Where Can I Find Knitting Paterns?

When you want to start a new knitting project, think about what you want to make. A scarf? A hat? Maybe a felted bag? Or maybe you've picked up a special yarn that was "calling to you," and now you need to find a project that fits the type of yarn. Whatever you choose to make or the yarn you use, you generally will need to find a pattern - unless you already have a pattern or know the pattern, or want to create a free-flowing project. There are many places to find knitting paterns when you need one.

Location, Location, Location!

If you have access to the internet, you will find it is a gold mine for finding knitting paterns. You can use any search engine to look for knitting paterns, even include the word "free" if you'd like. If you know what type of item you want to make (scarf, booties, afghan, etc) you can add that to constrain the results even further.

There are online magazines that have a lot of knitting paterns. Usually, each of them has many paterns archived, plus they usually have some sort of seasonal issue that they email to their subscribers. Website subscriptions are generally free to anyone interested in receiving their periodical email. Online yarn stores quite often have an emailed newsletter, too.

Check also for online communities that focus on knitting or needle arts. Many times, people create paterns and are more than willing to share them with others. Seeing what projects others have made can spur your own creativity and enthusiasm.

You might consider buying a book of knitting paterns. It's easy to buy books replete with knitting paterns over the internet - there are many book sites! You can also buy books or magazines with knitting paterns in fabric, yarn, or craft stores. Magazines can also be picked up grocery stores and pharmacies. Obviously, bookstores also carry a lot of books and magazines with knitting paterns.

While you're at the store where you buy yarn, take a look at the label on the skeins of yarn. Often they will have knitting or crochet paterns, free when you buy the skein.

Something that is gaining in popularity is to make up your own patern. There are books whose sole purpose is to help crafty knitters come up with their own pattern for blankets, scarves, wraps, sweaters, hats….anything, really. They can explain to the reader how to sculpt the project to be shaped the way it needs to be, or can encourage creativity and experimentation.