Free knitting patterns for blankets, clothes, accessories using the tumbling block design. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 9/18/24
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.
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Free Patterns
Light and Shadow Blanket
Two-color brioche version of the tumbling blocks design with an amazing 3D effect. The pattern includes instructions for a triangular shawl or a square baby blanket. Fingering weight yarn. LuS Licht und Schatten designed by Edith "dieDita" Frank. Available in English and German/ Pictured project by Rikered
Cubic Scarf
A reversible scarf knitted using double knitting in a tumbling block design. DK weight yarn. Designed by Laura Ponce de León. Pictured project by ien2. Available in English and Spanish
Splatter Tumbling Blocks Baby Blanket
Easy baby blanket knit in a classic illusion cube texture with a 24 row repeat. Size: 36in x 43in. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Susie Bonell.
Sointu Triangular Shawl
Lace triangle shawl with deep pleated rib border. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Sari Nordlund for Novita.
Cubes Pullover
A top-down circular yoke Fair-Isle sweater, with a geometric design around yoke and thumbholes in the cuffs. Sizes XS to 3X. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Lauren Smith for Knitty. Pictured project by mybonnykate
Tumbling Blocks Afghan Throw
Blanket knit with intarsia diamonds and lozenges to create an optical illusion of three dimensional blocks. Knit with 15 colors of Aran weight yarn, it's great for stash busting. Designed by Lion Brand. Pictured project by MamaBearKnits
Jirachi Tee
Stretchy lace short-sleeved pullover sweater knit with a cable and lace design that resembles the illusion cube design. Named for the star-shaped Pokemon, Jirachi, who has the power to grant wishes, this can also look like star shapes when looked at from a different perspective. Sizes XS to 3X. DK weight yarn. Designed by Karen Clark for Knitty. Pictured project by mybonnykate
Light and Shadow Shawl
Shawl knit from tip to base in a two-color brioche version of the tumbling blocks design with an amazing 3D effect. The pattern includes instructions for a triangular shawl or a square baby blanket. Fingering weight yarn. LuS Licht und Schatten designed by Edith "dieDita" Frank. Available in English and German. Pictured project by vesalia
New Day Knit Bag
Rectangular bag knit flat with a tumbling blocks geometric texture. Strap included to wear crossbody. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Peppergoose (Susannah Kate). Web version is free
Tumbling Blocks Blanket
Easy baby blanket or throw that uses just knit and purl stitches to create a geometric three dimensional texture. 2 sizes Crib and Throw. DK weight yarn. Designed by Purl Soho.
More Free Patterns
Penrose Clutch
Small rectangular, zipped, and lined bag with a geometric pattern diamond tessellation or tumbling blocks texture. DK weight yarn. Designed by Najlaa CHAFIK.
Cubist Socks
Cuff down heel flap socks knit with a tumbling block texture. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Cookie A.
Upscale Tumbling Blocks Throw
Colourful and eye-catching throw designed by Kaffe Fassett using the iconic tumbling blocks pattern worked with intarsia. Great stash buster! Designed by Kaffe Fassett for Rowan. Worsted weight yarn.
Oasis Cardigan
This kimono cardigan featuring a geometric pattern in a tumbling blocks texture. Sizes 38 to 65 inches/95 to 163 cm. Designed by Letizia De Antoniis for Yarnalia. Worsted weight yarn.
Stack Up Blocks Blanket
Afghan knit in a tumbling blocks stitch pattern that gives a 3-dimensional look in only knit and purl stitches. Written instructions or chart. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Bernat for Joanns.
Cable and Lace Shawl
This shawl creates an illusion of cubes with cable and lace design, like a lace version of tumbling blocks. It also can be seen as a windmill or butterfly pattern when looked at from another perspective. Uses less than one skein of Fingering weight yarn. Schal "Blaue Schmetterlinge" designed by C.Lotte. Available in English and German
Tumbling Blocks Vest
V-neck pullover unisex vest knit with tumbling blocks with intarsia. Sizes S, M, L, XL. Designed for 10 colors, it's a great stash buster for Aran weight yarn. Designed by Lion Brand. Pictured project by clarkr120
Reversible Asherton Scarf
This geometric tumbling blocks pattern looks the same on both sides. The geometric effect depends on how much you block it. It can look very sharp with blocking as in the pictured project or more wavy without much blocking. Designed by SmarieK. Pictured project by Carmela-Biscuit who also created a chart.
Tumbling Blocks Afghan
Three color throw inspired by the three dimensional look quilt design. Bulky yarn. Designed by Lion Brand Yarn. Pictured project by musicalewok
Optical Illusion Cloth
Inspired by the traditional Tumbling Blocks quilt pattern, this pattern creates a cloth or potholder that looks like a 3D cube. Designed by Barbara Breiter. Pictured project by Imara. Gauge is very important to make sure the paralleograms create the right shape.
Tumbling Blocks Lapghan
Blanket with a textured design that looks like three dimensional cubes in knit and purl stitches. Size Approx. 38”x 42” which is perfect for lap or baby blanket. Designed by Cascade Yarns. Aran weight yarn.
Patterns for Purchase
Tumbling Blocks Blanket
This fabulous throw uses two shades and contrast stitches of moss stitch and stocking stitch to create a classic tumbling blocks pattern in texture. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Debbie Bliss
Lacy Baby Blocks Blanket
Lace variation on the classic Tumbling Blocks knitting pattern. Light DK or Sport weight yarn. Designed by heaventoseven
Falling Blocks Hat
Unique hat which uses the technique of double-knitting to create two separate layers with two distinct patterns, a classic tumbling blocks pattern and an Armenian cable motif. 4 Sizes. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Alasdair Post-Quinn
Tumbling Block Baby Blanket
Double knit reversible blanket knit with an illusion cube design with two colors and two strands held together. Size 37X31 inches. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Lijuan Jing
Shadow Boxes Hat
Reversible hat based on the tumbling-blocks pattern, reduced to two colors and further reduced by removing strips of the blocks, creating the illusion of blocks that fade into the background. 4 Sizes. DK weight yarn. Designed by Alasdair Post-Quinn
Tumbling Blocks Hat
Baby fair isle hat with a pattern inspired by quilts. Sizes 0-3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 2T+. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by LittleRedWindow
Large Scale Tumbling Blocks Jacket
Flared sleeve cardigan with intarsia tumbling block design. Sizes 28 to 62" /71 to 157 cm. Marled look created by knitting with two strands DK weight yarn. Designed by Kaffe Fasset
Tumbling Blocks Baby Hoodie
Baby hooded cardigan knit with a knit and purl tumbling block texture. Size age 0-3 months. DK weight yarn. Designed by Carol's Creations
Tumbling Blocks Cowl
Colorful cowl knit with an intarsia tumbling block design that has a 3D look. Inside is a solid color so you can roll to form a contrasting collar. Perfect for stashbusting and using up leftover scraps of fingering weight yarn. Designed by Vanessa Ewing
