Precision meets comfort in the Nesting Boxes knitting pattern block, a standout piece in our Textures & Geometric Collection. Designed specifically for the 52SP standard, this pattern uses a clever arrangement of knits and purls to create a series of framed, recessed squares that give the fabric a wonderful three-dimensional depth. It is the perfect project for knitters who appreciate architectural lines and want to practice maintaining consistent tension across a rhythmic repeat. Whether you’re building a modular blanket or looking for a scrubby dishcloth pattern, these ‘nested’ textures bring a modern, polished look to your needles.

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 Nesting Boxes 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!

Nesting Boxes: Knitted square instructions

hand knitted light blue cotton square featuring the nesting boxes 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, Nesting Boxes knitting pattern over 35 sts, 4 garter sts
Work the entire 12-row pattern 4 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 Nesting Boxes 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.

Nesting Boxes Knitting Pattern: Row-by-Row Instructions

The stitch pattern repeats over 10 stitches and 12 rows. I added 5 more stitches to reach 35 stitches of internal space.
Work the instructions between brackets a total of 3 times.

Row 1) (RS) Knit all stitches

Row 2) Purl all stitches

Row 3) p2, k1, [k1, p8, k1], k1, p1

Row 4) k1, p1, [p1, k8, p1], p1, k2

Row 5) p2, k1, [k1, p2, k4, p2, k1], k1, p1

Row 6) k1, p1, [p1, k2, p4, k2, p1], p1, k2

Row 7) p2, k1, [k1, p2, k4, p2, k1], k1, p1

Row 8) k1, p1, [p1, k2, p4, k2, p1], p1, k2

Row 9) p2, k1, [k1, p2, k4, p2, k1], k1, p1

Row 10) k1, p1, [p1, k2, p4, k2, p1], p1, k2

Row 11) p2, k1, [k1, p8, k1], k1, p1

Row 12) k1, p1, [p1, k8, p1], p1, k2

Nesting Boxes Knitting 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.