I finished my Saila top this week! As I tried on the finished product, I relished in the success of another free pattern. Throughout my knitting life, I have had tremendous luck finding beautiful items to make without spending money on the pattern itself. (Yes, I’m taking pride in being a bit of a cheapskate in this department!)
The process of knitting is like therapy for me, and a steady flow of available patterns makes a difference in my mindset and mood. I am immensely grateful for being able to keep my needles busy without breaking the bank, thanks to a variety of free pattern sources.
My Favorite Ways to Find Free Patterns:
1. Ravelry Advanced Search
Many knitters (and crocheters) already know and love Ravelry. The database has over 300k free patterns! Anytime I do a search, I make sure to click “advanced search,” expand “availability”, and choose the “free” category. You can pair this with all of your other filters to find the perfect project for you. That’s how I found the Saila Top, Favorite Socks, Christian’s Hat, and the Tip Top Tank.
2. Yarn Selling Websites
I also use popular yarn manufacturer or reseller websites to find free patterns (even if I plan on substituting the yarn for something in my stash). I’ve had luck with Hobbii.com for a Lacey Bandana, and used a free cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarns earlier this year.
3. Other Bloggers
Sadly, I am not a pattern designer, so you won’t find patterns here. But, so many bloggers offer free patterns alongside their inspired writing! I made the easy heirloom blanket by Mama In A Stitch in 2024, and she has many more to choose from! As a bonus, many bloggers with patterns have tutorials to complement their pattern instructions.
4. Digital Magazines
(Library Membership or Apple News Subscription Required)
I have been impressed by the number of knitting magazines that I can find through my existing subscriptions. My local library has The Knitter, Simply Knitting, and Australian Knitting through the CloudLibrary app. Yours may have similar offerings, or even more! I also have an Apple News+ subscription, which has an entire Hobbies section of magazines. I made the Medallion Cowl from The Knitter, Issue 222, thanks to these digital subscriptions.
In my last post, I also mentioned checking out knitting pattern books from the library as well. Another great way to get access to patterns with no cost to you!
Of course, choosing a free pattern may sometimes mean that the formatting isn’t as standardized or that the pattern hasn’t been through rigorous testing. But, I’ve found that this is usually easy to identify by reading the entire pattern first (a simple way to avoid disaster for all patterns, free or paid). You can also search Ravelry projects to see if other knitters have made the pattern successfully.
Designing a pattern is hard work, and my hunt for free patterns is not due to a lack of respect for that process. I buy patterns and books throughout the year, but free patterns fuel my daily knitting addiction. And truly, cost shouldn’t stop any of us from enjoying a craft we love.
Happy Knitting!
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