More people should try that "describe how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich" exercise before they try to write a knitting pattern. I write mine like medieval recipes - "make a sock, here's the lace pattern for the top, good luck".
Aside from some simple baby items, Tin Can Knits and Purl soho are the only free ones I’d use. And quite frankly in actual use it comes down to TinCanKnits. I’ve used so many of their patterns in multiple sizes and never been disappointed. The Strange Brew sweater book is utter genius. Good designers deserve to be paid for all their work.
I almost always change Purl Soho's free patterns. For example - their knot bag? They use a provisional cast on. I used a turkish cast on and didn't have to go back and join that end. Their patterns are ideal for showing off their yarn.
Drops Designs has 180,511 free knit and crochet patterns that span 17 different languages. I’ve knit several of their sweater patterns over the years and have never encountered any tech issues. I just wish Drops yarn from Garn Studio was more readily available in the US. I can find it on-line but have never come across it in a LYS.
Oh goodness! I completely forgot about Drops designs. Their designs are great, but I have found their pattern formats lacking in clarity. Mind you, I haven't looked at them in a while. Thanks for adding this source! 😃
I absolutely agree with you. Big box yarn manufacturers such as yarn inspiration and Hobbii have lots of free patterns but I would recommend them for more experienced knitter's or crocheters as not all the instructions are provided and/or are too vague. I hear from a few RUclipsrs that Drops patterns are hard to follow and you need to fill in the gaps. Love Purl Soho and Tin can knits. Stephen West even has a few free patterns too which are great.
@@Knicoleknits the thing about Drops patterns is that they're very much written in a European matter where the knitter is assumed to have skills that all basic knitters should technically have. They are not written with the assumption that the knitter knows nothing. I much prefer the Drops patterns over the 20 page "learn to knit" patterns that are very popular now. I was born in HOlland and learn to knit with Drop type patterns and I love them.
@@marieanne2680 Same here! I learnt how to knit with Drops patterns 13 years ago, and apart from the basic knit and purl, which I already knew, I learnt most of the techniques from their videos. I do see now in hindsight that their patterns have some flaws, like no detailed photography of the piece and no infos on intended ease. But I still use them, mostly for accessories, socks, and kids garments. I also feel that the pattern writing style nowadays is sometimes a little too elaborate and wordy. It might be connected to the surge of new knitters during the pandemic.
I've knit many a free pattern over the years, including two Clapotis. It is a good idea to be cautious, but to be fair, I've run into more issues with patterns in books (Interweave I'm looking at you). Thank goodness for the resources we have available to us now. Once upon a time it was all on you to figure out any errors.
Thank you for this. Great advice from you and from the commenters so far. I would add: when browsing Ravelry, if a free pattern has a ridiculous number of projects, such as 20,000, that’s a clue that it’s worth gambling some yarn on it without digging too much deeper. But do scan the projects for comments such as “I used so-and-so’s modification” cropping up frequently, because sometimes the community has improved upon the original, and the improvement has become common knowledge.
Just a note about purl soho, if you click on the print pattern option on the right side of the screen usually at the top of the page, there's a print page pop-up and if you click on the left of each section you can remove the parts of the webpage that you don't want, like photos and stuff, I've done this with their kitchener stitch definition when I was first learning it and saved it as a pdf. it's really useful!!
My favorite place to get free patterns is the library! My local library has a great fiber arts section, and if there's a book that I want but they don't have, they're able to borrow it from a neighboring library. They also give access to knitting magazines through libby and hoopla if you prefer things virtual. While I know this isn't an option for everyone, I highly recommend looking into it if you're on a budget. As Arthur was said "Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card" Love, a former library kid (now adult) born the same year as knitty
In addition to your pros for free patterns I have one more: If I find a lovely pattern from some new to me designer, I usually look at a free pattern of this designer first in order to assess, whether their way of pattern writing matches my way of understanding them. That's helpful especially with new designers, who have yet to acquire enough helpful projects as a reference. This way I give these new designers a chance and at the same time I minimize the risk of disappointment. With respect to myself publishing patterns, I made two free ones years ago, but that didn't feel right. So I've changed that: Nowadays, with some project I "unvented" and like, I describe what I did in my particular garment and my size on my project page down to measurements and stitch count. This way people have access to this information and I don't have to grade, tech edit or do other things I would require a good pattern to provide. Being unable to make good pictures consistently, that's my way of maybe at least give a start to someone wanting to make something similar in their size and style.
I accidentally have done this a couple times haha. Specifically letes knits. I drooled over the yarn for one of her patterns with gauge dye works for literally years. Then I started drooling over one of her paid patterns and realized hey wait I did one of her patterns and it was great, I'm gonna buy it
You can delete the pictures and extraneous info BEFORE hitting print. Hover cursor over image and there should be an X or delete sign. It’s been a while since I’ve done it but it works.
I love my library card. I just had a chat with a gal at my LYS and we both had stories about using patterns in books. Very important to look for errata
I knit my first sweater using Tin Can Knits free pattern the Flax Sweater. It turned out great. I've also knit several free patterns from Purl Soho. I'm currently knitting their free Mosaic Blanket pattern. I do have a couple of free patterns that appear to be self-published and look a little sketchy. I haven't tried knitting them however. BTW I love the cowl you're wearing-- lovely.
Never been burned by a free pattern…because I seldom use them! As an artist, I have no problem with paying for others’ hard work.😉 But I recently picked up a free pattern for a brioche beanie that looks like it might bite me. Heh. Rather use an Andrea Mowry pattern anyhow. Worth $7. ☺️ And Tin Can and Purl SoHo? Definitely good!
Yarn companies like Novita have a lot of free patterns, but the style is more for intermediate and forward, not beginner. They have had Sari Nordlund and other professionals who have made the patterns.
You've made two videos that have exactly matched where I was knitting-wise. 1) Wallet worthy patterns. (I was experiencing buyer's remorse for a cardigan pattern.) 2) This one! I found several Drops patterns I liked very much. Of course the pudding isn't made yet so I'll have to wait and see. Like you, I have a background in sewing so I'm susceptible to thinking "How hard can it be?" I really appreciate your channel. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge!
Thanks for this very valuable information. Yes, I have used free patterns with good results and if I may say I bought a Rowan cardigan pattern with the recommended yarn (in the same breath, nothing wrong with Rowan who have some great patterns) which I think is not accurate. So, as a result this has been put on the back burner to challenge me later.
I just grabbed that Knitty Gemini pattern! I love to try a free pattern to see if l like the layout and instructional style from a designer. I do usually make a point of buying a pattern afterwardd.
There are some designers who I have used their free patterns (some had free version on blog and paid pdf versions) and now that I've successfully made one of their projects and know that I like them, they're easy to follow etc. I've made an effort to buy at least one of their other patterns. There's one designer in particular, she's a crochet designer and I used her blog for the first cardigan of hers I made and then paid for the second cardigan pattern and now I'm planning a third cardigan from one of her designs and will pay for that one.
@esthermcafee5293 I was thinking of Evelyn and Peter crochet. The ones I've made from her were quite simple in shaping, but she uses such pretty stitch patterns. I also love TL Yarns, so check out her too.
@esthermcafee5293 sorry. I thought I responded. I've made some summer cardigans from Evelyn and Peter crochet. I also recommend TL Yarns for crochet patterns.
Paying for a pattern is no guarantee it is good either! I once bought the exact yarn specified in a Vogue Knitting sweater pattern, did a test gauge, followed the instructions precisely, and partway through I could see there is just no way the instructions given could produce what was pictured. I counted the stitched in the middle row in the picture -- it's a side to side knit, so the rows run up and down and were clear in the middle of the photograph -- and there were significantly more in the picture than in the instructions.
I’m currently using a free hobbi pattern to make a triangle shawl for the first time (I don’t know what it’s really called) and it’s been a lot of fun and really easy to fallow
I downloaded a hat pattern from Ravelry that was based on my favorite band. The cast on and ribbing were fine, but the stich count in the colorwork section did not match the cast-on stitches and there was no note of increases anywhere in the pattern. And yes, I did buy some nice yarn specifically for the project. I quit before I completely trashed my nice yarn and now I'll have to find something else. Maybe I'll make my own pattern.
The cons of free patterns sound like every vintage pattern ever. (I am an old fart and that was why I took to designing my own patterns back in the day.) I started work on writing a pattern (as opposed to having some arcane scribbles that only I can follow), it's a fairly simple one but I want to give users some additional flexibility, which is definitely adding to the complexity of writing it. (I've had to put it aside for a whole lot of reasons but I do hope to get back to it at some stage - and then publish it as a free pattern.) So I can vouch that when you say there is a lot of work involved, that is 💯% true!
Right? That's why I'm grateful to be privileged enough to pay for patterns without hardship. For those who can't, it's so lovely to know there are folks like you who are willing and able to do all that hard work and share it with others 😊💖
All of Elaine Fitzpatricks - Down Cloverlaine - patterns are free. They include lots of baby bibs and wash cloths, a hat and a super cute pair of mitts and socks. They are well written, easy to follow and many, if not all, include both written instructions and charts. They make great baby gifts!
I would also add free books, ebooks and magazines from your local public library! Mine even has some online craftsy courses you can access with your library card.
Hi Nicole. Thanks for this very informative thread. I’ve made a couple of the Tin Can Knits patterns (paid and free) so I can vouch for them for sure. I have a tried and trusted sock pattern (paid for from the Crazy Sock Lady) which has a great hand holding RUclips tutorial which doesn’t cost the earth but is very straightforward. Thanks for all of your useful tips and suggestions. 🙋🏼🏴
Free patterns are definitely a mixed bag. The Odyssey Shawl is fabulous!!! Rye socks... Harvest Sweater... buuuuttttt... burned by a free Raglan Sweater and a crocheted sweater. I think they would be fine if you knit the size the designer knit, otherwise, welcome to your new tech editor job! 😒😉😉
I love KPG's designs and have knitted several BUT the patterns are soooo long! Very wordy pattern writing style and, as I print out my digital patterns so I can make notes on them, I can get annoyed about the amount of printer paper required - 30+ pages is not uncommon.
another way to get knitting patterns for free is through your local library. this might not be the case for everybody, but my local library has a very good selection of knitting pattern books that are very current (charlotte stone, summer lee, laerke bagger etc) and if you request a book that they don't have, they will often purchase it.
I'm commenting here the first time. You are my favourite english speaking creator 💐. Since three days i' m crocheting a pullover for my dog. The free pattern is from a wellknown worldwide delivering company. I'm also a beginner. Found two mistakes, thank God there are many RUclips Videos for education. Chanced two things by myself and now its nearly done. I will upload photos. Should i really write about the two mistakes ? Other people crocheted the pullovers also and it seems to work. But i'm not sure if i'm really correct or too dumb 😅. I frogged many times and had to find a solution. Sending blessings and much fun from Germany ❤🧶
I've tried some free or cheap ($1-$3) patterns and it is hit and miss. One I only paid a dollar for, but bought some Crazy Zauberball to make it and the thing was riddled with mistakes. Stitch counts were totally off, glaring errors all over the place. I gave up and now have a crazy Zauberball so I'll have to find something to use it. Other designers that have free patterns - Stephen West has about 20. His Boneyard Shawl is very popular, super easy and I've made it. It's lovely. (Who doesn't love Stephen West?) Espace Tricot out of Montreal has some nice free patterns as well. They used to have almost all of them for free when Melissa and Lisa owned the store, but the new owners have switched a lot of them to paid patterns. Melissa now owns Sonder Yarn Co. and has a dozen or so patterns for free on Ravelry.
Ai didn’t recreate pattern. It stole it from other designers which is what Ai does. It scraps the net for its databases. But there are lots of lovely free patterns by real people.
I love the way you present ideas and explain them. Except you’re giving me too many ideas for projects. I vowed I’d only do one project at a time. 😂 Could you do something on a good way of keeping track of stitches and rows? I have the Andrea Mowry Find your Fade pattern that I’ve restarted so many times because I lose track of where I am. Again thank you!
My preferred method is simply to use graph paper to tick off each row. Stitches are easy; use simple 'light bulb' stitch markers to keep track, always using a unique colour for the row starting marker, if knitting in the round. Personally, I always use green - for go! With rows, read the pattern thoroughly then create a simple grid on graph paper. For example, if the repeat is 24 rows, create a grid of 24 rows. If the end of each repeat isn't obvious in the knitted design, add a 3" length of contrast yarn as you begin the next repeat. Just plonk it between the stitches so you can pull it out when the garment is finished. My other personal tip is to always complete a row before leaving your work for a while. I find picking up work in the middle of a row scrambles my brain! I hope this helps a little.
I had to laugh at the number of Knitty patterns that you have knit up that *I* have knit up. I don't remember the number of Fetching pairs I've made, and I have a Gemini as well. lol Couple of different versions of the Monkey socks, too!
I have had good luck with simple free patterns eg a vanilla sovk pattern. I have 4 free patterns on ravelry? Did I do a bad thing? I do get friends from my knitting group test knit and proof read them. Of course thry have not been tech edited. I just like the challenge of writing a pattern for the fun of it. 2 more ideas for a hat and mittens that haven't been developed yet.
Sharing your free patterns on Ravelry is not a bad thing at all! Sounds to me like you are very concerned that they are correct and useable and if you're doing it for the fun and challenge, go for it! 💖😀
When I started knitting again a few years ago I didn't know about Ravelry. Doing a search for knitting patterns then, you got a whole lot of free ones. Then I found Ravelry and paid for patterns. They are inexpensive enough to purchase and try. The only problem I have now is I don't have a color printer anymore🤔, so when I print a chart it doesn't always come out well, and I have to breakout my colored pencils. I have more than a few patterns I just HAD to get, and haven't tried yet.
Hi, I loved this program, too! I can use the colour photocopier at my library for 20 cents a page. I can even send digital files remotely to the same photocopier/ printer as long as I pick them up within 24 hours. Love my library - I used to purchase all their art and craft books as librarian. The interlibrary loan system allows me to borrow from other libraries free of charge.❤
If you can download a pattern for free you can definitely avoid most of the cons if you just read through the pattern carefully and make sure everything makes sense. If not then use your own judgment to proceed and maybe you have enough experience to know how to navigate through the problems. Not much wasted.
I was wondering if you ever would review any free patterns. I think i posted that question on a different video. Paid patterns are rare and hardly ever in my budget. I sometimes have bought one as a "self" xmas preset. Before i sound in dire straits ... I pay all my bills on time. Thus, i have no "extra" money to buy patterns. I save to buy cheap box store yarn. Tho I havent come across any bad free patterns as of yet. After this video i can sort of understand why you dont... but you did say you have used a few free patterns. May-be in the future you could throw a couple of them in with the paid ones you are making a video review. Cause it makes me close to cry to see so many wonderful things i'll most likely never be able to knit. :( But thank you for the information in the video. I'm sure i'm not the only person in the world who is in this position. I'd never dream people would publish garbage patterns.
This argument is not really about whether the pattern is free or not free. It's more like, professional patterns (often published from yarn companies, in which professional editing, test knitting etc. are involved) or indie patterns, whose quality VARY.
I bought abt 20 patterns from vogue because it was the last hour of their $2 sale. Only later did I realise I could have reviewed them on ravelry first. They dont have descriptions on the website about construction or yarn usage etc so there were a lot of unpleasant suprises. Not happy with the ones Ive worked on or reviewed so far. Time consuming errors and stitch patterns that couldnt be aligned . First time Ive bought patterns. wont buy from Vogue again.
I always look for errata on the Vogue website before knitting their patterns. Magazines are under huge time and space constraints, which creates an environment ripe for errors. Thanks for sharing your experience 😊
Some of the cons you mention - vagueness, lack of details, lack of tech editing, are pros to me. They harken back to times when people learned to knit properly. There is nothing worse than a 15-page pattern, worked in 18 different sizes (some of them wrong in spite of tech editing), that details every single stitch ad nauseam. They encourage people to just read one stitch after another without comprehending what they are doing, just the way barely literate people can read words without understanding what a sentence or paragraph, means, much less a book. Too bad. That being said, I have encountered many bad patterns that were obtained for free. I have also spent hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on patterns that required hours to weed out what instructions were for what size, then find out whether there were errata anywhere, then figure out what to do instead of the jumbled instructions. So yes, there are pros and cons to free patterns, but in all fairness, there are as many to patterns for sale. Not all designers who charge for their patterns are good or care for their customers, so it’s always a matter of buyer beware.
Thanks for your thoughts 😊 It sounds like you've had some frustrating experiences with knit patterns, both paid and free - but you've clearly learned a lot about the process!
Agree so much. And whats worst if you follow the instructions for a very deatailed paid pattern closely and it still comes out wrong. I had that happen multiple times already with patterns that were over 10$. Because most of those detailed tested paid patterns dont bother telling me really how it all works together. You are just supposed to follow the instructions but if something is not fitting you have to figure out on your own how you can adjust it and still make everything work in the end.
Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the patterns will be good just because you paid for them. Here too, it is important to read some reviews and take a look on finished projects etc.
This is why I look at the pictures and the patterns for ideas but do everything Freehand. It lets me sub in practically anything for anything else. Granted, I wind up not doing anything particularly complicated but it is useful anyway at the end! .... usually. 😂
Whatever. The only pattern that is so poorly written that I literally cannot figure out how to make it cost $15 and the designer has never answered any of my questions.
It's true - there's no guarantee that a paid pattern will be perfect and come with support, although that is generally the case. I hope you have better luck in the future! 😊
![Chino Pacas - Modo Capone (with Drake & Fuerza Regida) [Video Oficial]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/zjv8TQ0gBkg/mqdefault.jpg)
More people should try that "describe how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich" exercise before they try to write a knitting pattern. I write mine like medieval recipes - "make a sock, here's the lace pattern for the top, good luck".
😂😂😂
Aside from some simple baby items, Tin Can Knits and Purl soho are the only free ones I’d use. And quite frankly in actual use it comes down to TinCanKnits. I’ve used so many of their patterns in multiple sizes and never been disappointed. The Strange Brew sweater book is utter genius. Good designers deserve to be paid for all their work.
I almost always change Purl Soho's free patterns. For example - their knot bag? They use a provisional cast on. I used a turkish cast on and didn't have to go back and join that end. Their patterns are ideal for showing off their yarn.
@@jandroid1962😅
Drops Designs has 180,511 free knit and crochet patterns that span 17 different languages. I’ve knit several of their sweater patterns over the years and have never encountered any tech issues. I just wish Drops yarn from Garn Studio was more readily available in the US. I can find it on-line but have never come across it in a LYS.
Oh goodness! I completely forgot about Drops designs. Their designs are great, but I have found their pattern formats lacking in clarity. Mind you, I haven't looked at them in a while. Thanks for adding this source! 😃
I absolutely agree with you. Big box yarn manufacturers such as yarn inspiration and Hobbii have lots of free patterns but I would recommend them for more experienced knitter's or crocheters as not all the instructions are provided and/or are too vague. I hear from a few RUclipsrs that Drops patterns are hard to follow and you need to fill in the gaps. Love Purl Soho and Tin can knits. Stephen West even has a few free patterns too which are great.
@@Knicoleknits the thing about Drops patterns is that they're very much written in a European matter where the knitter is assumed to have skills that all basic knitters should technically have. They are not written with the assumption that the knitter knows nothing. I much prefer the Drops patterns over the 20 page "learn to knit" patterns that are very popular now. I was born in HOlland and learn to knit with Drop type patterns and I love them.
@@marieanne2680 Same here! I learnt how to knit with Drops patterns 13 years ago, and apart from the basic knit and purl, which I already knew, I learnt most of the techniques from their videos. I do see now in hindsight that their patterns have some flaws, like no detailed photography of the piece and no infos on intended ease. But I still use them, mostly for accessories, socks, and kids garments. I also feel that the pattern writing style nowadays is sometimes a little too elaborate and wordy. It might be connected to the surge of new knitters during the pandemic.
I like drops patterns too.
I like Yarnspirations for free patterns. I've never run into problems with their free patterns.
Good to know! 😊
I've knit many a free pattern over the years, including two Clapotis. It is a good idea to be cautious, but to be fair, I've run into more issues with patterns in books (Interweave I'm looking at you). Thank goodness for the resources we have available to us now. Once upon a time it was all on you to figure out any errors.
Yes, good point about books. Whenever I get a new one, I always go check for errata before starting anything. 😋
Thank you for this. Great advice from you and from the commenters so far. I would add: when browsing Ravelry, if a free pattern has a ridiculous number of projects, such as 20,000, that’s a clue that it’s worth gambling some yarn on it without digging too much deeper. But do scan the projects for comments such as “I used so-and-so’s modification” cropping up frequently, because sometimes the community has improved upon the original, and the improvement has become common knowledge.
Excellent advice!
Just a note about purl soho, if you click on the print pattern option on the right side of the screen usually at the top of the page, there's a print page pop-up and if you click on the left of each section you can remove the parts of the webpage that you don't want, like photos and stuff, I've done this with their kitchener stitch definition when I was first learning it and saved it as a pdf. it's really useful!!
Thanks for sharing that tip, I'll definitely try it out! 😊
Free patterns and articles on Knitty is how I learned how to knit. Still some of my all time favorite projects.
My favorite place to get free patterns is the library! My local library has a great fiber arts section, and if there's a book that I want but they don't have, they're able to borrow it from a neighboring library. They also give access to knitting magazines through libby and hoopla if you prefer things virtual. While I know this isn't an option for everyone, I highly recommend looking into it if you're on a budget. As Arthur was said "Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card"
Love, a former library kid (now adult) born the same year as knitty
Love this! I used to borrow tons of knitting books from the library when I was on a tighter budget. It's an excellent resource 💖😃
In addition to your pros for free patterns I have one more: If I find a lovely pattern from some new to me designer, I usually look at a free pattern of this designer first in order to assess, whether their way of pattern writing matches my way of understanding them. That's helpful especially with new designers, who have yet to acquire enough helpful projects as a reference. This way I give these new designers a chance and at the same time I minimize the risk of disappointment.
With respect to myself publishing patterns, I made two free ones years ago, but that didn't feel right. So I've changed that: Nowadays, with some project I "unvented" and like, I describe what I did in my particular garment and my size on my project page down to measurements and stitch count. This way people have access to this information and I don't have to grade, tech edit or do other things I would require a good pattern to provide. Being unable to make good pictures consistently, that's my way of maybe at least give a start to someone wanting to make something similar in their size and style.
The knitting community is lucky to have you and your detailed modification info! 😊💖
I accidentally have done this a couple times haha. Specifically letes knits. I drooled over the yarn for one of her patterns with gauge dye works for literally years. Then I started drooling over one of her paid patterns and realized hey wait I did one of her patterns and it was great, I'm gonna buy it
You can delete the pictures and extraneous info BEFORE hitting print. Hover cursor over image and there should be an X or delete sign. It’s been a while since I’ve done it but it works.
Thank you! I'll try that next time 😊
I have purchased a lot of patterns and pattern books that have been difficult to follow.
I have two paid patterns where the designer couldn't be bothered answering my question. It's a crap shoot with any pattern paid or free.
Sadly, that can happen with paid patterns too. I hope you have better luck in the future 😊
Local Libraries may also have pattern books.
This is where I go! ❤
Yes! Great suggestion - thank you 😃
I love my library card. I just had a chat with a gal at my LYS and we both had stories about using patterns in books. Very important to look for errata
I'm on my second Tin Can Knits Flax sweater. It's a beautiful, easy to knit raglan. Highly recommend it especially to beginners.
I knit my first sweater using Tin Can Knits free pattern the Flax Sweater. It turned out great. I've also knit several free patterns from Purl Soho. I'm currently knitting their free Mosaic Blanket pattern. I do have a couple of free patterns that appear to be self-published and look a little sketchy. I haven't tried knitting them however. BTW I love the cowl you're wearing-- lovely.
Thanks, Marjorie! 💖
Excellent, and thought-provoking. Thanks, Knicole!
Informative as always! I agree totally I have learned the hard way a few times. I do love Tin Can Knits and Purl Soho.
Never been burned by a free pattern…because I seldom use them! As an artist, I have no problem with paying for others’ hard work.😉 But I recently picked up a free pattern for a brioche beanie that looks like it might bite me. Heh. Rather use an Andrea Mowry pattern anyhow. Worth $7. ☺️
And Tin Can and Purl SoHo? Definitely good!
Yarn companies like Novita have a lot of free patterns, but the style is more for intermediate and forward, not beginner. They have had Sari Nordlund and other professionals who have made the patterns.
I'm not familiar with that one - I'll check it out! 😄
You've made two videos that have exactly matched where I was knitting-wise.
1) Wallet worthy patterns. (I was experiencing buyer's remorse for a cardigan pattern.)
2) This one! I found several Drops patterns I liked very much. Of course the pudding isn't made yet so I'll have to wait and see.
Like you, I have a background in sewing so I'm susceptible to thinking "How hard can it be?"
I really appreciate your channel. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge!
You're very welcome! Drops has many lovely patterns, but I'm a bit wary of their pattern format. I don't find it the most user-friendly 😋
AI patterns could also be just straight up stolen pattern work from combing the Internet for data.
Yup. So true 😑
Exactly!
The library! I got pretty much every EZ book from the library when I was first starting to knit.
Perfect!
Wow! Lots of great information .Thanks
You’re very welcome! 😊
Thanks for this very valuable information. Yes, I have used free patterns with good results and if I may say I bought a Rowan cardigan pattern with the recommended yarn (in the same breath, nothing wrong with Rowan who have some great patterns) which I think is not accurate. So, as a result this has been put on the back burner to challenge me later.
I knitted 2 Clapotis in a bamboo yarn. I kept one and gifted the other. Love the way it looks the bamboo drapes lovely but weighs a ton.
Great advice! Many thanks for this ❤
I just grabbed that Knitty Gemini pattern!
I love to try a free pattern to see if l like the layout and instructional style from a designer. I do usually make a point of buying a pattern afterwardd.
Kate Atherley: Oh my goodness, I just went and checked out her designs on Ravelry and so much beauty !
I'm so glad you discovered her many talents 😊
There are some designers who I have used their free patterns (some had free version on blog and paid pdf versions) and now that I've successfully made one of their projects and know that I like them, they're easy to follow etc. I've made an effort to buy at least one of their other patterns. There's one designer in particular, she's a crochet designer and I used her blog for the first cardigan of hers I made and then paid for the second cardigan pattern and now I'm planning a third cardigan from one of her designs and will pay for that one.
I’m desperate to find reliable crochet patterns - please share a name!
@esthermcafee5293 I was thinking of Evelyn and Peter crochet. The ones I've made from her were quite simple in shaping, but she uses such pretty stitch patterns. I also love TL Yarns, so check out her too.
That's a really good way to show your support for designers you admire. 😊
@esthermcafee5293 sorry. I thought I responded. I've made some summer cardigans from Evelyn and Peter crochet. I also recommend TL Yarns for crochet patterns.
Paying for a pattern is no guarantee it is good either! I once bought the exact yarn specified in a Vogue Knitting sweater pattern, did a test gauge, followed the instructions precisely, and partway through I could see there is just no way the instructions given could produce what was pictured. I counted the stitched in the middle row in the picture -- it's a side to side knit, so the rows run up and down and were clear in the middle of the photograph -- and there were significantly more in the picture than in the instructions.
Ooof...that sounds brutal. Patterns in magazines can have their issues. That might need to be a whole new topic on its own 😋
Very interesting topic. Thank you for the information and links. ❤🙂
I’m currently using a free hobbi pattern to make a triangle shawl for the first time (I don’t know what it’s really called) and it’s been a lot of fun and really easy to fallow
Excellent! I'm fairly new to Hobbi, so haven't checked out any of their patterns yet 😊
@@Knicoleknits the one I used is pretty good and it’s useful it links you to the yarn
I downloaded a hat pattern from Ravelry that was based on my favorite band. The cast on and ribbing were fine, but the stich count in the colorwork section did not match the cast-on stitches and there was no note of increases anywhere in the pattern. And yes, I did buy some nice yarn specifically for the project. I quit before I completely trashed my nice yarn and now I'll have to find something else. Maybe I'll make my own pattern.
That is so frustrating. I encourage you to try making your own version! 😊
The cons of free patterns sound like every vintage pattern ever. (I am an old fart and that was why I took to designing my own patterns back in the day.)
I started work on writing a pattern (as opposed to having some arcane scribbles that only I can follow), it's a fairly simple one but I want to give users some additional flexibility, which is definitely adding to the complexity of writing it. (I've had to put it aside for a whole lot of reasons but I do hope to get back to it at some stage - and then publish it as a free pattern.) So I can vouch that when you say there is a lot of work involved, that is 💯% true!
Right? That's why I'm grateful to be privileged enough to pay for patterns without hardship. For those who can't, it's so lovely to know there are folks like you who are willing and able to do all that hard work and share it with others 😊💖
Excellent video, thank you! Love your videos!!
You're very welcome! 😄
All of Elaine Fitzpatricks - Down Cloverlaine - patterns are free. They include lots of baby bibs and wash cloths, a hat and a super cute pair of mitts and socks. They are well written, easy to follow and many, if not all, include both written instructions and charts. They make great baby gifts!
Excellent recommendation! I'll check her out 😊
I would also add free books, ebooks and magazines from your local public library!
Mine even has some online craftsy courses you can access with your library card.
Excellent tip!
Hi Nicole. Thanks for this very informative thread. I’ve made a couple of the Tin Can Knits patterns (paid and free) so I can vouch for them for sure. I have a tried and trusted sock pattern (paid for from the Crazy Sock Lady) which has a great hand holding RUclips tutorial which doesn’t cost the earth but is very straightforward. Thanks for all of your useful tips and suggestions. 🙋🏼🏴
Thanks for watching! 😃
hi i always enjoy watching you i am always learning something new
You're very welcome! I'm always happy to help 😊
Free patterns are definitely a mixed bag. The Odyssey Shawl is fabulous!!! Rye socks... Harvest Sweater... buuuuttttt... burned by a free Raglan Sweater and a crocheted sweater. I think they would be fine if you knit the size the designer knit, otherwise, welcome to your new tech editor job! 😒😉😉
Exactly! 😋
Knit purl girl is an amazing designer who has free patterns!!! I think she release one free pattern a year.
Thanks! I'll check her out 😊
I love KPG's designs and have knitted several BUT the patterns are soooo long! Very wordy pattern writing style and, as I print out my digital patterns so I can make notes on them, I can get annoyed about the amount of printer paper required - 30+ pages is not uncommon.
another way to get knitting patterns for free is through your local library. this might not be the case for everybody, but my local library has a very good selection of knitting pattern books that are very current (charlotte stone, summer lee, laerke bagger etc) and if you request a book that they don't have, they will often purchase it.
Excellent advice!! 💖
I'm commenting here the first time. You are my favourite english speaking creator 💐. Since three days i' m crocheting a pullover for my dog. The free pattern is from a wellknown worldwide delivering company. I'm also a beginner. Found two mistakes, thank God there are many RUclips Videos for education. Chanced two things by myself and now its nearly done. I will upload photos. Should i really write about the two mistakes ? Other people crocheted the pullovers also and it seems to work. But i'm not sure if i'm really correct or too dumb 😅. I frogged many times and had to find a solution.
Sending blessings and much fun from Germany ❤🧶
Hello back from Canada! Yes, please consider noting the errors you found. It could help someone else who choses to make that pattern 😊
@@Knicoleknits oh thank you for the advice. I was pretty unsure. Have a nice day 💐🍀.
Thank you, this was a great video. :)
You are so welcome!
I've tried some free or cheap ($1-$3) patterns and it is hit and miss. One I only paid a dollar for, but bought some Crazy Zauberball to make it and the thing was riddled with mistakes. Stitch counts were totally off, glaring errors all over the place. I gave up and now have a crazy Zauberball so I'll have to find something to use it.
Other designers that have free patterns - Stephen West has about 20. His Boneyard Shawl is very popular, super easy and I've made it. It's lovely. (Who doesn't love Stephen West?) Espace Tricot out of Montreal has some nice free patterns as well. They used to have almost all of them for free when Melissa and Lisa owned the store, but the new owners have switched a lot of them to paid patterns. Melissa now owns Sonder Yarn Co. and has a dozen or so patterns for free on Ravelry.
I dont love stephen west . I dont like his messy /busy designs either. I do like that he is so creative though.
Thank you for these great suggestions! 😊
Ai didn’t recreate pattern. It stole it from other designers which is what Ai does. It scraps the net for its databases. But there are lots of lovely free patterns by real people.
I have used Drop’s alot!
Very helpful thank you x
I made a clapoti back in the day.
I love the way you present ideas and explain them. Except you’re giving me too many ideas for projects. I vowed I’d only do one project at a time. 😂
Could you do something on a good way of keeping track of stitches and rows? I have the Andrea Mowry Find your Fade pattern that I’ve restarted so many times because I lose track of where I am.
Again thank you!
My preferred method is simply to use graph paper to tick off each row. Stitches are easy; use simple 'light bulb' stitch markers to keep track, always using a unique colour for the row starting marker, if knitting in the round. Personally, I always use green - for go! With rows, read the pattern thoroughly then create a simple grid on graph paper. For example, if the repeat is 24 rows, create a grid of 24 rows. If the end of each repeat isn't obvious in the knitted design, add a 3" length of contrast yarn as you begin the next repeat. Just plonk it between the stitches so you can pull it out when the garment is finished. My other personal tip is to always complete a row before leaving your work for a while. I find picking up work in the middle of a row scrambles my brain! I hope this helps a little.
I sure do! Here's a link to my video on running markers: ruclips.net/video/t2291WWchcc/видео.html 😊
@@jayeclements6452 thank you!
@@Knicoleknits omg I watched that and used it for a recent swatch and totally forgot there were other uses
I had to laugh at the number of Knitty patterns that you have knit up that *I* have knit up. I don't remember the number of Fetching pairs I've made, and I have a Gemini as well. lol Couple of different versions of the Monkey socks, too!
Ha ha! Great minds, right? 😉😊
I have had good luck with simple free patterns eg a vanilla sovk pattern. I have 4 free patterns on ravelry? Did I do a bad thing? I do get friends from my knitting group test knit and proof read them. Of course thry have not been tech edited. I just like the challenge of writing a pattern for the fun of it. 2 more ideas for a hat and mittens that haven't been developed yet.
Sharing your free patterns on Ravelry is not a bad thing at all! Sounds to me like you are very concerned that they are correct and useable and if you're doing it for the fun and challenge, go for it! 💖😀
When I started knitting again a few years ago I didn't know about Ravelry. Doing a search for knitting patterns then, you got a whole lot of free ones. Then I found Ravelry and paid for patterns. They are inexpensive enough to purchase and try. The only problem I have now is I don't have a color printer anymore🤔, so when I print a chart it doesn't always come out well, and I have to breakout my colored pencils. I have more than a few patterns I just HAD to get, and haven't tried yet.
I completely forgot about the whole color printer issue. I can see that creating work in this digital world. 😋
Hi, I loved this program, too!
I can use the colour photocopier at my library for 20 cents a page. I can even send digital files remotely to the same photocopier/ printer as long as I pick them up within 24 hours. Love my library - I used to purchase all their art and craft books as librarian.
The interlibrary loan system allows me to borrow from other libraries free of charge.❤
Great idea! We got rid of our color printer because it was costing an arm & leg to use. The ink ran out to fast and was too expensive.
ELITE THANK YOU
Sonder yarn and The Lamb and Kid designs have great free patterns designed by the owners.
Thanks for the suggestions! 😄
If you can download a pattern for free you can definitely avoid most of the cons if you just read through the pattern carefully and make sure everything makes sense. If not then use your own judgment to proceed and maybe you have enough experience to know how to navigate through the problems. Not much wasted.
That's definitely true for more experienced knitters but beginners aren't necessarily going to be able to spot the mistakes until too late.
I was wondering if you ever would review any free patterns. I think i posted that question on a different video. Paid patterns are rare and hardly ever in my budget. I sometimes have bought one as a "self" xmas preset. Before i sound in dire straits ... I pay all my bills on time. Thus, i have no "extra" money to buy patterns. I save to buy cheap box store yarn. Tho I havent come across any bad free patterns as of yet. After this video i can sort of understand why you dont... but you did say you have used a few free patterns. May-be in the future you could throw a couple of them in with the paid ones you are making a video review. Cause it makes me close to cry to see so many wonderful things i'll most likely never be able to knit. :( But thank you for the information in the video. I'm sure i'm not the only person in the world who is in this position. I'd never dream people would publish garbage patterns.
I love this idea! I will include a free pattern in my Wallet-Worthy videos from now on 😀💖
I hesitant to follow free patterns. But I know which free ones are ok.
This argument is not really about whether the pattern is free or not free. It's more like, professional patterns (often published from yarn companies, in which professional editing, test knitting etc. are involved) or indie patterns, whose quality VARY.
I bought abt 20 patterns from vogue because it was the last hour of their $2 sale. Only later did I realise I could have reviewed them on ravelry first.
They dont have descriptions on the website about construction or yarn usage etc so there were a lot of unpleasant suprises.
Not happy with the ones Ive worked on or reviewed so far. Time consuming errors and stitch patterns that couldnt be aligned .
First time Ive bought patterns. wont buy from Vogue again.
I always look for errata on the Vogue website before knitting their patterns. Magazines are under huge time and space constraints, which creates an environment ripe for errors. Thanks for sharing your experience 😊
Some of the cons you mention - vagueness, lack of details, lack of tech editing, are pros to me. They harken back to times when people learned to knit properly. There is nothing worse than a 15-page pattern, worked in 18 different sizes (some of them wrong in spite of tech editing), that details every single stitch ad nauseam. They encourage people to just read one stitch after another without comprehending what they are doing, just the way barely literate people can read words without understanding what a sentence or paragraph, means, much less a book. Too bad.
That being said, I have encountered many bad patterns that were obtained for free. I have also spent hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on patterns that required hours to weed out what instructions were for what size, then find out whether there were errata anywhere, then figure out what to do instead of the jumbled instructions.
So yes, there are pros and cons to free patterns, but in all fairness, there are as many to patterns for sale. Not all designers who charge for their patterns are good or care for their customers, so it’s always a matter of buyer beware.
Thanks for your thoughts 😊 It sounds like you've had some frustrating experiences with knit patterns, both paid and free - but you've clearly learned a lot about the process!
Agree so much. And whats worst if you follow the instructions for a very deatailed paid pattern closely and it still comes out wrong. I had that happen multiple times already with patterns that were over 10$. Because most of those detailed tested paid patterns dont bother telling me really how it all works together. You are just supposed to follow the instructions but if something is not fitting you have to figure out on your own how you can adjust it and still make everything work in the end.
Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the patterns will be good just because you paid for them. Here too, it is important to read some reviews and take a look on finished projects etc.
This is why I look at the pictures and the patterns for ideas but do everything Freehand. It lets me sub in practically anything for anything else. Granted, I wind up not doing anything particularly complicated but it is useful anyway at the end! .... usually. 😂
Sounds like a very workable and worthwhile process! 😊
Whatever. The only pattern that is so poorly written that I literally cannot figure out how to make it cost $15 and the designer has never answered any of my questions.
It's true - there's no guarantee that a paid pattern will be perfect and come with support, although that is generally the case. I hope you have better luck in the future! 😊
Hence, never use a pattern.