Free Blanket & Throw Knitting Patterns

Big projects, long evenings and a throw at the end of it

A blanket is a commitment, and that is rather the point. It is the project you keep by the sofa for months, pick up without thinking and finish with something genuinely useful. This collection covers free knitting patterns for throws, afghans, lap blankets, bedspreads and blanket squares, in every yarn weight from 4 ply to super chunky, and all of them download as PDFs. Because there is no fit to worry about, blankets are also the most forgiving place to try a stitch pattern, a colourwork technique or a new yarn.

Squares, strips or one big piece

How you construct a throw affects everything about how it feels to knit. Blanket squares are the most portable option, brilliant for using up leftovers and easy to swap between while travelling, but they need joining at the end and a lot of ends woven in. Strips give a good compromise: five or six long panels, only a handful of seams, and each strip can use a different stitch pattern. A single large piece needs no sewing at all, though the weight on your lap grows steadily and you will want a long circular needle to hold the stitches even though you are knitting flat. Mitred squares, log cabin and corner-to-corner constructions sit somewhere in between and all work beautifully with self-striping yarn.

Yarn weight and quantities

• DK on 4mm needles for a lighter, drapier throw that washes and dries easily. A single throw takes roughly 1.2-1.8kg.
• Aran on 5mm needles, the classic afghan weight, good for cables and Aran-style panels.
• Chunky and super chunky on 7-10mm needles for the fastest finish and a substantial sofa throw.
• 4 ply for fine heirloom bedspreads and lace panels, if you have the patience.
• Buy the full quantity up front in one dye lot.

Stitch patterns worth knowing

Garter stitch lies flat, looks the same both sides and needs only knit stitch, which is why it dominates beginner blankets. Moss stitch and double moss give texture without curl. Basketweave, chevrons and diagonal ridges add movement using nothing more than knits and purls. For more ambition there are cable panels, Fair Isle strips, brioche in two colours and intarsia picture blankets. Whatever you choose, remember that stocking stitch curls hard at every edge, so build in a border of at least six garter stitches on each side or plan to add a picked-up border later.

Working with colour

Blankets are where leftover yarn goes to become something. Scrap blankets work best with one unifying colour running through, either as the border of every square or as alternating stripes, which stops a rainbow of oddments looking chaotic. Check that all your leftovers are the same weight and the same care requirements before you combine them: a single non-superwash square in an otherwise machine-washable blanket will felt on the first hot wash.

Finishing, joining and blocking

Join squares with mattress stitch for an invisible seam, or a crochet slip stitch or double crochet join if you want the seam to be a visible design feature. Block individual squares before joining, not after; it is much easier and makes the pieces match. For a large finished throw, a wet block on the spare bed, pinned square and left to dry, sets everything straight. Weave in ends along seams rather than through the fabric, where they will show.

Care and everyday use

Wash by hand or on a wool cycle for wool blends, or a cool machine wash for acrylic and superwash. Never hang a wet blanket over a line, as the weight will stretch it out of shape; dry flat, turning it once. For a throw that lives on a sofa, machine-washable acrylic or a wool-acrylic blend is the sensible pick. For a bed quilt or a keepsake, pure wool ages far better.

Common questions

Are there easy blanket knitting patterns for beginners? Yes. Garter stitch and simple stripe designs need only the knit stitch and a colour change, and the size is entirely up to you.

Can I download the patterns as PDFs? Every pattern in this collection is a free download you can save and print.

How long does a knitted throw take? A super chunky lap blanket can be done in a week; a DK afghan in squares is usually a project of several months.

What size should a throw be? Around 120 x 150cm for a sofa throw, 100 x 120cm for a lap blanket, and 200 x 220cm for a double bed cover.

Where else should I look? Try our free baby blanket knitting patterns, go quick with free super chunky patterns, or practise a stitch first on a free dishcloth pattern.