Rice Stitch Afghan
A Free Knitting Pattern from Liz @PurlsAndPixels
Make a cozy Rice Stitch Afghan with this free knitting pattern. Choose your favorite yarn and color in worsted weight and you’ll be on your way to having your own custom, handmade throw blanket to decorate your cozy home.
The knitting pattern here will help you create an Afghan/throw blanket. If you’d like to make the smaller Rice Stitch Baby Blanket, you can find that pattern on its own page here.
Want to save this pattern forever in hardcover book knitting pattern collection? Get Liz Chandler’s Knitting Guide (lessons & patterns) or Liz Chandler’s Knitting the Simple Things (no lessons, just patterns).
How this Simple Throw Blanket is Made
Here, I’ll show you two ways to make the same blanket. Beginners might prefer using the Broken Rib Stitch, as it requires only basic knit and purl stitches. Or, you can knit it in the Rice Stitch, which introduces knitting through the back loop (ktbl). This is a great way to practice intentional stitch twisting. As you work through ktbl techniques, you’ll become better at recognizing twisted stitches, making it easier to catch and fix errors in future projects.
The Rice Stitch creates a fabric with a bit more twist. It also curls slightly less than the Broken Rib Stitch, though the difference is minimal. Whichever pattern you choose will yield almost the same blanket, so go with the one that suits you best.
Neaten knitted edges with slipped stitches
To tidy up the edges of your blanket, slip the first stitch off the needle as if to purl, without working it. On knit rows, keep the yarn at the back of your work when slipping the stitch, which I’ll abbreviate as “sl1pwyib.” On purl rows, hold the yarn in front when you slip the first stitch; this will be noted as “sl1pwyif.” For a detailed tutorial with a video demonstrating how to use slipped stitches for cleaner edges, follow this link.
The trickiest part of this blanket is staying on track with the pattern. It’s easy to accidentally knit two stitches and throw off the knit and purl sequence. Keep an eye on your stitch rows and columns, and refer to the pictures to ensure your pattern is coming together correctly. If you catch a mistake, you can always go back and fix it as needed.
Rice Stitch Afghan Free Knitting Pattern
Materials
- No. 8/5.0 MM 36” circular needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)
- Seven skeins Caron Simply Soft Worsted Weight Yarn in your preferred color (pictured in “Pagoda” above)
- Tapestry needle
Abbreviations
- k = knit
- p = purl
- sl1pwyif = slip one stitch purlwise with yarn in front
- sl1pwyib = slip one stitch purlwise with yarn in back
- ktbl = knit through the back loop
- ** = repeat the pattern between the asterisks
Gauge
18 stitches and 24 rows in stockinette stitch = 4 inches by 4 inches square
Instructions: Rice Stitch Afghan
(50 inches x 65 inches [127 cm x 165.1 cm])
Row 1: Cast on 203 stitches. Turn.
Row 2: sl1pwyif, *k1tbl, p* x 101 (203 stitches). Turn.
Row 3: sl1pwyib, k 202 (203 stitches). Turn.
Rows 4 – 364: Repeat Rows 2 and 3.
Row 365: sl1pwyif, *k1tbl, p* x 101. (203 stitches) Turn.
Row 366: Bind off in pattern of Row 3 with the same tension as the rest of the piece (do not bind off loosely like most other patterns instruct). Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch (20.32-cm) tail, and pull through. Weave in ends. Block if desired.
Instructions: Broken Rib Stitch Afghan
(50 inches x 65 inches [127 cm x 165.1 cm])
Row 1: Cast on 203 stitches. Turn.
Row 2: sl1pwyif, *k, p* x 101 (203 stitches). Turn.
Row 3: sl1pwyib, k 203 (203 stitches). Turn.
Rows 4 – 364: Repeat Rows 2 and 3.
Row 365: sl1pwyif, *k1tbl, p* x 101. (203 stitches) Turn.
Row 366: Bind off in pattern of Row 3 with the same tension as the rest of the piece (do not bind off loosely like most other patterns instruct). Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch (20.32-cm) tail, and pull through. Weave in ends. Block if desired.
Printable rice stitch blanket knitting pattern PDF by Liz @PurlsAndPixels
Size Notes
This blanket will be a 50-inch by 65-inch rectangle.
Care
If you use the materials called for in the Rice Stitch Afghan Free Knitting Pattern, your final product will be machine washable. To keep your blanket looking its best, hand wash or machine wash separately on delicate cycle in cold water. You may tumble dry on low heat or lay flat to dry.
Tip:
Keep this away from Velcro! Yarn and Velcro are never friends. Your blanket will absolutely snag if you lay it on a Velcro jacket or a toy with a Velcro seam. Other than that, these little blankets last for years if you make sure to wash them gently.
©2023, Liz Chandler of PurlsAndPixels.
This pattern is for personal use, gifting, and charitable donation of completed items. You may also sell handmade items created using this pattern. Do not copy this pattern and distribute it. If you’d like to share the pattern, refer your friends to my website, purlsandpixels.com so they may obtain a copy.
If you find any errors or have any questions, email purlsandpixels@gmail.com and I will do my best to help.
I’d love to see your finished work! Tag your photos with @PurlsAndPixels on Twitter or Instagram.
Knitting Pattern Keepsake Book
Love this free blanket knitting pattern? You can find it in both of my books, Liz Chandler’s Knitting Guide (lessons and patterns) and Liz Chandler’s Knitting the Simple Things (patterns only). Add one to your knitting pattern book collection today. Shop Books at PurlsAndPixels.