Free Union Jack Lap Blanket Knitting Pattern – Free PDF & Charts

Knit a bold Union Jack lap blanket for British celebrations, sporting events or a patriotic touch in your home. This free knitting pattern is worked flat in one piece using knit stitch and Intarsia colourwork, so there are no separate flag sections to sew together.

The finished blanket measures approximately 28 × 28 inches (71 × 71cm). Its cosy lap-blanket size makes it useful for picnics, reading chairs, cool evenings and handmade gifts.

The downloadable 14-page PDF includes the complete written instructions, a one-page chart, an enlarged four-page chart and illustrated multicolour cast-on guidance. It is delivered by email after the free checkout is completed; no payment details are required when the order total is £0.00.

Materials

• Caron Simply Soft Aran / WW (weight 4) yarn:
• 2 × 170g balls of White #9701 – approximately 360 yards / 330m
• 2 × 170g balls of Harvest Red #9763 – approximately 360 yards / 330m
• 1 × 170g ball of Dark Country Blue #9711 – approximately 185 yards / 170m
• 5mm knitting needles (US 8 / UK 6)
• Bobbins for separating the yarn colours (optional)
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle for sewing in the yarn ends
• Stitch markers (optional)

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Using a Different Yarn?

Choose an Aran or worsted-weight yarn that gives you the correct gauge. Compare the required yardage or metres rather than the ball weight, as different yarn brands can contain different lengths in the same weight of ball.

Helpful Stitch Videos

You only need knit stitch for the blanket itself, but you will also change colours using Intarsia. The current Intarsia demonstration begins at approximately 13:00 in the linked video.

Practise Intarsia Before You Begin

If Intarsia is new to you, the free sample-squares pattern gives you a smaller project on which to practise joining colours and managing separate strands of yarn before starting the full blanket.

Stitch and Colour Directory

• W – Knit with White yarn.
• B – Knit with Blue yarn.
• R – Knit with Red yarn.
• * – Join a new ball of yarn.
• # – Cut the last yarn used, leaving a 4-inch tail to sew in.

Pattern Notes

• Gauge: 19 stitches × 34 rows = 4 × 4 inches (10 × 10cm).
• The finished blanket measures approximately 28 × 28 inches (71 × 71cm).
• The blanket is worked flat in one piece using knit stitch throughout.
• Intarsia is used for the colour changes.
• Every row contains 134 stitches.
• Use a separate ball or bobbin for each colour area.
• Drop a yarn colour when it is not in use and pick it up again on the following row. Do not carry it across the back of the work.

Changing Colour on an Even Row

1. Bring the current working yarn to the front.
2. Cross the new colour over the current yarn.
3. Drop the current yarn and take the new colour to the back of the work.
4. Continue knitting with the new colour.

Free Union Jack Lap Blanket Knitting Pattern

All rows contain 134 stitches. The right side is established on Row 1.

Multicolour Intarsia Cast-On

Ready for the Printable Version?

Download the free PDF if you would like the complete written instructions, printable chart, four-page enlarged chart and multicolour cast-on photographs together in one convenient file.

Prefer Crochet?

You can also make a crocheted version of the Union Jack lap blanket using the free crochet pattern.

Copyright

This knitting pattern is protected by UK copyright law. You may print a copy for your personal use and sell finished items made from the pattern when Peach Unicorn Designs is credited as the designer. You may not resell, reproduce, redistribute, translate or publish the pattern in any format.