light blue cotton block showcasing the lowercase letter u knitting pattern over a light coloured wooden floor
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Lowercase Letter u knitting pattern

Our lowercase alphabet continues to grow! This week, we’re adding the lowercase letter u to the library. Designed with the clean, modern lines that define our updated series, this block is an essential piece for anyone knitting personalized name blankets or playful nursery decor.

lowercase letter u knitting pattern swatch in light blue yarn, alphabet series

In this post:

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

Materials & Tools for the letter u 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 u: Knitted alphabet square instructions

hand knitted light blue cotton square showing the lowercase letter u, beginner knitting pattern for dishcloths and blanket blocks, with a 52SP standard badge on the right top 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, Lowercase Letter u 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 u 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 u Knitting Pattern: Row-by-Row Instructions

Click to expand

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

Rows 2) to 10) Purl all stitches

Row 12) p15, k3, p4, k5, p8

Row 14) p12, k8, p2, k5, p8

Row 16) p10, k11, p1, k5, p8

Row 18) p9, k18, p8

Row 20) p8, k8, p3, k8, p8

Row 22) p8, k6, p7, k6, p8

Rows 24) to 42) p8, k5, p9, k5, p8

Rows 44) to 54) Purl all stitches

Row 55) Knit all stitches


Lowercase u 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.

high contrast chart for the lowercase letter u knitting pattern from Oh La Lana! Alphabet Gallery
legend for knit and purl charts

Looking for more blocks?

If you are looking for more blocks to join into a blanket, check out the growing Free Square Patterns Library! Here are some suggestions:

close up of the duck knitting pattern from Oh La Lana! Animals collection
close up of a knitted pink cotton square featuring the sailboat knitting pattern, knit and purl texture forming a sailboat relief, with garter stitch borders, with a 52SP standard badge in the top right corner
close up of a green cotton knitted block, featuring the lowercase letter t pattern, relief texture using only knits and purls, with a garter stitch border

Download the Printable PDF

Oh La Lana! shop

Pin it!

Use the image below to save this pattern into your Pinterest knitting board.

pinterest image for the lowercase letter u knitting pattern

Looking for more letters?

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