When you search for free online knitting patterns in search engines, you find a lot of sites that just lead to other sites. And many of those force you to register to get any of the patterns, etc.
Sometimes the sites are so badly organized that you end up clicking page after page and still not finding any patterns you like.
Finding truly free online knitting patterns
The following sites take you straight to the patterns, with no fuss, no logins, no special requirements. They’re well-organized, and we update this list several times a year or whenever we find one of the sites has changed or gone away.
Get your knitting on
You can buy your yarn at Michael’s, curbside or online. Or you can shop online from Annie’s Craft Store, which has all kinds of yarn to choose. There’s also Darn Good Yarn, selling specialty handmade recycled yarn.
You can also take some wonderful online knitting classes at Annie’s, or some from Udemy. These classes also make great gifts if you want to introduce someone in your life to knitting.
You’ll probably need something handy for storing all your gear. This great knitting bag from Amazon has a place for everything.
If you’re just starting out, check out our tips for beginner knitters. And for those of you who also like to crochet, there’s our collection of crochet tips and tricks.
Sites with free knitting patterns
1. Knitty
This online knitting magazine lets you search for specific patterns or browse archived back issues with not only knitting patterns but tips, articles, and links to other goodies (hat tip to reader Sarah!). Browse categories like hats, scarves, shawls and more.
2. AllFreeKnitting
This site has a lot to choose from, and it’s all arranged so you can easily browse and drill down to find what you want. For example, the category “Baby Knits” has subcategories for baby blankets, baby hats, baby sweaters, etc., so you can get really specific.
This site will ask you for an email signup, but you don’t have to give it in order to get to the free knitting patterns.
Be sure to check out their free knitting course!
3. Drops Design
This site features patterns that have been archived from their Drops catalogs. Great browsing and search features make it easy for you to sort and find just what you want.
They also offer some tips and discussion about various products, which are worth reading.
4. Knitting Knowledge
Here’s a site that curates lists of good patterns in different categories. This is great if you’re done looking high and low for good patterns and want someone else to find them for you.
Some of the patterns are paid, but quite a few are free and just a couple of clicks away. The site is well-organized and easy to browse.
5. Knitting Help
This website is another database style collection with a robust section of free knitting patterns. This one keeps it very simple. You just click the pattern you want.
6. KnitPicks
This site has a good selection of free patterns. It’s not particularly searchable, so you have to just browse. But it’s worth it because there’s a lot of good stuff.
7. Yarnspirations Red Hearts
This site features a nice collection of assorted free knitting patterns for you to download. They have everything from knitted tops to children’s toys.
8. Knitting-and
Okay, so the name is a little odd, but it’s easy to navigate and has a lot to choose from, including tips as well as plenty of patterns.
9. Free Vintage Knitting
This one has a list of categories at the top. Click the one you want, and browse what they have to offer down below.
You can see pictures of each finished product, which makes it easy to see if the pattern will be what you want before you click over.
10. Knitting Pattern Central
This is a well-organized, searchable database of free knitting patterns. Some of their links go to sites that require email logins, but most do not.
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.