Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Barbie-Inspired Knitting Patterns

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It feels like we’re living in a pink world right now, so it’s high time to knit some pink projects, correct? Of course any knitting project can be worked in pink if you want, but I thought it would be fun to find some projects that are already pretty in pink or specifically designed to be inspired by our favorite plastic icon. (Knits for Barbie herself coming soon!)

For example, the Barbie Crop Top by Maral Mokri. This DK weight, top down, circular yoke sweater is covered with Barbie-inspired colorwork, including flowers, high-heeled shoes and handbags. It comes in nine sizes with a chest measurement up to 67 inches, and you can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Fiona Stevenson’s C’mon Barbie hat (a free download on Ravelry) uses worsted weight and fingering yarn held together for a bulky weight look. It has a stitch pattern made of ribbing and slip stitches and its easy to adjust the size to fit any Barbie or Ken.

This pink and white gingham top from Muki Crafts on Etsy is super cute and easy to stitch up. It has a buffalo plaid pattern worked in two colors and a cropped style, though of course you can make yours longer. It has five sizes for kids and four for adults.

Yarnspirations did a Life in Plastic pattern roundup (if you click the link and it’s showing both knitting and crochet patterns, you can filter for knitting on the left hand side of the page). The knitting patterns include a pink bias knit scarf, scrunchies, a striped sweater and a pair of legwarmers.

The Pink Shell from DROPS is another one I think Barbie would approve of, with its simple textured pattern and fun halter top shape. It comes in six sizes and is worked from the bottom up in cotton yarn.

And then there’s this cardigan called The Pink One. Designed by Lily Kate France and available on Ravelry, it features poufy, textured sleeves on a simple body. It calls for a DK weight and a mohair yarn to amp up the texture. Instructions are given for cropped and standard length, and it comes in nine sizes up to a 62 inch chest measurement (it’s meant to be worn with 8-10 inches of positive ease).

 

Have you read?

Book Review: Knitted Safari Friends – 20 Adorable Animals to Make

If you have a weakness for knitted animals wearing tiny clothes, Knitted Safari Friends by Sarah Keen is going to be very difficult to resist.

This colourful collection includes 20 safari and savannah animals to knit, including a lion, tiger, elephant, flamingo, hippo, crocodile, rhinoceros, zebra and giraffe.

And yes, many of them have their own little outfits.

The lion in purple overalls is probably enough to sell me on the whole book.

Cute Animals With Plenty of Personality

What I like about this collection is that the animals are clearly designed as characters rather than realistic wildlife models.

They are bright, friendly and a little quirky, which makes them particularly appealing as handmade gifts for children or animal-loving adults.

Looking at the sample pages, the hippo and flamingo patterns have a cheerful illustrated layout, with the finished animals shown in little safari scenes alongside the practical pattern information.

There is also plenty of variety in the shapes, which means you aren’t simply knitting the same basic body 20 times and changing the ears.

If knitted animals with interchangeable clothes are already your thing, have a look at our Knitted Wild Animal Friends book review. That collection includes elephants, giraffes, lions, tigers, zebras and other animals with an entire wardrobe of tiny knitted clothing.

Is Knitted Safari Friends Beginner Friendly?

The publisher describes the patterns as easy to follow, and the book includes a techniques section, abbreviations and knitting conversions to help you through the projects.

I would still put this more in the confident beginner to intermediate category rather than recommending it as someone’s very first knitting project.

Toy knitting usually involves shaping, joining pieces, stuffing and finishing neatly, and that finishing stage can sometimes take almost as long as the knitting itself.

Ask anyone who has ever had a finished knitted animal sitting in pieces on the craft table for three weeks waiting for its legs to be sewn on.

For knitters who are still learning the basics of toy making, our Knitted Amigurumi Animal Friends review is another useful option, with smaller animals and simple clothing pieces.

A Great Gift Knitting Book

These would make lovely handmade gifts for children, particularly if you matched the animal to their favourite safari creature.

You could also knit several of them together as a nursery display or create your own little safari collection.

The clothes and accessories add another level of fun, too. Once you’ve knitted an elephant, there is something wonderfully satisfying about then deciding what that elephant ought to wear.

Apparently this is where my crafting priorities are now.

My Take

I think Knitted Safari Friends is one of those books that you buy intending to make one project and then immediately start planning an entire knitted zoo.

The bright colours, cute facial expressions and tiny outfits give the animals loads of personality, while the variety of creatures should keep the knitting interesting.

Sarah Keen has been designing knitted toys for years, and that experience shows in the way these animals have been turned into characters rather than simply miniature versions of real wildlife.

If you enjoy toy knitting, handmade gifts or anything involving animals in overalls, this one is definitely worth a look.

Knitted Safari Friends: 20 Adorable Animals to Make is written by Sarah Keen and published by GMC Publications. It was released on April 21, 2026, with a listed RRP of $26.99.