Knitting projects for fitness, sports, and outside activities. Updated 7/20/24
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
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Free Patterns
Pickleball Paddle Cover
Paddle cozy knit with 4 row repeat double seed stitch and twisted cord edging. Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Barbara Hurd
Tour de France Bicycle Sweater
Children's sweater inspired by the Tour de France with bicycle motifs. Child Sizes 2 years to-12 years. Adult Sizes 33 inches to 52 inches. Official Tour de France product. Designed by Marie Hoff for Hobbii. Worsted weight yarn.
- Get the free Child Size knitting pattern - Hobbii requires registration to get pattern
- Get the free Adult Size knitting pattern
Soccer Socks
Socks for the soccer fans in your life! Top down socks with stranded soccer balls, the word "soccer", and more. Sizes Small-Medium-Large. Designed by Deborah Tomasello
Data Nerd Running Mitts
A fitted mitten with closed thumb, opening to display a fitness tracker or watch face, and long cuff at the fingers that can be unfolded for extra warmth. Great stashbuster for using up leftover fingering weight sock yarn scraps. Designed by Karen Bowness. May only be free for a limited time.
Sit-upon Outdoor Seating
This sit-upon portable mat will keep you warm and dry when you sit on rough rocks while hiking, damp ground while gardening, or stadium seats. Rolls up compatcly to fit neatly in backbacks or carryalls. Knit in a ribbed cable with a rugged worsted wool, which yields a dense, reversible, and doubly-thick fabric. Add an oilcloth backing to make it waterproof. Designed by Hanna Breetz
Gone Knittin' Hat
Inspired by fishing hats that store extra lures, sinkers, and leads, Melissa Somerville designed this hat for knitting on the go and outdoors with storage for cable needles, needle gauge, dp needles, tape measure, stitch holders, and more. Originally published in Tangled Online Magazine, it is now available in the Internet archive
- Get the free knitting pattern at the Internet archive
- See the Ravelry page
- See more Beanie Hat Knitting Patterns
Joost Pants
Long knit pants with ribbed drawstring waist and ribbed cuffs. Sizes 2X, 1X, L, M, S Designed by Vladimir Teriokhin for Lion Brand Yarn. Worsted weight yarn.
Bicycle U Lock Cover
Dress up your bike lock with a cover that protects your bicycle from the lock banging or wearing the finish, and looks great too. Great stashbuster. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Vanessa Tea Designs. DK weight yarn.
Bike Handle Bar Mitts
Slip these mitts on a bike to keep your fingers warm when cycling on those chilly mornings but free to grip the bar and levers. Designed by Gretchen Buwalda. DK weight yarn.
Bike Seat Cover
Add style and comfort to your bicycle with this cozy. Also works great for stationary exercise bikes and yarn bombing bikes. Designed by Lion Brand Yarn. One size, about 7 in. (18 cm) at widest point and about 11 1/2 in. (29 cm) at longest point, will stretch to fit a range of bike seats. Great stashbuster because it only uses 144 yards (132 m) of bulky yarn. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Pictured projects by sallycknits and doemmy who has notes and lined with fleece
More Free Patterns
Multimodal Split Bike Mitts
The split design of these lobster claw mittens gives you freedom of movement to change gears and ding the bell, but are cozier and easier to knit than gloves. Designed by Rachel Rayner. Fingering weight yarn.
Fitbit Cover
Dress up your activity wristband with this knit cozy. Great use for scrap yarn. Fits Fitbit charge or force. Designed by Janine Steingasser
En Pointe Toe Cozy
Toe cushion to protect your toe in hiking boots, especially hiking down hill. Uses 10 – 12 yards (9 – 11 m) of fingering yarn so it’s a great use for scrap yarn. Designed by Sharon Fuller
Bike Helmet Ear Muffs
Easy knitting pattern to create ear warmers that slip over the straps of a bike helmet and stay in place to protect your ears in cooler weather. Designed by Kristin Briney
Om Yoga Mat Bag
Debbie Stoller created this mesh bag of cotton with a lace pattern that is easy to memorize. Pattern is excerpted from her book Stitch n Bitch Nation
- Get the free knitting pattern
Get Stitch n Bitch Nation book on Amazon (Kindle and Prime available)- Get Stitch n Bitch Nation book on Amazon (Kindle or paperback)
Fitness Headband / Earwarmer with Ponytail Hole
This ribbed earwarmer by Lynne Lounsbury features a ponytail hole at the back as extra protection for neck and ears created with short rows. Pictured project by purrminn
Bike Mittens
Pattern for mittens that fit over bicycle handlebars with an opening to slip your hands into. Although the pattern is only in French, I could easily follow it with in-browser translation and the designer's photos. You basically knit two rectangles with rib and stockinette and then seam leaving an opening. Designed by Charlotte L. Super Bulky weight yarn.
Bishi Water Bottle Carrier
Mesh container carrier with 2 options for strap – garter stitch or stockinette ties. The project can be knit in a couple of hours and requires less than a ball of worsted yarn according to the designer Georgie Hallam.
Bottle Rocket
This pullover hoodie features an extra pocket in front perfect for carrying a bottle handsfree when camping, hiking, fishing, or just relaxing. Quick knit in bulky yarn. Men’s sizes S(M, L, X-L, 2X-L). Designed by Michelle Porter for Knitty
Asana Yoga Socks
Yoga socks with a lace pattern top and ribbing. Worsted yarn. Designed by Cathy Carron
Exercise / Yoga Ball Cover
Knitsquire Designs came up with a clever knitting pattern to make your exercise more comfortable for workouts or as a chair.
Yoga Mat Strap
Gina Michele wanted a cute carrier for her yoga mat but didn’t want the hassle of trying to roll her mat up tightly enough to fit in a tube. She devised this strap with loops that’s perfect for carrying her mat. I can think of a lot of other purposes for this strap. I even wonder if you could use it as a yoga strap if the cotton isn’t too stretchy. Knit in garter stitch.
Patterns for Purchase
Light Summer Shorts
High waisted shorts with a drawstring waistband and flowy, wide legs with a rolled cuff. They are light, breezy, and super comfy - great for pajamas or relaxing on a casual summer day. Sizes women’s size XS (S, M, L, XL, and XXL). Designed by Holly Watson. Fingering weight yarn.
Pocket Earflap Hat
Wabbit Season Hat features earflaps with buttoned pockets that can be tied out of the way on top when you don't need them. Sizes Women's S/M/L/XL and Men's S/M/L. Designed by Alexandra Tinsley. Aran weight yarn.
Pocket Socks
Warm and cozy socks adorned with a side pocket and button closure because who doesn’t need a pocket on their sock sometimes? Quick to knit, this sock makes a great treat for yourself or gift for others. Sizes Women's S/M/L/XL and Men's S/M/L. Designed by Joleen Kraft. Worsted weight yarn.
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