Free Woodland Themed Dishcloth and Afghan Squares Knitting Patterns: Daisy and Storm
There is something deeply satisfying about knitting a small square. The project fits in your bag, works up in an evening, and the finished piece carries a quiet usefulness that larger projects sometimes lack. Whether you are a beginner looking for your first textured knit or an experienced crafter building toward a sprawling woodland-themed blanket, dishcloth and afghan square patterns offer an endlessly rewarding corner of the knitting world. Today we are diving into two free patterns that sit beautifully together under a woodland theme: Daisy and Storm. Each one tells a different story through texture and stitch, and together they create a collection that feels like stepping into a forest clearing on a shifting autumn day.
Why Woodland Themes Work So Well in Knitting
Before we get into the patterns themselves, it is worth pausing to appreciate why woodland aesthetics translate so naturally into knitted fabric. The forest is full of repetition and variation. Leaves echo one another but never perfectly. Bark carries long vertical lines interrupted by knots and burls. Rain moves across still water in radiating rings. Moss grows in soft, dense clusters. Every one of these natural patterns has a knitting stitch that mirrors it almost uncannily.
Woodland-themed knitting also benefits from a color palette that is endlessly forgiving. Creamy cotton, warm toffee, sage green, slate grey, and deep forest brown all work together without any fussing over whether shades coordinate. Nature does not clash with itself, and neither do colors drawn from it. This means that if you are building a sampler afghan from multiple square patterns, you can use whatever cotton or wool yarn you have in your stash as long as it falls somewhere in that earthy spectrum, and the result will look intentional and beautiful.
The Daisy and Storm squares lean into opposite ends of this woodland mood. Daisy conjures bright clearings, late summer wildflowers, and the open-faced cheerfulness of a bloom pushing through the undergrowth. Storm brings in the drama: the darkening sky over the canopy, the press of wind against old branches, the textural complexity of a forest in motion. Knit them side by side and you have the whole story of a day in the woods.
About These Patterns: Gauge, Yarn, and Needles
Both patterns are written for worsted weight yarn and US size 7 (4.5mm) needles, though they adapt beautifully to DK weight on a size 5 (3.75mm) needle if you prefer a slightly finer fabric. For dishcloths, cotton is the classic choice and for good reason: it is absorbent, durable, and only gets better with washing. Lily Sugar’n Cream and Paintbox Simply DK Cotton are both widely available and free-friendly, meaning you can often find coupons or use up what is already in your stash. For afghan squares intended for a blanket, a wool-cotton blend or a smooth wool like Cascade 220 gives you lovely stitch definition and a fabric with some drape.
Gauge for these patterns is approximately 18 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette with worsted weight yarn. Neither pattern requires you to be precise about gauge if you are making stand-alone dishcloths. If you are building a blanket and want your squares to match, knit a quick swatch and adjust your needle size accordingly. A finished square in worsted weight should measure approximately 8 inches by 8 inches after a gentle blocking.
You will need only basic knitting skills for both patterns: casting on, knitting, purling, and binding off. The Daisy square introduces a simple bobble, which sounds intimidating but is nothing more than working several stitches into one stitch and then knitting them back together. If you have never made a bobble, this pattern is an ideal first introduction because the bobbles are spaced generously, giving you plenty of plain rows to recover your rhythm between them. The Storm square is entirely knit and purl combinations, making it accessible for anyone comfortable with basic texture stitches.
The Daisy Square Pattern
Skills needed: Cast on, knit, purl, make bobble (instructions included), bind off
Finished size: Approximately 8 inches square in worsted weight cotton
Yarn: Approximately 50 yards worsted weight cotton or wool
Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm) straight or circular needles
Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Stitch Guide
Bobble (B): Into the next stitch, knit into the front, back, front, back, and front again — five stitches made from one. Turn work and purl these five stitches. Turn work and knit these five stitches. Turn work and p2tog, p1, p2tog — three stitches remain. Turn work and sl1, k2tog, psso — one stitch remains. Your bobble is complete.
Pattern Instructions
Cast on 38 stitches.
Rows 1–4: Knit every stitch (garter stitch border).
Row 5 (RS): K4, purl to last 4 stitches, K4.
Row 6 (WS): K4, knit to last 4 stitches, K4. (Note: this creates a reverse stockinette field, which makes the bobbles pop forward beautifully.)
Row 7: K4, p3, (B, p5) four times, B, p3, K4.
Row 8: K4, knit to last 4 stitches, K4.
Rows 9–12: Repeat Rows 5 and 6 twice.
Row 13: K4, p6, (B, p5) three times, B, p6, K4.
Row 14: K4, knit to last 4 stitches, K4.
Rows 15–18: Repeat Rows 5 and 6 twice.
Row 19: K4, p3, (B, p5) four times, B, p3, K4.
Row 20: K4, knit to last 4 stitches, K4.
Rows 21–24: Repeat Rows 5 and 6 twice.
Row 25: K4, p6, (B, p5) three times, B, p6, K4.
Row 26: K4, knit to last 4 stitches, K4.
Rows 27–30: Repeat Rows 5 and 6 twice.
Row 31: K4, p3, (B, p5) four times, B, p3, K4.
Row 32: K4, knit to last 4 stitches, K4.
Rows 33–36: Repeat Rows 5 and 6 twice.
Rows 37–40: Knit every stitch (garter stitch border).
Bind off all stitches knitwise. Weave in ends. Block by soaking in cool water, pressing gently in a towel to remove excess moisture, and pinning to measurements on a blocking board or foam mat. Allow to dry completely before unpinning.
Reading the Daisy Pattern
The bobbles in this pattern are arranged in a staggered grid, which is the key to the daisy illusion. Each bobble represents a small flower head rising from the flat background of reverse stockinette. Because the background recedes and the bobbles advance, the eye reads the surface as a field of blooms. The staggered offset between rows means that no two bobbles line up vertically, which mimics the random scattering of wildflowers far more convincingly than a rigid grid would.
If you would like to emphasize the daisy theme further, consider adding a French knot in a contrasting color at the center of each bobble after blocking. A single strand of yellow embroidery floss or a bright yellow yarn works beautifully here. This is completely optional and the pattern reads clearly without it, but it is a lovely finishing touch if you are making the square as a gift or as a feature piece in a woodland display.
The Storm Square Pattern
Skills needed: Cast on, knit, purl, bind off
Finished size: Approximately 8 inches square in worsted weight cotton or wool
Yarn: Approximately 45 yards worsted weight yarn
Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm) straight or circular needles
Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Stitch Guide
This pattern uses a combination of knit and purl stitches worked on both right side and wrong side rows to create a textured fabric that resembles wind-driven diagonal lines across a stormy sky. No special stitches are required beyond knit and purl.
Pattern Instructions
Cast on 38 stitches.
Rows 1–4: Knit every stitch (garter stitch border).
Row 5 (RS): K4, (k3, p3) five times, K4.
Row 6 (WS): K4, (p3, k3) five times, K4.
Rows 7–8: Repeat Rows 5 and 6.
Row 9 (RS): K4, p1, (k3, p3) four times, k3, p2, K4.
Row 10 (WS): K4, k2, (p3, k3) four times, p3, k1, K4.
Rows 11–12: Repeat Rows 9 and 10.
Row 13 (RS): K4, p2, (k3, p3) four times, k3, p1, K4.
Row 14 (WS): K4, k1, (p3, k3) four times, p3, k2, K4.
Rows 15–16: Repeat Rows 13 and 14.
Row 17 (RS): K4, (p3, k3) five times, K4.
Row 18 (WS): K4, (k3, p3) five times, K4.
Rows 19–20: Repeat Rows 17 and 18.
Row 21 (RS): K4, k1, (p3, k3) four times, p3, k2, K4.
Row 22 (WS): K4, p2, (k3, p3) four times, k3, p1, K4.
Rows 23–24: Repeat Rows 21 and 22.
Row 25 (RS): K4, k2, (p3, k3) four times, p3, k1, K4.
Row 26 (WS): K4, p1, (k3, p3) four times, k3, p2, K4.
Rows 27–28: Repeat Rows 25 and 26.
Rows 29–32: Repeat Rows 5–8.
Rows 33–36: Repeat Rows 17–20.
Rows 37–40: Knit every stitch (garter stitch border).
Bind off all stitches knitwise. Weave in ends and block as for the Daisy square.
Reading the Storm Pattern
The diagonal movement in this pattern comes from a traveling column technique: the columns of knit and purl stitches shift one stitch to the right or left with each set of pattern rows, creating lines that appear to move diagonally across the fabric rather than running straight up and down. The result is a surface that suggests motion — gusts of wind, raking rain, the lean of long grass in a squall.
This is one of those patterns where the written instructions look more complicated than the knitting actually is. Once you have worked through the first complete diagonal sequence (Rows 5 through 16), you will feel the rhythm of the shift and find yourself reading the fabric rather than the pattern. Experienced knitters often complete the Storm square in a single focused sitting of two to three hours.
Combining Daisy and Storm: Building a Woodland Afghan
If you are thinking beyond a single dishcloth and imagining the larger project these squares suggest, here is how to approach a full woodland-themed afghan using the Daisy and Storm squares as your foundation.
A generous lap blanket requires approximately 35 squares arranged in a 5-by-7 grid. A full throw blanket — the kind that drapes over the back of a sofa or folds at the end of a bed — works well at 48 squares in a 6-by-8 arrangement. You could alternate Daisy and Storm squares in a checkerboard layout, which creates an immediate visual rhythm. Another approach is to cluster Daisy squares toward the center and let Storm squares radiate outward toward the edges, which gives the blanket a focal point and a sense of moving outward from a calm center into weather.
Color is where the woodland theme really comes together across a full blanket. Consider using two or three closely related shades for your Daisy squares — perhaps a warm ivory, a soft sage, and a pale butter yellow — and reserving the cooler tones like slate, charcoal, and pewter for the Storm squares. This temperature contrast between the two halves of the palette reinforces the emotional difference between the two patterns: the warmth and brightness of Daisy against the cool drama of Storm.
Joining squares is a project in itself. A simple whipstitch seam worked with a tapestry needle on the wrong side is the most beginner-friendly method and results in a flat, flexible join. For a more decorative approach, a single crochet seam worked on the right side creates a visible ridge that can be worked in a contrasting color, acting as a kind of outline that frames each square and adds another layer of texture to the finished blanket. A mattress stitch join is another excellent option, particularly if you want the seam to be essentially invisible.
Care and Washing Instructions
Cotton dishcloths are machine washable on a warm cycle and can go in the dryer on medium heat. They will shrink very slightly with the first wash if you have not pre-washed your yarn, which is worth doing before knitting if you plan to give them as gifts and want to guarantee the size. After several washes, cotton knitting develops a pleasant softness and the stitches settle into a more compact, even fabric.
Wool and wool-blend afghan squares benefit from gentler treatment. Hand washing in cool water with a small amount of wool wash, followed by a careful press in a dry towel and flat drying, will keep your squares in good condition for many years. Some wool yarns are labelled superwash, meaning they have been treated to be machine washable, and these are ideal for a blanket that will see regular use.
Tips for Knitting Your First Sampler Squares
If this is your introduction to sampler knitting — the practice of making individual squares in different patterns and eventually combining them — a few habits will make the process easier and more enjoyable.
Keep a small notebook or use a notes app on your phone to record which row you are on. Even experienced knitters lose their place, and a quick note takes seconds. Mark your right side rows with a locking stitch marker or a small piece of contrast yarn looped through the fabric so you always know which way you are facing.
Knit the border stitches firmly. The garter stitch border in both patterns does double duty: it keeps the edges from curling and it creates a neat frame that makes seaming easier later. If your borders look looser or tighter than the rest of the fabric, try wrapping the border stitches slightly more firmly or using a needle one size smaller just for those edge stitches.
Block every square before seaming. This is the step that transforms hand knitting from something that looks homemade into something that looks handcrafted in the best possible sense. Blocking evens out the tension, opens up the texture, and fixes the dimensions so that your squares will actually line up when you go to join them. It takes patience to wait for squares to dry but the result is worth it every time.
A Note on Sharing and Adapting These Patterns
These patterns are offered free for personal use and for gifts. If you knit them and share your work online, consider tagging your photos with the pattern names so that other crafters can find them. The knitting community thrives on shared enthusiasm, and there is something quietly generous about posting a finished square so that someone else scrolling through their feed at the end of a long day suddenly feels the urge to pick up their needles.
If you adapt the patterns — changing the stitch count to make a larger square, swapping yarns, adding colorwork, or combining them with other stitches — please share those adaptations too. The patterns are a starting point and an invitation, and the most interesting knitting often happens in the space between a written pattern and a crafter’s
