Free Donut Knitting Pattern - how to knit a Donut

Free Donut Knitting Pattern: Knit Flat or In the Round

Looking for a sweet and fun knitting project? Then try my free donut knitting pattern! It’s a quick and satisfying project that’s perfect for beginners and experienced knitters alike. Plus, you can knit it flat in rows or in the round, so it suits whichever method you prefer.

Knitted donut in pink with colourful sprinkles, made from free knitted donut pattern

Why you’ll love this free donut knitting pattern

Two Options: Whether you love knitting flat or enjoy working in the round, this pattern has you covered with instructions for both.
Customisable Sprinkles: Add beads or use yarn to create sprinkles for a realistic finish.

Great Stash Buster: Use up oddments of yarn to create colourful, unique donuts.
Perfect Gift or Decor: These donuts are adorable as decorations, keychains, or even as play food for kids.

Knitted donut in brown with brown sprinkles, made from free knitted donut pattern

How to knit a donut from this free donut knitting pattern

If you're worried that knitting a donut might be too complex, then fear not! My free donut knitting pattern is designed with simplicity in mind, because I've provided step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to guide you through the process. Even if you're a beginner, you'll be amazed at how quickly you can create this adorable donut. It's a great way to build your knitting skills and confidence. You can knit a donut in three easy steps:

Knit the Donut: Choose between knitting flat or in the round. The pattern includes step-by-step instructions for both methods.
Shape the Donut: Sew the edges together and stuff your donut for a perfectly round shape.
Add the Finishing Touches: Decorate your donut with tiny beads or yarn sprinkles. Experiment with colours to create classic glazed, chocolate, or even rainbow donuts!

Three knitted donuts with bead sprinkles, made from free knitted donut pattern

What you’ll need for your free donut knitting pattern

Specific details of materials are provided further down in the post.

Yarn: Oddments of DK or worsted weight yarn in your chosen colours (base and frosting).
Needles:
- For flat knitting: Straight needles.
- For knitting in the round: Circular needles or double-pointed needles.
Stuffing: Polyester fibrefill or scrap yarn.

Optional: Beads or embroidery thread for sprinkles. You can also use contrast yarn too.

How do I increase my knitting stitches to shape my knitted donut?

To increase your stitches, the method used in this pattern is 'Left lifted Increase' (abbreviation is LLI).

Increasing with the 'LLI' method, is made by inserting left needle, from the back to the front, into the left leg of the stitch that is sitting 2 rows below the stitch just knitted on right needle, and knit into the back of the loop. 1 stitch is increased.

This forms a neat, smooth and almost invisible increase, and so it's great for increasing into every stitch along a row.

Here's a good link for increasing with the 'LLI' method, if you need it. It's by Ysolda Teague. Scroll down Ysolda's post for LLI: Click here.

Copyright

Please read the copyright terms, which apply globally, before downloading your pattern:

This donut knitting pattern was originally published in 2009. This web version is published under copyright to me ©Lynne Rowe 2025 and is for your own personal use only. Original year of copyright was 2009. Feel free to sell items made from this pattern for charity fundraising purposes, or to gift to family and friends. Selling small numbers for profit is only allowed with permission, so please email lynne@knitcrochetcreate.com for permission to sell in small numbers. By downloading or using this pattern, you agree to these terms.

Knitted donut in pink with colourful sprinkles, in a cake box

PATTERN BEGINS FOR FREE DONUT KNITTING PATTERN

YOU WILL NEED

Any double knitting (light worsted weight) yarn in the following amounts for each cake:
Approximately 15g of Yarn A for donut base - such as Beige, Off-White or Brown.

Approximately 15g of Yarn B for donut icing - such as White, Pink, or any bright colours.
Oddments of Yarn C for sewn sprinkles (optional) - use any contrasting colours.

YOU WILL ALSO NEED

Small amount of safety toy stuffing/fibrefill per donut.

Wool needle.
Stitch marker if working in the round.
Small beads for decorations with sewing needle and thread (HEALTH AND SAFETY NOTE: Beads are notrecommended for small children for health and safety reasons - please use Yarn C instead).

KNITTING NEEDLES

FOR KNITTING FLAT AND SEAMING

1 pair each of 2.75mm (US 2) and 3.5mm (US 4) knitting needles.

FOR KNITTING IN THE ROUND

Set each of 2.75mm (US 2) and 3.5mm (US 4) Double Pointed Needles (DPNs), or your preferred needles for knitting in the round.

TENSION

Tension is not critical for this project. Pattern uses smaller needles than recommended for the yarn weight, so that you create a tight tension, to prevent the stuffing showing through.

MEASUREMENTS

Approximately 9.5cm (3.75in) across, using yarn and needles as specified above.

ABBREVIATIONS

K = knit; p = purl; k2tog = knit 2 sts together (to decrease 1 st); p2tog = purl 2 sts together (to decrease 1 st); st(s) = stitch(es); ss = stocking stitch (k on right side, p on wrong side).

SPECIAL STITCH ABBREVIATIONS AND STITCH INSTRUCTIONS

LLI = Left Lifted Increase as follows: Insert left needle, from the back to the front, into the left leg of the stitch that is sitting 2 rows below the stitch just knitted on right-hand needle, and knit into the back of the loop. 1 stitch increased.

Kfb = knit into the front and back of next stitch as follows: Knit into next stitch but do not pass the stitch off the left needle. Manoeuvre the right needle around the back of the left needle then knit through the back of the same stitch. Pass the 2 stitches off onto right needle. 1 stitch increased.

TO KNIT FLAT (IN ROWS) WITH STRAIGHT NEEDLES

With 2.75mm (US 2) needles and Yarn A for donut base, cast on 25 sts.

Rows 1-4: Beginning with a k row, ss 4 rows.

Row 5: [K1 then work left lifted increase (LLI) in stitch 2 rows below the stitch just knitted] to end. [50 sts]

Note that if you prefer, you can work KFB in each stitch to increase, instead of LLI.

Change to 3.5mm (US 4) needles.

Rows 6-17: Beginning with a p row, ss 12 rows, then change to Yarn B for top (icing).

Rows 18-29: Beginning with a p row, ss 12 rows, then change to 2.75mm (US 2) needles.

Row 30: (P2tog) to the end. [25 sts]

Rows 31-32: Beginning with a k row, ss 2 rows.

Cast off knitwise then cut off yarns, leaving 30cm tails for sewing.

MAKING UP

Sew side seam: Bring row ends together so that they sit side by side. Use Mattress stitch and matching yarns to join the seams, adding more stuffing if needed as you sew the seam closed. Your donut is now a tube. IMPORTANT: Using mattress stitch helps to form an invisible seam.
Join cast-on and cast-off edges: Fold cast-on and cast-off edges inwards to meet, with the right side of knitting outermost. Use a slip stitch (whip stitch) stitch to join the stitches, noting that there are 25 stitches for both edges, so you are working through each set of corresponding stitches. When you are half way around, you will have a gap in the seam, through which you can stuff your donut. Make sure it is nice and plump as toy stuffing tends to condense after a while. Keep sewing and stuffing, until your donut is a nice shape and use your wool needle to manoeuvre the stuffing around, if needed. Fasten off at the end.

Add your sprinkles: Decorate your donut icing with bugle beads for ‘sprinkles’, or use buttons, sequins or whatever takes your fancy. Important Safety Note: If you are making this donut as a toy for a small child, do not use beads. Instead, I recommend that you sew on yarn ‘sprinkles’, as follows: Take a long piece of contrasting yarn and use small running stitches to create sprinkles. Spread your stitches out evenly, and use a single colour for all sprinkles, or use different colours for multi-coloured decorations. Fasten off yarn securely.

Three knitted donuts with bead sprinkles, in pink. brown and green

TO KNIT IN THE ROUND

Using 2.75mm (US 2) DPNs (or your preferred needles for knitting in the round) and Yarn A for donut base, cast on 25 sts.

Join to work in the round, and take care not to twist your stitches. If needed, use a stitch marker or waste yarn to mark the start of the round.

Rounds 1-4: K 4 rounds.

Round 5: [K1 then work left leg increase (LLI) in stitch 2 rows below the stitch just knitted] to end. (50 sts). See special stitches above for full instructions for LLI.

Note that if you prefer, you can work KFB in each stitch to increase instead.

Change to 3.5mm (US 4) DPNs or preferred needles.

Rounds 6-17: K 12 rounds, then change to Yarn B for top (icing).

Rounds 18-29: K 12 rounds, then change to 2.75mm (US 2) DPNs or preferred needles.

Round 30: [K2tog] to end. (25 sts).

Rounds 31-32: K 2 rounds.

Cast off knitwise then cut off yarns, leaving a 25cm tail for sewing.