How to Knit Stripes Magically with Mitered Squares: A Tutorial & 11 Free Patterns

Knitting mitered squares is a fun way to make beautiful square and square-based projects that feel like magic

Do you love the look of stripes?

Do you love the look of stripes but find the knitting of said stripes a little boring at times? Particularly if you’re knitting something square?

If this describes you, then you’ll want to become familiar with the mitered square!

This might just be my favorite way to knit squares. If you’re familiar with knitting on the bias–that is, diagonally-produced knitting–making mitered squares is a lot like it. The difference is that while knitting on the bias usually begins with one stitch and increase every row until you get to your desired width, this process is reversed in mitered squares.

You’ll start by casting on to create two sides of the square. Then you’ll gradually decrease until you’re left with one stitch, at which point, you’re finished!

Below you’ll see some mitered squares that I knitted for my local prayer shawl group a few years ago. (You can tell this photo was taken pre-blocked, as they’re a little wonky.) The striped side is where I cast on for each of these squares. Partway through each of them, I switched from striping to a solid color.

You’ll probably notice the diagonal line that runs through the center of these squares. That line is one of my favorite parts of mitered squares; I think it looks so sharp.

My very favorite thing about knitting mitered squares is the way the number of stitches left to knit decreases as the fabric itself grows. Not only does the square seem to finish more quickly, but my mind tells me “look at how little left you have to knit!”, which makes me feel more accomplished more quickly. 😁

A Quick Mitered Knitting Tutorial

These are the basic instructions I use to create all my mitered squares.

Aside from your yarn and needles, the only special tool you’ll need is a stitch marker. (If you lose them as often as I do, you’ll probably want a few on hand.)

And aside from knit stitches, there’s just one “special” technique you’ll need: slip, knit two together, and pass slipped stitch over. (This is explained in the instructions below.)

To start, cast on an odd number of stitches. Let’s say… that number is 33.

Row 1: Knit all stitches.

Row 2: Knit, then stop one stitch before the center stitch of the row. So, if you’ve cast on 33 stitches, you’ll knit 15 stitches.
Slip the next stitch, knit the next 2 together (K2tog), then pass the slipped stitch over the stitch that you got when you knitted 2 together (PSSO). Slip the finished stitch to your working needle (for most people, this will be your left needle, unless you perform left-handed knitting).
Place a stitch marker, then slip the finished stitch back to your holding needle (for right-handed knitters, your right needle). Knit to the end of the row.

Row 3: Knit all stitches.

Row 4: Knit until one stitch before the marker, slip, remove marker, K2tog, PSSO, slide stitch to working needle, replace marker, slide stitch back to holding needle, knit to the end the row.

Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you’re left with 3 stitches after the second row.

To finish: Knit all 3 stitches together, cut the yarn, and pull out the final stitch to secure the end. Weave in your ends, and you’re finished!

Patterns that Feature Mitered Squares: Strictly Squares

Are you intrigued by mitered squares? Take a look at the smorgasbord of patterns below featuring mitered squares!

Shadow Magic

• What you’ll need to make it: To follow the pattern exactly (with the same number of colors), about 32 yards each of 16 different colors DK-weight yarn, along with about 64 yards of gray DK-weight yarn and 332 yards white DK-weight yarn; US Size 3 needles

• Why you’ll want to: This fascinating pattern comes from the great Frankie Brown. This is a pillow pattern that creates the illusion of shadows beneath the individual mitered squares. It’s such a great way to use up scraps of multiple colors of yarn.

Mitered Square Throw and Pillow

• What you’ll need to make them: About 2200 yards worsted weight yarn (in different colors to make the designs pop); US Size 10 and 10.5 circular needles, at least 32 inches long

• Why you’ll want to: This pattern is actually a set of two simple patterns. They combine a series of mitered squares to result in a matching pillow and throw blanket.

Itchy Scratchy Rug Recipe

• What you’ll need to make it: Whatever leftover hard-wearing wool yarn, in bulky and/or worsted weights, you have; US Size 13 needles

• Why you’ll want to: This ingenious designer found the perfect project to use up itchy, scratchy wool that no one would ever want to wear next to their skin: a rug! You can use any yarn that feels too scratchy or stiff or otherwise uncomfortable for clothes or accessories.

Knitted Patchwork Recipe

• What you’ll need to make it: Many, many, many different colors of leftover yarn, in any weight; whatever size of needles you need for the gauge of the yarn you’re using.

• Why you’ll want to: Less of a pattern and more of a “recipe,” this pattern shows you how to can take any leftover yarn, create mitered squares out of them, and then put them together to create any of a number of project types: quilts, scarf, cushion covers, and more.

God’s Eye Blanket

• What you’ll need to make it: Any weight of yarn, at least 400 yards but possibly as many as a couple thousand yards (for a very large blanket); whatever size of needles you need to match the gauge of the yarn you’re using.

• Why you’ll want to: This blanket design uses mitered squares to create blocks reminiscent of the “God’s Eye” crafts I did in Girl Scouts (and many of you probably made these crafts at some point growing up!). This is another great use for leftover yarn.

Fabulous Patterns Featuring Mitered Squares that Aren’t Quite Square…

These patterns that feature mitered squares aren’t actually square-shaped, but they show just how versatile mitered squares can be!

Mitered Phone Cozy

• What you’ll need to make it: 40 to 50 yards of fingering weight yarn; US Size 3 needles

• Why you’ll want to: This is a fun and quick way to use mitered squares to create an utterly practical project. If you have beautiful leftover sock yarn that you’d like to knit into quick gifts or even for fundraising projects, this pattern could be just what you need.

Mighty Miters Handbag

• What you’ll need to make it: About 400 yards of fingering weight yarn (if you want to felt it afterwards, it will need to be 100% wool); US Size 3 to 5 needles

• Why you’ll want to: What a fun way to use and display all the leftovers of sock yarn you’ve loved in the past — knit them together into a handbag!

Mitered Scarf Pattern

• What you’ll need to make it: 985 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 8 needles

• Why you’ll want to: You can absolutely use mitered squares to create a scarf. This Lion Brand pattern does so in a most beautiful way, with an interesting diamond-and-triangle design.

Mitered Hanging Towel

• What you’ll need to make it: 244 yards worsted weight cotton yarn; US Size 7 needles

• Why you’ll want to: This will forever be my favorite hand towel pattern. It makes a wonderful gift! These (left) are the towels I knitted for a friend for her bridal shower.

Shaded Mitered Hat

• What you’ll need to make it: 151 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 10.5 DPNs and/or circular knitting needles (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round)

• Why you’ll want to: Using the mitered square technique doesn’t have to be restricted to flat projects. Here’s a beautiful, fun hat pattern that uses mitered squares in a circular-knit project!

Mitered Diamond Poncho

• What you’ll need to make it: About 1100 yards of worsted or heavy worsted weight yarn (in as many colors as you wish); US Size 8 needles

• Why you’ll want to: This pattern is so clever and gorgeous! It’s basically a square made out of mitered squares with a collar added and a little sewing to create a poncho. Beautiful and creative and I want to make one now!

Knitting stripes with mitered squares will give you a whole new perspective on just how fun knitting stripes–and knitting, in general–can be. Why not give it a try?