Knitting projects – Page 38 – New England's Narrow Road

Where to Find Free Knitting Patterns

Pinterest is one of the best online places to find free knitting patterns for everything from hats and scarves to shawls and blankets. For the beginner knitter, this is a wonderful thing. Many links will take you to the Ravelry site, a place where serious knitters show off their projects. Join for free to see everything.

Please be aware that some previously free patterns may no longer be free. I try to update, but may overlook something.

When we are not sure of our knitting skills and mainly need practice, starting a free, simple project is less stressful. I feel that I can make mistakes and learn from them. Free offerings are usually pretty basic. Pattern designers will often pull you in with something free from them. They hope you will enjoy their free design so much that you will come back and perhaps purchase one of their patterns. And that would be a nice thing to do.

free knitting mitten pattern — The World’s Simplest Mittens

spindrift shawl — The World’s Simplest Mittens

A free pattern download also gives you an idea of how that designer presents the pattern. Is it written well with helpful advice along the way? Are there written directions as well as a graph to follow? Are photos, or images of the finished item included?

Once I felt more comfortable with my knitting, I began to gather some projects to purchase. Patterns are affordable, and I don’t mind paying for some designer’s hard work. I will end up with a beautiful and unique item.

Free Patterns For Shawls

At the present time I am working on three different shawls. Two are free patterns, and one is a MKAL (Mystery Knit-Along) pattern which I purchased. I learned to use stitch markers for sections – something the more experienced knitters taught me. Try doing that if your shawl has a repeating pattern.

The Spindrift shawl was a free pattern and is nearly finished. It is very easy to knit, with good directions. I can recommend this one.

Chic and Strong Crescent Shawl at Ravelry
Onete Scarf at NobleKnits
Reyna Triangle Shawl at Ravelry
Larch (small shawl) at Ravelry
Boneyard Shawl at Ravelry
Wrapped in Elegance at Ravelry

Also, see two more free, beginner shawl suggestions on this post. And… I am working on a fun, free triangle shawl in gradient colors called the Scrappy Bias Shawl. Another shawl which knits from skinny to fat and back to skinny again, is the Baktus. At this link you will see many ways to knit this easy shaw. I love the stripes so many knitters chose.

Free Patterns For Socks

I have never knit socks, and I really can’t understand why so many people knit them. One day I may decide to knit a pair, and I’ll choose one of these free patterns to try. **Update: I have knit some socks, but don’t see the thrill. Maybe because in Florida I seldom wear socks at all. It also bores me to have to knit the same thing over immediately once I finish one sock!

Sock yarn is so pretty that it is used for much more than socks. But if socks are the project, look for quality yarn with nylon added for strength. Also look for washable wool, or “superwash” in the title.

Basic Socks
Hermione’s Everyday Socks
Vanilla Latte Socks
Espresso Shot Shortie Socks

Free Patterns For Hats

If you can knit in the round, you may fall in love with knitting hats. I love to knit hats! They can be super simple and fast to knit – especially with thick wool yarn. Or, they can have cables and color work and take weeks to finish. Start with easy patterns or simple knits and purls (this can make a cool hat too.) The decreases at the top will require using DPN’s (double-pointed needles) and that can be tricky, but once you get the hang of it, it’s not so bad!

Classic Cuffed Hat at PurlSoho
Snow Day Hat (link takes you to the hat I knit, with link to PurlSoho)
Sockhead Slouch Hat
Top-Down Earflap Hat at PurlSoho

plates of plotulopi wool yarn — Plotulopi plates of yarn

Knit Small Items to Try New Stitches

Once you have knitting and purling down, stretch that knowledge by learning yarn-overs, knit 2 together, more types of increases and decreases, and other stitches that may show up in more advanced patterns. Get to know your yarn types and what to choose for each project. Cotton for washcloths and such, merino wool is softer than plain wool, and combining yarn by knitting two colors or types together give you a whole other realm of creativity.

One great way to build up your knitting skills is to try various stitches, or a combination pattern to create a lace look. The Bromefields site has written patterns and videos for the Top 34 Lace Knit Stitches. You will probably have to rip projects out, but don’t be afraid to do so. It’s how we all learn.

Maybe you will find a stitch you love and convert that into a scarf or wrap. When I began doing the Fisherman’s rib, I fell in love. I’m now making my second scarf in this stitch, using the chunky Rasta yarn by Malabrigo.

I have scoured YouTube and pulled together some of the best basic knitting tutorials for various stitches you will probably need to know at some point.

See more of my collection of How To Knit videos at my Pinterest Knitting Boards.

The Night and Day Cowl is Wearable Texture

by Pam 11/11/202611/13/2026

Cowl Knitting Project Discovered at Harrisville Designs

by Pam 11/06/2026

Late Fall Season Travel to New Hampshire

by Pam 11/04/202611/13/2026

Finish Knitting the Maine Cables Hat – Part 4

by Pam 10/17/202610/28/2026

5 Free Textured Knit Scarf Patterns

by Pam 10/14/2026

Knitting the Cables on the Maine Cables Hat – Part 3

by Pam 10/12/2026

Fear No More, Knit a Shawl For Free With Help From the Designer

I have knit one shawl in my life and I finished it just about a week ago. Shawls are for old ladies, right? I never considered knitting one, until I saw how beautiful shawl patterns are. Just do a search for hand-knit shawls and you will see what I mean! They are colorful and fun and perfect for women (and men!) of any age.

Now all I regret is that I don’t live in a climate where shawls could be worn. Still, it will not stop me from mastering shawl-knitting.

My First Shawl Project

My one and only shawl project was the No Fuss Shade-loving Shawl which can be downloaded at Ravelry and is offered for free by Susan Ashcroft. Her directions were easy to follow and there was no weird garter tab cast on – which I have yet to figure out how to do. See my finished shawl below.
I had some trouble choosing a yarn, and ended up trying 3 different ones! It came out a little small also. I should have continued for a few more rows. But okay for a first try!

The Spindrift Shawl is Free and Comes With Encouragement

When I saw the lovely Spindrift Shawl offered for free on Ravelry, I thought I was too late to get in on the action. Then I went to Curious Handmade site and there it was.. the offer to get this free pattern … on the right sidebar. Go to either link to find the free pattern. You will have to sign up to receive e-mails, but this designer has a beautiful selection of patterns and I won’t mind getting mail from her.

Helen, who runs the site, will send me the downloadable pattern and a welcome video.

As she says in her video, when she began shawl knitting she wished she’d had this type of help. It’s perfect timing for me, and I am grateful for the help even if Helen is a stranger who lives in England! Thank you Helen.

knitting a shawl — Beginning the Spindrift Shawl

What a nice idea. Also, Helen has tons of gorgeous shawl patterns (and more) to purchase. I can’t wait for the time when I feel confident enough to buy a shawl pattern and create something intricate and beautiful myself.

Baby steps. For now I will try my hand at the Spindrift Shawl. I have downloaded the pattern. And I received the second e-mail, which was about choosing the yarn.

Here are the particulars:

Yarn: Need 437 yards of fingering or sock yarn.

The crescent shaped shawl begins on a size 5 circular needle and switches to a size 6 and is worked from the top down.

The cast on is done using the backward loop method…and I chose a yarn I had purchased from Miss Babs. It’s a “Wild Iris” which means “one of a kind” color. I love the lavender, off-white and brown accents.

As you can see in my photo, I have begun knitting the shawl.

Two Free Triangle Shawl Knitting Patterns Perfect For Beginners

Beginners and advanced knitters alike enjoy knitting shawls. They come in many styles, shapes and sizes, but the ones on this page are simple to knit and may expand your knitting knowledge as well.

For those knitters who can knit and purl and easily do simple stitches (or are willing to learn), I’ve found two free shawl knitting patterns. One I have knit, the other I have not.

June Knitting Projects Currently in the Works

Easy knitting projects in the works and on my needles in summer.

I have to keep track of what I am knitting so what better place than here on my blog. It may not be of much help to any readers, but maybe it will inspire someone to knit something. I’m listing them in June, and certainly won’t be done with them in June!

No matter how hard I try, I can’t finish a project before I begin at least one, two or three more. I get bored easily so picking up the same knitting every time I get the urge to knit, won’t work. So I end up with a number of things going on at once. Most knitters are this way I imagine.

But, I tend to forget what pattern I am working on. When I pick up something to work on, I have to scrounge around for the pattern to remind myself what I’m doing. (The Ravelry site is a good place to do that too, if you don’t have a blog.)

Now I will be keeping my current projects listed here, and will update to show the finished products with notes, advice and whatever I’ve learned along the way.

I won’t begin any more projects until July (Says Who?)

Project 1: Estrellita Blue Hat with sparkle yarn from Miss Babs -estrellita. I am making up this pattern as I go. The yarn is pretty, but a bit stiff feeling- not as soft as I’d hoped. It’s because of the sparkle I suppose.

knitting a blue hat — Ribbed hat in Estrellita sparkle yarn

Fingering yarn.
CO 120+1 = 120 total (use extra stitch to join only)
K2,P2 around and around for a fold up brim. It seems small. Might have to be for a young girl.
Next? Not sure what to do now. I may add stitches to make a slouch hat, or use bigger needles and add another yarn to blend with this one. I’ve never done either of those things, but I may try something new. This could get me into trouble.

Project 2: Spring Green Shawl in fingering yarn from Miss Babs – Katahdin, light fingering. This is a huge ball of yarn with 1750 yards! I paid $3 for them to wind it for me. Totally worth it!

I keep messing up the diamond pattern design, but I don’t want to frog this item. I have already ripped back to a lifeline, and that wasn’t pretty either. Read My experience using a lifeline to see what happened.

I’m also using the i-cord edging to make neat edges. This shawl will take a while to finish.

I’ve decided to just keep going even though the pattern is messed up in places. The shawl will either be for me or my daughter, and neither of us will inspect it too closely. She may never even notice the mistakes.

Project 3: African Gray rectangular shawl using the Terrace Wrap free pattern at Purl Soho. Using the Dutch Knitting Stitch, which is simple, but this long, rectangular wrap will take a while to finish. At first I wasn’t happy with the way it curled, but I will continue and hope it flattens when I block it.

Also, I will not have enough yarn of this color to finish, so will have to incorporate another color at some point.

Terrace wrap shawl in african gray — Terrace Wrap shawl in African Gray

Project 4: White Hat & Scarf in “natural” Rasta yarn – which will be a gift. This will probably be what I work on most. Will be similar to the previous hat and scarf pattern in Arco Iris Rasta yarn. I’ll be following the Churchmouse Fisherman’s Rib scarf free pattern, and making the hat similar to the one done in “Arco Iris” color. This yarn is a already a favorite of mine. It knits up quickly, and is so soft!