My name is Fariba. Knitting is my passion since I was a little kid.

  • Tutorial 1 – how to cast on
    The first step of knitting is casting on. Casting on means making the base row of loops that will allow us to make a knit fabric by connecting new loops in following rows. The number of loops that you need to cast on depends on the project you wanna work on and also on your yarn size.  As you… Read more: Tutorial 1 – how to cast on
  • Stockinette stitch
    The very simple fabric that is made of basic knit and purl stitches is called stockinette stitch. It means after you cast on number of stitches, you knit the first row with Knit stitch and knit the second row (return row) with Purl stitch. You repeat to do Knit stitch for all odd rows, like row… Read more: Stockinette stitch
  • Stitch 1- Basic Rib Stitch
    Made in a multiple of 2 stitches, and 2 row repeat. Row 1) Rep (k1, p1) Row 2) Rep (p1, k1) Here is the short grid to help you with it:              
Tumbling Moss Block Knitting Pattern – 3D Geometric Hexagon Design for Textured Knits/beewax pattern

3D Tumbling Moss Block Pattern – Knitting Tutorial with Fariba

—

by

FaDmin
in , ,

Welcome back to WatchKnitting! I’m Fariba, and in today’s tutorial, I’ll guide you through knitting a stunning 3D geometric stitch pattern that I designed myself. This textured motif creates a bold, hexagonal structure that appears to shift and tumble — a perfect visual illusion crafted entirely with stitches!

🧶 Pattern Details

  • Stitch multiple: 12 + 3
  • Row repeat: 32 rows
  • Back-side rows: Work stitches as they appear (knit the knits, purl the purls)

✨ Pro tip: Using slightly smaller needles than recommended for your yarn can enhance stitch definition, especially for textured patterns like this.

🔁 Understanding the Structure

Each motif starts from the center of a hexagon, framed by slipped-stitch lines. As you knit, the central purl stitch expands into a seed stitch section, while the surrounding knit stitches decrease, creating a tumbling block effect. The design is further enhanced by crossed stitches that tilt the vertical lines diagonally, adding a dynamic, geometric illusion.

Before we dive in, here are a few structural elements to note:

  • Motifs are separated by 1 purl stitch
  • Slip stitches form the borders of each motif
  • Seed stitch sections grow gradually from 1 to 7 stitches and then reduce again, mimicking a diamond-shaped texture

Pattern Instructions:

Row 1 (RS): edge, rep [P1, SL1, K4, SD1 (P1), K4, SL1], P1, edge
Row 2 (WS): edge, rep [K1, P5, SD1 (K1), P5], K1, edge
Row 3 (RS): edge, rep [P1, SL1, K3, SD3 (P1, K1, P1), K3, SL1], P1, edge
Row 4 (WS): edge, rep [K1, P4, SD3 (K1, P1, K1), P4], K1, edge
Row 5 (RS): edge, rep [P1, SL1, K2, SD5 ((P1, K1)×2, P1), K2, SL1], P1, edge
Row 6 (WS): edge, rep [K1, P3, SD5 ((K1, P1)×2, K1), P3], K1, edge
Row 7 (RS): edge, rep [P1, SL1, K1, SD7 ((P1, K1)×3, P1), K1, SL1], P1, edge
Row 8 (WS): edge, rep [K1, P2, SD7 ((K1, P1)×3, K1), P2], K1, edge
Row 9 (RS): edge, rep [P1, C2L, SD7 ((K1, P1)×3, K1), C2R], P1, edge
Row 10 (WS): edge, rep [K1, P2, SD7 (P1, K1)×3, P1), P2], K1, edge
Row 11 (RS): edge, rep [P1, K1, C2L, SD5 ((K1, P1)×2, K1), C2R, K1], P1, edge
Row 12 (WS): edge, rep [K1, P3, SD5 ((P1, K1)×2, P1), P3], K1, edge
Row 13 (RS): edge, rep [P1, K2, C2L, SD3 (K1, P1, K1), C2R, K2], P1, edge
Row 14 (WS): edge, rep [K1, P4, SD3 (P1, K1, P1), P4], K1, edge
Row 15 (RS): edge, rep [P1, K3, C2L, SD1 (K1), C2R, K3], P1, edge
Row 16 (WS): edge, rep [K1, P5, SD1 (P1), P5], K1, edge
Row 17 (RS): edge, rep [SD1 (P1), K4, SL1, P1, SL1, K4], P1, edge
Row 18 (WS): edge, rep [SD1 (K1), P5, K1, P5], SD1 (K1), edge
Row 19 (RS): edge, rep [SD2 (K1, P1), K3, SL1, P1, SL1, K3, SD1 (P1)], K1, edge
Row 20 (WS): edge, rep [SD2 (P1, K1), P4, K1, P4, SD2 (K1, P1)], edge
Row 21 (RS): edge, rep [SD3 (P1, K1, P1), K2, SL1, P1, SL1, K2, SD2 (P1, K1)], P1, edge
Row 22 (WS): edge, rep [SD2 (K1, P1, K1), P3, K1, P3, SD3 (K1, P1, K1)], edge
Row 23 (RS): edge, rep [SD4 ((K1, P1)×2), K1, SL1, P1, SL1, K1, SD3 (P1, K1, P1)], K1, edge
Row 24 (WS): edge, rep [SD4 ((P1, K1)×2), P2, K1, P2, SD3 (K1, P1, K1)], P1, edge
Row 25 (RS): edge, rep [SD4 ((P1, K1)×2), C2R, P1, C2L, SD3 (K1, P1, K1)], P1, edge
Row 26 (WS): edge, rep [SD4 ((K1, P1)×2), P2, K1, P2, SD3 (P1, K1, P1)], K1, edge
Row 27 (RS): edge, rep [SD3 (K1, P1, K1), C2R, K1, P1, K1, C2L, SD2 (K1, P1)], K1, edge
Row 28 (WS): edge, rep [SD3 (P1, K1, P1), P3, K1, P3, SD2 (P1, K1)], P1, edge
Row 29 (RS): edge, rep [SD2 (P1, K1), C2R, K2, P1, K2, C2L, SD1 (K1)], P1, edge
Row 30 (WS): edge, rep [SD2 (K1, P1), P4, K1, P4, SD1 (P1)], K1, edge
Row 31 (RS): edge, rep [SD1 (K1), C2R, K3, P1, K3, C2L], K1, edge
Row 32 (WS): edge, rep [P6, K1, P5], P1, edge

🧶 Abbreviation Guide

SD stands for seed stitch: Seed stitch alternates knit and purl stitches; to work it, just knit the purls and purl the knits.

For C2R, while the yarn is at the back, transfer both stitches to your right needle. Then, insert the tip of your left needle from the back to the first stitch, pulling the right needle out. Drop the second stitch from the needle and pick it up again with your right needle. Now the two stitches are crossed, with the top stitch leaning to the right. Slip the top stitch without knitting and keep it on your right needle. Then, knit the second stitch, which is now at the back.

For C2L, while the yarn is at the back, transfer both stitches to your right needle. Then, using the tip of your left needle, insert it from the front to the second stitch and drop the first stitch from the needle. Pick up the dropped stitch with your right needle and place it back onto the left needle. Now, knit the first stitch (which is now at the back), and slip the second stitch (which is now on top).

✳️ Visual Texture

The texture evolves from flat knit sections into raised, interlocking blocks. The combination of slip stitches, seed stitch, and directional crossings creates the illusion of 3D tumbling cubes. With fine yarn and tight gauge, the detail is crisp and architectural. With thicker yarn, the texture is bold and graphic.

🎥 Watch the Full Tutorial

In the video, I walk you through:

  • Setting up the first few rows
  • Working through seed stitch transitions
  • Creating directional crosses
  • Offsetting motifs for continuous flow

Whether you’re knitting a scarf, panel, or statement blanket, this pattern adds stunning depth and texture.

📌 Final Notes

  • Gauge and needle size play a huge role in how defined your motifs appear.
  • For a more subtle look, use tonal or solid yarns.
  • Try blocking your finished fabric to enhance the 3D effect.

Let me know in the comments how you plan to use this pattern, and don’t forget to tag your projects with #WatchKnitting so I can see your beautiful creations!

Happy knitting! 🧶💫
— Fariba

📥⬇️ Click below to download the PDF

3D Tumbling Moss Block Pattern by Watch KnittingDownload

#KnittingPattern #TexturedKnitting #3DKnitting #GeometricKnitting #KnittingTutorial #SeedStitch #CrossingTechniques #KnittingDesign #KnittingForBeginners #KnittingIdeas #KnittingPatterns #TexturedDesign #KnittingTips #FaribaKnits #WatchKnitting

Comments

6 responses to “3D Tumbling Moss Block Pattern – Knitting Tutorial with Fariba”

  1. W. Roos Avatar
    W. Roos

    I think this is a beautiful pattern and would like to knit it too. However, I am Dutch and although I speak English, I don’t speak knitting language. The abbreviations in particular are not translated well into Dutch, which means I keep getting it wrong and have to unravel everything. Even so, I am still working on a sample piece to get it right. I hope it will turn out well.
    Unfortunately, watching the video explanation doesn’t help me much either.
    Yes, I’ve been knitting whatever I feel like for 60 years.

    Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

    Reply
    1. FaDmin Avatar
      FaDmin

      Thank you so much for your kind words! 🌸 I understand how tricky knitting abbreviations can be, especially when they don’t translate well. Which abbreviation is giving you the most trouble? Maybe I can explain it more clearly so it’s easier to follow along. 🧶💛

      Reply
  2. Jane peake Avatar
    Jane peake

    This pattern looks lovely to kint.i.would love knit how do I get the pattern

    Regards

    Jane peake

    Reply
    1. FaDmin Avatar
      FaDmin

      Hi Jane, thank you for your kind words about the pattern! The knitting pattern, including the chart, written instructions, and video tutorial, is available on the website here: [https://tinyurl.com/5adb7usn]. If you’re looking for a downloadable or printable version of the pattern (like a PDF), please let me know, and I can create one for you. Feel free to share more details about what you need, and I’ll be happy to help!
      Best regards,
      Fariba

      Reply
  3. Ann Lasky Avatar
    Ann Lasky

    I am wondering how to save this pattern-tumbling moss block

    Reply
    1. FaDmin Avatar
      FaDmin

      Hi dear! I’ve just added a downloadable version to the page. Scroll down to download the instructions.

      Reply

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