Baby Blankets
• Easy Knitted Blankets
• Beginner Blanket Projects

Before You Cast On

Choose whether you want to follow the basic knit-and-purl approach or the alternate version that practices knitting through the back loop.

Select a soft worsted-weight yarn, make a swatch, and use the current gauge information shown in Liz Chandler's latest official pattern version.

Most importantly, use PurlsAndPixels for the complete instructions so you are following the designer's current revision rather than an older copied version circulating elsewhere online.

Pattern credit: Rice Stitch Baby Blanket was designed by Liz Chandler of PurlsAndPixels. Amazing Knitting provides an independent editorial guide and does not reproduce the complete copyrighted pattern instructions. Preserve the existing photo credit: Photo above © Liz Chandler.