This pattern was originally published in 2020. It has been fully updated for 2026 with a new high-resolution chart, revised instructions and project summary.

Bring the majesty of the forest to your needles with the Stag block. This pattern, a proud member of The Animal Kingdom Collection, features a striking textured silhouette of a stag with impressive antlers, created using only simple knit and purl stitches. Whether you are knitting it as a focal point for a nature-inspired blanket or pairing it with our new Into the Woodlands patterns, this block adds a touch of wilderness and elegance to any piece.

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A close-up of a square knitted block in a rich cinnamon-brown yarn, featuring a textured silhouette of a stag head. The design uses intricate knit and purl stitch combinations to define the stag head and signature antlers, all framed by a neat garter-stitch border.

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

Yarn: approx. 70 yds (64 m) of DK weight yarn. Cotton is recommended for dishcloths; wool or acrylic blends work beautifully for blankets.
Needles: 4 mm (US 6) straight needles (I suggest using 4.5 mm / US 7 needles specifically for casting on and binding off to keep your edges flexible).
Tools: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors.
Gauge: 21 sts x 28 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in stocking stitch.

You can change the yarn weight and needle size to obtain different sized blocks.

Stag Dishcloth or Blanket Square

brown cotton knitted square of the stag pattern for baby blankets and dishcloths, from Oh La Lana! Animal Collection

Abbreviations

CO: cast on
RS: right side
WS: wrong side
st: stitch
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, STAG knitting pattern over 35 sts, 4 garter sts
You can follow either the row-by-row written instructions or the chart below for the Stag 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.

Stag knitting pattern: Written instructions

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

Row 2) Purl all stitches

Row 4) Purl all stitches

Row 6) p15, k5, p15

Row 8) p14, k7, p14

Row 10) p14, k7, p14

Row 12) p14, k7, p14

Row 14) p12, k11, p12

Row 16) p12, k11, p12

Row 18) p12, k11, p12

Row 20) p12, k11, p12

Row 22) p9, k17, p9

Row 24) p8, k6, p1, k2, p1, k2, p1, k6, p8

Row 26) p8, k6, p1, k2, p1, k2, p1, k6, p8

Row 28) p8, k4, p2, k3, p1, k3, p2, k4, p8

Row 30) p9, k2, p1, k3, p5, k3, p1, k2, p9

Row 32) p12, k2, p7, k2, p12

Row 34) p8, k6, p7, k6, p8

Row 36) p7, k2, p3, k2, p7, k2, p3, k2, p7

Row 38) p6, k2, p3, k1, p11, k1, p3, k2, p6

Row 40) p5, k3, p3, k2, p9, k2, p3, k3, p5

Row 42) p4, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p7, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p4

Row 44) p3, k2, p4, k2, p3, k1, p5, k1, p3, k2, p4, k2, p3

Row 46) p3, k2, p4, k2, p13, k2, p4, k2, p3

Row 48) p4, k2, p23, k2, p4

Row 50) p5, k2, p21, k2, p5

Row 52) Purl all stitches

Row 54) Purl all stitches

Row 55) Knit all stitches

Stag block pattern: CHART

Read all odd rows from right to left, and all even rows from left to right.

New to reading charts? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! You can find my step-by-step guide in the Oh La Lana! Academy: How to Read Knitting Charts for Beginners. It breaks down exactly how to follow the grid so you can knit your pattern with confidence!

⚠️ 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 stag knitting pattern for dishcloths and blanket blocks

Looking for more patterns?

Check out these three from The Animal Kingdom, the Seasonal Gallery, and the Botanical Garden:

Planning a Blanket?

You might find useful our guide on How to Join Knitted Squares!

Download the Printable PDF

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You can also buy this pattern in Ravelry.

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pinterest image for the stag knitting pattern for dishcloths and blanket blocks

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6 Comments

M. says:

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Thank you so much, I am new to knitting and enjoying doing these squares 🙂

1. Tonya says:
  
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  hey can you please help me with this pattern?
  
  1. Cecilia, from OhLaLana! says:
    
    at
    
    I just answered you below, Tonya 🙂 xo Ceci
    
Tonya says:

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HELLO, I LOVE THIS PATTERN, BUT I’M A LITTLE CONFUSED..UNDER INSTRUCTIONS SAYING K 4 ROWS AND ON PATTERN ITS START WITH ROW 1. WHEN I CAST ON THEN WHICH DIRECTION DO I FOLLOW? THANKS ,tONYA

1. Cecilia, from OhLaLana! says:
  
  at
  
  Hi Tonya! I think you missed the following instructions, after the 4 k rows:
  “Continue working as follows:
  4 garter sts, STAG knitting pattern over 35 sts, 4 garter sts (55 rows)”
  Does that help?
  
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