Knitting projects that incorporate popular cultural symbols such as peace signs, awareness ribbons, ASL, and more. Updated 10/19/24.
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
All links on this site are for informational purposes, but please note that some links are to affiliate sellers that pay me a small commission on purchases.
Follow me for more patterns:
Free Patterns
Smile Slipover
Sleeveless top or vest with a smiley emoji on a striped background. Sizes 81cm/32in up to 122cm/48in. DK weight yarn. Designed by Elizabeth Penney. May only be free for a limited time.
ASL I Love You Cloth
This square features a hand forming American Sign Language for "I Love You." It can be used for an afghan block, dish or wash cloth, or other knitting projects. Designed by Ginny Davis
Hashtag Blanket
Just one strand of yarn per row! Fun throw knit in mosaic grid pattern in slip stitch colorwork. Use row by row instructions or chart. Approx 56"x 62". Designed by Bernat. Super bulky weight yarn.
#Hashtag Cowl
This cowl is a social media addict’s best accessory with its hashtag pattern in stranded colorwork. Super bulky yarn makes for a quick knit. Size is easily customized. Designed by Tanis Gray for Knitty.
Light Bulb
This soft toy is a perfect way to convey the message "You light up my life" or "That's a bright idea" or "Hope this brightens your day." Designed by Hennie. Pictured project in DK yarn but you can use any weight.
Peace Sign Hands Hat
Classic beanie-style toque with hands of different colors displaying the peace sign. Designed by Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wands for Lion Brand Yarn’s “Hat Not Hate” anti-bullying campaign. Web version is free. PDF download available on Etsy.
Green Travel Mug Cozies
Two cozies – one featuring a recycle symbol and the other abstract seedlings. Designed by Erica Jackofsky
YinYang Waves Mitts
Fingerless mitts with a yin yang motif in stranded colorwork. Designed by Etha Behrmann. Pictured projects by Pindalace and snieguolekil
Pink Ribbon Hat
This beanie features six cabled ribbons, separated by mini cables that work their way all the way up to the crown and join in the center. This hat could easily be made in a different color to support various causes. Designed by Carissa Browning. Pictured project by SandyHam
Cancer Support Ribbon Water Bottle Holder
This water bottle cozy features a cable design in the shape of awareness ribbons. It’s great for fund raising walks. This cozy can be made in a different color to support various causes. Designed by Diane M Scott
More Free Patterns
Spoons Up Mitts
Spoons have special meaning to those who suffer from chronic illness or disability and use Spoon Theory to describe how they face the their daily tasks with energy limits. These mitts feature spoons with a twisted chain motif between each. I think it might be interesting to knit them as arm warmers without the thumb and then turn the spoons up or down depending on how much energy you had to signal when you needed to rest or when you could keep going. Designed by Christine Terramane who was inspired by a variety of spoon meanings.
Peace, Love, and Happiness Wash Cloths
Set of quick cloths with peace sign, heart, and smiley face. Designed by Heather Mountain. Pictured projects by sweetp and mavmama
- Get the free pattern for Peace Wash Cloth
- Get the free pattern for Love Wash Cloth
- Get the free pattern for Happiness Wash Cloth
- See more Wash Cloth Knitting Patterns
Imagine Sweater
This long-sleeved pullover features a peace sign motif on a sweater with a modified drop shoulder and a rounded neckline with reverse-stockinette rolled edges that also appear at hem and cuffs. Designed by A. Karen Alfke. Sizes XS – XXXL
Smiley Face Cloth
Designed by Knit a Little Store.
Smiley Bobble Beanie Hat
This easy pompom hat pattern by madmonkeyknits features an intarsia smiley face.
Smiley Baby Blanket
Happiness Is Baby Blanket is a round baby blanket that’s a quick knit in super bulky yarn. 34″ Diameter. Designed by Robin Anneken
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Bernat Pipsqueak yarn on Amazon
- See more Circular Blanket knitting patterns
Peace Jacket
Long-sleeved cropped cardigan with a zip front and a colorwork peace symbol on the back. Sizes S/M [M/L]. Knit with two strands of worsted together. Designed by Jenifer Stark.
Grammar Police Props
This versatile toy softie can be used as a comma, apostrophe, or air quotes if you put a band on the back. Designed by Morgen Dämmerung. Pictured projects are by kantknitstraight, marimba, and Lily-Lemon
Binary Scarf
The perfect gift for the tech lover in your life, this scarf incorporates binary code into stranded colorwork knit as as a tube so the reverse is hidden. You can knit random 1s and 0s or use a binary translator to create a message for your scarf like “I love you” or the recipient’s name. Ravelrers have adapted this pattern to hats, mitts, cowls, baby clothes, and more. Designed by by Christine Dumoulin for Knitty Pictured project by Neetstoo who knit the names of her family in binary in her scarf.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Go to binarytranslator.com
- See more Math Inspired Knitting Patterns
Binary Baby Blanket
Double knit baby blanket with alphabet in binary code. Designed by Miranda Humphries
Clef Cloths
Easy wash or dish cloth with a treble or bass clef. Designed by Blue Pegasus Designs. Pictured project by Rosenresli
- Get the Bass Clef Dish Cloth free knitting pattern
- Get the Treble Clef Dish Cloth free knitting pattern
- See more Music Knitting Patterns
Egyptian Horus Block
This chart features the falcon that symbolizes Horus in Egyptian mythology holding ankh symbols. You can use it for double knitting, intarsia, duplicate stitch, or knit/purl relief techniques. Use for afghan blocks, pot holders, cloths and other projects. approximately 12” x 12” Designed by Phoebe Leigh-Suelflow
Pi Mitts
These fingerless mitts designed by Rabbit Zielke are worked flat and seamed. Pictured project by singingstitcher
Patterns for Purchase
Emoji Hat
The pattern has charts for 12 different emojies. Knit the emojies by stranded knitting, or embroider them on by using duplicate stitch explained in the pattern. The patterns also includes an optional ponytail / messy bun opening. Sizes: Toddler, (Child, Teenager), Adult. Designed by Yvonne B. Thorsen. Pictured project AlessandraVaccari
Knitting Patterns for Yin-Yang Placemat and Small Purse
Placemat size is 10” x 10”. The small bag is large enough for phone. Designed by knitvana.
Awareness Ribbon Cloth
Includes instructions for 2 sizes: LARGE: 12″W X 12″ H – SMALL: 7″W X 7 1/4″ H
Peace Sign Hat
Beanie with cable peace symbol.
Cape of Invisibility
The stranded colourwork in this cape is based on an Icelandic magical stave for disguise; in Icelandic, it is called Hulinhjalmur. The spell was supposed to prevent your enemies from seeing you. Sizes 36/38/40/42/44/46/48/50/52/54” around chest
Knitting for a Cure
This afghan is one of 18 designs from Knitting for a Cure. Other patterns include scarves, a hat, a headband, fingerless gloves, teapot cozy, hot water bottle cover, pillow, and more. Many feature breast cancer awareness ribbon.
Awe Spell Hat
The Helm of Awe beanie is an Icelandic sigil to induce fear in your enemies and to protect against abuses of power.
Flight Spell Sweater
The Take Flight Pullover Sweater colorwork is based on an old Icelandic spell for bewitching a horse to fly. SIZING: 36/38/40/42/44/46/48/50/52/54” around chest
