10 Knitted Quilt Free Patterns to Try

There is something deeply satisfying about a knitted quilt. Unlike a crocheted blanket or a traditional fabric quilt sewn from patches, a knitted quilt brings together the best of two crafting worlds — the warmth and texture of knitting with the generous size and cozy purpose of a quilt. Whether you are curling up on the couch, layering it on a bed, or gifting it to a newborn, a knitted quilt is a project that rewards the effort you put into it.

The good news is that you do not need to spend money on patterns to get started. There are wonderful free patterns available online that suit every skill level, from complete beginners who have only just mastered the knit stitch to experienced knitters who want a satisfying challenge. In this post, we have gathered ten of the best free knitted quilt patterns to try, covering a range of styles, yarn weights, and techniques so there is truly something here for everyone.

Before we dive in, a quick note on terminology: in the knitting world, “quilt” and “blanket” are often used interchangeably when referring to large, flat, knitted pieces. Some patterns will use modular knitting to create distinct blocks (much like a traditional fabric quilt), while others produce one continuous piece with a quilt-inspired texture. Both approaches are included here.

1. The Classic Mitered Square Knitted Quilt

If you have ever loved the patchwork look of a traditional quilt but preferred working with yarn, the mitered square approach is going to feel like a revelation. Each square is knitted individually by casting on stitches along two edges and working short rows toward a center diagonal, creating a crisp, geometric look when multiple squares are joined together.

This pattern typically calls for worsted weight yarn in multiple colors, making it a brilliant stash-buster. You cast on a set number of stitches, work decreases at the center point of every right-side row, and before you know it you have a perfect square with a beautiful diagonal stripe running through it. Once you have made several, you seam them together or pick up stitches along the edges to join as you go.

Free versions of this pattern are widely available on Ravelry and on personal craft blogs. Search for “mitered square knit blanket free pattern” and you will find dozens of variations. The pattern is forgiving and highly customizable — change the colors, the yarn weight, or the size of each square to suit your taste. Beginners appreciate it because you are only ever working on a small square at a time, which feels manageable even when the finished quilt is enormous.

2. The Log Cabin Knitted Quilt Pattern

The log cabin block is one of the most iconic designs in traditional quilting, and it translates beautifully into knitting. The concept is simple: you start with a small center rectangle or square, then pick up stitches along each edge to build outward in concentric strips. The result looks like the logs of a log cabin stacking up around a central hearth — usually knitted in a contrasting color.

What makes this pattern so appealing for a free project is how easy it is to find basic instructions. The technique itself is straightforward once you understand how to pick up stitches, and after that the pattern practically memorizes itself. You can make each block in one color family for a modern aesthetic or use as many colors as you like for a more traditional scrappy quilt feel.

Log cabin knit blanket patterns appear frequently on sites like Ravelry, Drops Design, and Lion Brand Yarn’s free pattern library. Many of them include full stitch counts and finishing instructions, so you have everything you need without spending a cent. The beauty of this design is that it scales easily — make smaller blocks for a baby quilt or large ones for a bed-sized throw.

3. The Seed Stitch Sampler Quilt

If you are looking for a pattern that teaches technique while producing something beautiful, a seed stitch sampler quilt is an excellent choice. Each block in this style of quilt is worked in a different stitch pattern — seed stitch, moss stitch, basketweave, ribbing, garter ridges — and then all the blocks are joined to create a textured patchwork effect.

This type of free pattern is particularly popular in knitting communities because it functions as both a finished object and a learning exercise. By the time you complete all the blocks, you will have practiced a range of textures and builds confidence in reading knitting shorthand. Many free versions of this pattern organize the blocks from easiest to most complex, making it a natural progression project.

Look for free sampler blanket or sampler throw patterns on sites like Paintbox Yarns, We Are Knitters, or Wool and the Gang. Some of these patterns include downloadable PDFs with block-by-block instructions and suggested colorways, all at no cost.

4. The Garter Stitch Patchwork Quilt

Do not underestimate the garter stitch. That simple back-and-forth knitting you learned on day one of your fiber arts journey produces a squishy, reversible fabric that is absolutely perfect for a quilt. The garter stitch patchwork pattern takes that humble stitch and elevates it by working multiple rectangular or square blocks in different colors, then joining them in a quilt-like grid.

Because garter stitch has natural stretch and body, the finished quilt lies beautifully flat without curling at the edges, which is a common frustration with stockinette-based projects. The ridged texture also adds warmth, trapping air between the layers of yarn.

Free garter stitch patchwork patterns are some of the easiest to find online. The Mason-Dixon Knitting community, for example, has long championed the humble log cabin garter square as a go-to free pattern. Ravelry’s free pattern database also contains dozens of garter-based modular blankets, many of which include photos, notes from makers who have completed them, and tips for joining methods. This is an ideal project for knitters who want a low-pressure project they can pick up and put down without losing their place.

5. The Entrelac Knitted Quilt

If you are ready to try something that looks significantly more complex than it actually is, entrelac knitting is waiting for you. At first glance, an entrelac quilt looks like a woven textile, with blocks of knitting set at opposing angles to create a basket-weave visual effect. In reality, it is worked continuously in a series of picked-up squares, each one growing organically from the last without any seaming.

Entrelac might have a reputation for being intimidating, but once you understand the rhythm — pick up stitches along an edge, work in short rows, turn your work — it becomes almost meditative. Free entrelac blanket patterns are available on YouTube tutorial sites as well as written form on knitting blogs. A good video tutorial paired with a written free pattern is the best way to get started with this technique.

The finished result is genuinely quilt-like: distinct blocks set at angles, often worked in gradient yarns or multiple colors for extra drama. It is a conversation-starting project that people will assume took far more skill than it did.

6. The Baby Knitted Quilt Free Pattern

No list of knitted quilt patterns would be complete without at least one option specifically sized for a baby. Baby quilts are a beloved handmade gift, and a knitted version is especially special because it is soft, washable, and can be passed down for years.

Free baby knitted quilt patterns come in a beautiful range of styles. Some are based on the modular block approach described earlier, scaled down to a baby-friendly 36 by 36 inches or smaller. Others are worked as a single piece in a stitch pattern like a simple lace, an eyelet motif, or a graphic texture like a check or diamond pattern that gives a quilt-like appearance.

Lion Brand, Paintbox Yarns, Drops Design, and Bernat all offer free baby blanket patterns in their online libraries that fit this description. When choosing yarn for a baby knitted quilt, look for superwash wool or cotton blends that are machine washable, easy on sensitive skin, and durable enough to survive repeated washing. Many of the free patterns will suggest specific yarn weights and needle sizes, so follow those guidelines for the best results.

7. The Modular Hexagon Knitted Quilt

Hexagons have been a beloved shape in fabric quilting for centuries, and they translate surprisingly well into knitting. A modular hexagon knitted quilt is made by working each hexagon individually (most commonly on double-pointed needles or with the magic loop method) and then joining them together, either by sewing or by picking up stitches to knit the joins.

The hexagon shape creates a honeycomb effect that is visually striking and endlessly customizable. Use a simple all-over color for a modern, minimalist look, or work each hexagon in a different shade for a scrappy, maximalist quilt that uses up every last bit of your yarn stash.

Free hexagon knitting patterns can be found on sites like Ravelry and in magazine archives from publications like Knit Simple or Vogue Knitting. Some free versions include multiple sizes of hexagon, allowing you to mix large and small shapes for extra visual interest. If you enjoy the mathematical, puzzle-like aspect of planning a quilt layout, this is the pattern style for you.

8. The Double Knitting Quilt Pattern

Double knitting is a technique that creates two layers of fabric simultaneously on a single set of needles, and it is one of the most ingenious methods for making a truly quilt-like knitted object. Because the resulting fabric has two distinct sides that are knitted at the same time, you can work a pattern on one side — say, a geometric design or a simple two-color motif — and have a coordinating or contrasting design appear on the other side automatically.

This technique does require some patience to learn, but free introductory patterns exist that walk you through the method step by step. Once you understand the alternating knit-purl sequence that creates the two layers, you can follow any double knitting chart and produce a finished blanket that looks and feels more like a quilted textile than almost any other knitting technique.

Search for “free double knitting blanket pattern” or “double knit quilt pattern free” to find beginner-friendly options. YouTube is an excellent resource for video tutorials that show the technique in real time, and pairing a video with a written pattern dramatically shortens the learning curve.

9. The Color Block Knitted Quilt

Sometimes the most striking quilts are the simplest. A color block knitted quilt is worked as a series of large rectangular sections in solid colors, joined either horizontally or in a grid. The effect is bold and graphic — think of the modernist color field paintings that inspired so many minimalist home décor trends — and the knitting itself is refreshingly uncomplicated.

Each color block can be worked in a simple stitch like stockinette, reverse stockinette, or garter, with the design interest coming entirely from the color arrangement. Free color block blanket patterns are widely available and are often recommended as a good project for knitters transitioning from small accessories to larger pieces. The straightforward construction means you do not have to juggle complex stitch patterns while also learning how to manage a large number of stitches.

Sites like Wool and the Gang and Purl Soho offer beautiful free versions of this style. Even if you use a different yarn than the pattern recommends, the basic construction is so clean that it is easy to substitute and adjust.

10. The Lace Panel Knitted Quilt

For knitters who love delicate detail and want their quilt to feel truly special, a lace panel quilt pattern is a stunning option. This type of pattern typically divides the blanket into vertical or horizontal panels, with each panel featuring a different lace motif — leaves, diamonds, cables combined with yarn-overs, or classic horseshoe lace. The alternating panels create a visual rhythm that is reminiscent of a traditional fabric quilt’s varied blocks.

Lace knitting does require more concentration than the other patterns on this list, but free lace panel blanket patterns are available that include clear charts as well as written row-by-row instructions. If you can read a basic lace chart, you have everything you need.

Ravelry is the best place to search for free lace blanket patterns with this multi-panel structure. Look at the project photos attached to each pattern — they will give you a realistic sense of how the finished quilt looks in various yarn colors and weights. Fingering weight or sport weight yarn will give the lacework its proper drape, though some patterns have been designed in DK weight for a quicker and slightly warmer result.

Tips for Knitting Your First Quilt

Regardless of which pattern you choose, a few general tips will help the process go smoothly.

Start by swatching. Even if you are an experienced knitter, taking a few minutes to knit a gauge swatch before diving into a large project saves significant frustration later. A quilt that turns out four inches narrower than intended because you skipped the swatch can be a real disappointment.

Invest in good stitch markers. When you are working on a large modular project with many blocks, stitch markers are invaluable for keeping track of your place within each section.

Keep a notebook or use a project tracking app to log which blocks you have completed, what colors you used, and how many rows each section has. This becomes especially important when you are working on a project over several weeks or months.

Choose your joining method thoughtfully. The way you connect blocks or panels makes a significant difference in the drape and appearance of the finished quilt. The three-needle bind-off, mattress stitch seaming, and joining as you go are all viable methods, and many free patterns will specify which one they recommend. When in doubt, test the join on a small swatch before committing to the entire quilt.

Finally, block your finished quilt. Wet blocking — soaking the finished piece in lukewarm water, pressing out the excess moisture in a towel, and then laying it flat to dry to its correct dimensions — evens out uneven tension, opens up lace motifs, and gives the whole piece a polished, professional finish. It is one of the most satisfying steps in any large knitting project.

Finding the Free Patterns

All ten of the pattern styles described in this post have free versions available online. The most reliable places to search are Ravelry (which has a filter for free patterns and a robust community of makers who leave helpful notes and photos), the free pattern libraries of major yarn brands like Lion Brand, Drops Design, Paintbox Yarns, and Bernat, and knitting-focused blogs and YouTube channels where designers share their work at no charge.

When you download or save a free pattern, it is good practice to save a copy as a PDF rather than relying solely on a bookmark, since websites and links do change over time. Many free patterns are also available through Ravelry’s queue and library system, which makes tracking your projects easy.

A knitted quilt is one of the most rewarding large-scale projects you can take on, and the fact that so many beautiful free patterns exist means there is no barrier between you and your next favorite make. Whether you gravitate toward the cozy simplicity of garter stitch patchwork, the visual drama of entrelac, or the delicate beauty of a lace panel quilt, there is a free pattern waiting for you. Pick the one that excites you most, gather your yarn, and cast on. That is always the most important step.