CLOUDS knitting pattern
Bring a bit of whimsical, blue-sky thinking to your next project with our new free Clouds block. This charming 52SP standard design uses a clever combination of knit and purl stitches to create soft, billowing textures that seem to float right off the fabric. Whether you are knitting a nursery blanket or a simple, absorbent dishcloth, this beginner-friendly pattern is a breath of fresh air. I’ve included our signature high-contrast chart to make following the ‘forecast’ as easy as can be!
A quick tip for beginners: This pattern is worked over a total of 43 stitches. This includes 35 stitches for the central clouds design and a sturdy 4-stitch garter border on each side to keep your edges neat and flat.
| 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 Clouds 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!
CLOUDS: Knitted square instructions
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 prevent 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, CLOUDS knitting pattern over 35 sts, 4 garter sts
You can follow either the row-by-row written instructions or the chart below for the CLOUDS 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.
CLOUDS Knitting Pattern: Row-by-Row Instructions
Click to expand
Row 1) and every following odd row (RS) Knit all stitches
Row 2) Purl all stitches
Row 4) p12, k5, p4, k5, p9
Row 6) p5, k3, p2, k8, p2, k9, p6
Row 8) p4, k27, p4
Row 10) p3, k28, p4
Row 12) p3, k28, p4
Row 14) p3, k28, p4
Row 16) p4, k26, p5
Row 18) p5, k23, p7
Row 20) p8, k19, p8
Row 22) p8, k12, p2, k4, p9
Row 24) p9, k10, p16
Row 26) p11, k6, p18
Row 28) Purl all stitches
Row 30) p1, k3, p18, k5, p4, k3, p1
Row 32) p1, k5, p2, k3, p8, k9, p2, k4, p1
Row 34) p1, k11, p5, k17, p1
Row 36) p1, k12, p4, k17, p1
Row 38) p1, k12, p4, k17, p1
Row 40) p1, k12, p4, k17, p1
Row 42) p1, k11, p6, k16, p1
Row 44) p1, k10, p9, k14, p1
Row 46) p1, k7, p13, k13, p1
Row 48) p1, k7, p5, k4, p5, k4, p2, k6, p1
Row 50) p1, k6, p4, k8, p10, k5, p1
Row 52) p1, k4, p5, k10, p11, k3, p1
Row 54) Purl all stitches
Row 55) Knit all stitches
CLOUDS Knitting Pattern: Chart
- Read all odd rows from right to left, and all even rows from left to right.
💡Note & Tip: 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. I recommend using stitch markers to separate the borders from the main design area.
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