Where to Find Free Knitting Patterns Online

Knitting is a creative, practical craft that anyone can learn. Even the simplest stitches can be used to make scarves and even sweaters. Once you know the knit and purl stitches, the possibilities are endless.

There are plenty of websites that offer free knitting patterns and free knitting instructions for the beginning knitter. With a little practice, you'll be knitting a cozy pair of slippers, mittens, or stocking cap.

Knitting Pattern Central is one website that offers a free knitting pattern directory that includes everything from afghans, knitted baby items, doilies, even knitted wedding veils. It also has instructions on the basics of casting on stitches and learning the garter stitch. You can actually make an afghan with this basic knitting stitch.

The Daily Knitter is another website featuring free knitting patterns, daily tips, and articles. It has a daily free knitting pattern. The day that I looked at the site, there was a pattern for a bag with a strap. It is a basic pattern of k5, p5 for most of the knitted bag. This is actually a very stylish bag that can be used with either casual wear or a more elegant evening wear. Use yarn with silver or gold strands and decorative beads for a dressier look. The daily patterns can be viewed for up to two weeks.

Free Vintage Knitting is a wonderful knitting site with free vintage patterns that are always being updated. These older knitting patterns are no longer in print, so they are considered public domain. Feel free to copy these patterns, pass them out to friends, or your local knitting group. The following Children's Cable Knit Socks is one of my favorites. I have used this pattern to knit my daughter socks in assorted colors to match all her play clothes. They are warm and wash well. I use acrylic yarn for these socks. Acrylic yarn is machine washable, comes in endless colors, and wears well. This particular pattern includes a cable pattern which can be a little tricky, but it is explained very well in the instructions.

Children's Cable Socks

Sizes 2 to 3 years. REQUIREMENTS
YARN: 2-ounces of sport yarn.
NEEDLES: 1-pair #2 single-pointed.
Two Stitch Holders
GAUGE: 7 ½ sts to an inch. Starting at the cuff, cast on 40 sts and work in ribbing of k 1, p 1, for 1 ¼ inches. Now work in the following pattern:

1st row: K 7, p 1, k 4, p 1, k 14, p 1, k 4, p 1, k 7.

2nd row: P 7, k 1, p 4, k 1, p 14, k 1, p 4, k 1, p 7. 3rd row: K 7, p 1, slip the next 2 sts onto a dble pt needle and hold in back of work, knit the next 2 sts, knit the 2 sts off the dble pt needle (cable), p 1, k 14, p 1, cable again on the next 4 sts, p 1, k 7. 4th row: Repeat 2nd row. Repeat these 4 rows for the pattern. Work until the piece measures 4 ½ inches in all, ending with 4th row of the pattern. HEEL: Knit 10 sts, leave on the needle; place the next 20 sts for instep onto a st holder; place the remaining 10 sts onto a 2nd st holder. On the 10 sts work in stockinette stitch for 14 rows, (always slipping the first st on a purl row), ending with a purl row.

SHAPING OF HEEL: K 2, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 3, turn;
k 3, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 5, turn;
k 4, sl 1, k 1, psso, k 1, turn; sl 1, p 5, turn;
k 5, sl 1, k 1, psso, no k 1, (6 sts). With the same needle, pick up and knit 8 sts along side of heel; knit 20 sts from st holder; place these 34 sts onto a free st holder. Knit 10 sts from st holder and work in stockinette stitch for 15 rows, (always slipping the first st on a knit row), ending with a knit row.

SHAPING OF HEEL: P 2, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 3, turn;
p 3, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 4, turn;
p 4, p 2 tog, p 1, turn; sl 1, k 5, turn;
p 5, p 2 tog, no p 1, (6 sts). With the same needle, pick up and purl 8 sts along side of heel; purl the sts off st holder. NEXT ROW: Knit 16 sts; place a marker on the needle; k 16 sts; place a marker on the needle; knit 16 sts. Purl across next row, keeping markers in place. GUSSET DECREASES: Knit to within 3 sts of first marker, k 2, tog, k 1; slip marker; knit 16 sts; slip marker; k 1, sl 1, k 1, psso, knit to end of row. 2nd row: Purl across row, keeping markers in place. Repeat these last 2 rows until 36 sts remain on the needle. Drop off markers. Now work in stockinette stitch until the sock measures 5 inches from the back of the heel, ending with a knit row. Purl 9 sts; place a marker on the needle; purl 18 sts; place a marker on the needle; purl 9 sts. TOE DECREASES: Knit to within 3 sts of first marker, k 2 tog, k 1, slip marker, k 1, sl 1, k 1, psso, knit to within 3 sts of 2nd marker, k 2 tog, k 1; slip marker; k 1, sl 1, k 1, psso, knit to end of row. NEXT ROW: Purl across row, keeping markers in place. Repeat these last 2 rows until 12 sts remain on the needle, ending with a knit row. Purl 2 sts together across the next row. Break yarn, leaving 12 inches. Thread a darning needle and draw thru the sts and fasten tight on the wrong side. Sew sole and back seam. Make the other sock the same way. There are many more free knitting patterns online. Just do a search on Google or yahoo and you'll have enough patterns to keep you knitting throughout the year.