So, it feels weird to just go about my business sharing my favourite crafts and encouraging you to get making something right now, but with all the weirdness of the world right now and the recommendation of social distancing, crafts are EXACTLY what we should be doing. Studies have shown that knitting can reduce anxiety and depression and crocheting can improve your sense of calm and give you a project to help pass some of your newfound downtime. But I also know that this is a time of great uncertainty for a lot of people, as many people are experiencing reduced work hours (and pay) and have uncertainty about the security of their jobs and income. So today I want to share some great FREE and discounted craft resources for you!
*Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and buy something, you don’t pay any extra, but I may get a small commission.*
Get my free Knit Scamander scarf pattern here or buy an ad-free printable pdf pattern here.
Let me just give you a little glimpse into pattern designing and the business side of things: knit and crochet designers (among other pattern designers) put a lot of work into designing, writing and testing patterns. Those that offer them for free on their blogs can earn some ad revenue from your traffic and they often offer a pdf printable pattern for a small fee, often on Etsy or Ravelry. As I’ve disclosed, I’m an affiliate and so I get a little bit of commission bit if you make a purchase through one of my Etsy links. If you need free patterns, please be sure to access the designer’s website and give them the traffic they need to earn a little bit of ad revenue and if you can afford it (and also because pdf patterns are so handy), please use one of my links to purchase from Etsy, as that’s how the designer earns some money and how I earn a little bit, too (same price for you and it encourages me to keep finding great patterns to share with you). It really is a joy for me to promote patterns on Etsy because as someone with my own (sad) Etsy shop, I know that pattern designers are individuals, mostly women and often moms just trying to earn a little extra from home for their families, not giant corporations. And I’m glad to support and promote them in their creative endeavours.
First of all, there’s my local knit and crochet celebrity, Stephanie from All About Ami. Stephanie has nearly all of her patterns available for free on her blog. Here she is modelling her Daylight Cardigan, which is free on her blog or available on Etsy here. This cardigan is made with Lionbrand Chainette yarn and is available as a kit from Lionbrand. Lionbrand is running a promotion right now with 25% off all kits with the code KITS25.
Some of my favourite patterns from Stephanie include her amigurumi patterns. Every year, she designs a new one for Chinese New Year, which is really awesome. This year is the Year of the Rat, so she’s got this adorable Chinese New Year Rat amigurumi pattern. It’s available here for free on her blog and also available as a printable pdf pattern on Etsy.
Another great resource for free crochet patterns is Whistle & Ivy. You can get this great Tartan Plaid Slouchy Hat pattern for free on her blog. Bethany has so many great buffalo plaid crochet patterns too, but also crochet patterns of all kinds! She’s very prolific! I learned to crochet buffalo plaid from this hat pattern. If you want to purchase one of her ad-free patterns, they’re available here on Etsy.
Beyond buffalo plaid, Whistle & Ivy also has this beautiful crocheted flip flop pattern for free on her blog here or an ad-free pdf printable pattern here. This is a perfect pattern to work up right now to be ready for the summer weather to come. Some of you can already see the grass where you are (unlike me, who still just sees 20 cm of crusty snow covering my garden), so the hope of summer sandals is much more real for you. These flip flops are so cute! I can’t wait for summer!
If you’re just learning to knit or crochet and would like access to hundreds of online classes and crafting resources, Bluprint is offering 14 days of free online classes to new subscribers and 40% off any item this week (ends March 27, 2020).
We Crochet is a new crochet-focussed spin-off company from Knitpicks. They offer some free crochet patterns as well as pattern kits, complete with both the pattern and the yarn, as well as the option to purchase any hooks or other supplies you might need. Check out this cute Floral Tapestry Top, which is a free downloadable pdf pattern! Bonus!
I love Knitpicks for affordable yarn and needles. But did you also know they have free resources for learning to knit? You can learn to Cast On, Knit, Purl and Bind off. There are so many great free resources available on YouTube and blogs. If you have a free resource you’d like to share, please do so in the comments!
Now that we’re talking about Knitpicks, I must say I really do love my Knitpicks interchangeable needles, especially the beautiful wood needles! I have the Caspian Options Short Interchangeable Set, which I love for hats and sleeves. It’s so great to knit in the round without using double-pointed needles. I do also have a set of Caspian Double Pointed Needles, which come in very handy for finer yarns and when decreasing at the top of a hat. I love how all the Options interchangeable sets work with each other, so it’s like Lego, you can use them with all your other sets and mix and match as need be!
Jessica from Mama In A Stitch has a bunch of lovely free knitting patterns and free crochet patterns including this fun Trails End Seamless Poncho. Nearly every knitter and crocheter I know dislikes seaming, so when we see seamless, we’re in love! Get the free pattern here on her blog or the pdf printable version here on Etsy. Check out her Etsy shop for all her pdf downloadable patterns.
Another free pattern that I’ve made a few times and given away (all my kids have one in their rooms) is this No Fuss Fish pattern from Eden Reborn. You can get the free pattern here on the blog or buy a low cost, ad-free, printable pdf pattern here. It makes a super cute gift and really doesn’t take too long to make at all. Check out all of Eden Reborn’s free crochet patterns here.
Since we still have some time before Easter, it’s not too late to make this floppy bunny amigurumi pattern from One Dog Woof. You can find the free pattern here on the blog or an ad-free pdf printable pattern here on Etsy.
Ashleigh from Sewrella also offers a lot of free patterns on her blog. The Crochet Seaside Cardigan is a lovely drapey cardigan that’s perfect for summer. Find the free pattern here on her blog or an ad-free pdf printable pattern on Etsy here.
I recently made one of Ashleigh’s Double Thick Crocheted Potholders from the free pattern here on her blog (get the ad-free pdf printable pattern here on Etsy). I had some cotton yarn for dishcloths leftover from a previous project, so I whipped up one of these babies when I realized Mr Evangelist’s hands don’t really fit in our oven mitts, so that’s why he’s been using my tea towels!!!
Since we’ve been watching all the Great British Baking Show episodes lately, I want to make one of these Double Oven Mitts by Sarah of Ned and Mimi. She’s got the free pattern on her blog and an ad-free pdf printable pattern available for purchase on Ravelry. So pick up some cotton dishie yarn or any other 100% cotton worsted weight yarn and get making one of these lovely double oven mitts today. I have some Lionbrand 24/7 yarn kicking around, so I think that’s what I’m going to use.
If you are looking for a mandala pattern like the one in the pin and the title heading, I have a resource for you, but it’s not for the exact pattern that I have here. I think I ended up guessing my way through this pattern with an image of a partial chart and a photo, so I don’t really have a pattern for it. But there are some similar-looking patterns here from Mollie Makes.
I hope you’re able to make some of these great free patterns while you’re practicing social distancing. Makers, we’re ready for this! We’ve been stockpiling yarn for YEARS! It’s time to put your stash and your skills to use! Take this break from the whirlwind of life and make some beautiful things. It may help calm the anxiety and you could also get a sweater out of it!
Pin this for later so you can find all these great resources when you’re looking for them!
