Comfort Knitting Patterns

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Knitting patterns for those who need a little extra comfort in their lives.

To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern. Updated 4/24/23

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

Snazzy Crutch Covers

Boost the mood of someone who is using crutches with this quick project that's perfect for scrap yarn. Marled brioche rib stitch creates great color and texture, with enough stretch to fit over the crutches. The garter stitch at the top of the covers provides a nice bit of cushion for the underarms. Great stashbuster since it uses 73 - 146 yards (67 - 134 m) of bulky yarn. Use worsted weight yarn (2 strands held together) for a marled effect. Designed by Nicole Peters.

Soothing Comfort Shawl

This easy rectangular shawl by Christine Marie Chen features a slip stitch texture pattern in tubular bulky yarn.

Get the free knitting pattern

Socks With Handles

Know someone who needs a little assistance with pulling up socks? These toe-up socks have handles knit into the top of the cuffs for easier grasping. The instructions for the handles are detailed but the rest of the pattern is more of a recipe for toe up socks so some knowledge of sock knitting is required. Designed by Anneli Kragh. Available in English and Swedish

Cast Cozy

Toe cover for people in leg casts to keep feet warm. The pattern uses a dense slipped-stitch rib to really cling to the cast and to the toes. Designed by Leah Williams. Worsted weight yarn. Pictured projects by webhill and the designer.

Cane Cozy

Dress up your cane with this easy project knit in the round in stockinette with ribbing on the handle for a snug fit and grip. Or you can leave the handled unknitted. Designed by C.C. Almon. DK weight yarn. Pictured project by thefurryknitter, the designer, and knitteroncapecod.

Kleenex® Mittens

These mitts will keep your hand cozy while also keeping tissues close at hand! One mitten has a slit and pouch inside the mitten to keep a small pack of tissues on top of your hand. 2 sizes. Quick knit in super bulky yarn. Designed by knittedblissJC. Available in English and French.

Aromatherapy Tea Cosy

This clever cozy includes four hidden interior pockets for sachets filled with scented flax seeds or aromatherapy beads. When you brew a comforting pot of tea, the moist heat from your teapot will release the healing scents. One of the patterns in Mindful Knitting by Tara Jon Manning.

Hoot Water Bottle Cozy

Robyn Wade designed a hot water bottle cover with owl cable motifs that you can embellish with embroidery, buttons, and more to make it your own.

Phil’s Knee Warmers

Sarah Peasley created these knee warmers for an uncle who had knee surgery. They also have been helpful for those with arthritis. Pictured project by reanbean.

Heartwarmers Microwavable Heat Packs

These knitted hearts are filled with a microwavable rice or bead packet that makes them a wonderfully warm spot to be held or put in your pocket. Pictured project by sarahelise

Sweater for Purse Tissue Packets

Fasty, easy pattern for small cozy to hold purse-sized tissue packets. Great for stash busting, stocking stuffers, and fundraisers. Project by breet who added a flower.

More Free Patterns

Twiddle Muffs or Mitts

Twiddle muffs have a calming effect for people with dementia and other cognitive difficulties. The muffs provide simple stimulation that has been shown to reduce agitation and restlessness. Twiddle muffs have also been used as a sensory comfort aid for autism, ADHD, and anxiety. Knit the muffs or mitts with colorful textured yarn from your stash and then add buttons, ribbons, beads, toys, anything that would be fun to fidget with — inside the mitt as well as outside! Be sure to take a look at the projects for this pattern for inspiration. Check with your local nursing homes about donating twiddle muffs for their residents. Pictured project by Kipipsso.

Ice Pack Socks

These slipper socks come with a pocket on the sole to slip an ice pack in to help relieve painful feet. The designer Denise Sutherland used the Sock of Doom pattern but says you can adapt it to any sock pattern.

Ruched Sleep Eye Mask

Designed by Sarah Core, this sleep mask covers the eyes without laying heavy on the face. The pattern also provides instructions for turning your mask into a eye sachet, with a detailed pattern included for making a mask backing. Pictured project by martyporteous

The Original Prayer Shawl

This easy shawl is offered by the Prayer Shawl Ministry. The designers Victoria Galo & Janet Bristow say, “The making of a prayer shawl is a spiritual practice which embodies our thoughts and prayers for the receiver… Made in prayer, as prayer, for prayer, the shawls are passed on hand-to-hand and heart-to-heart.” Pictured project by saskknitter who added meditation beads.

Loving Thoughts Heart Card

Show you care with a personalized card with a knitted heart by Kelly Jo Sweeney. Pictured project by fluffernutters

Penguin Hot Water Bottle Cozy

Designed by Marianne Wells, this adorable hot water bottle cover is knit with dk yarn held double so as to create a thick fabric to keep the heat from burning skin, and the cosy opens at the back for easy access as well as at the neck for easy refilling.

Finger Labyrinth

This portable version of the classic Baltic labyrinth pattern by Beth Dubeck can be a great aid to meditation, prayer, and generating a sense of calm. At 17 inches in diameter, this double-spiral labyrinth is perfect fit for laps or table tops and can be customized for larger sizes. The original pattern uses eyelets for the labyrinth edges. In this project, LLWright added duplicate stitch to the eyelets to make the labyrinth more tactile.

Get the free knitting pattern

Dog Anxiety Wrap or Swaddle

And let’s not forget about comforting our animal companions! Chiwaluv Amigurumi Critters designed this wrap and swaddle sweater to help anxious dogs feel safe and relax. The Ttouch Mock Anxiety Wrap is based on principles of Tellington Touch to use moderate pressure to comfort the mind and body during periods of stress, travel, loud noises, hyperactivity, or injury. The Swaddle Sweater is designed for snug, calming fit like swaddling a baby.

Free Knitting Pattern for Ramp Tote

Ramp Tote

This ingenious hands-free tote was designed Jodie Gordon Lucas with panels that fit beneath your legs to keep your knitting projects or other items secure but convenient. Three designs. Jodie points out it also is ideal “for knitting while sitting in bleachers, knitting while sailing, knitting on a rollercoaster, knitting on a ski-lift, knitting on a motorcycle”.

First Aid Kit

Nancy Anderson designed this vintage-style first aid kit with two expanding pockets for Red Heart Cares. 8 x 8 x 3 inches.

Smiley Face Cloth

Add a smile to a knit cloth, shawl, blanket to cheer them up. Designed by Knit a Little Store.

Free Knitting Pattern for Pinwheel Flowers

Pinwheel Flowers

Cheer them up with flowers that never fade or die! These flowers designed by Frankie Brown are simple garter stitch flowers, knitted in one piece, from DK yarn. A pattern for stalks and leaves is also included, should you want to knit a bouquet.

Patterns for Purchase

Cheer Up Cast Cozy

Knitting pattern for cute cheer up cast cozy cover with smileys in rainbow colors all over! You can adjust it in length and width and also can make sleeves or leg warmers from it. Can be worn the leg as well as on the arm. Designed by Sandra & Anneliese Jaeger. Sport weight yarn.

See more pics and get the knitting pattern on Lovecrafts

Arm Sling

Create a personalized sling to take some of the pain out of injured arms. One of the 30 patterns in Knockdown Knits. Designed by Joan of Dark aka Toni Carr. Pictured projects by the designer and Poodlezilla who felted her sling. Worsted weight yarn.

See more pics and get the book on Amazon (Kindle or print)

Armpit Cushions for Crutches

Get padding and protection from the pain of using crutches. Knit in two simple pieces, then stuffed for some extra padding, these cushions knit up in no time at all. One of the 30 patterns in Knockdown Knits. Designed by Joan of Dark aka Toni Carr. Pictured projects by the designer and KaceyJH.

See more pics and get the book on Amazon (Kindle or print)

Knit Prayer Shawls: 15 Wraps to Share

15 designs included: Southwest Color, Just-Right Wrap, Sunny Days Ahead, Comfort Abides, Light & Airy, Colors of Joy, Celtic Spirit, Wishing You Well, Swaying Cables & Lace, Tranquil Waves, Nature’s Peace, Sweet Solace, Restful Ruana, Because I Care, and The Picture of Health. Spiral-bound pages lie flat for ease of use.that would be fun to fidget with — inside the mitt as well as outside! Be sure to take a look at the projects for this pattern for inspiration. Check with your local nursing homes about donating twiddle muffs for their residents. Pictured project by Kipipsso.

See more pics and get the book at Leisure Arts

Mindful Knitting: Inviting Contemplative Practice to the Craft

Mindful Knitting contains ten original and enjoyable knitting projects, each complemented by a meditation exercise.

Get Mindful Knitting on Amazon (Available in Kindle and paperback)

Knitting for a Cure

This afghan is one of 18 designs from Knitting for a Cure. Other patterns include scarves, a hat, a headband, fingerless gloves, teapot cozy, hot water bottle cover, pillow, and more. Many feature breast cancer awareness ribbon.