I was inspired by Emily Dickinson's poem "Hope" that starts:
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.
So I created this post with knitting patterns with feather motifs in shapes, lace, texture, and color. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 8/11/25.
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
Quill Feather
What a fun idea! Dress up your pencils, pens, and markers with this knit feather with an opening to insert your writing utensil of choice. DK weight. Designed by Jessica Goddard.
Peacock Shawl
Reversible half-circle shawl with brioche peacock feathers. Sport weight. Designed by Happy Knitter.
Feathers Pullover
V-neck pullover with a striped feather pattern on the body and sleeves. Knit seamlessly from the top down. One size 114cm/45.5 inches. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Kineco Design.
Plume Feather
Beginner friendly lace feather pattern knit from the top-down and finished with an i-cord feather shaft. It can be used for decoration, bunting, appliques, and more. The feather is constructed from the top-down with eyelets to mimic the veins, and is finished with an i-cord feather shaft. Any yarn. Designed by Stephanie Rettenmeier.
Lacy Japanese Feather Baby Blanket
Lace blanket knit with an airy feather stitch with option for garter stitch sections. DK weight yarn. Designed by Sarah Louttit.
Wedding Peacock Shawl
Stunning lace circle shaped pi shawl with tiers of lace feathers. Lace weight. Designed by MMario. Pictured project by anxykaz
Nom de Plume
Matching set of elegant intarsia armwarmers and legwarmers with peacock feathers in intarsia, knit flat and seamed. Fingering weight. Designed by Teresa Gregorio.
Free as a Bird Feathers
Two color brioche decorative feathers that can be used as ornaments, appliques, bookmarks, and jewelry. Great for variegated yarn. Samples knit with Fingering weight. Size 4 inches / 10 cm long. Designed by Kajsa Vuorela Fredriksson.
Wings of Peace Shawl
Lace prayer shawl designed to look like a bird's wing with downy covert feathers at top and long primary feathers at the bottom. Original design calls for Aran weight. Anna Baltzer Wings of Peace designed by Renate Haeckler and named for a peace activist. Pictured project by mariakot who used a little over one skein Fingering weight yarn.
Peacock Feather Baby Blanket
Baby blanket knit with a cable and lace design in a 28 row repeat. Written instructions or chart. Size Approx. 32”x 46”. DK weight yarn. Designed by Knitting Unlimited
Callette Shawl
Griffin feather shawl inspired by Year of the Griffin by Diana Wynne Jones. The shawl is knit sideways from each end, and froms a trapezoidal wing-like shape, with simple beautiful feathery lace chevrons and intarsia bars of the wings. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Carolyn Bolger.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the book Year of the Griffin at Amazon
- See more Shawl Knitting Patterns
Alvi
Feathers of a 4 row repeat herringbone pattern with diamond tops at cuffs and hems are knit in stranded colorwork for long sleeved pullover sweater knit seamlessly. Sizes XS to XL. DK weight yarn. Designed by Hanne Pjedsted. Available in English and Danish
Ostrich Feather Kerchief
Lace head and neck scarf by Dawn Prickett.
More Free Patterns
Pincha Shawl
Crescent asymmetric scarf or shawl with feather shapes created with short rows. Uses only one skein of any sock yarn. Perfect for variegated yarn. Designed by Pinpilan Wangsai for Knitty.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Consider supporting Knitty on Patreon
- See more One Skein Shawl Knitting Patterns
Fervent Sweater
Lace feathers fan out on the yoke of this pullover knit seamlessly top down in the round. Only a few stitches picked up on the sleeves. Sizes XS to 5XL. DK weight yarn. Designed by Elizabeth Felgate for Knitty. Pictured project by Paloline
Feathers Shawl
Generous sized triangular shawl inspired by wings with border of plumage feather lace below the main lace section that looks like down feathers. 2 sizes. DK weight yarn. Designed by Therese Chynoweth.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Cascade Yarns ReSolve yarn
- See more Shawl Knitting Patterns
Nice And Lacy Yoke Tee
Lace feathers circle the yoke of this women's short-sleeved pullover tee sweater. Sizes XS/S 28-34" [71-86.5 cm] to 4/5XL 56-62" [142-157.5 cm]. DK weight yarn. Designed Bernat.
Wings of a Prayer
Lace half circle shawl with feather motif lace and a scalloped edge.Designed by Kristi Holaas who knit the original in deep thought and prayer for a very dear friend. Lace weight yarn. Pictured projectS by designer and Jayashreemadan. May only be free for a limited time.
Feathers
Quick, fun pattern for some knitted feathers that can be used for bookmarks, decorations, embellishment, and pet toys. Great for variegated yarn. Samples knit with DK weight and fingering weight. 2 sizes. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Frankie Brown. Pictured projects by the designer and shilao
Wings for Nightbird Shawl
Stunning half-circle lace shawl designed to look like feathered wings. Designed by Teresa Yoon for Knitty. Sport weight yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Consider supporting Knitty on Patreon
- See more Shawl Knitting Patterns
Lyra Feather Lace Yoke Top
Pullover tee sweater with lace feather or fern motif on yoke. Sizes 28/30" - 52/54"/ 71cm to 137cm. DK weight yarn. Designed by Sarah Hatton for West Yorkshire Spinners.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended West Yorkshire Spinners Elements yarn
- See more Sweater Knitting Patterns
Nightbird Scarf
Diagonal knit scarf that uses garter stitch, short rows and stockinette stitch in order to create wedges and points like feathers. The scarf is very long, so it can be wrapped in a variety of ways. Web pattern is free. Printable pdf is available on Etsy. Designed by Jessie Rayot. Sport weight yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern Web version
- Get printable pdf on Etsy
- See more Scarf Knitting Patterns
Wavy Gilet
Lace cardigan vest knit in Japanese Feather Lace that creates a wavy edge on the open front. No picking up stitches. Worsted weight yarn. Sizes XS to 6X. Designed by Merri Fromm for Knitty
Patterns for Purchase
Zoe and Zoella Bags
Tote bags in two sizes with fringed feather charms knit in an easy zigzag texture that creates a chevron border. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by WoolAffair
Feather Throw
This easy afghan features an elegant eagle feather motif down the side. Quick knit in bulky yarn.
Feather Lace Buttoned Wrap Cowl
Buttoned cowl neckwarmer knit flat with a Feather Lace stitch that's quite simple, but looks quite intricate. Designed by TheKnitKnot. Worsted weight yarn.
Feather Scarf
Scarf knit with a cable pattern of feathers that looks just as good on the reverse side. Aran, worsted weight yarn. Designed by TheWarmHouse. Available in English and Dutch.
Featherlight Cowl or Shawl
Inspired by the beautiful feathers of the peacock, this is rectangular lace shawl becomes a capelet when the ends are sewn together. Designed by Linnah. Lace weight yarn.
Feathers Wall Hanging
Thirteen bird feathers for Black-capped Chickadee, Great horned owl, gyrfalcon, Common loon, Blue jay, Snowy owl, Atlantic puffin, osprey, Steller's jay, Rock ptarmigan, Great grey owl, Common raven, and more official birds of Canadian provinces and territories. Group together for a wall hanging or use separately. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Erin Black.
Feather Pillow
Feather-shaped pillow knit in stockinette with some stranded colorwork for details. Size: 26" Long. Designed by Erin Black. Aran weight yarn.
