This pattern was originally published in 2019, as block #48 of the original “52 Square Pickup” KAL. It has been fully updated for 2026 with a new high-resolution chart, revised instructions and project summary.

Time flies when you are having fun at the needles! I am so happy to bring another 52SP standard original back from the vault: the Hourglass block. Belonging to our Textures & Geometric Collection, this pattern uses a combination of knit and purl stitches to create a beautiful, repeating hourglass motif. It is a fantastic project for beginners who want to practice simple geometric transitions while creating a highly structural, modern fabric. Whether you are knitting a vibrant set of kitchen dishcloths or adding a textured panel to a contemporary sampler blanket, this design is a timeless choice.

hand knitted yellow cotton square featuring the hourglass dishcloth or blanket block pattern, texture relief created using only knit and purl stitches

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 Hourglass 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!

Hourglass: Knitted square instructions

hand knitted yellow cotton square featuring the free hourglass dishcloth or blanket block pattern, from Oh La Lana! Texture Collection, with an 52SP standard badge on the top right corner

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, Hourglass knitting pattern over 35 sts, 4 garter sts
Note: Work the entire 16-row pattern 3 times complete, and then rows 1) to 7) again.
You can follow either the row-by-row written instructions or the chart below for the Hourglass 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.

Hourglass Knitting Pattern: Row-by-Row Instructions

The stitch pattern repeats over 14 stitches and 16 rows. I added 7 more stitches to reach 35 stitches of internal space.
Work the instructions between brackets 2 times.

Click to expand

Row 1) (RS) [p3, k1, p10], p3, k1, p3

Row 2) k3, p1, k3, [p7, k3, p1, k3]

Row 3) [p2, k3, p2, k7], p2, k3, p2

Row 4) k2, p3, k2, [k1, p5, k3, p3, k2]

Row 5) [p1, k5, p2, k5, p1], p1, k5, p1

Row 6) k1, p5, k1, [k2, p3, k3, p5, k1]

Row 7) [k7, p2, k3, p2], k7

Row 8) p7, [k3, p1, k3, p7]

Row 9) [p10, k1, p3], p7

Row 10) p7, [k3, p1, k3, p7]

Row 11) [k7, p2, k3, p2], k7

Row 12) k1, p5, k1, [k2, p3, k3, p5, k1]

Row 13) [p1, k5, p2, k5, p1], p1, k5, p1

Row 14) k2, p3, k2, [k1, p5, k3, p3, k2]

Row 15) [p2, k3, p2, k7], p2, k3, p2

Row 16) k3, p1, k3, [p7, k3, p1, k3]

Hourglass Block: 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.