Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Double Knitting Hot Pad Patterns

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Double knitting is a lot of fun to do, but if you’re new to the process it can be intimidating to start with a big project. That’s why I have a little set of double knit coasters on my website that takes you through the basics, but these double knit hot pads are also a great option when you’re learning double knitting or just looking for a small project. 

My love of quilt themed projects is well documented, so you can imagine how I feel about the Folksy Hot Pads from Shelli Can (Ravelry). These quilt block inspired hot pads use DK weight yarn and there are two pattern options and three size options for you to choose from. 

Nifty Knitter Designs has a ton of double knit potholder patterns, but I wanted to highlight this one with a maple leaf since we’re headed into fall where I live as I write this. This would be a great one to use on your Thanksgiving table or all through the season. It calls for worsted weight yarn. 

Interestingly, a lot of the potholder knitting patterns I found have animals on them, which is fun. Indian Love by Sonja Neukomm features an elephant decorated with flowers and is available on Ravelry. this one calls for sport weight yarn and the pattern is in English and German. The pattern also includes a lotus flower design so you can knit both. 

Cat’s all Folks by Susan U is a free pattern on Ravelry with a checkerboard cat design. This one is so cute and looks like a lot of fun to knit in sport weight yarn. 

As knitters we love our sheep, and there’s also a sheep themed double knit potholder from AMHIYU. This design calls for worsted weight yarn and looks great in black and white, but you can use any colors you like. 

Finally, there’s this lovely set of five double knit potholder patterns from Knitting Knicely. You’ll find a squirrel, rabbit, deer, bear catching a fish and a fox in this set. These call for super fine yarn which allows them to have more detail. 

Ready to take on a bigger project? Check out more double knitting patterns.

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Knits for the Table for Thanksgiving and Beyond

As we get into the part of the year with a lot of food-forward holidays, it might be time to start thinking about knitting some new things for your table. While a few of these are more fall/Thanksgiving focused, just changing up the colors would make others work for Christmas, or keep it neutral and use them all year long. 

What got me started thinking about this was the lovely and simple Fresh Bread Dishtowel, a free pattern from Purl Soho. Worked in a lovely cotton and linen blend, the towel is mostly stockinette stitch with a bit of texture on the borders. 

You could use this same kind of pattern to make anything from placemats to a table runner, but let’s look at some specific patterns for those kinds of projects as well. 

The easy moss stitch table runner from Glass Bird Knits is beginner friendly can can easily be modified to fit your table (or, again, to make placemats instead of or in addition to a runner). This version is worked in macrame cord, but you could also use bulky yarn. 

Emielle Design has a garter stitch runner pattern that’s made with braided cotton cord for a lot of texture without a lot of work. But be sure to take a lot of breaks when knitting with cord because it can be rough on your hands!

I also love the diamond pattern on the Hamilton Table Runner from Wyndlestraw Designs. It calls for a DK weight cotton and linen blend yarn and comes in three sizes with different widths and lengths. The pattern has both written and charted instructions. 

Amy Marie’s Table Pumpkins (on Ravelry) is a fun mosaic knitting pattern that would be great to use as a table runner through the fall and for Thanksgiving. It uses a worsted weight cotton yarn in two colors, and you can make it as long as you like for your table. 

The no cable knit placemats from Yarn Culture Studio have a fun faux cable look that would be great for the table through the fall and winter. 

Or here’s another pattern from Wyndlestraw Designs, this time for an easy knit and purl stitch placemat pattern that looks different but still good on both sides. It calls for worsted weight cotton and comes in two sizes for placemats, but also has instructions for coasters, a hot pad and a table pad all using the same stitch.