A quick, stash-busting project that’s perfect for summer celebrations,
sporting events or simply adding a little handmade decoration.
This pattern is for confident beginners with some colourwork experience.
Materials
Yarn
Any yarn in red and white (or cream).
We used leftover Aran/Worsted weight yarn from a previous project. If you
use a different yarn weight, your flags will be larger or smaller. If your
finished flag is significantly different in size, you may wish to adjust
the stitch or row count.
Our flag is 21cm x 13cm, with a weight of approximately 17g.
Needles
Use the recommended needle size for your chosen yarn.
We used 5mm needles, although I tend to knit quite tightly and usually size up.
Tension: Not important for this project.
Pattern
Cast on
Cast on the white or cream yarn for 41 stitches using your preferred cast-on method. We used the long-tail cast on.
Top border
Work 2 rows in garter stitch (knit every stitch).
Vertical cross
Begin working in stockinette stitch.
Note: Twist the yarns together at each colour change to prevent gaps, carrying the unused yarn loosely across the back of the work.
Row 1 (Right Side)
- Knit 18 stitches in white.
- Knit 5 stitches in red.
- Knit 18 stitches in white.
Row 2 (Wrong Side)
- Purl 18 stitches in white.
- Purl 5 stitches in red.
- Purl 18 stitches in white.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 4 more times, giving 10 stockinette rows in total.
Horizontal cross
This section creates the horizontal arm of the flag while keeping a white
border around the outside.
I recommend cutting the red yarn here, to join it again at point where it is needed, to save carrying it far across the back.
Row 11 (Right Side)
- Knit 2 stitches in white.
- Knit 37 stitches in red.
- Knit 2 stitches in white.
Join a second ball of white for the final 2 stitches if you prefer, rather than carrying the yarn across the back.
Row 12 (Wrong Side)
- Purl 2 stitches in white.
- Purl 37 stitches in red.
- Purl 2 stitches in white.
Repeat Rows 11 and 12 once more, then work Row 11 one final time.
You should now have worked 5 rows for the horizontal cross. Here cut the white yarn which is left at the other end of your needle, and cut the red ready to join it again in the middle of the next row where you will need it again.
Finish the vertical cross
Return to the original colour placement.
Note: The row count is different at the top and bottom because of the colour change from red to white. If the colour switch is made on the wrong side, extra white yarn will be visible in the red section. To prevent this, make sure the colour change is kept on the wrong side of the work.
Beginning with a Wrong Side row, work:
- Purl 18 stitches in white.
- Purl 5 stitches in red.
- Purl 18 stitches in white.
Continue working in stockinette stitch, maintaining this colour placement, until you have worked 11 rows in total (starting with this wrong-side row).
Bottom border
Work 2 rows in garter stitch.
Cast off
Cast off using your preferred method.
We used a standard knitted cast-off:
- Knit 2 stitches.
- Lift the first stitch over the second and off the needle.
- Knit the next stitch and repeat until all stitches have been cast off.
Finishing
Weave in all ends and block lightly if desired.
Thread ribbon, twine or an i-cord through the top garter border to create
your bunting, spacing the flags however you like. If you want the flags on a different orientation simply thread through a different edge.
This is our very first pattern, so if you have any feedback please let us know!
We'd love to see what you make, tag us @theyarnnest.co.uk so we can share your flags!
Happy knitting! 🤍
Pattern designed by The Yarn Nest. Feel free to make and gift or sell finished flags in small quantities, but please don’t copy, redistribute or sell the pattern itself.