Free Knitting Patterns Blanket Squares

[Kimbery Challacombe]

Dependingon the design and stitch used different needle sizes are recommended but yarn is always worsted so you can go through your stash and pick out your favorite worsted weight yarn and make a gorgeous knit squares blanket!

The Woodfire Squares textured stitches, combined with the subtle color changes of the yarn, give this square a sense of the movement of a campfire. Stay toasty warm in a blanket of squares, even when that fire is not available to you!

The Of Cables and Bobbles square was inspired by Irish Aran sweaters with traditional diamonds and the oh so Aran Bobbles. This stitch pattern screams Irish and the fuzzy wooly fisherman sweaters are the epitome of cozy!

Whenever I make a blanket, I always look for a pattern or technique that spares me from calculating the number of stitches I need to cast on to get the right width. When I got to know the Herringbone stitch I knew I had to find a way to work this elegant (yet very simple) stitch without casting!

The Vines & Bobbles square by Handmade by Stacy features a centered cable with vines framing the sides. On the vines are bobbles that add a lovely dimension. The block also has a video tutorial, as well as a chart and checklist to help the maker along.

One of the simplest things that you can do with your kids is knitting blanket squares. It is also a great project if there is more than one kid. Most beginners will start with garter stitch blanket squares (as they are all knit rows and probably the simplest stitch for learners), but really you are only limited by your experience and your imagination.

To make blanket squares you need lots of wool. I recommend that you use the same brand and ply when your child is just learning as he or she will have enough trouble getting a consistent tension without trying to knit with wools of different textures and thicknesses. And you will find it easier to join the squares together if they are roughly the same size.

8 or 12 ply wool tends to be the best choice as the yarn is not too fine for your child to work with and the larger plys tend to be more forgiving of mistakes. For 8 ply wool, start with a pair of 4.00mm or 4.50mm needles which are not too long. Needles that are 25cm or shorter are probalby your best bet as the longer the needles the harder it will be for your child to manage them!

On the band of your wool you will find the recommended tension for that particular wool. For example the recommended tension for the 8 ply wool I am using at the moment is 22 stitches and 30 rows for a 10 x 10cm square.

For example if you wanted squares that are 20cm x 20cm just double the number of stitches and rows specified on the band. Your child's square is not likely to be 20cm x 20cm exactly, but that doesn't really matter as long as they all end up the same size!

To start your child's first square, cast on the required number of stitches and they can start knitting. If you need help explaining to the kids how knitting works, you will find instructions on how to form knit stitches here.

The image above is a close up of a garter stitch square knitted by an experienced knitter. If you or your kids are just learning, your knitted blanket squares will not look like this. They will look similar but your stitches are likely to be uneven, with some much looser than others but believe me your knitting tension will improve with practice.

Most people start their kid's knitting in garter stitch as it is the easiest stitch to do - just knit every row. But kids being kids, sooner or later they will get sick of doing garter stitch even if it is in different colors and any adults who are new to knitting are probably not going to be satisfied with plain garter stitch for long.

Once you and your child have finished knitting blanket squares, it is time to start sewing or crocheting them together. Usually, (unless I use a modular knitting technique) I crochet around each square in a single colour and then hand sew them together. The crocheting provides a border effect and I think it finishes the blanket off nicely. It also helps if not all the squares are quite the same size.

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There are lots of different ways to knit a mitred square. This is how I knit my Mitred Square Blanket. I chose to use an analogous colour scheme of green, turquoise, teal, blue, purple, cerise as much as possible. Most of the yarns are either hand dyed: semi-solid, tonal, variegated, or commercial self patterning. A few other colours did creep in as part of a multi coloured variegated yarn or commercial sock yarn. These just add an extra sparkle to the finished blanket. I loved the tiny touches of orange, red, brown and zingy green.

Square 2 will be attached to the left edge of square 1. With the right side of square 1 facing you, knit the 2 stitches remaining on the needle of square 1 using your new sock yarn colour. This is the first stitch. Pick up and knit 23 more stitches along the edge of square 1.

On the first row, as I pick up and knit the stitches (along the edge of each garter stitch ridge) I weave in the yarn end from the previous square, for the first 10 stitches. The photo above shows the wrong side of the square where the yarn end from square 1 has been knitted in along the edge.

As you are nearing the end of the top edge of square 1 remember to count the stitches you have made and how many garter stitch ridges still remain. Try to have the 24th stitch in the ridge beside the joining edge between square 1 and square 2.

Pick up and knit 24 stitches along the left edge of square 3, place the stitch marker, then pick up and knit 23 stitches along the top edge of square 2. When you reach the 2 stitches that were left on the locking stitch marker, knit the 2 stitches together, this is the 24th stitch on the top edge of square 2. Remove the stitch marker.

I hope that you found this tutorial for knitting the mitred square blanket to be helpful. If you find any errors, please let me know. I edit and proofread all the patterns and tutorials that I write myself, but I know the odd error may creep in. Anything spotted by eagle eyed readers is always helpful and appreciated!

The mitred square blanket was photographed at the lodge that we stayed in for a week in the Cairngorms. This was where we took the photos of the gorgeous and acrobatic red squirrels. We got great photos, they were pleased with their payment of peanuts and hazelnuts that we had brought with us. We brought quite a lot of shelled peanuts and hazelnuts as well as peanuts in their shells with us and used all of them before we left.

I chose not to add a border to my blanket. This was partly because I was thinking of making it a little bigger, but actually, I like how the edge looks. I have thought about doing an applied I-cord edging like I did on my mitred square scarf. Still not sure! What do you think?

Hi, I found your pattern from watching Kate at the last homely house. I want to learn how to make a mitered square blanket and I watched several youtube videos. Then I went to your website to look at your instructions. I think you have the most detailed instructions and photos I could find. Just wanting to know if there is a way I can print out the instructions and photos? Thank you so much for the pattern. Deana

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Hi there. I am really enjoying knitting your blanket. However now that I am about 1/2 way through I would like to make it bigger. Is there any way now to add on the squares somehow. Otherwise this will be just a small lap blanket.

Hi if someone can help me please as I cannot find a response in other questions here.

Square 1 .. the remaining 2 stitches. Do you knit them as singles stitches to start the next 24 stitches on the left side? This does not appear to be clear in the instructions.

Many thanks

Hello Jeannie, The last two stitches are knit two together using the new yarn colour. Then you continue with the new colour picking up and knitting the stitches along the edge of the square. Happy Knitting, Nicolette

Thank you Nicolette, I was stuck after the 5th square! I have always wanted to try one of these and now that I have the time I started. Using wostered wt. leftover from various throws etc.

Very comprehensive instructions.

Jill

I have written you another post in which Iasked why you are using sock (or lighter weight) yarn instead of worsted. I know you sell sock yarn. Or is there another reason? Also, as I look at other mitred squares on Pinterest, I see that some have a raised knit stitch up the center of the mitre-is that done by k2 together just at the center stitch and if so, do you have to have an odd number of stitches on each edge? Finally, lots of other illustrations of this block use two needles,breaking the square onto two needles.Iam using one needle with a contrast yarn at the turning mitre. Does this affect the look?I find it easier!

The final reason, I like using sock yarn for knitting my blankets, is that they are machine washable. I usually wash them on the wool cycle, and then spin dry to remove any excess water. My blanket will not shrink or felt during use.

Dear Nicolette,

Thanks so much for this pattern. Very thorough instructions. I have an addiction to beautiful Socks yarns. Unfortunately only have two feet! ?. This pattern is excellent for putting them to use. Also, have been able to use up small scraps as each square only seems to use about 15 yards. Would love to see more of your patterns!

Karlene

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