Download Yarnspirations Patterns to Help Charity

This summer, Yarnspirations is working to support Dress for Success, a charitable organization that provides women with support and professional clothing to help them achieve economic independence.

From now through July 23, 2023, if you download a selection of free patterns from the Yarnspirations website, they will donate to Dress for Success ($1 for every 20 patterns donated, up to $20,000 Canadian).

You can find the knitting patterns here (there’s a filter so you can choose to see just knitting patterns, just crochet patterns or both). In all there are 47 free knitting patterns that are eligible to count for this program, mostly for blankets and hats. There are also 75 crochet patterns, if you also do crochet or are ready to learn.

A few of my favorites from the free knitting patterns include:

Knit Foxy Toy: worked in one piece, this sweet little fox features a little cabled sweater that’s part of its body
On the Go Knit Shawl: uses a multicolored yarn and a mesh like stitch for a design that looks complicated but isn’t really that hard
Lumberjack Blanket: worked in mitered squares of different colors and patterns for a buffalo plaid look made easy
Turning Points Knit Blanket: I guess I’m attracted to mitered squares today, because this blanket with half squares of different colors is also made with mitered squares but has a totally different look

If you’re into crochet, I’m a little obsessed with waffle stitch right now, so you know I had to download the crochet Waffle Stitch Hat. It’s so cute, and can be worked in color blocks, stripes or a solid color.

I hope you’ll check these patterns out, download a bunch and come back and let us know which ones you’re itching to stitch! Thanks to Yarnspirations for supporting the community and spreading the word about Dress for Success.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

When my daughter was in early elementary school we were at Joann together (RIP) and she picked out some variegated pink and white blanket yarn for me to knit a blanket for her bed. Now probably 10 years later, it’s one of her favorite possessions. I note this because the blankets we give to little ones might seem simple on the surface, like something they need to keep warm, but they can turn into so much more.

Take the Pocketful of Love Blanket from Purl Soho. On the surface this is a pretty but also easy to knit blanket for a little one. It’s worked in garter stitch stripes using sport weight yarn (the sample is a superwash wool, but this would also be nice in cotton or a blend) and available in a crib or small throw size. Though of course because it’s garter stitch, it’s pretty easy to make it any size you want.

But what makes this blanket extra special is the little details. The slip stitch selvedges and I-cord bind off give it a crisp look that’s perfect with the garter stitch of the body.

And then there’s the pocket.

This is a big pocket. At 10 inches wide and 12.25 inches tall (that’s 25.4 by 31 cm) for the crib size and 12.75 by 14.25 inches (32.4 by 36 cm) for the throw, you can easily fit a favorite stuffed animal, toy or book into the pocket.

I love how even though it uses the same striped garter stitch pattern as the blanket, it’s stitched down so the stripes run the opposite way (horizontal when the blanket stripes are vertical), though of course you can match stripes if you’d rather.

I think this blanket has the potential to be greatly loved by the little one its given to, and by the knitter look for an easy, pretty baby blanket with a little extra useful twist.

Grab the free pattern from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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