Knitting patterns to provide sensory and learning play for babies and children. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 8/17/26
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
Sensory Activity Book
Educational toy book with activities designed to activate children's senses and help them acquire new skills through experimentation. 5 activities including tying laces on a vest, experiencing textures with cactus and tropical forest, house and basket filled with geometric pieces to fit over the house, matching colors in pockets, parts of a cat. Video of activities on page. Great stashbuster. Some easy crochet. Designed by livy_jjj for Instructables.
Caterpillar Ring Toy
Fun baby toy with rings that can be removed and replaced in any order. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Judy Hackett.
Activity Cubes
Fun baby toy that will keep baby interested and aid development. Cube is knit with 6 squares in moss/seed stitch and formed around a foam cube while handle is knit in stockinette. A small pocket animal toy is knit and can be kept in cube pocket. Add on rattles, mirrors, wooden teething rings, and more. 3 Sizes. Designed by Go Handmade for Hobbii. Worsted weight yarn. A kit is also available.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get foam cubes on Amazon (Prime options available)
- Get rattle noisemakers on Amazon
- Get wooden teething rings on Amazon
Atomic Blocks: The Periodic Table
Each face of Alegria DaSilva’s squishy toy blocks features the atomic number and symbol of a different element.
Sensory Swatch Book For Baby
Here's a great way to re-purpose your swatches or use up scrap yarn! Create a book for baby to enjoy textures and colors, that can be washed. Instructions for cover, binding, and adding pages designed by Christine Guest
Puzzled
Brittany Wilson designed this soft stuffed puzzle that’s perfect for little ones. They can play with them and even throw them without causing damage of traditional wooden puzzles.
Tic Tac Toe
A toy version of the game with little pillows for play pieces and the playing board is a drawstring bag to carry the pieces. Knit flat. DK weight yarn. Designed by Luciana Etche for Max and Herb.
- Get the free knitting pattern. Check that price is still zero, add to cart, and check out without payment.
- See the Ravelry page
Soft Letters
Stuffed Letters of the alphabet and numbers to be used as stuffed letters can be used as toys to help children learn their alphabet or learn to read. They can also be used for decoration. When knitted in DK they are about 11cm/4 inches tall. Designed by Frankie Brown
Baby’s First DNA Model
Knit this softie DNA model for a baby toy, a gift for scientists and teachers, a rattle with bells inside, a crib mobile, classroom models, and more. Some Ravelrers have modified it for specific chromosomes or to unzip. Designed by Kimberly Chapman. Pictured project by kittyvonditty
More Free Patterns
Alphabet Blocks
Alphabet blocks knit flat and seamed around foam cubes. DK weight yarn. Size 10x10cm (4x4in) Designed by Michelle Oonincx.
Knitting Sampler Book
The soft knitted Book of Knitty is perfect for babies to touch, discover, and play with textures and colors. And as they get older it can pique their interest in knitting. Packed with miniature versions of some of Knitty patterns, it’s also a great gift for adults who knit or are learning to knit! Designed by Laura Brown. Pictured project by americanlass. Other Ravelrers have adapted this pattern to make books of high-contrast stitch patterns, tiny clothes, nature motifs, and more. Great use for stash or scrap yarn.
1 2 3 Knit Numbers
These knitted numbers from 0 to 9 are perfect for education play toys for children, for birthday decorations, and more. Knit flat. Size Height: 14 cm / 5.5”. Designed by Libère tes mailles. Worsted weight yarn.
Baby's First Molecular Set
Knit spheres with letters representing Carbon, Oxygen, Hyrdrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulphur. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Tiffany Sutton.
Caterpillar Learning Toy
Babies can learn colors and counting to ten with this colorful cuddly caterpillar. Made from small amounts of yarn, this toy is not only educational but is also great use for leftover stash yarn! Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Ann Franklin. DK weight yarn.
Geometric Teether
Baby teether toy with a few links in a circular, triangular and square shapes. Designed to use up your leftover Worsted yarns because the links only take less than 30 yards. Designed by Mio Múcaro.
Calendar Cubes
These two cubes form a perpetual calendar. You can turn them around until you find the date you want. The numbers you need nicely fill all the faces on two cubes. Plastic canvas version also included. Designed by Woolly Thoughts
Geodes
Create your own crystal minerals with beads and yarn with these 2 patterns. The top pattern Amethyst Geode is designed by Barbara Tomlinson and includes a video tutorial. It’s a variation on the original Oddknit pattern designed by Jessica Goddard shown in the bottom image.
- Get the free knitting pattern by Barbara Tomlinson
- See Ravelry page for Amethyst Geode
- Get the free knitting pattern by Oddknits
- See Ravelry page for Oddknit Geode
Amish Puzzle Ball
Dedri Uys’ Puzzle Ball comes apart into 3 segments that can be re-assembled to form a ball. The soft chunky design is perfect for little hands. Dedri also has a crochet version on her site.
Tooth and Toothbrush Set
Fun toys to teach kids about brushing teeth, gifts for dentists you know, or decorations for pediatric dentist offices. Sizes Tooth 11 x 8cm / 4" x 3". Toothbrush 47 x 10cm / 19" x 4", DK weight yarn. Designed by Cher Marcus.
Patterns for Purchase
Elephant Ring Toy
Stackable ring toy that also is a cuddly elephant. The arms and head of the elephant are part of the stack as well as the rings. Size 12 inches tall. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Made By Devrie
Play Puzzler Cube
Soft activity toy to help little ones to learn shapes and colours with rings and knitted shapes that can be stored in the pockets. Knit flat. Size 14.5cm / 6" cube (without handle). DK weight yarn. Designed by Amanda Berry
Activity Books and Playmat
Baby blanket or mat with sensory and play textures such pompoms, loop stitch, flowers, pockets, and more. Tassel book with applique shapes and textures. Picture book with fish, heart, smiley face, rectangles. DK weight yarn. Designed by King Cole
ABCD Book
Knitted baby book with ten squares, A & Apple, B & Boat, C & Cat, D & Duck, Front & Back Cover, knitted in mosaic garter stitch. Size 14 x 14 x 4.5 cm / 5½ x 5½ x 1¾”. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Arella Seaton
Sensory Caterpillar
This quick baby toy features bright colors, different textures, and sounds to engage baby’s senses. Each section of the caterpillar features a different texture and color and some of the sections include sound makers like rattles, squeakers, and bells. About 12 inches long and 3 inches wide. Designed by Julie Anderson Pictured projects by plumpud and carolyn22. Great stash buster!
Memory Mix'n Match Game
This Concentration style game includes 30 knitted cards, pairing 15 different kid-identifiable images knit with intarsia, including fish, hearts, houses, candy canes and more. Great stashbuster and for portable knitting. Designed by Sophia Minakais.
Cute Pets Playmat
Baby blanket with colorful animals with different textures and colors for baby to play with, including a cat, owl, bird, bunny tail, bee, spider web, ladybug. Each square is knitted separately and then sewn together. DK weight yarn. Designed by Kim Dickinson
Tummy Time Touch and Look Mat
This baby blanket has bright, high-contrast color patterns on one side to stimulate your baby’s vision, and a variety of textured stitch blocks on the reverse that stimulate your baby’s sense of touch. This makes either side an ideal companion to your baby’s ‘tummy time’. Size 80 cm x 80 cm. DK weight yarn. Designed by Ann Franklin.
