Why pay for crochet patterns when you can get them for FREE? Start Your next project right here with these creative websites that share oodles of free patterns
Crochet has become a super-chic hobby lately, hasn’t it? Far beyond our granny squares, crochet hats and afghans, crafty people are now crocheting everything from jewelry to candle holders to high-end, luxurious shawls and sweaters. Even socks! Remember when socks were just for knitting?
And with the growing popularity of this hobby comes a surge of new, more modern ideas, Crochet Books and Magazines. Not to mention the selection of Fabulous Yarn in every color combination imaginable!
(Correction … make that 24 Websites …. I found new ones!)
Like everything else, it used to be a bit of a process for you to find just the right crochet pattern, wasn’t it?
We had to go to the library or the book store to research patterns and then our options were very limited.
Not to mention, most of those patterns were not free. And how many times did you buy one of those books only to find it didn’t have the pattern you were looking for?
But, here’s the good news! It is no longer necessary to buy those expensive crochet books or magazines. These days, you can find top-of-the-line patterns for free. How cool is that?
The only downside to this wealth of information in our internet age is that we almost have too many choices, right?
With so many websites devoted to everything crafty, creative or crochet imaginable, finding just the right pattern can be quite overwhelming… there are simply too many free crochet patterns available online!
Also, there are so many more beautiful crochet yarns than ever before. The variety of colors, materials and weights to choose from!
Honestly, selecting the perfect yarn has always been the hardest part for me. I seem to pick the yarn first and then try and figure out what to do with it.
Where to find free crochet patterns online:
Crochet Pattern Central
I have found thousands (yes, literally thousands) of free patterns for hats, gloves, fingerless gloves, crochet shawls and scarves, sweaters, headbands, amigurumi, ponchos, socks and crochet baby blankets…. you name it, there is a free one available.
And these days, there are entire websites devoted to nothing but free crochet patterns. Some are accessed online while others are also available for downloading.
So, here I have found for you a list of my absolute favorite websites that share free patterns.
If you know of a great website that is not included, please let me know in the comments and I will happily add it to the list.
Don’t miss . . . Crochet Kits for Beginners
1. Knit Picks
Knit Picks also has a bunch of patterns by Indie designers. These listed in an easy-to-read format. The site is very user friendly and shows thumbnail photos of the completed project before clicking on the pattern.
For great sales on yarn, keep an eye on the Yarn Clearance Sale page.
By the way, Knit Picks is my go-to site for buying yarn. They have a huge selection of high quality yarn and they offer free shipping with a $50 purchase.
2. Lion Brand
Great website (of course!), clean and easy to read and navigate. I am not sure how many of the patterns are free, as they are lumped in with the paid patterns.
I sorted the list by price so that all of the free patterns show up first.
3. Ravelry
Ravelry is a super cool site for all fiber enthusiasts. For the newbie (or me) it can be a little confusing to navigate at first but you will quickly catch on. You have to sign up with an email but registration is free.
4. Crochet Pattern Central
Crochet Pattern Central is a directory which links to nearly 20,000 free patterns from mostly indie designers.
The downside to this site is that all of the links are text only – no photos until you get to the actual pattern.
Also, you have to click through several pages before you reach the actual pattern which is on another site completely.
5. We Crochet
We Crochet is part of the Knit Picks family. This site offers both free and paid patterns as well as yarn, kits, books, crochet tools and much more. It is very easy to navigate, clean and uncluttered.
While you are there, check out their Sale Page for great last minute deals.
6. Love Crochet
A nice, user friendly site with tons of free, downloadable patterns. Here, you can also see the project thumbnail before clicking the pattern. Definitely, one to check out.
7. Free Patterns.com
A great resource of not only crochet patterns but they also have a section for free knitting patterns, cross stitch, beading, quilting and more.
This website is very easy to navigate, with thumbnails and sub-categories.
8. Moogly
One of my favorite indie designer/crochet blogging sites. Tamara Kelly shares not only her own, original patterns but also tips and tricks via videos and tutorials.
9. Fiber Flux
Fiber Flux, another favorite crochet blog of mine, where you can find patterns as well as videos, tutorials and crochet-alongs.
10. Yarnspirations
I found nearly 1,500 free crocheting patterns on Yarnspirations. Cool site with nice, clear photos of the finished projects.
11. Interweave
Interweave is a site dedicated to crochet, knitting, spinning, beading, weaving, etc.
You will find lots of new crochet ideas and patterns. They also have a great magazine as well as how-to videos.
12. All Crafts
All Crafts has several thousand free patterns as well. This site is not as easily navigated, having a lot of text links.
Once you click through to the pattern, you land at the pattern creator’s website.
13. Snappy Tots
Another favorite crochet blog of mine which shares lots of patterns geared mainly toward children.
14. Fave Crafts
This is a new site for me but I like it. Fave Crafts has many crochet patterns as well as other craft tutorials available for free.
15. About.com
This page says they have 1000’s of free patterns. The site is not that easy to navigate but they do have the patterns broken down by category, which makes it easier.
16. Amigurumi Today
Here’s a great website specializing in only amigurumi crochet patterns. The nice thing is, once you click the project thumbnail, you are taken directly to the pattern. No download required.
17. Look At What I Made
An indie designer’s blog, this site have quite a few, lovely crochet patterns and tutorials.
18. Webs
Not a huge selection here, but some nice projects and clear, easy-to-see thumbnail photos.
19. Petals to Pecots
An indie crochet designer’s blog featuring lots of free patterns including jewelry and holiday decor along with the usual sweaters and hats.
20. Best Free Crochet
A Red Heart Yarn site in addition to the one listed above. It is a little hard to tell how many free patterns they have but there are several pages.
Click thumbnails link to the actual pattern, not a download page.
21. FiberArtsy.com
We have our own database of links to free crochet and knitting patterns right here at FiberArtsy from Indie Designer Patterns.
22. love crafts
This website also has several thousand downloadable free patterns to offer. Plus, they share knitting, quilting, paper, kids crafts, Christmas projects and more. Don’t forget to check out their SALE PAGE!
23. Make and Do Crew
Make and Do Crew is one of my new, favorite sites that offers hundreds, if not thousands of modern, free patterns.
Here, you will find everything from small, quick crochet projects to larger and more advanced cardigans, afghans and much more.
24. Mama That Makes
Another fairly new discovery of mine, this site shares patterns for both knitting and crocheting, free as well as paid.
You can also find lots of tutorials and how-to videos.
And, don’t miss some of my roundups: Crochet Fingerless Gloves, Patterns for Crochet Mittens, Crochet Patterns for Baby and Free Hat Patterns for Crochet. Baby Headband Crochet Patterns. You can find all of my free pattern roundups here.
Oh, and don’t forget!
FiberArtsy now has its own database for free patterns. If you are an indie designer, by all means please add your own designs. It doesn’t cost a thing!
Enjoy!
Related Posts:
Free Knitting Patterns: 15 Great Websites
Free Infinity Scarf and Cowl Patterns
Free Boot Cuff Patterns for Crochet
13 Crochet Patterns for Purses, Totes and Bags
Free Knitting and Crochet Patterns for Baby
16 Free Hat Patterns for Knitting and Crochet
14 Free Fingerless Glove Patterns
One Skein Patterns for Knit or Crochet
How Do I Start to Crochet?
For me, the best way to learn is always hands-on, in person classes. Check your local yarn shop or adult education classes to see if a beginner crochet class is being offered.
Also, there are many Online Classes for crocheting available which allow you to work at your own pace.
How Do You Crochet a Magic Ring?
Many crochet projects seem to begin with the mysterious Magic Ring (or Magic Circle), don’t they? What is it? Well, it is actually not that mysterious.
The Magic Ring is a technique for a circular pattern which does not leave your finished project with a big hole in the middle.
This quick video shows you how easy it is to learn this method.
