Today I'm Going To Be Sampler - Knitting Pattern For Home in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

Today I'm Going To Be Sampler – Knitting Pattern for Home in MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino

The Today I'm Going To Be Sampler is a charming decorative knitted home accessory designed by MillaMia. This beginner-friendly knitting pattern produces a finished piece measuring approximately 35cm/13¾in wide by 18.5cm/7¼in high, making it an ideal size for display as a framed piece, a wall hanging, or a thoughtful handmade gift. The sampler features an inspirational motto worked onto a simple knitted background, creating a meaningful and decorative homeware item that is as enjoyable to make as it is to display.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a one-size knitted sampler — a flat rectangular panel in the tradition of classic textile samplers, updated here with a modern, uplifting message. The finished piece is intended as a piece of home decoration, combining the simplicity of stocking stitch knitting with the decorative technique of Swiss darning to create crisp, bold lettering on the surface of the fabric. The result is a polished, professional-looking piece that belies its beginner skill level.

Techniques Used

The Today I'm Going To Be Sampler is worked using the worked flat technique, meaning the knitted panel is constructed back and forth in rows on a standard pair of knitting needles rather than in the round. This straightforward approach makes the pattern highly accessible to those new to knitting.

The defining decorative technique used in this pattern is Swiss darning, also widely known as duplicate stitch. This is an embroidery method worked on top of a completed knitted fabric, where yarn is threaded onto a needle and used to trace over individual knitted stitches, effectively duplicating them in a contrasting colour. Swiss darning is particularly well suited to adding lettering and motifs to knitted pieces because it produces a crisp, pronounced finish that stands out clearly against the background fabric. The pattern notes that while the motif could alternatively be constructed using traditional colourwork techniques, Swiss darning is specifically recommended for achieving the most defined and visually striking result.

For knitters who are new to Swiss darning, the pattern suggests looking online for basic tutorials to get started with this technique before beginning the embroidery stage of the project.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) — the entire knitted background panel is worked in stocking stitch, which creates a smooth, flat fabric surface that is ideal for Swiss darning. Stocking stitch is formed by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows when working flat.
• Swiss darning / duplicate stitch — worked as a surface embroidery technique after the knitting is complete, using a tapestry or yarn needle to overlay the contrasting colour yarn across existing stitches to form the motto lettering.

Materials

Yarn

The pattern calls for MillaMia Naturally Soft Merino, a sport weight yarn sold in 50g/1¾oz balls. This yarn is a 100% merino wool, known for its softness, stitch definition, and smooth finish — all qualities that make it particularly well suited to both stocking stitch and Swiss darning. Two colours are required:

• Midnight 101 (M) — the main colour used for the background panel
• Snow 124 (C) — the contrast colour used for the Swiss darned motto lettering

The pattern also suggests several alternative colourways for those who wish to personalise their sampler. Suggested pairings include Pitch Black 125 with Ice 100, and Daisy Ice with Ice 142, offering a range of moods from bold and graphic to soft and delicate.

Needles

• A pair of 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles is recommended for the knitted background panel.

Tension / Gauge

The stated tension is 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10cm/4in square over stocking stitch using 3.25mm (US 3) needles.