How to Knit the Lowercase Letter k: Free Alphabet Block Pattern
Welcome back to our Knitting Alphabet series! Today we are focusing on the lowercase letter ‘k’.
Lowercase letters are perfect for creating more natural-looking text in your knitting projects, providing a soft contrast to bold capitals. This pattern follows our signature ‘Alphabet Block’ style—beginner-friendly, worked in a simple knit-and-purl texture, and perfectly sized to mix and match with our other letters. Below, you’ll find the free chart and written instructions to help you knit this shape with ease.
| 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 letter k 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!
Lowercase letter k: 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 k 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 ‘k’ 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 ‘k’ 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) p8, k5, p8, k7, p7
Row 8) p8, k5, p7, k7, p8
Row 10) p8, k5, p6, k7, p9
Row 12) p8, k5, p5, k7, p10
Row 14) p8, k5, p4, k7, p11
Row 16) p8, k5, p3, k7, p12
Row 18) p8, k5, p2, k7, p13
Row 20) p8, k13, p14
Row 22) p8, k11, p16
Row 24) p8, k13, p14
Row 26) p8, k5, p2, k7, p13
Row 28) p8, k5, p3, k7, p12
Row 30) p8, k5, p4, k7, p11
Row 32) p8, k5, p5, k7, p10
Row 34) p8, k5, p6, k7, p9
Row 36) p8, k5, p7, k7, p8
Row 38) p8, k5, p8, k7, p7
Row 40) p8, k5, p22
Row 42) p8, k5, p22
Row 44) p8, k5, p22
Row 46) p8, k5, p22
Row 48) p8, k5, p22
Row 50) p8, k5, p22
Row 52) Purl all stitches
Row 54) Purl all stitches
Row 55) Knit all stitches
Lowercase k 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!
Use the image below to save this pattern into your Pinterest knitting board.
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 Botanical Garden, and the Textures Collection:
If you are knitting these letters to turn them into a personalised nursery blanket, head over to my Joining Guide (in Section 4: Finishing & Assembly of Oh La Lana! Knitting Academy). You will find techniques explained in detail and helpful tips to transform your hard work into a masterpiece.