Answer
Best Free Knitting Pattern Sites: Where to Look
Ravelry has the largest searchable collection of free knitting patterns, DROPS Design (garnstudio.com) offers a huge free library in many languages, and Yarnspirations, Lion Brand, Purl Soho and AllFreeKnitting are good for browsing. Craftuary has free beginner knitting patterns, such as its Garter Stitch Dishcloth, with every count written out.
At a glance
| Where | What's there | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ravelry | The largest searchable database of knitting and crochet patterns, with filters for free patterns, yarn weight and difficulty. Searching needs a free account. | The widest choice |
| DROPS Design | More than 190,000 free knitting and crochet patterns by its own count, plus tutorial videos, in many languages. | Free garments in your language |
| Yarnspirations | Over 10,000 free crochet and knitting patterns written for its own yarn brands. | Patterns written for one exact yarn |
| Lion Brand | A yarn maker with free knitting and crochet patterns. | Easy patterns sorted by level |
| Purl Soho | Free and paid knitting patterns, with a free patterns category and filters by yarn weight and project. | Modern, minimal designs |
| AllFreeKnitting | A directory of free knitting patterns gathered from designers, with tutorials. | Browsing many free ideas |
| Craftuary Garter Stitch Dishclothours | An 8 x 8 in cotton dishcloth: cast on 36 stitches, knit every row for 72 rows, bind off. | A very first project |
How to start
- Filter by free and by difficulty. Most big sites let you; start with patterns marked easy or beginner.
- Match the yarn weight. The pattern's gauge only works with the yarn weight it names.
- Knit a gauge swatch. Ten minutes of swatching saves a sweater that doesn't fit.
- Read the comments or projects. Other knitters' notes show where a pattern is unclear.
Questions
Is Ravelry free?
Yes. An account is free, and it lists both free and paid patterns; use the free filter when you search.
Are DROPS patterns really free?
Yes. DROPS Design publishes its patterns free and sells the yarns they are written for; you can use another yarn of the same weight.
Where can a beginner find free knitting patterns?
Start with a dishcloth or a garter stitch scarf. Craftuary's free Garter Stitch Dishcloth and the beginner filters on Ravelry and Lion Brand are good places to look.
Site and brand names are used only to identify them; Craftuary is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them. Spotted something out of date? Email hello@craftuary.com.
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