USA FLAG knitting pattern
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.
Show your colors on the needles! Whether you are celebrating the 4th of July with backyard barbecues or cheering on Team USA in the football World Cup, the USA Flag block is the perfect way to knit up some patriotic spirit. As a proud 52SP standard design, this pattern clever uses textured seed stitch for the stars and alternating garter and stockinette bands for the stripes. Best of all, it requires a skill level of BEGINNER—using only knits and purls to create a clean, graphic layout. Cast it on as a quick festive dishcloth, a summer washcloth, or a star-spangled square for a personalized heritage blanket!
| 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 USA flag block
- 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.
USA Flag Dishcloth or Blanket Square
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, USA FLAG knitting pattern over 35 sts, 4 garter sts
You can follow either the row-by-row written instructions or the chart below for the USA Flag 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.
USA Flag knitting pattern: Row-by-row instructions
Click to expand
Row 1) (RS) Knit all stitches
Row 2) Purl all stitches
Row 3) Knit all stitches
Row 4) Purl all stitches
Row 5) Knit all stitches
Row 6) Purl all stitches
Row 7) Knit all stitches
Row 8) Purl all stitches
Row 9) Knit all stitches
Row 10) Purl all stitches
Row 11) Knit all stitches
Row 12) Purl all stitches
Row 13) Knit all stitches
Row 14) Purl all stitches
Row 15) k2, p31, k2
Row 16) p2, k31, p2
Row 17) Knit all stitches
Row 18) Purl all stitches
Row 19) k2, p31, k2
Row 20) p2, k31, p2
Row 21) Knit all stitches
Row 22) Purl all stitches
Row 23) k2, p31, k2
Row 24) p2, k31, p2
Row 25) Knit all stitches
Row 26) Purl all stitches
Row 27) k2, p17, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2
Row 28) p2, k1, p13, k17, p2
Row 29) k18, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k2
Row 30) p2, k1, p13, k1, p18
Row 31) k2, p17, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2
Row 32) p2, k1, p13, k17, p2
Row 33) k18, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k2
Row 34) p2, k1, p13, k1, p18
Row 35) k2, p17, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2
Row 36) p2, k1, p13, k17, p2
Row 37) k18, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k2
Row 38) p2, k1, p13, k1, p18
Row 39) k2, p17, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2
Row 40) p2, k31, p2
Row 41) Knit all stitches
Row 42) Purl all stitches
Row 43) Knit all stitches
Row 44) Purl all stitches
Row 45) Knit all stitches
Row 46) Purl all stitches
Row 47) Knit all stitches
Row 48) Purl all stitches
Row 49) Knit all stitches
Row 50) Purl all stitches
Row 51) Knit all stitches
Row 52) Purl all stitches
Row 53) Knit all stitches
Row 54) Purl all stitches
Row 55) Knit all stitches
USA FLAG knitting pattern: 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.
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All your designs are lovely, but I love, love, love today’s flag. Thank you so much. 🙂
I’m so happy to hear that, thank you. xo