BADGER knitting pattern | Into the Woodlands MKAL Clue #5
Meet the protector of the forest: the Badger. As our Into the Woodlands collection grows, the Badger arrives to bring a sense of bold, striking detail to your needles. With his iconic stripes, he is a true standout piece for any nature-inspired project.
This block is a delightful step up for those looking to expand their skills. While it still uses only knit and purl stitches, the Badger features more intricate row-by-row detailing to capture his unique facial markings and stout frame. Because many of the odd-numbered rows require specific stitch placement rather than a standard ‘knit across,’ it is a wonderfully engaging knit that results in a high-definition texture.
If you find yourself wanting a more streamlined experience for this detailed chart, a professionally formatted PDF is available in the shop (there’s a link at the end of this post), featuring a large, easy-to-read chart and row-by-row written instructions. And remember—Pattern Club+ members, this woodland friend will be arriving in your inbox this Friday. If you aren’t a member yet, join by Thursday to ensure the Badger (and all our upcoming woodland friends) are delivered straight to your inbox!
| Project Detail | Requirement |
| Skill Level | Beginner (only knits and purls) |
| Yarn Weight | DK or Worsted |
| Needle Size | 4mm / US 6 (and 4.5mm / US 7 for casting on and binding off stitches) |
| Finished Size | 8.5” x 8.5” (22 cm x 22 cm) |
Materials & Tools for the Badger block
- Yarn: 70 yds (64 m) of DK yarn (8 ply). OR 140 yds (128 m) of light fingering yarn (approx 3 ply) USED DOUBLE.
- Needles: 4mm / US 6 (and 4.5mm / US 7 for casting on and binding off stitches).
- Tools: tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, scissors.
- Gauge: 21 sts x 28 rows in stocking st with US 6 (4 mm needles) and DK yarn = 4” x 4” (10 cm x 10 cm)
NOTE: You can change the yarn weight and needle size to obtain different sized blocks. Let me know in the comments if you need help!
Badger Knitting Pattern
Abbreviations:
- CO: cast on
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- st(s): stitch(es)
- k: knit
- p: purl
The Pattern: General Instructions
- Cast on sts
CO 43 sts with US 7 (4.5 mm) needles.
I always cast on and bind off stitches with larger needles than I use for the main work. This prevents my cast on and bind off rows from being too tight. - Garter stitch bottom border
With US 6 (4 mm) needles, knit 4 rows.
Slip first stitch on every row as if you were to knit it, but without knitting it (except on the first row). It will form a neat and sturdy border. - Main pattern with garter stitch side borders
Continue working the next 55 rows as follows:
4 garter sts, BADGER knitting pattern over 35 sts, 4 garter sts
You can follow either the row-by-row written instructions or the chart below for the BADGER knitting pattern. - Garter stitch top border
Knit 4 rows.
- Bind off
Bind off all sts with a US 7 (4.5 mm) needle. Cut yarn and weave in ends.
- (Optional) Blocking
Block your square to its final measures.
Badger Knitting Pattern: Row-by-Row Instructions
Row 1) (RS): Knit all stitches
Row 2) Purl all stitches
Row 3) Knit all stitches
Row 4) Purl all stitches
Row 5) Knit all stitches
Row 6) p13, k9, p13
Row 7) Knit all stitches
Row 8) p11, k13, p11
Row 9) Knit all stitches
Row 10) p9, k4, p9, k4, p9
Row 11) Knit all stitches
Row 12) p9, k3, p4, k3, p4, k3, p9
Row 13) k16, p3, k16
Row 14) p7, k4, p4, k5, p4, k4, p7
Row 15) k15, p5, k15
Row 16) p6, k5, p4, k5, p4, k5, p6
Row 17) k16, p3, k16
Row 18) p4, k5, p1, k1, p5, k3, p5, k1, p1, k5, p4
Row 19) k9, p2, k13, p2, k9
Row 20) p4, k7, p5, k3, p5, k7, p4
Row 21) k7, p5, k11, p5, k7
Row 22) p3, k10, p3, k3, p3, k10, p3
Row 23) k5, p9, k7, p9, k5
Row 24) p3, k12, p1, k3, p1, k12, p3
Row 25) k5, p10, k5, p10, k5
Row 26) p3, k1, p2, k23, p2, k1, p3
Row 27) k7, p4, k1, p3, k5, p3, k1, p4, k7
Row 28) p3, k1, p4, k3, p2, k9, p2, k3, p4, k1, p3
Row 29) k9, p2, k2, p2, k5, p2, k2, p2, k9
Row 30) p3, k2, p4, k17, p4, k2, p3
Row 31) k10, p5, k5, p5, k10
Row 32) p4, k2, p8, k1, p1, k3, p1, k1, p8, k2, p4
Row 33) k14, p1, k5, p1, k14
Row 34) p4, k4, p8, k3, p8, k4, p4
Row 35) Knit all stitches
Row 36) p5, k6, p5, k3, p5, k6, p5
Row 37) Knit all stitches
Row 38) p5, k25, p5
Row 39) Knit all stitches
Row 40) p4, k2, p4, k15, p4, k2, p4
Row 41) Knit all stitches
Row 42) p4, k2, p4, k15, p4, k2, p4
Row 43) Knit all stitches
Row 44) p4, k2, p4, k3, p9, k3, p4, k2, p4
Row 45) Knit all stitches
Row 46) p4, k2, p3, k3, p11, k3, p3, k2, p4
Row 47) Knit all stitches
Row 48) p5, k6, p13, k6, p5
Row 49) Knit all stitches
Row 50) p6, k4, p15, k4, p6
Row 51) Knit all stitches
Row 52) Purl all stitches
Row 53) Knit all stitches
Row 54) Purl all stitches
Row 55) Knit all stitches
Badger Knitting Chart
- Read all odd rows from right to left, and all even rows from left to right.
Note: These charted instructions represent the 35-stitch design area. Remember to work your 4-stitch garter borders at the beginning and end of every row.
Download the Printable PDF
Oh La Lana! shop
You can also buy this pattern in Ravelry.
Want a larger blanket?
Our Into the Woodlands project has 12 blocks, but if you want to knit a larger blanket you can choose more from our Library. They all have the same size! Here are some knit-and-purl suggestions:
Craving another project?
We are well underway with the new Lowercase Alphabet Collection (the letter ‘u’ just arrived!). Come take a look at the growing Alphabet Hub →
Pin it!
You can use the image below to save our woodland friend into your Pinterest knitting board.
© Cecilia Fameli, 2026. The instructions, charts, photos, and illustrations contained in this post are subject to copyright protections. The patterns are for personal use only and may not be used for profit. You can, however, sell items made with my pattern. Thanks in advance for being respectful with my work.