5 Websites for 100s of Free Crochet and Knitting Patterns

From clothing to blankets and home décor, discover tons of free crochet and knitting patterns to inspire you

As the nights draw in and temperatures drop, it’s tempting to dive under a blanket, switch on your favorite TV series, and set up camp in the living room. But if you’re looking for something a little more creative to while away those long winter evenings, why not opt instead for a cozy hour or two of knitting and crocheting?

These timeless crafts are not only popular for the wonderful, unique, and colorful designs you can create, but because they’re a great way to help you switch off and disconnect from a busy routine. What’s more, there are loads of great (and free) resources out there to inspire your projects.

Knitting and crocheting—what’s the difference?

It’s easy to get confused between the two crafts, but the difference is very simple: knitting requires two needles to make interlocking loops, which are moved from one needle to the other so that the stitches are always “held” on one of the needles.

Crocheting, on the other hand, uses a single “hook” which is used to hook the loops together directly onto the piece you are making. Another difference is the type of stitch created. While knitting stitches create a “V” shape, crochet stitches look more like knots.

Whichever one you choose, if you want to perfect your craft some inspiration is always welcome. That’s why we’ve pulled together a list of websites where you can download thousands of free crochet and knitting patterns.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned stitcher, there’s something for all levels of ability, so you can have fun experimenting and creating your own beautiful pieces. Let’s get stitching!

Top tip: When choosing your pattern, don’t forget to check whether the skill level is marked as beginner, intermediate, or difficult before you download.

Ravelry

Ravelry houses a huge database of patterns for all levels and tastes in a variety of languages. Whether you want to make bags, booties, pet clothes, or pullovers, there's plenty to choose from. It also doubles up as a social media platform for all kinds of ravelers ("knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, and dyers") with community support, events listings, and more.

LoveCrafts

This website is a go-to for all things craft-related, including supplies, fabrics, and of course, free material. There are hundreds of free patterns to choose from for accessories, toys, ornaments, clothes, and much more—including winter warmers like slipper socks, easy beanies (pictured below), and chunky crochet throws.

Crochet Pattern Central

This online directory houses thousands of links to free crochet patterns and tutorials, divided into categories including clothing, baby items, bags, stuffed animals, and much more. There's also a forum where you can share tips and tricks with other budding crocheters.

Amigurumi Today

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of creating cute, 3D figures using crochet. This website is dedicated to amigurumi fans and includes ideas, free patterns, and step-by-step tutorials. With hundreds of adorable characters to create, including Rudolph the Reindeer, these designs make the perfect gifts—especially for the younger members of the family.

Make and Do Crew

Founded by crochet designer Jess Coppom, this website sharing free patterns and tutorials makes crochet modern, approachable and fun—which is exactly how it should be. If you’re a beginner, you could start with the free crochet winter beanie pattern, which only takes an hour and a half to complete. Jess also includes plenty of useful tips and ideas, such as how to modify the size of the beanie, and how to attach a pom-pom at the end.

Ready to learn the basics? Check out all of Domestika's online crochet courses and fiber arts courses.

You may also like:

- Granny Square Crochet: Make Your Own Sweater, course by Katie Jones
- Knitting and Crochet Basic Techniques, course by Binge Knitting
- Amigurumi Design and Creation, course by Príncipe del Crochet
- Crochet Tutorial: How to Read a Pattern
- Essential Materials for Knitting with Circular Needles