How to Find Free Knitting Patterns

Knitting is one of the most popular needlecraft hobbies in North America. If you knit and are looking for the perfect sweater or blanket pattern, you might be able to find it for free! Wouldn't you really rather spend your money on yarn? Here's how to find lots of different knitting patterns.

Things You'll Need

• Library
• Computer
• Internet connection
• Printer

Instructions

1. Start your search for free knitting patterns at your local library. Most libraries have a crafts section, and there are sure to be a few knitting books in that collection.

2. Log on to the Joann or Michaels websites for knitting patterns. Michaels rates project difficulty from 1 to 5. The Joann system is more like a regular search engine. You can decide on the category, skill level, yarn you would like to use and other criteria to narrow down the results.

3. Join the Bernat pattern club for free and get lots of beautiful patterns on their website. This Canadian company has patterns and information available in both English and Spanish. They also have a "Yarn Switcher" so you can find an equivalent Bernat yarn for a pattern originally designed for a different yarn.

4. See if Coats and Clark has a pattern you like on their website. The makers of Red Heart Yarn add new patterns every week to their site, so the patterns are contemporary and stylish. Patterns are also rated for skill level, so you can be sure to find a project right for you.

5. Access the nearly 1,000 patterns available at the Daily Knitter. The website links you to patterns in different categories all over the Internet. Instead of directing you to the main webpage, it takes you right to the pattern you want on that site.

6. Try a free pattern with a Scandinavian flair at the DROPS website. Garnstudio has translated nearly 2,000 patterns from the original Swedish and posted them on their website. This is a place to explore if you want to have something a little bit different from the rest of the crowd.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a specific knitting book or author in mind, and your local library branch doesn't carry it? Ask if they can order it from the interlibrary loan system. If your library is a member, they can get it for you for free.

• If you do make a copy of any knitting pattern, don't attempt to sell it to someone else. That is infringing on a copyright, and you could be prosecuted for doing so.

Resources

• Joann.com may have the knitting pattern you want.
• Go to the Michaels website to see if they have the pattern you're looking for.
• Sign up for the Bernat pattern club here.
• Look for inspiration at the Coats and Clark website.
• Maybe the Pattern of the Day is the one you're looking for at the Daily Knitter.
• See what patterns are available in English from the DROPS brochures.