A lot of my favorite knitting patterns come from books, Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting and a few online designers like Norah Gaughan, whose patterns are featured through Berroco. Your local library probably carries a lot of the newer, fancier books with beautiful and innovative designs but if you’re a beginning knitter who’s not familiar with too many techniques or if you have some yarn at home and just want to try something, then there are many free patterns to be found across the net. These range from dresses, toys, hats, sweaters and your basic (or complicated) scarf. Just because they’re free though, doesn’t mean they’re ugly or poorly designed. I have to again plug Ravelry (an online “facebook for knitters”), where you can type in the name of the pattern to see other people’s projects in Ravelry’s database.
Knitting Pattern Central
This is THE directory for almost every free pattern available on the web. Very handy, just click to the section you want in the directory. Includes garments, accessories, etc – everything. Also is updated regularly with a “what’s new” page so if you’ve gone through everything, you only need check there to look for what you may be interested in.
Knitty
Most knitters have been on Knitty. It’s THE best (basically only) free online knitting zine, with articles and free patterns published. A lot of designers have been featured on there such as Stephanie Japel (Fitted Knits), Pam Allen and Veronik Avery (regulars for Interweave Knits). There are a lot of great items to knit, definitely wearable and the instructions are clear. Definitely recommended if you’re looking for something decent; you’ll be sure to find something. Since Knitty’s been around, their archive contains many patterns.
Knit on the Net
This is another charming little online knitting magazine with interesting patterns that are free.
Interweave Knits Free Patterns
Be sure to download the patterns, because they’re rotated depending on updated issues of the magazine. Once they’re gone after the deadline, you can no longer download them. You can register for free to download.
Knitting Daily Free Pattern Library
Almost the same as Interweave but with more items in the archive.
Prima Online’s Knitting Patterns
Great patterns from British magazine.
Canadian Living’s Knitting Patterns
It features the Best Friend Cardigan by Wenlan Chia and several designs from published books.
Unicorn Books Free Patterns
Links to Yarn Brands’ Free Patterns
Berroco
Berroco carries a line of decent quality yarn and a lot of patterns to accompany them. They have a free pattern library section that’s filled with scarves, accessories, toys, sweaters, shrugs, etc. There’s a couple of wearable designs for free and their instructions are complete with schematics. They also offer a rating that tells how easy or difficult these projects are.
Garnstudio
Garnstudio makes the Drops yarn brand. Recently they’ve uploaded their catalogues online with free english translations to a lot of their patterns. Lots of patterns to choose from and to top it off, their yarn is very decently priced. There’s everything from accessories, men and women’s clothing. For a time warp, check out their older catalogues.
Rowan
Pattern archive from 2001-2008.
Classic Elite
Click on the Patterns and then Free Patterns.
Lion Brand Free Patterns
Hundreds of patterns for various items. You have to register for free to access them.
Caron Free Project
Caron is the popular “all purpose” brand carried by Walmart and general craft stores.
Patons Free Patterns
Look for the Free Patterns in the left menu.
Bernat
Look for the Free Patterns.
Coats and Clark
Look for the Free Patterns.
Tahki Stacy Charles/Filatura Di Crosa
There’s plenty more free patterns other than the ones I listed that you could find just be googling a few search terms, but for the beginner or for those who don’t want to waste time clicking through numerous sites, these are decent sites to get you started! Now, get knitting!
