How to Find Good Quality Free Knitting Patterns

Tips for Knitters Looking for Online Projects and Designs to Knit

Jan 4, 2009

Free Knitting Patterns for All Types of Yarn, Kate Pullen

There are many excellent free knitting patterns available on the Internet, there are also, however, many that are not so good. How does a knitter find reliable projects?

While knitting is a fun and creative pastime, there is also a significant cost and time investment. A sweater or other large garment will require several balls of yarn which can be costly. A large or complex knitting project can also take several weeks or even months to complete. A poor quality knitting pattern could give disappointing results that waste precious time and money.

There are many reasons why a knitting pattern may be less than perfect. These include:

The pattern has not been tested
The pattern has not been edited or checked prior to being published and contains mistakes
The instructions are not clear or non-standard terms have been used
Abbreviations are not standard
It is not clear whether the measurements are metric or imperial, or what size the needles or weight of yarn has been used

Why Use Free Knitting Patterns?

Given the risk of using a poor quality knitting pattern, many knitters may wonder whether it is a good idea to use free knitting patterns. The answer is a resounding 'yes'! There are many reasons why free knitting patterns are an excellent choice – besides the fact that they are free. These include:

Many small and independent designers make their patterns available on the Internet free of charge to get their name known and to gain experience. This is a great way to find up-and-coming designers who may be creating designs that are a little different to mainstream designs.
Some established designers offer some free designs as well as their paid for designs. These are a good way to try designs of a particular designer.
Small online communities often form around a designer or a free pattern. Knit-a-longs, forums or discussion groups allow knitters from all over the world to virtually meet to discuss a project. This is not only great fun, but also a good way to find help or support when working with an unfamiliar design.

Finding Good Quality Free Knitting Patterns

So, how does a knitter find the excellent free knitting patterns available on the Internet and avoid the disappointment and frustration that can arise from using a poor quality design? Here are some tips to help find excellent knitting patterns that will produce great results:

Look for well known website. Yarn manufacturers and knitting magazines often offer a range of knitting patterns on their websites. These will typically be designed by well known designers and have been tested, edited before publication and will often include schematics.
Online knitting magazines typically select designs and patterns for publication and will ensure that these meet certain standards.
Read knitting blogs, newsgroups and forums and keep a look out for recommendations from other knitters. There is nothing quite like listening to the experience of others before starting on a project. This can highlight potential pitfalls which will help to avoid mistakes.

Using free online knitting patterns is a great way to find interesting projects. With a little care reliable knitting projects can be found that will produce wonderful results.