hand knitted block in green yarn featuring the lowercase letter r knitting pattern with a white frame and a light wooden background
| | |

Lowercase letter r knitting pattern

Rounding out our collection of personalized knits, the lowercase letter ‘r’ has arrived! This textured block is the latest addition to the Oh La Lana! Lowercase Alphabet Collection, designed to integrate seamlessly into your blankets, cushions, and custom gifts. Whether you’re spelling out a name or creating a unique monogram, this knit-and-purl pattern is a very quick project.

lowercase letter r pattern in green yarn with a garter stitch border

Project DetailRequirement
Skill LevelBeginner (only knits and purls)
Yarn WeightDK or Worsted
Needle Size4mm / US 6 (and 4.5mm / US 7 to casting on and binding off sts)
Finished Size8.5” x 8.5” (22 cm x 22 cm)

Materials & Tools for the letter ‘r’ square

  • 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 ‘r’: Knitted alphabet square instructions

knit green square with a textured letter r formed with knit and purl stitches, and a 52S badge in 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Main pattern with garter stitch side borders

    Continue working the next 55 rows as follows:
    4 garter sts, r knitting pattern over 35 sts, 4 garter sts
    You can follow either the row-by-row written instructions or the chart below for the ‘r’ knitting pattern.

  4. Garter stitch top border

    Knit 4 rows.

  5. Bind off

    Bind off all sts with a US 7 (4.5 mm) needle. Cut yarn and weave in ends.

  6. (Optional) Blocking

    Block your square to its final measures.


Lowercase Letter ‘r’ Knitting Pattern: Row-by-Row Instructions

Row 1) and every following odd row (RS): Knit all stitches

Row 2) to Row 10) Purl all stitches

Row 12) to Row 30) p11, k5, p19

Row 32) p11, k6, p18

Row 34) p11, k8, p16

Row 36) p11, k14, p10

Row 38) p11, k5, p1, k8, p10

Row 40) p11, k5, p3, k6, p10

Row 42) p11, k5, p6, k3, p10

Row 44) to Row 54) Purl all stitches

Row 55) Knit all stitches


Lowercase ‘r’ 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.

high-contrast chart for the lowercase letter r square pattern for dishcloths and blanket blocks
legend for knit and purl charts

R is for… Rabbit! 🐇

bunny knitting pattern swatch in brown cotton yarn, with and 52SP badge on the right top corner

If you are looking for more blocks for a nursery blanket (or some lovely dishcloths to brighten up your kitchen!) check out the growing Animal Kingdom collection! You’ll find the Bunny Rabbit there too.

Looking for more letters?


Want to see all my patterns in Ravelry? Click HERE!

Leave a Comment