Knitting for Beginners: 50+ Easy Knitting Patterns
These knitting projects for beginners are great springboards to your personal knitting journey. You can create a beautiful knitted item regardless of your skill level.
If you're new to the knitting world, that doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to create beautiful, handmade garments for your friends and family. Once you learn the basics of knitting, there are plenty of free knitting patterns for beginners for every season.
Whether you're looking for easy knitting patterns like hats, or if you're hoping to snag a few easy scarf knitting patterns, you're bound to find something you like in this collection.
Do you have a birthday party coming up, or a special event like a wedding? Use that opportunity to learn a new skill, practice some easy knit stitches, and make your own gift! Beginning knitting doesn't have to be difficult; once you know the basics (with the help of some free tutorials), you'll find that there's a wide variety of (free!) easy knitting patterns to suit all tastes.
But First!
Learn how to knit the most basic stitch pattern, the garter stitch, with this easy-to-follow video!
Table of Contents
Easy Hat Knitting Patterns Easy Scarf Knitting Projects and Patterns Free Afghan Knitting Patterns for Beginners Even More Easy Projects for Beginners Learn to Knit: Tutorials for Beginning Knitting Best Knitting Needles for Beginners What Knitting Needles to Use? The Knitting Stitches Library - Easy Knit Stitches for Newbies & More
Easy Hat Knitting Patterns
The difficulty about beginning knitting is that you can feel limited in what you can accomplish. Don't feel this way! There are plenty of free knitting patterns for beginners that are simple enough for you to tackle and feature easy knit stitches, even if you don't know every knitting technique in the book.
This collection of hat patterns is a great place to get started. Once you've knit your way through easy knitting patterns, you're bound to be able to try something a little more challenging! If you're not familiar with circular knitting needles, don't worry. Many of the patterns featured below use straight knitting needles. You'll just need to seam them up the back to create a nice round shape.
Easy Scarf Knitting Projects and Patterns
The best friend of any knitter, this collection of basic knit scarf patterns are particularly fun for beginners looking for easy knit stitches.
Depending on the pattern, you might be able to knit your own stylish accessory - for any season - in a matter of hours this weekend! Once you learn how to knit a scarf for beginners, you'll never look back.
Scarves also make great gifts for a variety of occasions, whether it's a birthday party, a holiday gift, or a handmade present for a special friend.
I know you'll love these knitting projects for beginners! Free and simple - what more could you ask for in a scarf? Learn how to knit a scarf for beginners today and a wide array of beautiful patterns will be at your disposal.
Looking to practice your knitting skills? Check out this Grayson Mistake Rib Beginner Hat!
Note: This project is from I Like Knitting digital magazine. Non-members can access 3 free patterns every month. Subscribe to the I Like Knitting Gold Club for unlimited access to their entire pattern archive, featuring hundreds of exclusive patterns.
Free Afghan Knitting Patterns for Beginners
While quick knitting projects are fun for taking with you on the go, larger projects are wonderful for practicing knitting skills and can be extremely rewarding, too. In this collection of beautiful afghan patterns, you'll find a group of blankets composed of simple stitches that make a big impact on your home decor.
Many of the blankets below feature the garter stitch, which is just the repeated knit stitch over and over again. As you continue knitting the same easy knit stitch, the motion will become more natural and your speed will increase. At the end of all that practice, you'll also have your own homemade afghan! These easy knitting patterns are more than worth the effort.
Afghans are the perfect beginner project if you're sick of scarves. You'll love these patterns if you're new to knitting but looking to get cozy:13 Free Easy Knit Afghan Patterns for Beginners
Even More Easy Projects for Beginners
The fun doesn't stop there. Here, we've compiled a collection of bonus free knitting patterns for beginners so you can perfect the art and create something fantastic all at the same time.
You'll be astounded at how simple these patterns are, and probably find yourself wondering why you didn't start knitting sooner.
Maybe you've worked through all of our free knitting patterns for beginners but aren't quite ready yet to move onto more complicated patterns. These are your next projects, you eager knitters. With these beginner projects and patterns, you'll get the hang of knitting and master some easy knit stitches in no time.
Learn to Knit: Tutorials for Beginning Knitting
Before you can tackle any of these beginning knitting patterns, you're going to need to learn the basics - including some easy knit stitches!
Some of you might have already learned the essentials, but a refresher never hurts. With this collection of straightforward knitting tutorials, you should have no problem completing any one of the beginning knitting patterns below. Most of our tutorials come in the form of very helpful videos, so you can pause, rewind, and go at your own pace while learning how to knit.
Ready your needles, beginners, and get ready to learn one of the most fun skills ever!
Best Knitting Needles for Beginners
Now that you've looked through all the wonderful knitting patterns for beginners, you might be asking yourself, "What kind of knitting needles are best for beginners?" We recommend a pair of large, straight knitting needles. When you’re first starting out, it’s best to start big. Bigger needles and bigger, bulkier yarns are much easier to work with and will potentially save you a lot of frustration in the long run.
US Size 13/9mm straight knitting needles are a good choice. These needles won’t hurt your hands the way smaller sizes might when you’re just starting out. You may find practicing on circular needles works best for you. You don’t only need to knit in the round when using circular needles – you can knit regular items on them – and the shorter size makes them easier to control, so it might be worthwhile to invest in a pair of circulars as well.
Two additional sizes used most often are US 8/5mm and US 10/6mm. We recommended first buying these three sizes and then collecting other sizes as needed.
What Knitting Needles to Use?
There are many different types of needles, but if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option for your knitting starter kit, we recommended aluminum or plastic. However, keep in mind these materials can be quite slippery and your knitting stitches can easily slip off your needles. According to the experts at marthastewart.com, bamboo or wood needles can be great choices for beginners since they’re comfortable and your stitches will not slide off as easily.
As the article states,
"Needles are made of different materials, including metal, wood, bamboo, and plastic. The material you choose is a matter of preference, but beginners may like working with wood or bamboo needles, because they are a bit flexible, are comfortable to use, and stitches don't slip off them as easily as they do from metal or plastic needles."
Check out what one of our favorite knitting bloggers had to say about her needle preference:
“I think beginners do best starting with a medium weight yarn (worsted is good) and medium size straight needles, maybe somewhere between a US 7 and US 9. Anything too small is hard to see what you're doing and anything too big can be awkward to handle. It's up to you what needle material you prefer, I'm a bamboo lover, but you might have to try more than one brand before you find what you like. But whatever you do, avoid furry or fluffy yarn like chenille, eyelash, or mohair, you need to be able to see your stitches!” – Cassie May, littleredwindow.com
The Knitting Stitches Library - Easy Knit Stitches for Newbies & More
Learning to knit is a lot easier one stitch at a time. That's why we compiled all of our videos that help you learn the different types of knitting stitches all in one place!
Most knitters begin with garter stitch and stockinette stitch. These two stitches are by far the most common in knitting, and once you learn them, you can master just about any pattern out there. But they're really just the tip of the knitting iceberg. Whether you want to try lacing or even cables and ribs, there's a stitch here that will help you take your knitting to the next level.
Plus: All of the stitches in the Knitting Stitches Library have videos to help you learn!
If you are brand new to the art of knitting, be sure to check out our extensive list of knitting supplies for beginners. This article tells you exactly what to buy to get started as well as suggestions from some of our favorite knitting bloggers. Don't forget to scroll all the way down to the bottom to download the free shopping list!Beginning Knitting Supplies: The Ultimate Knitting Tools List
Up Next:
37 Quick and Easy Knitting Patterns
What's your favorite beginner knitting pattern? Leave a comment below and let us know!
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siamesecat 4422582
Mar 31, 2017
I LOVE ALL YOUR PATTERNS AND I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL THAT YOU MAKE THEM AVAILABLE, I LOVE CUSHION COVERS, HATS, FLOWERS AND DOLLS CLOTHES. SMALLER THINGS REALLY, I AM AN IMPATIENT KNITTER.I LOVE THE LITTLE HAT FOR THE ALL IN NE BABY TOP, HOWEVER I DON'T HAVE THE PATTERN FOR THE TOP, I WILL HAVE TO SEARCH. BLESSINGS TO ALL THOSE WHO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE. XXX
radar57 3331549
Jun 13, 2016
I really like the idea of free patterns for beginners. Thank you. #BestIdeaEver
aco1954 9842824
May 11, 2016
For the life of me, I cannot get the pattern for The Country Cottage Blanket to show up in my emails. I've tried numerous times to no avail. I really want to make this blanket!!!! HELP??
KathrynAllison
May 17, 2016
Hello aco1954 9842824! If you type "Country Cottage Blanket" in the search bar in the upper left corner of the page, you will be able to access the full pattern on the blogger's site. Hope this helps! -Editors of AllFreeKnitting
Lisa
Oct 12, 2020
To get this pattern, you must subscribe to the bloggers page, wait for the email confirmation, confirm your subscription, then wait for the bloggers to send it to you in another email. It is a free pattern, but it is not on the bloggers page, as an editor of all free knitting has told you. To get the pattern you must jump through the hoops to get it.
Oretirivergirl 222 2695
Jun 02, 2015
Being taught by a talented perfectionist knitting mom and having to unpick every time I dropped a stitch no matter how far down the fabric she noticed it, and she had a keen eye. Character building and I didn't give up. My three kids got lovely knitted garments but the best ones were from gran!
nedwards3 7869445
May 31, 2015
Learning to keep even tension was a chore, at first, but I'm getting there. Thanks for a great site.
RobertaOH
May 31, 2015
When I first started I had some problem with needle size with yarn and gauge.
Catgogal 5998476
May 30, 2015
thank you for all the knitting support, this is my go to when I'm stuck
absauls 6722424
May 30, 2015
One of my biggest challenge's as a beginner knitter is learning the increase.
BlueCoyote
May 30, 2015
My biggest challenge was getting the hang of DPS which I still have not mastered but I'm great using two circs! -)
xaja0308 7158273
May 29, 2015
I am always looking for straight needle hat patterns. Please post more on your site.
declansmom
May 28, 2015
Finding patterns I liked AND could manage as a beginner was always a chore. Then I just decided to dive right in. I learned a lot from my failures!
susie498 0605593
May 28, 2015
my biggest problem with knitting is getting the knitted stitches at a even knit... Im either to tight or to loose... I have never seen anything on this.
susie498 0605593
May 28, 2015
I enjoy using this cite... so many cute ideas and especially because most of the patterns are free Thank you
palladium5858 9865 669
May 28, 2015
My biggest challenge was learning where to find help in understanding new stitches, such as cables, stranded knitting, and yarn overs. Eventually I found You Tube videos, which led me to look for the teachers, and then I usually found they had a forum on Ravelry. So, You Tube tutorials on knitting were a great help in overcoming frustrations about how to learn a new stitch, when I was a new knitter.
darleneb33 9105103
May 28, 2015
my biggest challenge with starting to knit deciding on a pattern and getting off the computer to start a project, there are so many wonderful patterns to choose from I can't decide where to start or who to knit for...
pathwaylabradors 9 995369
May 28, 2015
My biggest challenge as a beginner is keeping my stitches at the same tension. I tend to knit loose and have found going down one size of needle is helping some....as they say always check your gauge.
colleend1173 64445 27
May 28, 2015
My biggest challenge is looking at pictures of "how to" and making my fingers do what they are supposed to do.
nckeith 0457919
May 28, 2015
Love knitting dishcloths since they are fast and I get a feeling of accomplishment. And they are great gifts!!!
hoopskd25 5208999
May 28, 2015
My biggest challenge as a new knitter was that my stitches were too loose. My first sweater went around me twice!
joannehaffie 77569 09
May 28, 2015
One of my problems for knitting as a beginner was relaxing my knitting. At first every row was so tight it was hard to knit the next row. I'm learning to relax now.
coconnor 0023631
May 28, 2015
Biggest challenge is understanding and interpreting pattern directions. Often they are not clear.
adevine 1368713
May 28, 2015
My biggest challenge as a new knitter was making stitches evenly--my tension was all over the place, and just forget about gauge! But practice has taught my hands the muscle memory needed for even stitching.
daimheach 0132557
May 27, 2015
My biggest challenge was holding needles in such a fashion as to make it POSSIBLE to put yarn together. Took awhile - think I finally got it. Have made a few dishcloths, and scarves....Still working on trying to find a way to make my tension reliable.
absauls 6722424
May 27, 2015
One of my biggest challenges has been understanding the pattern directions.
rachelbryant111 41 41486
May 26, 2015
The hardest thing as a beginning knitter is holding yarn on needles and trying to figure out how to pick up dropped stitches correctly( I still have trouble with this,though finally know how to pick up a dropped stitch unless it is twisted and if it goes down more than one deep) and take things out of a row if made a mistake without causing more dropped stitches.
ejrowe51 1879023
May 26, 2015
While I'm a "plain' knitter, I love your site because I'm using up left over wool to knit beanies for the homeless. So your patterns for tops that are knitted from the top down has given me a new knitting skill, I'm also doing charity work. Keep up the great patterns.
Lisagh
May 26, 2015
I'm always looking for new things to try. I love knitting, and each time I try something different, I learn new things. Thank you!
jshel58 9885720
May 26, 2015
My biggest challenge is tak7ng my knitting to the next level. Knit an purl was easy, but trying to go to some of the different knitting designs was an is still challenging. I need a visual an even then it with the directions is still difficult.
Charb
May 26, 2015
I'm so new. I don't know how to fix mistakes so I've MANY unfinished projects - disappointed, actually. If I figure out what to do how to backtrack...
swiftcurrent 36675 56
May 26, 2015
Love the beginner patterns even for an experienced knitter!
debrowley1 4303421
May 26, 2015
my biggest challenge is yarn weights/substitution, specifically, trying to substitute one brand of yarn for another because I can't find the yarn or it is too expensive. I either will have too much yarn leftover or the gauge isn't quite right or the drape of the piece doesn't look good.
Shelby1 6362388
May 26, 2015
The most difficult things for me was 1 - keeping the sides of a scarf or project straight and 2 - dropping a stitch midway. The solution was watching videos when I get in trouble and a friend who is an expert knitter who possesses the patience of a saint! ) Working on dishcloths helped a lot, as well as baby caps.
robylou 4391019
May 26, 2015
The most difficult ting for me when I knit is that I want it to be perfect, so I take it out and do it over several times, which then is frustrating because it takes so long to finish something. But I've heard, practice makes perfection.
Member 8259529
May 25, 2015
Going beyond the basic knit stitch and reading/following patterns. Just stuck on standard knit scarves right now )
kaoticekko 7472502
May 25, 2015
I'm still learning but knowing which side is which is a challenge for me!
kitten0 7639168
May 25, 2015
I never thought I would enjoy knitting as much as I do!! The beginner patterns are a great way to start out!!
sfiresto
May 25, 2015
My toughest challenge is trying to learn to knit cable without it being backwards. I am a lefty and don't know any other lefty knitters who can show me how to do it without it twisting the wrong way.
DC Knitter
May 25, 2015
My toughest challenge was to learn how to tell how many rows I had knitted or crocheted by looking at my work.
hamneggs
May 25, 2015
My biggest knitting challenge is so many patterns and so little time. Thanks to AllFreeKnitting I will challenged for the rest of my life.
bjhupman 9119942
May 25, 2015
My biggest hurdle is when I started was working with smaller needles. Been knitting for est. 5 years and just this year I can knit socks, found out I needed a longer needle.
MERRYFEYTH 2709830
May 25, 2015
As both an artist and support provider in fiber creations I have often searched for instructional material of introductory knitting material that stimulates interest and skill development while expanding the project selection beyond simple forms.As a fledgling knitter I was challenged by my desire to create outreaching my practical skill sets,and find that to be a commonly shared obstacle to enjoyment of this wonderfully satisfying and productive art form.
puppybuzz
May 25, 2015
Began knitting 7 months ago and absolutely love it! I have knitted several patterns off this site and could not be prouder of myself, including blankets, scarves, a bowtie and a lap robe. This is so much fun, I call it my sanity as I am a full time caregiver. My biggest hurdle seems to be my eyesight which is not the best, I cannot read needle sizes
mjackson48 3634211
May 25, 2015
After asking several people to teach me, finally a friend got me started. I started knitting a scarf that I probably restarted about 15 times before I finished it. When I had a problem, (or thought I did), I had no one to ask, so I relied on AllFreeKnitting and other web sites to try and work through it. (My granddaughter asked for the scarf when I finished it, even though it still had some mistakes). I really enjoy the patterns on AllFreeKnitting and can't wait to get better and try some of the harder ones
mdrgault 6390226
May 25, 2015
When I started to knit, I found I couldn't knit the way I was being taught. Through trial and error, I found that I was a left hand knitter. Much easier and my tension went from all over the map to consistent and the knitting became a pleasure and need. Interestingly, I can't seem to do continental knitting, which is basically left hand knitting.
chrisk
May 25, 2015
Love these collections each is easily done by a beginner and the how to series is handy if your getting started. Even though simple these patterns are stylish enough to be a go to patterns for the experienced knitter.
HaveChristianFaith 12
May 25, 2015
My biggest problem as a beginner knitter is making hats ( whether their baby , Childs, or adult) ! The patterns that you get on the web site give you the amount of stitches to use , they say try to gage it but it hardly ever worked out and I usually made the hats too big or too small! One wonderful woman who gave a baby knitted pattern said its the tension your using when you wrap the yarn around to knit ! You have to have an even tension not too tight that it's hard to knit into the stitch ! I finally after MANY failed attempts got it right ! Never give up ! Here is a pic of my baby hat and booties that I made this year !
serenancy 5492419
May 25, 2015
My biggest problem is making mistakes not being able to fix them. I only know how to rip out a row or two but then have trouble picking up the right number of stitches especially if I've been doing a pattern row. I usually wind up stating from scratch.
Yarnluvr
May 25, 2015
My biggest problem at first was getting the tension right. Seaming took a lot of practice too.
sfoster2006 066374 4
May 25, 2015
Wow, my list of challenges could be long! When I first started knitting, just reading the patterns with all the abbreviations was a challenge. I still struggle with gauge and actually try to avoid it. These days I am trying my hand at knitting lace. Reading the lace charts is like learning a foreign language. But I hope to ne day soon produce a beautiful lace shawl. I attached a picture of my first socks made in 2012.
mcb 0882468
May 25, 2015
correct gauge and using more than one colour are my biggest issues - but these days I am having more problems with arthritis in my fingers so both knitting and crocheting are becoming difficult
Crafter 17881
May 25, 2015
My biggest problem has always been obtaining the correct gauge, whether I'm knitting or crocheting. Needless to say, I don't make many clothing items!
fightingmama 53534 84
May 21, 2015
I had trouble not adding uncalled for stitches (which I was a wiz at) and keeping a consistent tension.
Member 7598386
May 21, 2015
My biggest challenge is getting the gauge right especially when knitting sweaters, etc. Also, I often have a problem with putting the garment together so that the seams are not so visible.
clennek 0538071
May 21, 2015
I am an avid crocheter, so when it comes to knitting, I can't seem to get both needles in motion. I tend to plant one in a vertical position and work around it which makes it very awkward to execute the stitches. Love the patterns you chose for the beginner...maybe I'll try knitting again.
klhfrog2 0009946
May 21, 2015
I have two big challenges with knitting one is remembering the basic stitches names and the other is correcting mistakes made using those basic stitches. When reading about how to fix mistakes, most show how to fix the 'knit one row and purl next'. I wasn't able to find how to fix a 'knit every row' pattern.
hooked6812
May 21, 2015
The challenge i face is keeping all the loops on the needles whenever I drop one, I have a terrible time trying to pick it up again. I've been crocheting for years and know how to fix most any mistake I might make, not so with knitting - yet.
grayj 7080430
May 21, 2015
Given me great ideas for teaching my granddaughters to knit. A peggy square or scarf does not hold their attention but may be multicolours and cushions for their tweenie rooms will.
absauls 6722424
May 20, 2015
My biggest challenge is understanding the visuals and instructions in knitting books. It makes it quite a challenge when I'm trying to learn new stitches!
socrafty1 7902577
May 20, 2015
My biggest challenge is trying to find the correct yarn weight for patterns if I do not care for the yarn that is called for in the pattern and I need to use a substitute.
kmekme 4098826
May 20, 2015
My biggest challenge is that I can't stop buying yarn. Thanks for all of the free patterns. I wish I had time to make them all, I certainly have the yarn!
kfoltz 2746592
May 19, 2015
My biggest challenge is keeping the tension between the stitches equal. Also, I think I could use some help with getting the gauge right. P.S. Thank you for all the beautiful free patterns!!
lmaichel 2864236
May 19, 2015
Thanks for all of the free patterns-I am into blankets and you have some great ones for beginners like me! Cheers!
lorief1
May 19, 2015
My biggest problem is reading diagrams for patterns. I've tried many times but can never seem to understand them!
Meychey
May 19, 2015
My biggest challenge as a beginning knitter is not acting like a beginning knitter and starting with simple scarves, cowls or spa cloths! Not for me! I start with the big cable projects, become frustrated and go to a spa cloth for success. Then I tackle all of those new abbreviations and stitches in the cable project. I have high hopes.
vaanderton 5957621
May 19, 2015
I think this book is great. I am not an accomplished knitter although I can follow some very basic patterns. This book is a great reference book for me.
Sewroute
May 19, 2015
This is a wonderful site for beginners, I learned 84 yrs. ago, from my Mother learning to knit the clockwork stitch.I have been knitting ever since. Beginners trust this site to help you, and you will be knitting items in no time.
Neila1215 6977778
May 19, 2015
My biggest challenge when I started knitting was getting the gauge right. I was lazy and didn't want to be bothered knitting a gauge swatch. Now I know how important that is!
voeltner
May 19, 2015
My biggest challenge is knitting socks, and I'm not even attempting to knit sweaters.
samuelcma 1334579
May 19, 2015
My biggest challenge when I first started knitting was after knitting a purl stitch remembering to move the yarn to the back for the knit stitch. After doing this mistake enough I learned not to do this anymore.
robylou 4391019
May 19, 2015
It's inspiring as a newer knitter to look at all the nice beginning projects to choose from. Thanks for the ideas and helping hands!
jehanc 0795841
May 18, 2015
I think it's great that you put together a bunch of easy patterns for the beginning knitter, such as my daughter. Now there is a place for them to go to find something easy to start with.
pastormarciaurban 7168623
May 18, 2015
TONS of good info here for my 12-year-old "learner" granddaughter. Thank you. She is very visual and will get a lot from these articles and patterns.
xaja0308 7158273
May 18, 2015
I look forward every day to getting your patterns in my email inbox. My morning ritual is sitting down with a hot cup of coffee and going over each pattern. My Pattern Box is almost full. Thank you for your wonderful website.
nascii 9773081
Aug 28, 2014
I am a new knitter and I just love to make something that looks nice and was easy for me to understand.
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