Knitted gifts are some of the best gifts you can give (or get!). They speak volumes about the time and thought put into the gift and often become heirlooms handed down through the generations.
But knitting gifts doesn’t have to be hard – with these free knitting patterns for gifts you can find something easy to knit for everyone on your list! No matter what the occasion, birthdays, showers, weddings, or holidays, there’s something you can knit for it.
And if you’re looking for even more DIY gifts, be sure to check out our list of handmade gifts where you’ll find lots more ideas including gift basket ideas, mason jar gifts, and unique gifts for men, women, and kids.
I had so much fun finding these free knitting patterns that make great gifts – there are some wonderfully talented designers out there!
Some of the patterns on this list are ones I have made and given to friends and family, and some are on my to-make list. All of them fit the criteria of being relatively easy (though there is something for every knitting level here), useful, and worthy of taking your knitting time.
No matter which of these you choose to make, in my experience they will always be received with joy because of the time and energy you spent creating them. Knitting isn’t something everyone does, but it seems that almost everyone enjoys getting and using knitted things!
Free Knitting Patterns For Gifts
Free Knitting Patterns for Gifts – Teens & Adults:
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1. Cable Ear Warmer Headbands. Don’t let the cable intimidate you (like I always did!) – this is a super easy way to learn cables and these headbands are seriously cute.
2. Scallop Edged Knitted Boot Toppers/Cuffs. These are such a quick knit and a great way to use up leftover yarn. With the printable tag wrap, they make an easy gift girls of all ages will enjoy.
3. Stash Busting Knitted Hats – 2 Free Patterns. Hats are perfect for anyone on your list, either male or female, plus they are a great way to use up your leftover yarn.
4. Hat, Mitten, and Hand Warmer Set @ Purl Soho. I love this site – they have so many great patterns that anyone would love to receive. This is a good example – from one pattern you can make a hat, mittens or fingerless gloves sized for kids to adults. The two-color waffle texture looks intricate, but it’s just a simple slip stitch pattern.
5. Simple Fingerless Mitts @ Knitpicks. Another favorite site of mine (where you will find consistently good prices on quality yarns as well as patterns). Fingerless gloves are a quick knit and are always popular as a gift.
6. Let’s Knit Super Simple Mittens @ Tin Can Knits. This quick mittens knitting pattern is just the thing to stretch your skills and keep your friends and family’s hands toasty, no matter their age.
7. Knitted Coffee Cozies with Rosette @ Momadvice. Reuseable coffee cozies make great stocking stuffers or even gift card holders that are useable instead making specific card holders. These can be made with or without the rosette.
8. Mustache Cup Cozy Tutorial @ Very Shannon. How can you resist a mustache? A very fun idea that will go over so well as a gift!
9. Glasses and Zippered Purse Knit Pouches @ Martha Stewart. How about making something someone may use everyday in their purse? What a great way to put a smile on their face every time they go to get glasses or lip balm.
10. Knitted Bookmark Trio @ Tricksy Knitter. Here’s another great yarn stash buster – bookmarks for the win. I’m always looking for a bookmark – the reader on your list will adore these.
11. Cozy Non Felted Slippers @ Ravelry. Homemade slippers seem to be so special – and very unique. Give these to someone you know would appreciate them and who enjoys warm toes.
12. Purple Cork Low Sock/Slipper @ Craftsy. Socks are another special-knit item and since these are low they can be used for either a sock or slipper. The top-down pattern is worked in a slip stitch pattern with the heel added after the main sock is finished.
13. Knitted Girlfriend Market Bag @ Ravelry. For the person on your list who loves going to farmers markets and carries their own bags.
14. Felted Wool Tote Bag @ Love Knitting. Knitted tote bags can be floppy, but when you knit and then felt the bag it becomes much sturdier. This is a simple knit made extra cute with stripes.
15. Knitted Brea Purse Pattern @ Berroco. The front and back of this crescent shaped bag are made of four segments, knit from the outside in. The simple cable pattern (that looks more complicated than it is) is one pattern repeated four times. Any type of handle and closure can be added.
16. Simple & Elegant Elementary Wrap @ Purl Soho. A basic stockinette wrap with a three-stitch selvage detail that adds refinement and helps keep the wrap flat.
17. Knitted Two Color Cotton Cowl @ Purl Soho. This is another of those patterns that look more complicated than it is – and those may be the best gifts to give of all, don’t you think?
Free Knitting Patterns for Gifts – For the Home:
18. Quick Basketweave Knitted Throw. Maybe my favorite gift I’ve ever given, these throws have become heirlooms and I love seeing them being used. You can bet I made one for us, too!
19. Hudson Bay-Inspired Striped Blanket @ Noble Knits. Whip up this cozy big stitch blanket in no time with four colors to make a Hudson Bay inspired blanket that is easy to customize for any decor.
20. Easy Heirloom Knit Blanket Pattern @ Mama In A Stitch. Another throw that can be customized to any decor, the super bulky yarn and large knitting needles make it a fairly quick knit. You can make this in a throw size, full blanket, and even a baby blanket.
21. Perfect Pouf Knitting Pattern @ Craft Passion. Talk about a special gift! This pouf pattern is made with short row technique which gives a good shape without having problem to tighten the top and bottom to close the gaps.
22. Cables Pillow Cover Pattern @ Love Knitting. A pillow or a set is such a great gift for newlyweds or anyone who’d appreciate cozy pillows for winter.
23. Crate and Barrel Inspired Simple Knit Pillow @ Just B Crafty. Deceptively simple, and a lot cheaper than the inspiration pillows, this is a perfect beginner project.
24. Chevron Dishtowel and Dishcloth Set @ Knitpicks. Make a kitchen set of towel and dishcloth in this interesting design with coordinating colors for a unique and useful gift.
25. Toasty Pot Holder @ Knitpicks. I actually love the idea of knitted potholders and have made some for myself that I enjoy using for trivets because they look so much better than regular potholders. This is a really cute pattern that would be great in any colors.
26. Linen Stitch Hand Towels @ Purl Soho. I love, love these towels and plan on making them for sure soon (though mine will have green or black stripes). The linen stitch pattern makes a flat and very sturdy fabric, which is smooth and woven looking on one side and pleasantly nubbly on the other.
27. Log Cabin Washcloths @ Purl Soho. I’d like to coordinate these with the towels above – the log cabin pattern is an easy knit and you can probably just use up the yarn remaining from making the towels.
28. Knitted Soap Cover (or “Soap Sack”) @ Lion Brand. Wondering what a “soap sack” is? They are small bags made out of all-cotton fibers that you pop a bar of soap in. The bag acts both as a washcloth and a way to keep the bar clean and dry with the included loop to hang.
I have wanted to make these for a long time, but had only seen the felted kind with the soap sewn in. These are reusable and are a great way to use up the last slivers of soap, too. Plus, another stash-busting project!
Free Knitting Patterns for Gifts – Babies & Kids:
29. Four Points Baby Blanket @ Purl Soho. One of my favorite baby blankets to knit and really easy to customize by using different colors. I made one with silvers and blues and it turned out terrific.
30. Two Fast Baby Blankets @ Love Knitting. You can never have too many quick baby blanket patterns, can you? I like that one of these is similar to my basketweave throw, which I know is an easy pattern yet looks really interesting.
31. Clean & Simple Knitted Baby Dress @ Purl Soho. This is too adorable. I just need a girl baby to make this for! A dress like this knit in cotton can work in the summer as a sun dress and in winder over a shirt and tights, so you can know they will get a lot of wear out of it.
32. Baby Sophisticate Cardigan @ Ravelry. Here’s a simple and quick knit that makes such a sweet sweater for both girls or boys. An aran weight yarn makes the knitting go fast and the top down design means there is no seaming – yay.
33. Traveling Cable Hat for Kids @ Purl Soho. A perfect way to practice cabling – plus aren’t these just too adorable?
34. Child’s Ribbed Classic Socks @ Yarnspirations. This is a classic sock pattern with a ribbed cuff that will stay put.
35. Knitted Baby Uggs Booties @ Ravelry. Seriously sweet booties that are knit in one piece so there’s hardly any seaming or ends to weave.
36. Cotton Baby Bath Set @ Purl Soho. Knit up in a pure cotton, this towel and washcloth duo is absorbent and very soft. Um, do they make this in adult sizes?
37. Knitted City Mouse Toy @ Martha Stewart. Finally, how about knitting a cute toy? Who knows – this may become the special bed-time stuffed animal, or at least look adorable on a shelf.
I hope you’ve been inspired to grab some yarn and needles and start crafting with these free knitting patterns for gifts! If you’d like more DIY gift ideas, be sure to head to our Handmade Gifts page or find some DIY gifts for men and women as well as homemade gifts kids and teens will love.
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Oh my! Such a great collection of ideas, Jami! Thank you!
I’m glad you think so, Heather! Here’s to happy knitting. 🙂