Knit doily patterns are the perfect project for anyone who loves a challenge and wants to add a touch of vintage flair to their space. Whether you’re using them as table toppers, wall art, or even part of wearable designs, there’s no limit to what you can do with these gorgeous pieces. The beauty of a knit doily lies in its delicate stitches and lacy textures, but don’t be fooled – some of them are a lot easier than they look!

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the history of these dainty wonders. Knit doilies have been around for centuries, with their roots traced back to Europe in the 19th century. They became a staple in many households, often used to protect furniture from scratches or spills. But they were also a way for skilled knitters to show off their talents, especially during a time when fine needlework was considered a highly valued skill. Today, doilies are not only functional but also a nod to those rich traditions of craft and creativity.

Knit doily patterns come in a stunning array of styles. You’ll find everything from classic circular designs with intricate lacework to star-shaped, hexagonal, and even rectangular designs. Some knitters love to experiment with colors, turning the traditional white doily into a vibrant piece of art. Whether you want something simple or are craving an elaborate challenge with plenty of twists, turns, and lacey stitches, there’s a pattern out there with your name on it.

Ready to dive into the world of knit doily patterns? These designs are sure to capture your imagination and keep your needles busy for hours. Let’s explore some of the best and most beautiful designs out there and discover how you can create your own little piece of handmade elegance. Scroll down and prepare to be inspired!

1. The Little Flower Doily

A beautiful floral motif is the central element to this show stopping doily design. Special techniques include twisted stitches, double vertical decreases, left and right leaning decreases, and a crochet cast off. The decorative edges on this design make it particularly striking and are sure to attract many compliments.

Designer: BadCatDesigns
Yarn: DMC Cébélia 10 (Size 10 Thread)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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2. Beeton’s Dahlia Doily

Doilies with irregular edges like this dazzling star-shaped design are sure to impress. The pattern starts out with working in rows and then transitions to working in the round. At the very end, you’ll finish off the individual points of the star by working in rows again. For this design, you’ll be using knit and purl stitches along with knit 2 togethers, knit 3 togethers, and SK2P’s.

Designer: Vicki Monthei
Yarn: Aunt Lydia’s Classic 10 Crochet Thread (Size 10 Thread)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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3. Valentine Heart Doily

A ring of stunning lace hearts form the beautiful border of this classic round doily design. Often you will see knit doily patterns in white yarn or thread, but the bold red hue used here is particularly perfect for Valentine’s celebrations. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches as well as yarn overs, knit 2 togethers, SSK’s, and S2KP’s.

Designer: Nazanin S. Fard for Yarnspirations
Yarn: Aunt Lydia’s Fashion 3 Crochet Thread (Size 3 Thread)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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4. Christmas Bell

Speaking of celebrations, this bell shaped doily is a great project choice for Christmas time. It’s only about 6 inches tall, so it could even be used as an ornament for the tree. Size up on the thread and the corresponding needle size if you’d like your bell to turn out a little bigger. Special stitches include knit stitches through the back loop, SSK’s, and SSP’s.

Designer: Larisa Valeeva Designs
Yarn: Seam Anna 16 Thread
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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5. Flower Doily

The solid stitchwork of this pretty 8-petal flower stands out nicely against the lacy border. Guests are sure to delight in this design when they see it displayed on your table or countertop. It really strikes a nice balance between vintage and modern. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches along with yarn overs, PSSO’s, and stitches knit together.

Designer: Coats Design Team
Yarn: Aunt Lydia’s Bamboo Crochet (Size 10 Thread)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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6. Graphica Doily

The next one of our knit doily patterns brings a modern vibe to the bunch. All the interesting lines and angles in this design really make it into a little work of art. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches as well as knit 2 togethers, yarn overs, slipped stitches, and twisted stitches. It is knit in the round from the center out.

Designer: Gisela Beyer
Yarn: DMC Cébélia 20 (Size 20 Thread)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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7. Dandelion

The floral inspiration behind this design is the source of some contention. After all, some people see weeds and some people see wishes when they look at dandelions. If you are among the latter, then you can celebrate this whimsical bloom by making this adorable doily. Special techniques include twisted stitches, left and right leaning decreases, and double vertical decreases.

Designer: BadCatDesigns
Yarn: Nazli Gelin Garden 10 (Size 10 Thread)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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8. Lace Flower Doily

For some reason this next design also reminds me of a dandelion. I love the central floral motif and the decorative edges. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches as well as yarn overs, knit 2 togethers, and SKP’s. If you use the same yarn and needles, your finished product should be just shy of 1 foot when it’s all blocked.

Designer: Knitting on the Net
Yarn: DK Weight #3
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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9. Butterick’s 7-Pointed Doily

There are plenty of knit doily patterns out there in the shape of hexagons, but this one is special in that it is a heptagon. The central motif reminds me of a pinwheel and I love how the swirling design starts in the center with a bit of lacework. For this design, you’ll be using knit and purl stitches along with yarn overs, knit 2 togethers, and SKP’s.

Designer: Vicki Monthei
Yarn: Aunt Lydia’s Classic 10 Crochet Thread (Size 10 Thread)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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10. Christmas Tree

If you are making a doily for a special occasion, then it can be fun to select a specially shaped design. This christmas-tree shaped doily is perfect for celebrating everyone’s favorite winter holiday. It would also be fun to string a few of these together to make a pretty lace garland decoration. Special techniques include knit 2 togethers, SSK’s, and short row shaping. It is knit in rows.

Designer: Larisa Valeeva Designs
Yarn: Kirov Yarn Mills Camomile (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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11. Pinwheel Doily 1

You see a lot of white doilies, so it can be particularly refreshing to see a doily in a different color like this pretty shade of blue. This pinwheel design doily is a good size to use as a placemat or underneath a small potted plant. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches, yarn overs, slip slip knits, and PSSO’s. It is available in both charted and written formats.

Designer: Knitting Fool
Yarn: None specified
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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12. Promenade Doily

A self striping sock yarn adds an extra special coloring to this hypnotizing doily design. The interesting thing about this pattern is that it is worked from the outside in, so there’s not really any binding off. It’s actually easier to make than most designs too, because it only calls for knit stitches, knit 2 togethers, and yarn overs.

Designer: Tiny Knit
Yarn: Noro Kureyon Sock (Light Fingering Weight #0)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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13. Subtle Romance

I love how the more intricate knit doily patterns really give knitters the opportunity to show off their skills. This is certainly one of those designs that you are going to want to brag about upon completion (and rightfully so!). Special techniques include both single and double left and right leaning decreases, central double decreases, and twisted stitches.

Designer: Malissa Ackerman Lightfoot
Yarn: None specified
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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14. Star Tidy

You can make this octagonal doily with or without the extension on the one side. On its own, it’s a beautiful doily with a swirly star motif. With the extension, you can easily attach multiple pieces together like a jigsaw to create a larger project. The pattern calls for just knit stitches, yarn overs, and knit 2 togethers.

Designer: Eva Marie Niles
Yarn: Perle Cotton 5 (Size 5 Thread)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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15. Laura Star

Oftentimes when knitting doilies you won’t be able to see the true beauty of what you are creating until it comes time to block it, like in the pictured doily. There may some moments along the way where you have to “trust the process” but that will just make the finishing steps more satisfying. The pattern calls for knit and slip stitches as well as yarn overs, knit 2 togethers, and PSSO’s.

Designer: The Panopticon
Yarn: Kristin Omdahl Yarns Be So Fine (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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16. Easy Short Row mat

This is probably the most non-traditional of the knit doily patterns we are featuring today but I just couldn’t pass it up. I love the way that the self striping yarn highlights how the work is knit in rows, rather than in the round. Short row shaping has you create the disc one little slice at a time. The pattern calls for knit, purl, and slip stitches as well as short row shaping techniques.

Designer: Vicki Monthei
Yarn: Lana Grossa Meilenweit 100 Cotone Vegano (Light Fingering Weight #0)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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17. Apple Leaf Tidy

A “tidy” is a type of doily that is rectangular in shape and worked in rows rather than in the round. This is a nice size doily for a placemat or you can add extra rows to make a stunning table runner instead. If you made it in a nice self-striping yarn with warm shades of orange and yellow, it would be perfect for Autumn. For this design, you’ll be using knit and purl stitches, knit 2 togethers, yarn overs, and PSSO’s.

Designer: Home Work
Yarn: Panda (Australia) Regal 4ply (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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18. Two Needle Doilies

If you don’t like knitting in the round (especially starting with only a handful of stitches) then check this out! This collection of 5 vintage designs from 1917 is made using straight knitting needles and working in back and forth rows. The patterns call for knit and purl stitches as well as knit 2 togethers, purl 2 togethers, and PSSO’s.

Designer: knitting-and.com
Yarn: No. 50 crochet cotton thread
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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19. Governor’s Lady Doily

It’s no secret that doilies are vintage, but it always tickles my fancy to learn the original ages of some of these designs. For instance, this pretty doily design was first published in a knitting magazine in 1941! The pattern calls for knit and slip stitches as well as knit 2 togethers and PSSO’s. Notably, there are no purl stitches.

Designer: The Spool Cotton Company
Yarn: Clark’s O.N.T. Six Cord Mercerized Crochet 20
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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20. Treasure Piece Doily #3-52

Legend says that if you stare into the center of this doily for too long you may fall into a deep state of hypnosis. Okay, I actually just made that up, but it could still be true. This doily design features a central swirl motif with 8 spokes. The pattern calls for knit and slip stitches, yarn overs, PSSO’s, and knit 5 togethers.

Designer: Royal Society
Yarn: DMC Cébélia 30 (Size 30 Thread)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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21. Square Doily 6

In a sea of circular shaped doily designs, sometimes you need to think inside the box to stand out from the crowd. This striking doily is one of 8 square shaped designs. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches as well as slip slip knits, PSSO’s, and stitches worked through the back loops. It has a crocheted edging.

Designer: Knitting Fool
Yarn: None specified
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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22. Christmas Doily

Do you recognize the central motif of this next doily design? What if it was red? That’s right, this design captures the essence of a classic Christmas poinsettia. Whether you use it to decorate your table or as part of a holiday display, this beautiful doily brings an elegant, handmade charm to any festive setting. Special techniques include twisted stitches, central double decreases, and slip slip knits.

Designer: LittleBlueClipperDesigns
Yarn: Creativ Company Cotton no 8 (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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23. Ivy Tidy

Rows of solid interlocking leaves against a background of delicate knit lace call to mind strands of ivy climbing up a trellis. This square shaped design would make a wonderful placemat or protective table covering to go underneath a potted plant. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches as well as yarn overs, knit 2 togethers and slip slip knits.

Designer: Eva Marie Niles
Yarn: Fingering Weight #1
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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24. Pineapple Prisms Doily

6 stunning diamonds form the central motif of this fruit-inspired doily design. It is recommended to start out by using 7 double pointed needles, so this project is not for the faint of heart. Luckily, you will be able to switch to a circular needle after a few rounds. Special techniques include SK2P’s, Knit 4 togethers, and central double decreases.

Designer: Donna Jones
Yarn: Lily Mills Co. Antique Crochet & Knitting Cotton Thread
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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25. Easter Sun

I’ve never seen a doily quite like this before! This design is sure to impress with it’s double color scheme and stunning star shape. Prepare for plenty of compliments when you have this piece as the center of your tablescape. The pattern calls for the brioche tuck method with 2 colors of yarn. It’s a challenging project with a satisfying result.

Designer: Gyda K
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Nepal (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Knit doilies are more than just beautiful accents – they’re a testament to the artistry and skill that knitting can bring to life. With a rich history and endless design possibilities, knitting doilies allows you to blend tradition with your personal style. So grab your needles, pick a pattern, and start creating your own timeless treasures!

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Happy Knitting!