New knitters eager to embark on their creative journeys often get discouraged by so-called “beginner” projects. It can be disheartening to sift through the knitting world’s offerings, only to find that many patterns labeled as “beginner-friendly” require more than basic skills and are still a tad too intricate for someone who’s just picked up those knitting needles for the first time. But fear not, fellow yarn enthusiast, because today we’re here to guide you through a selection of confidence-boosting absolute beginner knitting patterns.
In our quest to bring you the perfect collection of absolute beginner free knitting patterns using basic techniques, we’ve scoured the knitting community to handpick 26 delightful projects that you will actually want to make and show off.
Gone are the days of monotonous dishcloths as your sole initiation into the world of knitting. Instead, we’ve curated an array of patterns that span wearables, accessories, charming household items, adorable baby gear, and much more.
These easy knitting patterns come with all the qualities you’d expect from projects tailored for newbies. You’ll find yourself working with just the basic stitches, making it a breeze for even the most absolute beginners. And if you ever find yourself in a stitchy pickle, fret not! Many of these patterns come clearly explained using step-by-step photographs or video tutorials, making it nearly impossible to get lost in the knitting wilderness. With abundant visual aids and easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll be able to visualize your progress at every step.
Don’t get bogged down in the details by jumping down every pattern rabbit hole that promises to be “beginner-friendly”. Let us show you how satisfying this craft can actually be with simple projects that are bound to kindle your passion for knitting and help you create wonderful pieces with an easy project that you’ll cherish, wear, and share with pride.
The Big Hat
Working with thicker yarn weights and big needles can make it easier to see your stitches for newbie knitters. As an added bonus, projects work up more quickly, so why not speed up your learning progress with this stylish beanie? The pattern uses a basic 2×2 rib stitch for the brim and stocking stitch for the cap. There’s even a video tutorial if you get stuck, making this a great beginner project!
Designer: Sheep & Stitch
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Magnum (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Wheat
If you know how to knit stitch, then you could make a garter stitch scarf, but I think you could do better. This simple knit scarf incorporates a vertical strip of rib stitch for added interest giving it a timeless appeal. The unexpected bit of texture will make knitting it more fun and less tedious than just row after row of knit stitches.
Designer: Tin Can Knits
Yarn: Sweet Fiber Yarns Cashmerino Worsted (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Cozy Knit Dickey
If you don’t know what a dickey is, you’re in for a treat. It’s basically a bandana style cowl but with the bandana style shaping on the front and back. They’re typically intended to be worn under jackets or coats. This beginner pattern uses the basic garter stitch for the body with easy increases and decreases and knit and purl stitches for the cowl portion.
Designer: Yarnique
Yarn: Double Strands of #4 Worsted Weight or Single Strand of #5 Bulky Weight
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Beginner Mitts
If you want to work up to being able to knit yourself a pair of gloves, then I suggest you start with fingerless mitts first. That way you can practice basic shaping skills before attempting to make 10 tiny tubes for your fingers. This simple pattern calls for garter, stockinette, and ribbed stitches. It uses a nice bulky weight yarn that’s easy to work with and would look great in self-striping yarn as well.
Designer: Lioness Arts
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Simple Slouchy Sweater
You might think that garments are too tricky for a beginner knitter, but there are some good options for easy patterns out there. In order to complete this pattern, you should be able to knit and purl stitch in back and forth rows as well as do simple increases. There’s no tricky shaping or special stitches and the pattern includes a video tutorial.
Designer: Yay for Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Pound of Love (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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The Boho Messy Bun Headband
If you can knit a dishcloth, then you can knit this headband. Except instead of using your new project to wash dirty dishes, you will be able to show off your new knitting skills with a stylish headband! The pattern is just one long garter stitch rectangle that’s sewn together on the short ends in a specific way to get that signature twist. Knitters of all ages can easily tackle this easy design with very simple instructions.
Designer: Bears Den Essential
Yarn: Brown Sheep Nature Spun (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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The Cushy Cowl
Cute and cozy cowls are great and fun projects for absolute beginner knitting patterns. Working in the round can be a little more challenging than working in rows, but it’s made a little easier with the thick and squishy super bulky weight yarn. If you get stuck on the written instructions, just check out the video tutorial for an indepth guide.
Designer: Sheep & Stitch
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rasta (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Christmas Stockings
You can practice the basics of shaping with this simple stocking pattern. It’s is a good project to attempt before casting on a pair of socks, because gauge doesn’t factor in as much. If your stocking turns out a little bigger than intended, that just means you can stuff more into it! The pattern was originally designed in DK weight yarn, but you could use a thicker yarn if you don’t mind the stocking turning out a little larger.
Designer: fluff & fuzz
Yarn: Stylecraft Special Double Knit (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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One Square Plush Bunny
Many knit stuffed animal patterns that claim to be beginner-friendly involve a baffling amount of complex shaping and sewing. This adorable bunny design is almost as easy as knitting a dishcloth (but decidedly more enjoyable). A stockinette stitch square is turned into a lovable forest friend with the help of a few sewn seams and some stuffing. I think it would make for a really cute baby shower gift!
Designer: Gina-Michele
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick Tweeds (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Let’s Go Beginner Stripes
Want to know the trick to incorporating multiple colors into your projects without having to actually change colors? The secret is in the cake yarn! Try it out with this stylish sweater made in seed stitch and ribbing. The pattern only employs very minimal shaping and the bulky weight yarn is easy to work with.
Designer: Yarnspirations Design Studio
Yarn: Caron Colorama O’Go (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Washcloth Bib
Skip the dishcloth designs and make this adorable washcloth bib instead. You’ll start from the bottom corner and add stitches at either end of each row to increase to the widest point. Then you’ll decrease for a few rows and add a large slit that can fit comfortably around a baby’s neck. This is a great way to practice your basic shaping skills!
Designer: iKNITS
Yarn: Peaches & Creme Original, Ombres (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Blanket: Thrifty
If you love the idea of hunkering down with a large knitting project over a long period of time, then you are going to love the meditative nature of this textured blanket design. The double seed stitch uses a combination of knit and purl stitches worked over a 4 row repeat. I like that the stitch pattern is a little busy because it can easily disguise any small mistakes you might make.
Designer: Brome Fields
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick Solids (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Garter Stitch Shrug
Can you really make stylish shrugs like with with absolute beginner knitting patterns? I know that it’s hard to believe, but you really can! This shrug pattern is really just one long rectangle made with basic knitting stitches. You’ll sew the sides of the rectangle together on both ends to form the sleeves. Then you can practice picking up stitches to work a simple trim around the edges.
Designer: Kristen TenDyke
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Cascade 220® Superwash Merino (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Mug Hug
A coffee cup cozy isn’t any more difficult to make than a dishcloth, but it’s so much better! Instead of hiding your finished project away in your cabinets, you’ll be able to show it off every time you walk around with your travel mug. After making this stockinette and rib stitch design, maybe you will run into someone else who is learning to knit!
Designer: in a nook
Yarn: Berroco Weekend (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Easy Chunky Slippers
I know that a lot of beginner knitters are interested in sock knitting, but going straight to socks can be seriously discouraging. Instead, why not build up your confidence with some stylish slippers instead? This pattern is worked flat in back and forth rows using garter stitch. The super bulky weight yarn is easy to work with and satisfyingly squishy for your feet.
Designer: Sheep & Stitch
Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Super Chunky (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Beginner’s Tweedy Scarf
Tweed yarns have extra colored flecks of fiber throughout to add visual interest. As an added bonus, they can help hide little mistakes in your work. After all, you don’t have to make something perfect in order to be proud of it! With this pattern you will learn how to knit the broken rib stitch using just knit and purl stitches.
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Santorini Kerchief
If you kept increasing on a dishcloth pattern until it was wide enough to cover your head and then skipped the decreasing part, you would have a chic kerchief instead. Doesn’t that just sound way more appealing than making a rag to clean dishes with? I’d call that a win for absolute beginner knitting patterns!
Designer: Susan Mills Knits
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Santorini (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Easy Women’s Slipper Socks
If you have your heart set on learning how to knit socks, this is a good place to start. This slipper pattern is worked flat so you get to use your regular straight knitting needles instead of wrestling with your double pointed needles. Plus, this pattern uses a nice aran weight yarn instead of the super thin fingering weight yarn that’s more typical for socks.
Designer: Gina-Michele
Yarn: Yarn Bee Fireplace Comfort (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Beginner Baby Booties
Baby gear projects are great for a boost of confidence because they work up so quickly. They also don’t need very much yarn, so you probably already have what you need on hand. This easy peasy pattern is worked flat in garter stitch and then seamed. All you need to know is how to cast on, knit stitch, and bind off.
Designer: Gina-Michele
Yarn: Worsted Weight #4
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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French Macaroon
This adorable baby sweater is made up of only 2 pieces: the front and the back. The sleeves and body are worked together as one piece which means less sewing for you at the end. The pattern includes many links to helpful video tutorials for each step of your sweater knitting journey. Best of all, the pattern is presented in such a way as to make it super easy to keep track of which size you are making.
Designer: The Noble Thread
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Ultra Pima (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Super Bulky Hats
This classic hat design is great practice for knitting in the round. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches along with knit 2 togethers to shape the crown. Super bulky weight yarn makes it easy to see your stitches and it makes this hat work up fast. Best of all, the pattern is available in 10 sizes so you can make one for each member of the family.
Designer: Sewrella
Yarn: Sewrella Yarn Classic Super (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Sunny Baby Blanket
Keep things interesting with a mix of stockinette and garter stitches in this brightly colored baby blanket design. You could knit an entire blanket with just one stitch but that might get a little boring. Plus, this way you get more practice reading patterns and identifying the different stitches.
Designer: Lucie Sinkler
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted Solids & Heathers (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Seacrest Tee
If you are learning knitting in the hopes of making your own clothes, then this might be a great place to start! This tee pattern is knit in the round from the bottom up using stockinette and rib stitches. To keep things simple, there are no sleeves. However, the generous sizing allows the top to drape off the shoulders to give the illusion of sleeves.
Designer: Ashley Lillis
Yarn: Lion Brand Truboo (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Super Scrunchy Extra Long Leg Warmers
Listen, I know that leg warmers are kind of out of fashion right now, but if being cute and cozy is wrong, then maybe I don’t want to be right! You can make these colorful accessories by knitting with the rib stitch in the round. Make sure to grab a color changing cake yarn if you don’t want to have to change colors manually.
Designer: My Poppet
Yarn: Lion Brand Mandala (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Triangle Knit Shawl
If absolute beginner knitting patterns is the main topic of this article, then cake yarns might be the secondary topic. I just can’t help it. I’m obsessed with projects made with cake yarn and this stylish shawl is no exception! You can make one for yourself or a friend using just knit stitches and yarn overs.
Designer: Yarnspirations Design Studio
Yarn: Caron Cakes (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Sugar Plum Cowl
Sure, scarves are cute and all, but cowls are so much faster to make! Not only that, but you never have to worry about a cowl slipping off your neck. Plus, you don’t need as much yarn! That’s a lot of reasons to make this cute cowl for yourself using rib and stockinette stitches.
Designer: leahmichelledesigns
Yarn: madelinetosh Tosh Vintage (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Final Thoughts on Absolute Beginner Knitting Patterns
Hand knitting can be intimidating. These 26 easy knitting projects offer a breath of fresh air with simple knitting techniques for those novice knitters seeking easy-to-follow projects that truly cater to beginners knitting their first project.
With a diverse range of easy and quick projects, from stylish accessories to practical household items, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve with just a little guidance.
Go forth and knit my friends!
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I’ll see you next week for another free knitting pattern round-up. Make sure to follow the blog so you never miss a post. <3
Happy Knitting!