Find the best collection of mosaic knitting patterns here in this free pattern round-up – makes of all types and for all skill levels!
If knitting projects that involve more than one color make you break out in hives, then you haven’t tried mosaic knitting yet. If stranded colorwork makes you confused, then you might be thinking that colorwork just isn’t for you. Rest assured that mosaic knitting is easy enough for even beginner knitters!
Knitters in the know can tell you why this knitting technique is just so magical. If you can knit stitch and slip stitch, then you can master mosaic knitting. It is that easy! But the absolute best part about mosaic knitting is that you only have to work with one color at a time. Yes, really!
Learning how to mosaic knit will unlock so many doors for you. You might be surprised at the range of looks you can achieve with this one technique! We have free mosaic knitting patterns for bold geometric designs, projects that mimic the look of weaving, and designs that blend two colors to create countless color combinations. (say that 10 times fast!!)
As far as the projects themselves go, you’ll just have to see for yourself. I don’t want to spoil too much for you. We’ve got a great variety of projects for you today. There’s everything from wearables to accessories, to home decor, and more! Why don’t you scroll down and see for yourself?
25 Amazing FREE Mosaic Knitting Patterns
Mosaic stitch, which is great for creating a bit stiffer texture than its colorwork cousins, is a great quality to have in a basket. This fun checkerboard mosaic pattern reminds me of a picnic basket, and the bright green palette is like the sweet taste of spring. The pattern is knit in the round and it features a cord drawstring.
Designer: Margie Dougherty for Knitting Today
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Solids (Aran Weight #4)
Of course, not all free mosaic knitting patterns are fancy and patterned. This cozy turtleneck sweater is an excellent example of something else that Mosaic does very well - transitions! You might want to note the color block design transitions from solid blue to a mix of blue and green to solid green. The pattern is worked flat in Fisherman’s rib stitch.
Designer: Patons UK
Yarn: Patons UK Merino Extrafine DK (DK Weight #3)
Do you know someone who would love to receive these striking blue and green gloves? The simple geometric design is accentuated by the nice contrast between the two colors. I think that these gloves would work well for both guys and gals. The pattern is available in two adult sizes. It’s worked in the round using rib stitch and stockinette, creating a textured feel that adds to their appeal.
Designer: Snapper Knits
Yarn: (Fingering Weight #1)
The Mosaic Floral Pillow is a colorful nod to the 70s with its bright orange background and its fabulous flower centerpiece. The colors are reversed on the back for a fun contrast and to even out the amount of each color of yarn used. The front and back half of the pillow are each worked separately in back and forth rows and then seamed together along the edges. This design not only showcases a vibrant aesthetic but also highlights the durability and texture of the fiber used.
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn: Caron One Pound (Aran Weight #4)
Choosing a more refined color palette and understated motif results in free mosaic knitting patterns that are sophisticated and stylish. This gorgeous and cozy blanket scarf would fit right in at an art museum or a fancy restaurant. It’s the perfect solution for someone who’s always cold but needs to keep it classy.
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn: Patons North America Lincoln Fog (Bulky Weight #5)
You can never have too many totes! They are great to have on hand for groceries, trips to the library, and weekend getaways. They’re also a great way to hone your mosaic knitting skills. The Slip Stitch Mosaic Tote is a good choice for a quick weekend project. The striking geometric design is worked flat.
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice (Aran Weight #4)
Did you know that free mosaic knitting patterns can mimic the look of weaving? The trick is to incorporate a lot of different colors. The Confetti Fringe Pillow is a great project for using up scrap yarn and employs the mosaic knitting technique, making it ideal for beginners. It’s also beginner-friendly! The pillow is worked in the round using just knit and slip stitches, which are fundamental to mosaic knitting.
Designer: Donna Herron for Felt Magnet
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (Worsted Weight Yarn #4)
The Tweed Stitch Rectangular Case is a cute and colorful way to safely store all your knitting goodies. It would also work well as a pencil bag or a makeup bag. Rows of rainbow yarn alternate with rows of beige yarn for a fun and colorful contrast. The design is worked flat in one piece, folded in half, and then seamed along the sides. Add a zipper and you’re done!
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn: Lily Sugar'n Cream Solids & Denim (Worsted Weight #4)
Many free mosaic knitting patterns seem to favor stockinette, but squishy garter stitch can look just as nice! The Hint of Heather set includes a generously sized cowl and a cozy pair of mittens. Everything is worked flat in a garter stitch, so you don’t have to do a single pesky purl stitch.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Nord (Fingering Weight #1)
The Pretty Kitty Bed is rated an easy-level pattern thanks to the ease of working with super bulky yarn and the relative simplicity of the colorwork design. Of course, it’s also just easy because mosaic knitting tends to be easier than other types of colorwork. The design is knit in the round and it appears to be kitty approved!
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Hometown USA (Super Bulky Weight #6)
You can add interest and detail to a color block design with a bit of mosaic knitting. This smart-looking jacket looks like it just came off the rack! The pieces for the jacket are all worked flat and then seamed together. The design features a wide collar, drop sleeves, and an interesting zipper. Beautiful in its simplicity, the jacket is both stylish and practical.
Designer: Wallace Shaw for Tahki Stacy Charles Website
Yarn: Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic (DK Weight #3)
Combining two neutral colors of yarn that are similar to each other yields a subtle plaid pattern that is nothing short of gorgeous. The pattern is knit in the round as a tube using just knit and slip stitches. This makes the scarf twice as thick for an extra dash of coziness that doesn’t skimp on the drape. This is a great way to create a scarf that is both stylish and warm.
Designer: Rachel Brockman for Universal Yarn
Yarn: Rozetti Yarns Alaska (DK Weight #3)
Bigger is better when it comes to free mosaic knitting patterns for blankets. Super bulky yarn makes short work of this soft and cozy throw from Yarnspirations. A simple geometric pattern forms the striking surface of this luscious lap blanket. The clever design works the garter stitch edging along with the main blanket, so you don’t have to worry about making a border after.
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn: Bernat Blanket (Super Bulky Weight #6)
The next one of our free mosaic knitting patterns is pure fun. If you need, you can use between 2 and 7 different colors of yarn to make this colorful dotted hat. The pattern is worked in the round from the brim up and the dots of color get larger the further you get up the hat. Top it off with a big and bright pom pom for maximum effect!
Designer: The Knitting Times
Yarn: WOOLADDICTS by LANGYARNS EARTH (Bulky Weight #5)
Juggling 3 colors is a simpler feat with the mosaic colorwork technique since you only have to work with 1 color at a time. The blue and green shades remind me of beach glass, and the ecru color is a spot-on match for the color of the sand. Gauge is an important aspect to consider in this project to ensure the right fit and look. The free mosaic knitting pattern includes a video tutorial for the sea spray stitch.
Designer: At Yarn’s Length
Yarn: Lily Sugar'n Cream Solids & Denim (Worsted Weight #4)
This design starts and ends with a few rows of ribbing and it incorporates an icord edging along the sides for a polished finish. That means that there’s no extra work you need to do when you’re finished knitting, other than weaving in your ends. The mosaic pattern is relaxing, repetitive, and easy to memorize, making it a great choice for those interested in blanket knitting patterns.
Designer: Kitty Wilson
Yarn: Knit Picks Dishie Solids (Worsted Weight #4)
How many different colors can you count in the Swiss Check Scarf? Who has time to weave in all those ends? Rest assured, the clever design has a shortcut for you. Row by row, the pattern unfolds, revealing a rich tapestry of color and texture. You’ll alternate between two skeins of the same variegated yarn to recreate the diamond mosaic pattern.
Designer: Balls to the Walls Knits
Yarn: Lang Yarns Viva Merino Fine (Worsted Weight #4)
This next pattern makes me smile. I love all the bright colors, and I just think it’s so clever to use the mosaic colorwork technique on the turtle’s shell like that. Incorporating mosaic knitting in the round adds a unique twist to the design, enhancing the visual appeal. Any child (or adult) would be delighted to receive such an amazing gift! All pieces of the pattern are worked individually in back-and-forth rows and then it’s all put together at the end.
Designer: laughing purple goldfish designs
Yarn: Carnival 8 Ply Acrylic (DK Weight #3)
While you might think it’s a bit too late in the season to start working on a blanket, the nice thing is that it will keep you warm as you work on it. Plus, the broad range of colors and mosaic designs, especially if you choose something like the Purl Soho Mosaic Blanket, will ensure that you won’t get bored! This looks like a lovely project to work on in the evening while you watch TV.
Designer: Brenda York for Berroco
Yarn: Berroco Comfort Solids & Heathers (Worsted Weight #4)
This design may inspire visions of skyscrapers or gingham picnic blankets depending on your point of view. The pattern is worked in rows by following the written or charted instructions. Despite its intricate appearance, a beginner knitter with a few projects under their belt could pull it off.
Designer: Purl Soho
Yarn: Purl Soho Cashmere Merino Bloom and Purl Soho Good Wool
Designed for the Soap S.A.C.K. Mission which provides soap sacks with bars of soap to food banks and charities. S.A.C.K. stands for Supporting A Community with Kindness. The design is worked in rows and then seamed. It’s a great way to use up leftover bits of cotton yarn and contribute to a good cause.
Designer: NichKnit Designs
Yarn: Lily Sugar'n Cream Stripes (Worsted Weight #4)
2 colors of yarn yield multiple shades at their intersections in the subtle celebration of mosaic colorwork that is Woven Lines. This is my favorite type of cowl - close fitting and extra wide - because it sits so nicely without much fuss and it’s wonderfully warm and cozy. What’s not to love?
Designer: Little Fox Yarn
Yarn: Little Fox Yarn Splendid (DK Weight #3)
Two colors of yarn make these Modern Wash Cloths twice as nice. The mosaic technique adds to both design and dimension here since it makes the clothes both visually interesting and thicker. I like to practice new knitting skills on washcloths because they’re very quick projects and you can never have too many.
Designer: Maker Maker Store
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Ultra Pima (DK Weight #3)
If sock knitting is your thing, then rest assured that there are a myriad of free mosaic knitting patterns for socks out there. These Spotty Socks are just one of many, but I do so love the delightful dotted design and all the bright rainbow colors. The pattern is worked from the top down with a heel flap.
Designer: Paintbox Yarns
Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Socks (Fingering Weight #1)
Common Questions about Mosaic Knitting Patterns
Mosaic knitting is slip-stitch colorwork (slip-stitch knitting), using a combination of colors in a slip-stitch pattern to avoid floating on the back of the knitting project. You can use this knitting technique with garter stitch or stockinette stitch and achieve stunning results much easier than the other colorwork methods.
Since you are slipping stitches to achieve your colorwork you won’t end up with floats along the back, so this type of knitting lends itself well to almost any type of project but is especially wonderful for a baby blanket or scarf, shawl, and socks.
Not at all! It may take a little practice to get the hang of this technique, but most patterns have a mosaic knitting chart to follow so you can keep up with your colorwork rows, and don’t end up with long floats on the back of your project!
How many free mosaic knitting patterns are too many? The answer is never enough! I’m curious…which of them caught your eye? Or have you tried and loved any other mosaic knitting patterns? Let’s dish in the comments below!
Don’t forget, that sharing is caring! Send this free knitting pattern round-up to all your knitting friends so they can join in on the fun too! Bookmark this page or save the link to your Pinterest board for amazing knitting patterns.
I’ll see you next week for another free knitting pattern round-up. Make sure to follow the blog so you never miss a post. <3
Happy Knitting!
Amanda