Elements of Antiquity Afghan free knitting pattern

Elements of Antiquity Afghan - Free Knitting Pattern

Textured knitted cream afghan draped over a rod against a dark teal background

The Elements of Antiquity Throw is a beautifully textured knit blanket that evokes thequiet elegance of heirloom designs and timeless craftsmanship. Designed by CNB Craftworks and knit with KnitPal Cotton Bliss yarn in a soft buttercream hue, this throw combines ridge rows, diamond stripe motifs, and double seed/moss stitch sections into a richly layered fabric. With its fully written rows and adjustable sizing, this advanced-beginner pattern offers a relaxing, rhythmic knit that results in a refined accent piece perfect for draping over a chair or sofa.

Download a printable pattern PDF

What You’ll Need

  • Yarn:

    KnitPal Cotton Bliss (30% cotton, 70% acrylic) #4 worsted weight, 160yards per 100g

    Approximately 720 yards (4.5 skeins), shown in colorway Soft Buttercream

  • Needles: US 8 / 5mm needles, 24" / 61 cm circular suggested to accomodate large number of stitches, or size needed to obtain gauge

  • Notions:
    Tapestry needle
    Measuring tape
    Row counter (optional)

Details

  • Skill Level: Easy - advanced beginner

  • Gauge: 4.5x4.5" / 11.5x11.5 cm = 19 sts x 35 rows in pattern, worked flat

    4“ x 4“ / 10 x 10 cm = 19 stitches x 26 rows in stockinette (worked flat)

  • Measurements: 31" x 35" / 78.5 cm x 89 cm

Abreviations

  • BO: bind off
  • CO: cast on
  • K: knit
  • P: purl
  • rep: repeat
  • RS: right side of work
  • st(s): stitch(es)
  • WS: wrong side

Notes

  • Blanket width can be adjusted by adding or subtractin gmultiples of 8 stitches (approx. 2 inches / 5 cm per 8-stitch repeat). Blanket length can be adjusted by adding or subtracting multiples of 35 rows (approx. 4.5 inches / 11.5 cm per 35 rows of pattern repeat: see note at end of pattern)for length. This will require different yarn amounts so purchase accordingly.

  • The pattern has each row fully written out, for ease of“checking off” each row as it is completed.

  • The pattern is a multiple of 8, plus 17 throughout.

  • The edge stitches will be in bold for the duration of the pattern; note that not all sections have patterned edge stitches).

Pattern 

Textured knitted blanket scrunched up on a white background

Download a printable pattern PDF

CO 129 using long tail cast on or preferred method.

BEGINNING RIDGE ROWS (starting on WS):

Row 1 (WS): Knit across.
Row 2 (RS): Knit across.
Row 3 (WS): Purl across.
Row 4 (RS): Purl across.
Row 5 (WS): Knit across.
Row 6 (RS): Knit across.

Diamond stripe rows, starting on WS

Row 7 (WS): P all.
Row 8 (RS): P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, P7, *(K1, P7), rep from * to last 5 sts, then P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
Row 9 (WS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K3, P1, *(K2, P3, K2, P1), rep from * to last 8 sts, then K3, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 10 (RS): P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, P2, K3, *(P2, K1, P2, K3), rep from * to last 7 sts, then P2, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
Row 11 (WS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K1, P5, *(K3, P5), rep from * to last 6 sts, then K1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 12 (RS): P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K7, *(P1, K7), rep from * to last 5 sts, then P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
Row 13 (WS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K1, P5, *(K3, P5), rep from * to last 6 sts, then K1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 14 (RS): P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, P2, K3, *(P2, K1, P2, K3), rep from * to last 7 sts, then P2, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
Row 15 (WS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K3, P1, *(K2, P3, K2, P1), rep from * to last 8 sts, then K3, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 16 (RS): P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, P7, *(K1, P7), rep from * to last 5 sts, then P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
Row 17 (WS): P all.

Ridge rows, starting on RS 

Close up shot of the stitches on a textured knit afghan

Row 18 (RS): K all.
Row 19 (WS): K all.
Row 20 (RS): P all.
Row 21 (WS): P all.
Row 22 (RS): K all.
Row 23 (WS): K all.
Row 24 (RS): P all.
Row 25 (WS): P all.

Double Seed / Moss stitch rows, starting on RS.

Row 26 (RS): K all.
Row 27 (WS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, *(K1, P1), rep from * to last 5 sts, then K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 28 (RS): P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, *(P1, K1), rep from * to last 5 sts, then P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
Row 29 (WS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K1, *(P1, K1), rep from * to last 5 sts, then K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 30 (RS): P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, P1, *(K1, P1), rep from * to last 5 sts, then P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
Row 31 (WS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, *(K1, P1), rep from * to last 5 sts, then K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 32 (RS): P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, *(P1, K1), rep from * to last 5 sts, then P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
Row 33 (WS): P all.

Ridge rows, starting on RS 

Row 34 (RS): K all.
Row 35 (WS): K all. 
Row 36 (RS): P all.
Row 37 (WS): P all.
Row 38 (RS): K all.
Row 39 (WS): K all.
Row 40 (RS): P all.
Row 41 (WS): P all.

Diamond stripe rows, starting on RS

Row 42 (RS): K all.
Row 43 (WS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K7, *(P1, K7), rep from * to last 5 sts, then K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 44 (RS): P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, P3, K1, *(P2, K3, P2, K1), rep from * to last 8 sts, then P3, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
Row 45 (WS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K2, P3, *(K2, P1, K2, P3), rep from * to last 7 sts, then K2, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 46 (RS): P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, P1, K5, *(P3, K5), rep from * to last 6 sts, then P1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
Row 47 (WS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P7, *(K1, P7), rep from * to last 5 sts, then K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 48 (RS): P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, P1, K5, *(P3, K5), rep from * to last 6 sts, then P1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
Row 49 (WS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K2, P3, *(K2, P1, K2, P3), rep from * to last 7 sts, then K2, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 50 (RS): P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, P3, K1, *(P2, K3, P2, K1), rep from * to last 8 sts, then P3, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
Row 51 (WS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K7, *(P1, K7), rep from * to last 5 sts, then K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 52 (RS): K all.

Ridge rows, starting on WS 

Row 53 (WS): P all.
Row 54 (RS): P all.
Row 55 (WS): K all.
Row 56 (RS): K all.
Row 57 (WS): P all. 
Row 58 (RS): P all.
Row 59 (WS): K all.
Row 60 (RS): K all.

Double Seed / Moss stitch rows, starting on WS.

Row 61 (WS): P all.
Row 62 (RS): P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, *(P1, K1), rep from * to last 5 sts, then P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
Row 63 (WS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, *(K1, P1), rep from * to last 5 sts, then K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 64 (RS): P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, P1, *(K1, P1), rep from * to last 5 sts, then P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
Row 65 (WS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K1, *(P1, K1), rep from * to last 5 sts, then K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 66 (RS): P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, *(P1, K1), rep from * to last 5 sts, then P1, K1, P1, K1, P1.
Row 67 (WS): K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, *(K1, P1), rep from * to last 5 sts, then K1, P1, K1, P1, K1.
Row 68 (RS): K all.

Ridge rows, starting on WS  

Row 69 (WS): P all.
Row 70 (RS): P all.
Row 71 (WS): K all. 
Row 72 (RS): K all. 
Row 73 (WS): P all.  
Row 74 (RS): P all. 
Row 75 (WS): K all. 
Row 76 (RS): K all.

Repeat Rows 7 through 76 two more times, and then repeat Rows 7 through 58.  (268 rows total of Pattern)

Bind off in Knit (WS).

Cut yarn and tie off.  Weave in tails.

NOTE: To increase the length, follow the pattern through each repeat until you have reached your desired length, being sure to end with a Ridge Rows section that follows a Diamond stripe rows section, but only working the first 6 rows of the Ridge section (not 8 rows).  If the last row worked was a RS, bind off in Knit on WS.  If the last row worked was a WS, bind off in Purl on RS.

Download a printable pattern PDF

 

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With permission of the designer, this pattern and photos are property of KnitPal and may not be altered, shared, or sold. Do not rewrite any part of this design and sell as your own design. You’re welcome to sell finished products made with this pattern, but please credit the design to KnitPal https://knitpal.com/

Anna Rainous
Posted on January 02, 2026
Anna Rainous
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