I’m sure we could all use a little extra comfort right now. A crocheted (or knit!) cuddly creature is the perfect thing to make to get a feeling of accomplishment with only a few hours of work (well, depending on the pattern). Smaller amigurumis (crocheted stuffed toys) can come together in one to three hours. It’s so fun to watch your yarn turn into a cuddly little friend. What better gift to give to your child or grandchild than a handmade stuffed toy for a little bit of extra comfort? Check out these adorable amigurumi patterns to make! (There’s even a couple of knitting patterns in here!)
*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.*
How about these Beep & Boop the Robot Twins? If you’re just getting started with amigurumi, this is a very easy crochet pattern that is only 11 pages long and includes plenty of step-by-step photos to help you along the way.
If robots aren’t quite cuddly enough for you, check out this Cuddle-Sized Teddy Bear Amigurumi Crochet Pattern. Tristan the Teddy Bear is the perfect little classic teddy bear amigurumi pattern, also a very easy pattern to follow with plenty of helpful step-by-step photos. Storyland Amis has plenty of other fabulous amigurumi patterns worth spending your time on! Go take a look for a wide assortment of adorable amigurumi creatures.
If you’re looking for a stuffed animal pattern that is a little bit less conventional, but just as adorable, check out this Plush Baby Bull Pattern. This sample is made with a plush velvet yarn, which looks so cozy! Anyone would love to snuggle up to this adorable little bull!
Of course, with Easter only a couple of weeks away, this Plush Bunny in Dress Crochet Pattern is here just in time for Easter gift-giving. You’ll have to get on it though! Look at how sweet this adorable Easter bunny is. What a sweet gift idea!
Speaking of bunnies, the pattern shown above Penelope Bunny in Granny Square Dress and hat. The Granny Square Dress and hat and shoes are a separate pattern (that fits a few of her dolls, so the Penelope Bunny would have to be purchased separately. Carmen Rent is also another prolific amigurumi designer with plenty of fantastic doll patterns to explore.
One of my favourite amigurumi designers, Manuska, has created this beautiful Maya Angelou Crochet Doll Pattern, celebrating a strong and accomplished woman. What a lovely way to introduce a young woman to this excellent female role model!
Of course, if you’re all about the animals, this Pug Shpuntic Dog Amigurumi Crochet Pattern is a hilarious, cartoony amigurumi pattern that you simply must try! I love all his folds and crazy eyes!
If you’ve stumbled on this post with not much time until Easter, this Charlie the Chick Crochet Pattern is a small pattern that works up quickly with a small amount of yarn. If you’re looking for a free version, it’s available here on the Yarn Society website.
For a different style of bird pattern, check out the Blu the Bird Amigurumi Crochet Pattern. Such a cute little birdie pattern. It’s also available for free on the Yarn Society website by clicking here.
For my knitters, I haven’t forgotten about you! It’s just not as easy to find cute knitted toys. The visibility of increases and decreases in knitting just doesn’t lend itself as well to amigurumi. But these Moss the Sheep Knitting Patterns are an exception! Fluff and Fuzz has quite a few adorable amigurumi knitting patterns, so if you’re not interested in learning crochet, check out the great variety of knitting patterns in the Fluff and Fuzz shop.
This one was another favourite from Fluff & Fuzz, the Berry Bear knitting pattern. In this fuzzy yarn, you can’t tell it’s knit at all! It looks so good! My kids would love one of these adorable scruffy-looking stuffed bears.
I know that some of you may have difficulty getting out to get supplies if you’re either quarantined or social distancing or if stores have temporarily closed in your area. Most online retailers continue to ship and in my city, Michaels is still offering curbside pick up. It’s not quite the same as making a trip into a store and squishing all the yarn, but Knitpicks and Lionbrand Yarn have a wide selection of yarn and other supplies that you can order and have shipped to you if you need some supplies to make these cute amigurumi toys.
Which of these adorable amigurumis will you get to work on today? Pick up a pattern or pin it for later!
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.*
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
March is International Craft Month! How appropriate, because it is also the month that I, the Craft Evangelist was born! Coincidental? I think not! If you’ve been waiting for a good reason to start crafting or just want to ramp it up a bit for this special month, I have got some great inspiration 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.*
This gorgeous pattern was just released this week. The Portofino Sweater Crochet Pattern is a gorgeous, off-the-shoulder middle season garment, perfect to make for spring or chilly summer evenings. It would look great as an easy-going cover-up over a swimsuit. It has options to make it with short sleeves or long sleeves as pictured here. I love the long-sleeved version. This is definitely going on my list of things to make!
Ok, I know I’m usually all about the knit and crochet, but there’s more to crafts than just knit and crochet, right? (Oh, but I love the yarn!!!) Check out this super fun Faux Fur Earmuffs Sewing Pattern. How cute are those? And they look so warm! Perfect to transition out of these cooler months. Here in Edmonton, March is a complete mystery weather-wise… you never know what you’re going to get!
And look at this for some variety. Maybe you’re all about the embroidery. Or maybe you’d like to get into this craft, in which case this Bicycle + Flowers Embroidery Kit is the perfect thing for you. The beautiful thing about craft kits is that they include everything you need to start a new craft. There’s nothing more annoying than finding that you have to go searching for a craft supply you didn’t know you needed or don’t know where to find in the craft store when you just want to get making. Kits are a great solution for that. They also make great gifts for someone who is interested in getting into a new craft!
Ok, so back to my wheelhouse. This pattern for Sandals with rope soles is a great looking crochet pattern to make these cute looking summer shoes! How crafty is it to say you made your own shoes! These make me long for summer so much! I love this style of flip flop, as they stay on your feet really nicely and even make great shoes to wear around the house.
I also really like this pattern: Thong sandals with rope soles crochet pattern. These sandals have a lovely boho vibe about them. I love them made in these neutral colours. They’d be so fun at a festival or just walking around the farmers market. As the snow falls right now, it’s not exactly flip-flop weather, but perhaps I can dream while I make a pair of these!
While we’re dreaming of summer, why not try making one of these Double V Crop Top Crochet Pattern? I love this mustard colour and the crop top look. This simple and sexy top would be great for the beach or the weekend.
The Knotty Crop Top summer sweater knitting pattern is a great festival top for knitters to make! The chunky yarn and open stitches mean that this pattern works up quickly. You can throw it on top of a sundress for a little extra warmth with a boho-chic vibe or wear it over a swimsuit for a sexy cover up!
While we’re still dreaming of summertime, I’m loving this Aloha Cardigan Crochet Pattern. It can be worn year-round to add a little warmth and style to any outfit, but it’s light enough to wear in the summer over summer tops and dresses, or even to the beach. It’d be a great project to finish up while sitting on the beach in Mexico if you have a warm-weather getaway planned this spring.
Haha, there’s really a summer theme going on here today isn’t there? I need to figure out a way to get to a warmer location more regularly! In the meantime, check out this Mio the Sleeping Mermaid amigurumi crochet pattern. I love amigurumi dolls. My kids aren’t exactly at the doll-loving age anymore, but I have plenty of cousins who are still having babies and would certainly love one of these adorable dolls!
But alas, it’s still pretty chilly here, so you might need to make yourself a pair of slippers from this Simple crochet slipper pattern. This pattern uses bulky yarn so they work up quickly with a 9 mm hook You can use up your bulky yarn scraps and make some cute and comfy slippers to wear while you dream of summer and make your cute summer festival tops and beach cover-ups. At least your feet will be warm!
If your feet are warm and your head it warm, your whole body will be warm! Keep your noggin warm by making this Fresh Tracks Beanie Crochet Pattern. This beanie is a classy take on a ribbed beanie, which is completely crocheted. It’s a fitted beanie and has a knit-look rib stitch to it. You’re sure to love this pattern!
Since National Craft Month is in March, it’s a great time to work on some Easter projects. This Little Bunnies Easter Basket crochet pattern is an adorable Easter basket pattern that would be sure to impress and delight any recipient! It’d make a great auction item at a spring fundraiser. I love the adorable extras on this sweet Easter basket pattern. Those details are always so fun to add. Embellish it even more with buttons or other notions from the fabric or craft store!
Of course, those of us who have little boys in our lives that we love to make for are always looking for patterns that will delight and surprise them. The Triceratops Basket Pattern crochet pattern would make up a great Easter basket that any dinosaur-loving kid would appreciate!
If you’ve found this post with only a little time before Easter, you can still make adorable handmade Easter delights, like this sweet Easter Bunny Egg Cozy Basket. Pop an Easter egg in this little basket and you’ve got a sweet little gift for a loved one. It would also make super adorable Easter table decor!
So, happy National Craft Month! Make something this month! It’s the perfect time to try out a new craft you were hoping to start! Crafting can be therapeutic and a great stress-reliever from work, plus, you get slippers! Pick up one of these great patterns today and get making! Or pin it for later!
I think one of the most soothing things to make is a blanket. There’s just something about working on a larger project that isn’t overly complicated that is so very satisfying. Getting in the groove of a pattern that you’ve memorized, working for hours almost mindlessly creating a beautiful cozy item that is going to wrap someone you love in warmth and comfort is such a lovely experience! I’m really drawn to simple stitch patterns in neutral colours, so you’ll probably get a sense for my design sensibility through the patterns that I’ve collected for you here today.
*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.*
The Winchester Knit Throw Blanket Pattern is a simple seed stitch knit blanket. Made of just knits and purls, this would be a great project for a new knitter. It’s a great pattern to get plenty of practice switching between knits and purls. It would make a lovely throw for your living room couch or a sweet little baby blanket for an anticipated little one! This blanket will knit up quickly as it’s designed with a super bulky weight yarn!
I love the simple stylish drape of this Reversible Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern. Reversible blanket patterns are great to throw on living room couches because they’re quick and easy to fold up and are never backwards. I love te subtle geometric stitch pattern that forms this gorgeous afghan. So classy!
This Diamond Bobble Knit Blanket Pattern is totally on-trend with thick textured bobbles forming a trendy diamond pattern. Kids and adults alike enjoy playing with the soft bobbles and it would make a stylish addition to any room!
The Seedling Knit Baby Blanket Pattern is really similar to the Winchester throw, but with a garter stitch border and it’s made with worsted weight yarn instead of super bulky weight yarn, so you can use up that worsted weight stash you’ve got kicking around!
The Chunky Oversized Cable Knit Blanket Pattern from Pinecones and Pearls is a beautiful stylish throw blanket pattern that would be a fun project to cozy up with all winter! Working under the lovely weight and size of this blanket would be so warm and comforting! Just imagine when it’s done! You’ll be able to practice following a cable-knit pattern, so I think this might make the perfect first cable-knit project for a knitter.
Of course, not to leave our the crocheters, there are many fantastic blanket patterns for crocheters, including the Seedling Stitch Crochet Blanket Pattern. It’s a lovely, simple textured crochet blanket and the pattern comes in 12 sizes! So you can make whatever size you like!
This fun blanket is definitely a little more colourful than the others, but I couldn’t help being drawn to this Crochet Lego Blanket Pattern. I know that plenty of crocheters are looking for blanket patterns for kids, and it can be especially difficult to find patterns that crocheters think will appeal to boys. This fun lego inspired pattern is sure to delight any lego-lover!
I love the sweet little hearts on this Heart Blanket Crochet Afghan Pattern. The hexagon shapes stitched together to form a lovely throw blanket that would be gorgeous in different shades of pink like shown here, or more subtly in a solid colour, which would allow the texture of the heart motifs to shine!
With Easter coming up, it’s the perfect time to start working on a fun Bunny Parade Blanket Crochet Pattern. This would make a delightful little baby shower gift for a spring baby or a sweet Easter gift for a young child. I love the little pompoms on the corner of this cute blanket.
For a little boho-chic in your living room, try making one of these Anthropologie-Inspired Blanket Crochet Patterns. All the different textures of yarns and fun stitches in this blanket add subtle interest to this neutral striped blanket. What colours would you choose for a blanket like this?
This little Baby Nubbie Crochet Blanket Pattern looks so cozy! Made with a super-soft chunky chenille blanket yarn, this would be the perfect blanket to snuggle up your little one in! There’s just something about that bobble stitch that adds such a luxurious texture, I can’t get enough of it!
Back to a little more subtlety, the Diagonal Diamonds Basket Weave Crochet Throw Blanket Pattern is a lovely textured crochet pattern that would work as a baby blanket or a throw in any living room or family room. When it gets chilly in our house, we all cozy up under throw blankets and keep warm that way.
And back to the bobbles. They’re just so fun! The Gretchen Afghan Crochet Pattern is a perfected puffed and playful blanket that anyone would be sure to love. Perfect for babies and adults alike, it would work just about anywhere. Made in white, it looks like a pile of clouds!
This Bobble Throw Crochet Pattern has a bobble stripe with a lovely textured stripe throughout it… and maybe it was just this lovely mustard colour that I love, but ooooh, the honeycomb feels! This blanket would look fantastic in our sitting room now with our pops of mustard!
And finally, this lovely textured Wintertide Throw Blanket Crochet Pattern has a multitude of crochet stitches to form some interesting textured stripes for fingers to explore. The tassels give it a modern boho feel, which is so on-trend. It is definitely time for you to pick up this pattern and get making a fabulous throw blanket!
So go pick yourself up a pattern and an armful of yarn and set yourself up to Knitflix for a while to make one of these lovely blankets! Or pin it for later so you don’t forget and you can entice your friends and family with your project list (warning: you may get requests!).
A lot of knitters and crocheters are people who have men in their lives that they love to make things for. But many of us are attracted to fun pompoms, complicated stitch patterns, and slouchy hats that the dudes in our lives would just not be into. And I’m guilty of this, too. So if you’re looking for some simple, manly hat patterns, you’ve come to the right place. And most of these are crochet! I often lean towards knitting patterns when knitting for men because the fabric ends up being thinner, which is what Mr Evangelist prefers, so I know what a challenge it can be for crocheters to find a good men’s hat pattern. But there are plenty included here! Check them out and try one today!
*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.*
Who says men’s hats have to be plain? This textured Arrowhead Beanie Hat Crochet Pattern is a great example of a manly hat pattern with a lovely stitch pattern. This pattern comes in 6 sizes, from baby to adult large, so you can make one for the whole family! Add a pompom if you like and it’s a stylish hat for anyone! CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE ARROWHEAD BEANIE PATTERN.
Who says men’s hat patterns have to be solid colours? The Big Bay Beanie Crochet Pattern is a great multi-coloured pattern worked up with chunky weight yarn in 5 colours and it’s simple enough for a beginner/advanced beginner. I believe this pattern is also available for free on the designer’s blog, but for just a few bucks you can grab an easy-to-read, printable pdf pattern: CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE BIG BAY BEANIE CROCHET PATTERN.
Simple hats like the Basic Knit Beanie for Men and Boys Knitting Pattern is the kind of pattern I usually make for Mr Evangelist. He’s already got a pretty big head, so he doesn’t want to add the bulk of a thick and chunky hat to it. Also, while he’s trying to stay warm, sometimes those chunky hats make him too hot. He’s already pretty hot (woot woot!) so we don’t want to overdo it. 😉 The decreases on this knit hat pattern make a lovely swirled crown that sits nice and flat on the head. It’s a great guide to learning decreases. CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE BASIC KNIT BEANIE FOR MEN AND BOYS KNITTING PATTERN.
For a slightly textured ribbed crochet hat pattern, check out this Men’s Slouchy Knit-Look Crochet Hat Pattern. I love that it’s not super slouchy. That’s just the right amount of slouch for the men that I know. This is an intermediate crochet pattern in two adult sizes. It uses worsted weight yarn, so it’s a lovely project for some of that worsted weight yarn you have in your stash. CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE MEN’S SLOUCHY KNIT-LOOK CROCHET HAT PATTERN.
The Ribbed Wonder Crochet Hat Pattern is another super easy beginner crochet pattern for a classic simple crochet hat using chunky weight yarn. This works up quickly to make a timeless hat that the man in your life will love. I believe this pattern is also available for free on the designer’s blog, but I love to have a pattern I can print out, take with me and mark up as I go. For just a few bucks, it’s absolutely worth it! CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE RIBBED WONDER CROCHET HAT PATTERN.
The Ripple Hat Crochet Pattern is simple to follow and comes in 4 sizes using under 100 grams of worsted weight yarn and a size H (5 mm) crochet hook. The lovely texture on this pattern makes a great unisex pattern that men, boys and women and girls will all love! CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE RIPPLE HAT CROCHET PATTERN.
Maybe you’re not looking for a beanie pattern, but something with a little more flair? Or perhaps for a costume? The Fedora Crochet Pattern in 9 sizes is a super fun summer hat pattern comes in 9 sizes so you could make one for a newborn (!HOW CUTE WOULD THAT BE?!) and your grandpa. So fun. CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE FEDORA CROCHET PATTERN.
Of course, if you’re really looking for a costume hat or a fun pattern for a little boy, this Knight Helmet Crochet Hat Pattern is a ton of fun. For those of us in cold climates, Halloween can be unpredictable, but it is usually chilly here, so a warm hat to wear out trick-or-treating is a great idea. And many little boys like to play pretend year-round, so a fun hat like this knight helmet can be made for Halloween and worn all winter long! CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE KNIGHT HELMET CROCHET HAT PATTERN.
I’m so excited to announce that I have released my Tufted Toque pattern! It’s been quite the learning curve: writing up the pattern, getting it tech-edited, working with test knitters and learning the ropes of adding the pattern information to Ravelry and Etsy.
So, today’s the day! And here it is! The Tufted Toque pattern is a textured, slightly slouchy hat made with a fun stitch pattern that is made up of a few simple rows of knits and purls. Put them together in the right order and you’ve got this beautifully textured seersucker stitch! Worked in the round on circular needles, this pattern knits up quickly with a gorgeous, pillowy result!
You can buy the pattern for only $6.00 CAD from Ravelry by clicking the little buy now button above. If you prefer to use Etsy, it’s available here.
After working with testers of various levels of knitting skill and experience, I would say that this pattern is perfect for the advanced beginner, or an adventurous beginner. It doesn’t require a lot of specialized stitches, just knits and purls, increasing and decreasing. It’s a great pattern to practice following a pattern and watching the diamond tufts take shape. Even though it is accessible for beginners, my advanced knitters also enjoyed knitting up this pattern.
The pattern is written in 9 sizes, from Newborn to Adult Extra Large (I couldn’t leave out my big-headed husband, could I?), so you can make one for every member of the family and have matching toques for everyone!
Will you please share this cute hat pattern with your knitting friends and followers? Here’s a pin you can share to Pinterest!
Did you make a New Year’s resolution to learn to knit? Or would you just like to? (How effective are New Year’s resolutions in reality? Knitting can be a great way to relax and focus on something you can do when your world seems overwhelming. Also, you can make beautiful things… eventually. Like any new skill, it takes some time to learn and it takes more time to improve. But there are some great patterns and resources to help you get started. So I’ve collected some great absolute beginner knitting patterns to get you started.
*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.*
Often, a knitter’s first project is a dishcloth. Dishcloths make a great first project because it’s small and simple, so it doesn’t take very long before you can cast off and have something you can show your mom and use. Try this Easy Knit Dishcloth Pattern to get your start. You can use these lovely cloths in the kitchen or the bathroom as a luxury face cloth!
If you’re an absolute beginner and have no supplies, a kit is a great way to get started. It means you don’t have to decipher all the information on a pattern and find all the supplies you need. Everything is included in this great Learn to Knit Dishcloths Kit from Gibson and Grey. Try one of these out to get the yarn, pattern, and needles that you need to make it all.
Once you’ve got the hang of that, you can whip up this Homespun Kitchen Set, which adds some simple details. The pattern includes instructions for both a dishcloth and a towel, as well as the i-cord detail to use to hang the cloths up.
Another simple first project is a knitted scarf. This classic knit scarf pattern is in pdf format with links to videos for additional tips to make this easy knit scarf, perfect for men, women or children!
If you’d like to try a snood, which is a circular cowl or infinity scarf, you can get a Chunky Snood Knitting Kit, with the option of having needles included if you don’t already have them. This kit includes a How to Knit manual, which will review all the basics of knitting, including how to cast on, cast off, knit, purl and sew. The yarn is chunky and the needles are 9 mm, which means that it’s a project that will work up quickly due to the large yarn and needles. Kits also make great gift ideas for someone who would like to learn to knit!
Another easy garment idea is a knit shawl. This one is definitely more delicate and will absolutely be a great project if you have a lot of time to sit and wait, so it’s perfect for travelling or taking on the go while you wait to pick up kids from school or activities. So, if you’re loving knitting and want a bigger project that is still simple that you can work on, this is definitely for you. It’s designed with fingering or sock yarn in mind, but it’s a pretty flexible pattern, so you could use just about any yarn that you have on hand.
Another fun project for beginners is a knit blanket. And if you think it’s going to take forever, you’re wrong! You just need some super bulky yarn! Learn to knit this super chunky throw with 40 mm needles and you’ll have a luxurious lap blanket in no time! And I keep seeing more and more jumbo yarn options at Michael’s, so it’s getting easier and easier to find the supplies to make these blankets.
Of course, you can also find kits for these chunky blankets as well. I love the look of this natural wool chunky knit blanket. The kit includes 25 mm birch circular knitting needles, which are perfect for blankets! The kit includes 16 balls of wool to make a 46″ x 65″ throw blanket. And don’t you just love those giant tassels on the bottom? LOVE!
Once you’ve got the basics of knitting, you can make this simple knit hat! The Chunky PNW Beanie Kit contains lovely soft merino wool in your choice of 6 colours, the faux fur pompom, as well as the pattern to make this gorgeous, trendy knit hat.
And really, a cute textured knit hat like this one is just a slightly different combination of knits and purls, so this stylish beanie pattern is not too far off for you, even if you’re just starting to knit! The Linden Hat is a super chunky knit hat pattern knits up quickly and is perfect to grab on a cold winter day to keep your ears warm!
And believe it or not, YOU COULD KNIT YOURSELF A SWEATER! That’s right! This Simple Knit Sweater Pattern is an adult-sized knit sweater pattern that can be worked up in a weekend and is so very easy! It’s made using only a few rectangles, some seaming and squishy yarn! It’s a great project for those still new to knitting!
I hope you’ve found a pattern here that can get you started into the great craft of knitting. It’s something I truly enjoy. Pick up one of these patterns today or pin these great ideas for later.
Makers are always looking ahead because if we’re going to give handmade gifts in a timely fashion, we’ve got to start working on it with enough time to finish! So, makers need to join Costco in being far too ahead of the season. So, if you’re looking to make a handmade gift as a demonstration of love this Valentine’s Day, it’s time to get to work! I’ve got a great collection of knit and crochet patterns for you to start making just in time to give to a special loved one for Valentine’s Day (or Easter… birthdays… just because!)
*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.*
If you have a little girl in your life who loves to carry around her little things, you can make her one of these Crochet Heart Purse for Little Girls. I love the adorable details on this lovely little purse! It’s so sweet! It’s a great project to practice some embroidery skills and to play with buttons and beads to add those special little embellishments!
For something just as sweet, but differently whimsical, try making one of these Crochet Bear Heart Purses. This would make a great little change purse for either a little girl or a little boy. The kids in your life would be so lucky to find such a fun and special little gift for them! And practical little purses mean they get used and carried around and treasured! What a special gift!
Who wouldn’t love some pink flamingos for Valentine’s day? This Flamingos amigurumi crochet pattern is an adorable set of patterns. The pattern is a little involved with 33 pages, but it includes 70 pictures so you can be sure to follow along easily, referencing the step by step photos all along. I would love to see your work if you make one of these incredible amigurumi characters, so send me a link or tag me in your work on social media! (@craftevangelist)
I just love this adorably grumpy “Spikey” amigurumi dragon pattern. I think he’d be the perfect gift for a grumpy teen and I’m sure his miserable little face will delight even the surliest of souls!
This Sophia the Chubby Little Unicorn crochet pattern is another delightful amigurumi pattern option for the less cynical recipient! Make one of these adorable chubby little unicorns for the sweetheart in your life and watch her face light up with joy!
Are you far away from a loved one? If you had more arms, would you wrap them all around your beloved? Perhaps you should consider sending them a handmade-by-you octopus! If you’ve ever got a pattern and realized what a job it is just finding all the materials, you’ll be pleased to know that this Large Amigurumi Octopus Crochet Kit contains the pattern and all the materials you need to make this adorable stuffed toy! If you’re looking for just the pattern, you can find it here.
If you’ve been on this planet lately, you might know that Baby Yoda is all the rage (he’s soooo cute!!!). Everyone is making these and they can hardly keep up with demand. I made three before Christmas as gifts for my nephew and my sons. There are a bunch of Baby Yoda Patterns on Etsy, but I’m not sure whether they’re allowed or not. It sounds like there might be some copyright claims against some of them, so if the link doesn’t take you to anything helpful anymore: sorry, they’ve probably been taken down. I used this pattern to make the doll pictured above.
Perhaps you’d like to wrap your loved ones in a sweetheart blanket. Pick up this Heart Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern and work some filet crochet hearts in this simple and subtle pattern. It would make a lovely baby blanket for an expected baby!
Or you can just wrap up the neck of your loved one with this Candy Heart Scarf knitting pattern. How sweet are those little pompoms on the end? And subtle little hearts knitted in there!? This would be a perfect little scarf for a toddler since it’s not huge. What a delightful little gift!
For a little more sophisticated scarf, check out this Love Heart Scarf Crochet Kit. It comes with those sweet heart wooden buttons and your choice of 30 colours of Wool Couture’s soft Merino wool! When you’re short on time, outsource the shopping and order a kit so you can spend your time crocheting instead of shopping!
A handmade hat is a great way to show your love! The Mountain Range Hat crochet pattern is a stylish, yet practical hat inspired by nature. If your loved one is a nature lover, adventurer or outdoor enthusiast, they will love this warm and comfy fitting hat complete with a yarn pompom or a fur pompom!
Who wouldn’t love the gift of a basket? Fill it with flowers and you’re sure to delight anyone! The Fundamentals Basket Knitting Pattern is an intermediate level knitting pattern. If you don’t want to give this beauty away, keep it for yourself! It is a wonderfully large container that will hold all your large projects or whatever you may need it for! It’s knit-in handles make it easy to transport!
Valentines Day is coming up, so it’s time to start making decisions and figuring out what you’re making! I hope I’ve helped you with some ideas! Enjoy making these lovely patterns for your loved ones this winter! Grab a pattern today or pin these ideas for later!
Happy Christmas break! We made it! Kids did all the winter concert things, you did the parties, you got those cards out (or did you?)? You did all the things! (Ok, I’ve done some of the things). But we made it. I recorded my temporary greeting at work and updated my Out of Office autoreply. I work at one of those great places that close over the Christmas break, so I’m looking forward to a lovely break! Next year, I think I’m going to take a week off at the end of November so I can feel a little bit more ready, but here we are now. Now it’s time to rest (and wrap) and make!
If you’ve been madly trying to finish up a few handmade gifts for your loved ones, you might just want to take a break from making for a while. Sometimes people lose their mojo for making during this past season, especially if you’ve been prepping things to sell at craft fairs or making gifts for people. But I find this is a great time to start looking at fun patterns to make for myself or just browse to see what interesting things there are to make. I’ve often spent the winter break making Christmas accessories for my home, like the stockings I knit one year. I never manage to get these things made in time for Christmas for ourselves, but I just think about it getting done in plenty of time for next year!
So what will you make this winter break? Need some ideas? Why don’t you check out this great collection of fantastic patterns to make this winter? Something for you? Something for someone special? Something for the house?
*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.*
Something for yourself maybe? Or a monarch loving friend? Would you like to try some crochet colourwork? Or a sweater? Try it all at once with this easy/intermediate level Monarch Sweater Crochet pattern. Working with a few colours is a bit of a challenge, but if you’ve mastered the basic stitches (seriously just chain, single crochet and back loop half double crochet) you can totally make this pattern. Also, HaileyBailey has written this as a fully customizable pattern, including suggestions for customize your sweater to fit any size, and if you’re a bit bigger on top and smaller on the bottom, this is a great pattern to make something that fits YOU just perfectly.
Want to whip up something quick for yourself? Think making a sweater takes weeks and weeks of work? Try this Shit That’s Quick Sweater from Knitatude. This baby whips up really quickly for a sweater. With super bulky size yarn and some simple stitches with some fun cable detail on the arms, there’s enough here to keep you interested, but also easy enough to watch shows with your family for most of it.
As a maker, do you ever give gift certificates for handmade things for Christmas because you just plain ran out of time? I’ve totally done that. There’s no shame. Creative people have grand plans and are often not so great at time management. Did you promise a sweater to a special man in your life? if you didn’t, you should. Especially if you crochet, because look at this fantastic WULF Men’s Pullover Crochet Pattern! So classy. It’s not always easy for crocheters to find good sweater patterns. Because crochet typically makes a thicker fabric, sweaters are often really bulky, but I think this one is just fabulous, don’t you!?
Maybe you’ve been wanting some boot cuffs. Check out this Cabled Boot Cuffs Knitting Pattern. The fun thing about more intricate cable patterns like this is that they’re small and they come together relatively quickly. If you’ve never made a cable-knit project before, boot cuffs are a great project to start with. The beauty of this pattern is that you can wear them under the boot like this or folded over the boot for a cuff like this:
So, whichever you prefer, you can make these Cabled Boot Cuffs 4 ways! The bottom half has a ribbed pattern, so you can have 4 different looks from one set of boot cuffs. What a fun pattern!
I’ve really been enjoying Chantel’s patterns from Knitatude. I love this off-the-shoulder look of this Crossback Sweater. It’s also reversible! So you can wear it with the wrap in front or at the back as seen here. This pattern looks interesting but also has simple stitches, so it’s perfect for the advanced beginner. If you’re starting to venture into slightly more difficult projects, this one is for you! So you can stop making dishcloths and you can start making clothes! For yourself! That are fun and stylish. Knitting isn’t just for grannies; you can make trendy, sexy things too! And you’ll be the only one of your friends who has one just like it. Can’t go out to the store and just buy this!
Sometimes you just need to try something different. Like embroidery! This is a fibre craft that you can eventually bring into your knitting and crochet! So start with this Beginner Floral Embroidery Pattern of Wildflowers on a hoop and then maybe try it on a handmade dishcloth, or cup cozy or sweater! Wouldn’t that be fun? I love the beautiful simplicity of the wildflowers and embroidery adds such a special touch to handknit or crocheted items. It’s a great skill to develop and winter break is a great time to try something new! Also, if you take this inspiration to your knitting and crochet, you can use up scrap yarn in the process! I love to put all those bits and pieces to good use!
Did you attend an ugly Christmas sweater party this year? Did you feel blue because you didn’t have one to wear? I just can’t bring myself to buy one in a store, but somehow I feel like it would be so much more fun to make one myself. I know buying one would be less expensive than all the time it’s going to take me to make one myself, but there’s just something more authentic about a handmade ugly Christmas sweater. And if you think they have to be knit, you’re wrong! Check out this crochet pattern for this Rudolf Christmas Sweater. How fun is this? Get working now and you’ll be all ready for next year’s party.
I still think that if I were truly to make ugly Christmas sweaters for my family, I would probably have to go with Harry Potter-inspired sweaters. This one is also crochet. I would probably prefer to do something knitted, but I couldn’t find a pattern for humans, so I guess I’ll have to make one up!
I did, however, manage to find one for dogs! If you have a special dog in your life, let me tell you, that dog does not know that you missed Christmas and their sweater is late. Most of the time they have no idea what day it is anyway! You can still make them a fun Gryffindor sweater for the cold winter months ahead. Check out this Mischief Managed Dog Sweater pattern. Your dog could totally get away with wearing this more frequently than you could your Harry Potter sweater!
Ok, back to the pretty things. Here is another relatively quick knit sweater pattern. The Moss Stitch Sweater is worked up with super bulky yarn, so there are just fewer stitches. It’s a great starter project, even for the novice knitter and will give you a perfect transitional piece that will take you fashionably through the seasons. This is a fun pattern that will work up quickly and be so cozy to wear! I love this golden yellow colour… so gorgeous!
Have you seen these bobble sleeves sweaters? What are your thoughts about them? They’re pretty fun, definitely a statement piece, but not one I’m sure I could pull off wearing this sweater. Super fun though. Here’s the link to this Bobble Sleeves Cardigan. If you make this, you’re going to have to show me a picture and tell me where you wear it. Maybe you’re just way cooler than me and can wear funky things without feeling weird.
Winter break is also a great time to make a blanket! Bigger projects like this are soothing to sit under while you cozy up and watch a movie while it snows outside. I love cozy times when you don’t have to go anywhere, don’t you? This Crochet Square Sampler Blanket Pattern is also perfect to make while travelling since you can make it in pieces and then seam it up afterwards! Samper patterns are also great because they keep the project interesting. you get to make a bunch of different stitches and textures in coordinating colours to make a beautiful cohesive blanket! It’s so satisfying to finish these projects once they all come together!
Crocheters, have you ever been jealous of the beautiful cable-knit patterns that are out there for knitters? So intricate and lovely looking? Well, did you know that you can cable-crochet? It’s a little different, but you can get very similar looks. If you want to learn, try out this Annandale Cable Braided Blanket Crochet Pattern with a Celtic Aran cable pattern, perfect for Irish-inspired home decor. A complex interwoven Celtic design, this blanket is an heirloom-quality project. The pattern brings together three different cable motifs in a symmetric layout to generate a spectacular visual effect. A lace border frames the cables with a feathery elegance. This is a perfect project to make for your home when you have some extra crochet time on your hands!
For something simpler, but still just as satisfying, try this Canyon Throw crochet blanket pattern from Two Little Birds Patterns. This crochet throw pattern is an easy and versatile crochet pattern to compliment any home decor. Make this crochet blanket for yourself or as a beautiful and unique gift for someone special. The modern chevron-look of this stitch pattern is easy to learn and your finished throw blanket will keep you cozy all season!
Wrap yourself up in this romantic throw blanket from Meghan Makes Do. The Livy throw is the perfect pattern to keep you busy this winter season. Made using simple triangle and hexagon motifs it works up fast. You will need to know basic crochet stitches as well as how to make a puff stitch.
The Bicycle Race Crochet Blanket Pattern is an easy pattern for a blanket with a fun repeating bicycle pattern. This is a filet style crochet blanket with rows of bicycles that change directions each row. This pattern includes written directions in US terms and a crochet chart. You can make this blanket in any size as well as any gauge. How cute is this? It would make such a cute baby blanket pattern that’s not too baby-ish. It’d be perfect for anyone, especially bicycle lovers!
So, have I inspired you to make something while you have a bit of extra time to sit around this winter break? Do you get a little bit of extra time to relax this season? Which of these great patterns will you get started on this Christmas! Merry Christmas, makers! Pick up one of these great patterns for yourself or pin it for later!
Knit hats, toques, beanies, winter caps: whatever you call them they’re cuter with a fun pattern knit into them. Colourwork is a skill that is a little intermediate, but usually, these kinds of projects only require the basic knit and purl stitches. You just add some colours in there for a fun design. These kinds of projects are great for using up a partial skein of yarn and you can play around with colours to your heart’s content! I’ve found a bunch of great knit hat patterns for you to try out your intarsia or fair isle skills!
*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.*
Maybe it’s just because I’m a sucker for mustard, but the Sedona Diamond Fair Isle Beanie Pattern has a cute diamond design that is geometric and fun. Knit with chunky yarn, this hat would work up quickly, and with just two colours, it would make a good first colourwork project!
More diamonds! More mustard! The Fair Isle Diamonds Knitting Hat Pattern is another bulky weight knit hat pattern with just two colours to make another good first colourwork project. Which diamond pattern would you choose? I’m having trouble picking one…
It’s always kind of fun to have a cheeky word on your hat. Maybe you like this Wine Beanie Knitting Pattern from LadyJayCrochet will inspire you to make one of these bulky weight cheeky hats for a friend or loved one this year. That is the beauty of small bulky weight yarn projects like hats; they work up in just a couple of hours!
Maybe you’re more of a coffee lover? Well, there’s a toque for you, too! The Coffee Beanie Knitting Pattern is just the right pattern for your friend who doesn’t go anywhere without their cup of joe.
The Minnehaha Hat Knitting Pattern is a classic “little hearts” knitting pattern. If you’re new to knitting, those little hearts are just one knit stitch made in a different colour. So it’s really fun to see it come together in dotted little hearts. This pattern is also worked up in a super bulky weight yarn, so it will only take you about 1-2 hours to knit up this little beauty! Imagine making one of these for baby in the same colours as a coffee hat for mama? Adorable little matching “set”!
The Big Heart Beanie Knitting Pattern is a beginner level pattern with video tutorials, and the heart isn’t actually knit into the hat, it’s embroidered on afterwards! So you wouldn’t even have to do any colourwork on this one to achieve the same stunning results!
If you have a little more time on your hands and skill under your belt, Grandpas Garden Fair Isle Hat Knitting Pattern is a sweet-looking little hat, knit with much finer wool, but then you can achieve the gorgeous detail of a dainty garden full of flowers! As we’re yearning for spring in late winter, this hat can bring a little joy as we dress for the elements!
The Big Zig Beanie Knitting Pattern is another colourwork pattern using bulky weight yarn. I love the sideways chevron design on this sweet beanie. Imagine all the colour combinations you could use on this cute hat pattern!
The Riverbend Beanie in 6 sizes is a perfect hat pattern to whip up the whole family fun and warm winter hats with stripes! The multi-coloured yarn matched with the cream adds a lot of fun to this basic striped hat.
There are so many great bulky weight yarn colourwork hats this year! The Aspen Beanie Knitting Pattern has a simple but interesting design, wouldn’t get boring to knit at all! And again with that large yarn, works up quickly as a last-minute handmade gift!
Using only 2 colours and bulky weight yarn, the Skyfall Beanie Knitting Pattern comes with two charts to make two different hats with slightly different designs on them. This is the perfect project for beginners who want to dive into the world of fair isle knitting and a nice quick knit for the fair isle pros. The pattern includes detailed instructions and a tips and tricks page to help you along the way, as well as a very inconspicuous join/jog in the charts!
Finally The Mountaineer Toque Knitting Pattern. I love the trees and the mountains in the background. If you’re venturing out into the great outdoors this winter, this adorable hat would be just perfect! Inspired by the Coastal Mountains of British Columbia, this fair isle knitting pattern is great for adventurous beginners and well as seasoned knitters. Fun for everyone!
So which hat will you choose? With so many options, it is hard! Whatever you choose, it can’t be the wrong decision! So jump in, grab a pattern and a couple of balls of different coloured yarn and get to work! Or pin it for later.
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