These free knitting patterns are one ball projects for scarves, hats, baby items, accessories, and more are perfect quick and portable projects that help you use up those extra skeins of yarn in your stash. Updated 4/10/2023
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.
Free Patterns
Pronghorn Headband and Mitts
Matching cable headband and fingerless mitts knit flat. Cables form a diamond in the center of the headband and top of mitts. Uses just one skein 250 - 270 yards (229 - 247 m) of the recommended DK weight yarn. This pattern has fully written and charted directions. Designed by Farm Fresh Knits
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Amano Yarns Puna yarn
- See more Headband Knitting Patterns
Cable Shrug
Cable and lace shrug knit flat in one piece, with ribbed border is picked up and knit. Uses just one 100g skein / 328 - 437 yards (300 - 400 m) of Fingering weight yarn. Charted. Szalajka designed by Adrien Antal
Tousday Bag
Purse with cable design and handles. The cable looks like hearts to me. Uses less than one skein 180 - 197 yards (165 - 180 m) of the recommended Aran weight yarn. Designed by Annie Park
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Lion Brand Wool Ease Yarn at Joann
- See more Purse Knitting Patterns
Easy Fit Beanie
Easy slouchy unisex hat features a 2 round repeat broken rib texture. Uses just one ball of the recommended Aran weight yarn yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Red Heart Soft Yarn 5oz yarn at Joann
- See more 1 Skein Hat Knitting Patterns
Cable Dog Sweater
Stylish dog coat with cables. The base size is small but size is adjustable for larger dogs. The small size uses less than one skein 100 - 120 yards (91 - 110 m) of the recommended Aran weight yarn. Designed by Yuko Nagakura
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Caron Simply Soft yarn at Joann
- See more Dog Sweater Knitting Patterns
Rikke Hat
Sarah Young’s slouchy beanie uses garter stitch to keep it simple and stretchy. Uses just one 100g skein of the recommended DK weight yarn. Great for variegated yarn!
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended madelinetosh Tosh DK yarn on Etsy
- See more Slouchy Beanie Knitting Patterns
Feel Pretty Scarf
This stunning lace scarf uses just one skein 430 yards (393 m) of Fingering weight yarn. This pattern has fully written and charted directions. Designed by Caoua Coffee
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Handmaiden Fine Yarn Sea Silk yarn
- See more Lace Scarf Knitting Patterns
One Skein Cable Hat
Beanie hat featuring an easy cable design. Uses just one ball 150 – 160 yards / 137 - 146 m (80 – 86 g) of the recommended Aran weight yarn. Designed by Tricotazo
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See more hat knitting patterns by Tricotazo
- See more 1 Skein Hat Knitting Patterns
Easy Shoulder Poncho
Shoulder cozy knit in on large needles. Size approximately 12” x 19” but can easily be made smaller or larger. Uses just one ball of the recommended yarn. DK weight yarn. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Elizabeth Finn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Juniper Moon Zooey yarn at Amazon
- See more Light Poncho Knitting Patterns
One Skein Rug
Art Fiend’s shoe rug features interesting cable and textures and is great for stashbusting. Other Ravelrers have added fringe or used this pattern for table runners and other projects. Uses one skein of bulk Aran weight yarn like Super Saver.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Red Heart Super Saver Yarn at Joann
- See more Rug Knitting Patterns
Heartwarming Scarf
Julie Farmer’s beginner scarf has an easy to remember 4 row repeat stitch pattern to give it texture. This unisex scarf only uses one skein 7 oz (198 g), 364 yd (333 m) of the recommended Aran weight yarn. Pictured project is by pixiesmom.
More Free Patterns
One-Skein Lacy Scarf
This light lace scarf features a classic Shetland stitch pattern, Crest of the Wave, and uses one skein of the recommended yarn. Designed by Kate Atherley for Canadian Living.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Cascade 220 yarn on Amazon
- See more Lacy Scarf Knitting Patterns
Cutie Pointed Hat
This easy hat for babies and toddlers only takes one ball of Worsted weight yarn.
Cupcake Mittlets
Shantha Ramachandran designed these easy eyelet lace mitts that require less than one 50g ball of yarn. Knit in the round. Rated easy by the designer and Ravelry knitters. Pictured project by CraftyBeast
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the yarn used in the pictured project on Etsy
- See more 1 Skein Mitts Knitting Patterns
Drop Stitch Cowl
This easy cowl by Cathy Payson features a drop stitch pattern that looks great in multi-colored yarn. Uses just one ball 230 yards (210 m) of the recommended Aran weight yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern and yarn
- Or get Red Heart With Love Yarn at Joann
- See more 1 Skein Cowl Knitting Patterns
Garter Stitch Baby Booties
Easy booties knit flat in garter stitch in boot style to stay on baby’s feet. Only takes one ball of less than 100 yards of Aran weight yarn. Designed by Heather Lodinsky for Yarnspirations
Any Day Beret
This easy hat pattern by Red Heart features an intriguing 2 round repeat spiral diagonal stitch pattern that switches directions. Uses just one ball 5 oz. 234 meters/256 yards of the recommended Worsted weight yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Red Heart Soft Yarn 5oz yarn at Joann
- See more Beret Knitting Patterns
Nalu Mitts
Leila Raabe’s cable mitts feature a traveling twisted-stitch wave flanked by reverse stockinette and seed stitch. Knit with one skein 164 yards (150 m) of Sport yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Quince & Co. Chickadee yarn yarn at Etsy
- See more 1 Skein Mitts Knitting Patterns
Santorini Kerchief
Susan Mills designed this easy kerchief headwrap with lace edging. Uses 125 yards (114 m) of Worsted weight yarn. Great with multi-color yarn!
Winter Cable Hat
Annanitato Lolo’s hat can be knit with one skein 164 - 170 yards (150 - 155 m) of the recommended Aran weight yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Lanoso Alpacana Fine yarn for this pattern on Etsy
- Get Faux Fur Pom Poms on Etsy
- See more Pom Pom Hat Knitting Patterns
Basic Beanie
Yarnspirations’ hat comes in regular or slouchy fit, for men or women. Uses just one skein of the recommended sock yarn yarn. Great for self-striping or multi-color yarn!
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Patons Kroy Socks yarn at Joann
- See more Slouchy Beanie Knitting Patterns
Sassenach Shrug
This is Polly Foo Foo’s interpretation of the shrug that Claire wears knit flat in garter stitch. Uses one skein 174 yards (159 meters) of Aran weight yarn.
- Get the free pattern
- Get the yarn recommended by the designer
- See more free Shrug Knitting Patterns
- See more Outlander inspired Knitting Patterns
Grey Gardens Turban
A one-skein entrelac turban designed by Rachel Price and Kate Burge.
Change Purse
Bobbi Anderson’s easy beginner project for Red Heart is perfect for coins, stitch markers, or any little treasures. Perfect stash buster or one skein project! Make it special with a decorative button.
Patterns for Purchase
Knot Lace Ascot Scarf
A keyhole scarf neck warmer with a delicate lace stitch and adorable bow leaf ends. Uses one skein (220yds/200m, 110g/3.5oz) of the recommended DK weight yarn. For a lightweight spring accessory, use cotton yarn. The loveliest accent on spring days, lightweight and comfortable in a cotton yarn. Try in a soft wool yarn for fall and winter wear! Designed by Emily J. Designs Girlpower Knits
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Cascade Yarns ® Ultra Pima at Amazon (ad)
- See more Keyhole Scarves Knitting Patterns
One-Skein Wonders® 101 Knitting Projects
The first book in the series. 101 charming designs that use just a single skein of yarn, Judith Durant shows you how to turn these extra bits of fiber into stylish hats, mittens, scarves, and tea cozies. Covering a wide range of tastes and styles, this collection will inspire you to dig out your orphan yarn and get stitching.
- See more pics and get book on Amazon (Kindle and Prime available)
- Or get the book at Alibris
- See more One Skein Wonders books
Spirited Boot Cuffs
Lace topped boot cuffs knit with one skein or less of Fingering yarn. Great showcase for variegated or handdyed yarn. Designed by Faye Kennington
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern
- Get the recommended Malabrigo Yarn Mechita yarn (pictured colorway Mandragora) at Amazon (ad)
- See more Boot Cuff Knitting Patterns
Cable Beanie Hat
Simple unisex beanie knit with ribbing and cable detail. Great with gradient and self-striping yarn. Uses one skein 100 metres/110 yards of Aran yarn. Designed by Mairin Ni Dhonncha
Dewberry Cowl
Dewberry utilizes purled stripes and the simplest of lace patterns to give it texture and interest. It comes in two sizes and can also easily be enlarged by using a heavier weight of yarn. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Hilary Smith Callis. Uses one skein 200 - 255 yards (183 - 233 m) of Aran weight yarn.
Great Hall Hat
Beret with a lattice cabled pattern. Uses one skein 190 - 225 yards (174 - 206 m) of DK yarn. Designed by Irina Anikeeva.
City Mouse Hat and Cowl
One skein of DK yarn makes both hat and cowl in this set. Herringbone and knit stitches create a striking texture contrast in this set, and the loose knit of the hat body makes it the perfect hat shape for many heads.
Birch Cloche
This lace hat uses just one skein of worsted weight yarn. Two sizes
Midwinter Stroll Mitts
These fingerless mitts take less than one skein of worsted weight yarn and feature a twisted rib cuff with a trio of cables inset within the cuff. Three sizes.
Reversible Cable Worsted Mitts
A fantastic super-warm last-minute winter gift, these fingerless mitts knit up quickly from just one ball of worsted weight yarn in just a few hours.
Jasmine Baby Bonnet
This lace baby bonnet is a quick knit with just one skein of yarn.
