Inside: Learn to loom knit an octagon shape with this free pattern. Includes written instructions for 4 sizes and tutorial videos for left and right handers.
If you enjoyed my loom knit hexagon pattern, this one is similar. The octagon has a smoother, rounded look to it especially in the smaller sizes.
This geometric motif is meant to be joined with others to create full projects. Seam them together to make a scarf, cowl or blanket. You can use a single large on as the bottom of bag or use two as the ends of a bolster pillow.
This easy, loom knit Octagon features a garter stitch edge, accent stripe, and decreased center. Pattern includes written instructions for 4 sizes and links to fully captioned tutorial videos detailing how to work the pattern.
Loom Knit Octagon
By Kristen Mangus
An ad-free downloadable PDF of this pattern is available for purchase in my GoodKnit Kisses online store, Etsy or Ravelry at the links below:
MATERIALS
(Materials list may contain affiliate links to products I used to make this project. Using these links costs you nothing, but helps support GKK.)
Yarn
Bulky (#5) weight yarn in 2 colors
Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek Chunky (142 g/ 5 oz, 193 m/211 yds) used in sample.
Contrast A – Color Sage
Contrast B – Color Dark Grey
Loom
⅝” large gauge (LG) loom with 32 (48, 64, 80) pegs.
KB Flexee Loom Chunky used in sample. (See Loom Setup below.)
Notions
Crochet hook for cast on
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
8 stitch markers: 1 to mark beginning of round and 7 to mark decreases.
ABBREVIATIONS
DEC = Decrease
UK = Uwrap knit
P = Purl
Rep = Repeat
Rnd = Round
St(s) = Stitch(es)
For a refresher on loom knitting basics see the blog posts below to get started:
13 Questions for Beginner Loom Knitters
How to Loom Knit Basics (cast on, knit, purl, & bind off)
How to Loom Knit Basic Stitch Patterns (garter st, seed st and ribbing)
How to Loom Knit in the Round
GAUGE 7.5 sts x 11.5 rows in 2” in stockinette stitch
SKILL LEVEL Easy
SIZE Small (Medium, Large, Extra Large)
MEASUREMENTS
Width 3.5” (4.75”, 6.5”, 7.25”) [9 (12, 16.5, 18.5) cm]
Circumference 11” (15”, 20.5”, 22.75”) [28 (38, 52, 58) cm]
NOTES
Pattern is worked in the round on a loom with a number of pegs divisible by 8. For right handed knitters work from right to left (clockwise). Left handed knitters should work in the opposite direction (counter clockwise).
This pattern works best on a Flexee loom or an adjustable loom with a slider to decrease the number of pegs in use. Working this pattern on a fixed peg loom will cause gaps in the center.
Flexee Loom Setup: Set up your loom into 8 equal sections alternating light and dark links. Snap 2 (3, 4, 5) DARK links together, next attach 2 (3, 4, 5) LIGHT links together. Repeat alternating 2 (3, 4, 5) DARK and LIGHT pegs all links are used. Place 1 stitch marker at Peg 1. For right-handed knitters, place at right end of DARK link sequence to work toward left (clockwise) and for left handers place on the left. Reserve remaining stitch markers to be placed on pegs for DEC sts and move at decreases as needed for next rounds.
Cast on: I recommend the chain cast on for single octagons or the long tail cast on if you plan to sew them together.. See video for how to eliminate slip knot.
INSTRUCTIONS
In Contrast A, Cast on 32 (48, 64, 80) sts and connect in the round. Place stitch marker on Peg 1 to mark beginning of round.
Rnd 1: UK all.
Rnd 2: With Contrast B, UK all.
Rnd 3: P all. Cut tail to weave in later.
Rnd 4: With Contrast A, UK all.
DECREASE:
DEC = Move St from Peg 2 to Peg 1 and knit together.
Starting at the beginning of the round, place a stitch marker every 4 (6, 8, 10) pegs. As you work the decrease be sure to move the stitch marker as you shift stitches around your loom.
Rnd 5: *DEC. Knit 2 (4, 6, 8) moving and placing each st on empty peg. DEC and move to empty peg; place stitch marker here if using. Remove empty loom link. Knit 2 (4, 6, 8). Rep from * around. 24 (40, 56, 72) sts.
Rnd 6: UK all.
On following odd rounds, decrease all marked pegs, making sure to move stitch marker with each new DEC.
Rnd 7: *DEC. Knit 1 (3, 5, 7) placing each st on empty peg. DEC and move to empty peg. Remove empty loom links as needed. Knit 1 (3, 5, 7). Rep from * around. 16 (32, 48, 64) sts.
Rnd 8: UK all.
[SMALL Size break yarn leaving a long tail and continue with FINISHING below.]
Rnd 9: *DEC. Knit X (2, 4, 6) placing each st on empty peg. DEC and move to empty peg. Remove empty loom link. Knit X (2, 4, 6). Rep from * around. X (24, 40, 56) sts.
Rnd 10: UK all.
Rnd 11: *DEC. Knit X (1, 3, 5) placing each st on empty peg. DEC and move to empty peg. Remove empty loom link. Knit X (1, 3, 5). Rep from * around. C (16, 32, 48) sts.
Rnd 12: UK all.
[MEDIUM Size break yarn leaving a long tail and continue with FINISHING below.]
Rnd 13: *DEC. Knit X (X, 2, 4) placing each st on empty peg. DEC and move to empty peg. Remove empty loom link. Knit X (X, 2, 4). Rep from * around. X (X, 24, 40) sts.
Rnd 14: UK all.
Rnd 15: *DEC. Knit X (X, 1, 3) placing each st on empty peg. DEC and move to empty peg. Remove empty loom link. Knit X (X, 1, 3). Rep from * around. X (X, 16, 32) sts.
Rnd 16: UK all.
[LARGE Size break yarn leaving a long tail and continue with FINISHING below.]
Rnd 17: *DEC. Knit X (X, X, 2) placing each st on empty peg. DEC and move to empty peg. Remove empty loom link. Knit X (X, X, 2). Rep from * around. X (X, X, 24) sts.
Rnd 18: UK all.
Rnd 19: *DEC. Knit X (X, X, 1) placing each st on empty peg. DEC and move to empty peg. Remove empty loom link. Knit X (X, X, 1). Rep from * around. X (X, X, 16) sts.
Rnd 20: UK all.
[EXTRA LARGE Size break yarn leaving a long tail and continue with FINISHING below.]
FINISHING
Pull yarn tail through rem sts and draw up tightly to close center. Fasten securely. Weave in all tails.
Block as needed or sew directly to a project.
PIN IT!
Loom Knit an Octagon Tutorial Videos
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NOTE: The stitch counts and placement of the stitch markers in the video are for the Small size. Use the same method, but adjust your stitch counts and markers for the other sizes according to the instructions below.