Lowercase letter j Knitting Pattern: Free Chart for Blankets & Dishcloths
The Oh La Lana! Alphabet collection keeps growing! Today, we are adding the lowercase letter ‘j’.
Whether you are knitting a personalized nursery blanket or a custom dishcloth, this block is designed to be as clear and enjoyable to knit as it is to look at. This letter features a graceful bottom curve—a great little challenge for beginners to practice their purl-stitch placement.
As part of my mission to make knitting resources more accessible, I’ve updated this pattern with a brand-new, high-contrast chart. No more squinting at blurry lines! Just a crisp, professional grid to help you track every row with confidence.
Designer’s Note: The lowercase ‘j’ is a “descender” letter, meaning it sits slightly differently on the baseline than the ‘i’. I have carefully calculated the row counts so that when you join your blocks together, the letters look perfectly aligned and balanced.
| Project Detail | Requirement |
| Skill Level | Beginner (only knits and purls) |
| Yarn Weight | DK or Worsted |
| Needle Size | US 6 / 4 mm (and US 7 / 4.5mm for casting on and binding off stitches) |
| Finished Size | 8.5” x 8.5” (22 cm x 22 cm) |
Materials & Tools for the Lowercase letter j 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: US 6 / 4 mm (and US 7 / 4.5mm 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!
Lowercase letter j: Knitted alphabet 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 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, Lowercase letter j knitting pattern over 35 sts, 4 garter sts
You can follow either the row-by-row written instructions or the chart below for the lowercase letter ‘j’ 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.
Lowercase Letter j 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) Purl all stitches
Row 6) p12, k4, p19
Row 8) p10, k8, p17
Row 10) p9, k10, p16
Row 12) p9, k2, p3, k6, p15
Row 14) p15, k5, p15
Row 16) p15, k5, p15
Row 18) p15, k5, p15
Row 20) p15, k5, p15
Row 22) p15, k5, p15
Row 24) p15, k5, p15
Row 26) p15, k5, p15
Row 28) p15, k5, p15
Row 30) p15, k5, p15
Row 32) p15, k5, p15
Row 34) p15, k5, p15
Row 36) p15, k5, p15
Row 38) p15, k5, p15
Row 40) p15, k5, p15
Row 42) Purl all stitches
Row 44) p16, k3, p16
Row 46) p15, k5, p15
Row 48) p15, k5, p15
Row 50) p16, k3, p16
Row 52) Purl all stitches
Row 54) Purl all stitches
Row 55) Knit all stitches
Lowercase Letter j Knitting Pattern: 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.
Pin it!
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Download the Printable PDF
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Looking for more blocks?
If you are looking for more blocks with the same size to join into a blanket, check out the growing Free Square Patterns Library! Here three suggestions from The Animal Kingdom, the Seasonal Gallery, and the Travel Log:
