You don’t have to knit scarves when you’re just starting out. Here are some patterns that are easy enough for beginners and give you something to use or wear right away. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 9/5/23.
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.
All links on this site are for informational purposes, but please note that some links are to affiliate sellers that pay me a small commission on purchases.
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Free Patterns
Garter Stitch Cowl
Easy cowl knit flat in garter stitch and seamed. Perfect for beginners according to designer. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Patons.
World's Best Mitten Potholder
Includes free tutorial video. Protect your hands and surfaces with easy potholders made from 2 rectangular or square pieces, worked up with simple knit and purls, and joined with easy single crochet to form a pocket. Add a braided pleather tassel for a cute finishing touch. Designed by Anne Weil of Flax & Twine for Yarnspirations.
Garter Stitch Tank
This Bernat pattern is so easy it’s recommended for beginners. Quick knit in chunky yarn. Sizes XS through 5XL.
Beginner Buttoned Cowl
Easy cowl knit in garter stitch with 4 button holes. Suitable for beginners according to designer. Uses just one skein of Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Lion Brand.
- Get the free knitting pattern - download link is below kit info
- See more Buttoned Cowl Knitting Patterns
Brilla Beanie
Hat knit flat on 2 needles in stockinette and ribbing, then seamed. Perfect for beginners. Designed by Italian Story Design Team for Red Heart Yarn who rated it suitable for beginners. Worsted weight yarn.
Easy Garter and Eyelets Sleeveless Top
Knit two rectangles in garter stitch with an easy eyelet pattern, then seam together and you have an easy pullover top. Designed by Jessica Reeves Potasz of Mama in a Stitch who says this is perfect for beginners or for knitters looking for an easy pattern. Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL. The web version is free and the printable pdf is available on Etsy. Worsted weight yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern – web version
- Get the printable pdf at Etsy
- See more Easy Top Knitting Patterns
Garter Stitch Shrug
This easy shrug is knit as a garter stitch rectangle and seamed. Quick knit in bulky yarn. Designed by Lorna Miser for Red Heart.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Wool-Ease® Thick & Quick® Yarn (80 colors)
- See more Easy Shrug Patterns
Really Easy Wristers
Just knit a square piece of stockinette with a bit of ribbing then sew up the side leaving a hole for your thumb. Rated very easy by Ravelrers and beginner level by the designer. Designed by Lorna Miser for Red Heart.
Greenpoint Hat and Cowl
Hat and cowl are knit flat and seamed in garter stitch and a 2 row repeat easy eyelet stitch. You need to do yarnovers, increases and decreases (described in the patterns). Rated beginner level by the designer.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Lion Brand® Touch Of Alpaca™ Bonus Bundle® Yarn (12 colors)
- See more Hat and Scarf Set Knitting Patterns
Easy Telluride Kimono
This cardigan is knit as two rectangles of knit and purl stitches that is then seamed together. Designed by Jessica Reeves Potasz of Mama in a Stitch who says this is perfect for beginners. Sizes S/M, X/L. The web version is free and the printable pdf is available on Etsy. Quick knit in super bulky yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern – web version
- Get the printable pdf at Etsy
- Get recommended Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick Super Bulky Yarn on Amazon
- See more Easy Cardigan Knitting Patterns
Hopscotch Headband and Mitts
This retro styled headband is knitted flat, seamed, and finished with an additional piece for the tie. The mitts are also knit flat and seamed. The textured fabric is created using only knit and purl stitches, and it’s ideal for a beginner knitter according to the designer Jo Hazell-Watkins. These are 2 of the patterns included in a free ebook, 6 one ball projects from Rooster Yarns.
- Get the free knitting pattern ebook
- Get the recommended Rooster Almerino DK yarn on Etsy
- See more Headband Knitting Patterns
Easy Heirloom Blanket
This beginner friendly blanket is knit in knit and purl stitches with alternating sections of a 2 row repeat Seed Stitch and 4 row repeat Andalusian Stitch in different colors. Quick knit in super bulky yarn. She does assume you know how to knit seed stitch so she doesn’t recommend it for a first project. Two sizes. Designed by Jessica Reeves Potasz. The web version is free.
- Get the free knitting pattern – web version
- Get the printable pdf at Etsy
- See more Easy Afghan Knitting Patterns
Pocketbook Slippers
These very easy slippers are knit flat and seamed and get their name because they fold into a portable pocketbook shape. You just need to know how to knit, purl, increase, and decrease. Rated very easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Lisa Vienneau & Allison Barrett. Pictured project by Namma119
More Free Patterns
Garter Stitch Baby Hat
Kathleen Sams designed this easy baby hat that’s perfect for beginners. Knit in a square with instructions on how to create the twisted cord.
Baby Booties
These easy booties are knit flat with the shape created through decreases and seaming. Designed for beginners, this pattern is rated very easy by Ravelrers, many of whom said it was their first or second knitting project. Excerpted from Knitty Gritty: Knitting for the Absolute Beginner by Aneeta Patel. Pictured projects by mama79hi and MrsJonnaC
- Get the free knitting pattern
Get the book Knitty Gritty: Knitting for the Absolute Beginner on Amazon- See more Slipper Knitting Patterns
Freezer Pop Cozy
This easy and quick ice pop sleeve will keep little fingers from getting cold. Beginner level pattern and a great project to teach kids to knit with the incentive that they can use it with a treat after they’re done! Crochet version also available.
Bow Pouch Bracelet
This cute bow bracelet designed by Derya Davenport has a secret — a little pouch on the underside where you can put coins, bobby pins, etc. A great beginner project because it’s made of 3 rectangles.
Cup Cozy
Easy pattern knit flat in seed stitch and ribbing with one decrease and then seamed. Great idea for gifts for kids to knit. Designed by Grace Alexander for Red Heart. Rated very easy by Ravelrers and beginner level by designer. Easy to customize to try new stitches.
Easy Little Black Tank Top
Easy sleeveless pullover is knit flat on large needles to get the open mesh look. Designed by Jessica Reeves Potasz of Mama in a Stitch who says this is perfect for beginners. Sizes Womens Small, Medium & Large. The web version is free and the printable pdf is available on Etsy.
- Get the free knitting pattern – web version
- Get the printable pdf at Etsy
- Get recommended Lion Brand Heartland Yarn on Amazon (ad)
Skappelgenseren
Very easy pullover sweater pattern that’s great for beginners and stylish by Dorthe Skappel. The pictured project is by guroskaar
- Link to free pattern page on Ravelry
- Direct link to the English version of the free pattern
- See more Easy Sweater Knitting Patterns
Boat Neck Poncho
This easy beginner pattern is knit in two panels with a 2-row repeat broken rib pattern. Designed by Cathy Payson for Red Heart.
Hooded Baby Blanket
This easy blanket is knit in garter stitch diagonally. The hood is knit separately as a triangle and sewn on to the blanket corner. Need to know how to increase and decrease. Designed by Lion Brand Yarns. Rated very easy by Ravelrers and beginner level by Lion Brand Yarns. Pictured projects by akt1215 and playathome
Beginnings
This easy and versatile design by Erron Anderson can be worn many different ways and is knit in garter stitch and dressed up with buttons. A great quick project for beginners.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Shop for handmade buttons on Etsy
- See more Neckwarmer Knitting Patterns
Easiest Classic Top
The designer Jessica Reeves Potasz of Mama in a Stitch says this sleeveless top is perfect for beginners since it is knit flat in two rectangles in beginner stitches like stockinette, garter stitch, and rib. In fact she says this is good first project. Sizes Womens X Small, Small, Medium & Large. The web version is free and the printable pdf is available on Etsy.
- Get the free knitting pattern – web version
- Get the printable pdf at Etsy
- See more Easy Top Knitting Patterns
Checkerboard Cushion Cover
This easy pillow cover by Julia Marsh is knit flat with three strands of Aran/worsted weight yarn held together. It’s a perfect project for beginners. Fits a 40cm x 30cm / 16″ x 12″ cushion pad
Garter Stitch Ruffles Baby Blanket
This easy reversible blanket is knit completely in garter stitch with two strands of yarn held together. It gets its ruffled look by switching to large needles for a puffier section and then make to smaller needles for a tighter gauge. Consider two yarns or different texture or color to add interest. Designed by Diane Starke. Pictured projectby KathInOC
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Bernat Softee Baby Yarn at Amazon
- See more Garter Stitch Baby Knitting Patterns
Gigi’s Garter Cowl
Cathy Payson’s design is easy enough for beginners and a quick knit in bulky yarn. It’s knit in garter stitch with just a single slipped stitch at the beginning and end of row 1 to create a neat edge.
Change Purse
Bobbi Anderson’s easy beginner project for Red Heart is perfect for coins, stitch markers, or any little treasures. Knit as a rectangle with a buttonhole.
Patterns for Purchase
Lace Knitting Stitches: Beginner's Guide and Lace Knitting Stitches
Free ebook with Kindle Unlimited and available for purchase in other ways. This beginner’s guide introduces some of the most important stitches in lace knitting, recommends some needles and patterns to try. Written by Lewis Adams
- Get the book on Amazon (Kindle and Prime available) (ad)
FREE with Kindle Unlimited or available for purchase as ebook or paperback
Eve Romper
Baby playsuit carefully designed to be simple in construction, perfect for a beginner, knit in garter stitch throughout. Sizes included: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months & 12-24 months. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Pippyeve
Novice Garter Vest
This buttonless vest with a triangle-edge neckline is knitted in 3 garter stitch pieces from the bottom up. A project for beginners according to the designer: you only need to have basic skills, as this top is worked in knit stitches (no purling!). The pattern is written in detail and has a minimum of abbreviations. Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Red Basket Crafts
Ribbed Hugger Cowl
Easy versatile wrap that can be worn many ways knit in garter stitch and suitable for a beginner according to the designer. Quick knit in bulky weight yarn Designed by CharmedFibers
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern on Etsy
- If that link doesn't work, check the main listing page
- See more Multi-Purpose Knitting Patterns
Teach Me to Knit
This how-to-knit guide book has easy lessons and 13 fun projects for beginners of all ages: Knit Coaster, Purl Coaster, Open Petal Posy, Cotton Washcloth, Soft Drink Cozy, Dog's Toy Ball, Scarf, Ripple Lap Wrap, Pillow, Cat's Toy Fish, Leg Warmers, Hand Mitts, and Hat.The book is written for ages 9 to 14, but adult beginners will also appreciate the clear instructions and detailed photos. Worsted weight yarn. Available in digital download or paperback.
Complete Knit Collection for Beginners
20 stylish projects specifically designed for First-timers. Designer and instructor Marly Bird will teach you everything you need to know about the knitted arts. Yarn selection, color combinations, supplies, gauge, and blocking: Marly’s got you covered, and she’ll also offer tons of tips, tricks, and words of encouragement. You’ll be knitting these projects in no time, which include hat, throw, pillow, cup cozies, market bag, cowl, boot cuffs, capelet, and more.
Knitting For Beginners: The A-Z Guide to Have You Knitting in 3 Days
This book provides pictures and step by step instructions for help both beginners and experienced knitters learn new stitches and techniques. Includes 15 knitting patterns
- Get the book on Amazon (Kindle and Prime available) (ad)
FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Knit Fix
Knit Fix ebook will teach you to cast on and bind off, decipher charts, choose fibers and calculate yardage, tackle holes, join yarns, work with multicolor knitting, alter a finished piece, and customize a pattern to suit you perfectly.
Beginner Chunky Blanket
This throw knit in sections of garter stitch, stockinette, and seed stitch is perfect for beginners and advanced knitters according to the designer. Includes “how to” videos for basic techniques used. It does use jumbo US50 size needles.
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get size US50 knitting needles (I recommend circulars even though you’re knitting flat because of the size of the project and the needles) on Amazon (Prime available)
T Shirt Pullover
The designer Mama in a Stitch says that this short sleeved sweater is as simple as it gets and great for beginners. No shaping, just knit and purl. Knit two pieces of stockinette with a pretty rib hem and seam. Quick knit holding two strands of worsted yarn together. S, M, L, XL.
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get the recommended Lion Brand Jeans yarn on Amazon (Prime Add-On item available)
Library Afghan
Throw with a zigzag chevron pattern knit just in knit and purl stitches. Rated easy enough for beginners by Annie’s. 3 Sizes: Small: 37″ x 41″, Medium: 45 1/2″ x 50″, Large: 54″ x 60″. Recommended yarn available on pattern page.
