If you need a quick gift or fast knitting project, take a look at this collection of patterns that take from a couple of hours to 8 hours to finish. If you just have an evening there are patterns for hats, slippers, scarves, and more, even a shawl! If you have all day, there are bigger projects for a shawl and afghan. Updated 10/4/23
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
One Hour Beanie
The designer says this easy hat in Super Bulky yarn can be finished in around an hour. Color change optional. Sizes 3 sizes - S M L. Designed by The Knit Guru.
Tootsies Toasters
Quick slippers adapted from a vintage 1960’s typewritten pattern. Original pattern suggests that these may be knit in 5 hour! Sizes ladies small (5-6), medium (7-8), large (9-10). Many knitters used just one skein for the slippers. Designed by Meg Strong. Worsted weight yarn. The original pattern appeared in American Thread Star Book 146. Pictured project by designer and billybrown
Movie Night Shrug
Knit this easy lace shrug in a few hours. Knit flat with a 4 row repeat in a rectangle and seamed. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Tante Ehm. Uses one skein (130 - 150 yards, 119 - 137 m) of the recommended bulky weight yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See more of Tante Ehm's knitting patterns
- See more Easy Shrug Knitting Patterns
2 Hours Or Less Scarf
Easy fringed scarf knit with 3 strands of different color yarn knit together for marled look. Great for a quick gift! Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Lion Brand. Aran weight yarn.
8-Hour Shawl
4 row repeat shawl by Lorna Miser knits up quickly in worsted weight yarn. Pictured projects by the designer and Laura6
Two and a Half Hours Hat
Slouchy beanie with broken rib brim that designer and Ravelrers say takes just a few hours to knit. Designed by Jennifer Beever. Super Bulky weight yarn.
One Day Wristwarmers
These ribbed fingerless mitts are quick to knit. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Wendi Dunlap. Pictured projects by clockworkpurple and pensomnia,
One Day Beret
Instructions for quick hat that is adaptable to any weight of yarn so it's also a great stashbuster. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Kirsten Kapur. Pictured projects by moonalisa and akoaok.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See more of Kristen's knitting patterns
- See more Beret Knitting Patterns
Two-Hour Scarf
Easy scarf knit with 2 strands of bulky yarn together. Designed by Lion Brand. Pictured project by firesideknitter who added fringe.
More Free Patterns
6-Hour Afghan
This afghan pattern by Lion Brand is fast because it uses 4 strands of yarn knit together on size 50 (25mm) needles. The four strands gives you an opportunity to really play with color. It has a lot of good reviews but it may take you longer if you need to get comfortable with giant needles and four strands. I’d personally use circular needles. It seems like straight needles would be very awkward. 34 x 54 in. [86.5 x 137 cm], not including fringe
One Hour Mitts
These fingerless mitts wrist warmers by natalja are knit quickly in bulky yarn on small circular needles or double point needles. That means all the stitches are knit — no purling. However if you aren’t comfortable with circular or dpns it could take longer. Knitters reported the project taking between one hour and and three hours.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get bulky yarn for this project on Etsy
- See more Fingerless Mitts Knitting Patterns
Arm Knit 3 Hour Blanket
Use 4 strands of super chunky yarn to knit this throw. Approximately 45″ [114.5 cm] wide x 60″ [152.5 cm] long.
Slip It Cowl
Knitters reported that it took them two hours to finish the cowl and the designer Jenny F says “a few hours”. A great way to show off multi colored super bulky yarn! And it’s reversible!
The Literally 2-Hour Shawl
Wolfberry Knits says that a reasonably quick knitter can knit the garter stitch triangular shawl in 1½ hours and the other ½ an hour is for blocking and attaching the fringe. The knitter tankgirl58 who did the project above reported it took 2 hours and 6 minutes. Adaptable to other weights of yarn – the project above was in Aran weight. I will say that the size looks on the smaller side so a larger version might take longer. Great for multi-color yarn!
Two-Hour Teddy Bear
Here’s a quick 11 inch tall teddy bear designed by The Knit Cafe Toronto. Some knitters report that, though the project is quick, it took longer than 2 hours for their first bear so keep that in mind, especially if you are using a novelty yarn.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get bulky yarn for this project on Etsy
- See more Teddy Bear Knitting Patterns
Eleventh Hour Scarf
Purl Soho’s scarf was designed as a last-minute gift you can be proud of. Knit with two strands of super bulky yarn together, the designer says it can be finished while you watch one movie. Other knitters agree that they knit it in one evening.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Shop for super chunky yarn for this project on Etsy
- See more Scarf Knitting Patterns
Less Than Two Hour Slippers
Knitters who completed Julie Koerver’s cabled slippers attested that they took about two hours to knit.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get bulky yarn for this project on Etsy
- See more Slipper Knitting Patterns
Marian Cowl
Jane Richmond designed this super bulky cowl with a moebius twist that can be knit in one sitting. Other knitters say it is a fast knit.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Shop for super chunky yarn for this project on Etsy
- See more Cowl Knitting Patterns
11th Hour Headband
Benjamin Matthews designed this cute headband that knits up in and hour or two. Great last minute gift or stocking stuffer!
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Get bulky yarn for this project on Etsy
- See more Headband Knitting Patterns
Yoga Mat Strap
Gina Michele wanted a cute carrier for her yoga mat but didn’t want the hassle of trying to roll her mat up tightly enough to fit in a tube. She devised this strap with loops that’s perfect for carrying her mat. I can think of a lot of other purposes for this strap. I even wonder if you could use it as a yoga strap if the cotton isn’t too stretchy. Knit in garter stitch.
NO NEEDLES! Slouchy Hat
Lori Frejek designed this finger knit hat that takes two or three hours to knit in bulky yarn or two strands of worsted held together. Hat can be worn inside out for a nubbier texture. Pictured project by Dafiags
Patterns for Purchase
One Day Neck Warmer
Buttoned cowl that forms a diamond in the front with easy to remember repeats. Designer says it can be knit in one day. Uses one skeing of Worsted weight yarn. Designed by WhiteFlowerNeedle
2-Hour Beanie Hat
NO LONGER FREE! Knit in the round with a 4 row repeat with a ribbed brim, no decreases, and a pompom. Takes 2 hours to knit according to the designer. Designed by See Love Share. Knit with 2 strands of aran weight yarn held together.
One Hour Hat
Buttoned garter stitch hat is very easy to knit. Suitable for beginners. Perfect last minute present as it takes only one to two hours to complete. Available to download in English and/or in Estonian. Designed by Eveli Kaur
2 Hour Slippers
These slippers take 2 hours to knit, start to finish, in squishy super bulky yarn. thus the clever name! ADULT SMALL (Women's 6-7) ADULT MEDIUM (Women's 8-9) ADULT LARGE (Women's 10-11). Designed by AuntJanetsDesigns who says she can whip them out in 90 minutes. She also allows selling finished items from this pattern.
Two Hour Toe Up Slippers
The slippers in this pattern are knit from the toe up using bulky weight yarn or worsted yarn held double. It takes approximately 2 hours to knit a pair.
- Get the knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get bulky yarn for this project on Etsy
- See more Slipper Knitting Patterns
10 Hour Afghans and Throws
6 projects: 3 afghans, 3 throws. Electronic download.
Two Hour Neckwear
Knit it tonight – wear it tomorrow. Chunky yarn, big needles and a couple of hours are all you need to knit any of these 12 designs!
Biscuit Blanket
This could be used for scones, cookies, a small loaf of bread … anything yummy that needs to stay warm. A nice gift to knit whether it is stuffed ahead of time with baked goods or not! BONUS: This knitting pattern include the designer’s personal Blue Ribbon Biscuit Recipe, and a Springtime Dishcloth knitting pattern.
Arm Knit Fabulous Floor Pouf
Arm knit this ottoman in a couple of hours with super bulky yarn. The pouf is 24″ x 24″.
3 Hour Slouchy Hat
The designer says she knits this in two hours but is a fast knitter. Two adult sizes included in the pattern.
- Get the knitting pattern on Etsy
- Get bulky yarn for this project on Etsy
- See more Slouchy Hat Knitting Patterns
Spa & Bath Sets to Knit
Each of the 5 sets in Spa & Bath Sets to Knit has an adult-size bath mitt, drawstring soap sack, facecloth, and headband knit in soft cotton worsted weight yarn. Sets are Refresh (featuring a lacy diamond border), Paradise (diamond lace pattern), Rejuvenate (forget-me-not floral pattern), Sunrays (eyelet mock cable pattern), and Tranquility (with an eyelet lattice border).
One Skein Wonders
Judith Durant has created a series of books with projects that use just one skein of yarn. Some of the patterns are in this post.
