Free knitting patterns resources

I put together this link collection because when you search for “free knitting patterns” in search engines, you come up with a lot of sites that just lead to other sites, force you to register to get any of the patterns, etc. And sometimes, even if you do register, the sites are so badly organized that you end up clicking page after page and still not finding any patterns you can use.

The following sites will take you straight to the patterns, with no fuss. If you know of any other sites like these, please let us all know in the comments, and I’ll add them!

Free knitting patterns

1. Knitting Pattern Central is a well-organized, searchable database of free patterns. The site is well-maintained, so you don’t run into error pages where a pattern has been removed but the links to it are still there. In addition, the site offers tutorials, tips, encouragement pages and links to other craft sites that are worth checking out.
2. The Daily Knitter is a similar well-organized collection that’s very easy to browser. There’s no search feature, so finding a very specific pattern might not be easy on this site, but I found the browsing feature was good enough for my needs.  This site also offers a knitting forum where you can chat with other crafters and catch a “pattern of the day” every day, reviews of knitting products and books, and tips, tutorials and videos (which is great if you’re having trouble visualizing a technique).
3. Drops Design features patterns that have been archived from their Drops catalogs (if the page loads in a different language from yours, just go to the home page, pick the flag for your language, and then return to the pattern page). This one has great browsing and search features which make it easy for you to sort and find just what you’re looking for. They also have offer some tips and discussion about various products.
4. Craftown is a smaller collection of unique patterns contributed by users. It’s just one big page (you have to scroll down a little) of categories with links to patterns under them, so there’s no browsing or searching – at a glance, you can see what they have and grab what you like.
5. Crystal Palace Yarns is a collection of patterns arranged by yarn type. Please note that the “Indie Patterns” lead to patterns that are for sale. But everything on the main page is a free pattern, and this is yet another site that’s well-maintained with a lot to offer. They also have little graphics that let you know if new patterns have been added to a section in the past 60 days, and whether that section contains felted and/or crochet patterns.
6. Knitting Help is another database style collection with a robust section of free patterns, and the link I’ve provided will take you straight to it. This one doesn’t put you through any hoops – no asking you to sign up for an email list. You just click the pattern you want, and there it is.
7. KnitWiki is a Wikipedia style site, and I’ve linked you straight to their categories page so you can start browsing easily. (The homepage is confusing – you basically have to click one of their top 10 patterns, then at the bottom of that page click on the categories.) This one contains some nice vintage patterns.
8. Free Vintage Knitting has a list of categories at the top. Click the one you want, and browse what they have to offer down below. There are pictures of each finished product so it’s easy to see if the pattern will be what you want before you click over. This one also has Twitter and Facebook buttons that make it easy to let friends know when you’ve found something good.