Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Garter Stitch Knitting Patterns for New Knitters

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The first knitting stitch that most people learn is Garter Stitch because it’s the easiest. Just learn the knit stitch and repeat it. This sounds like it might be boring but there’s actually a lot you can make just with this one stitch pattern. Here are some fun and easy Garter Stitch knitting patterns for new knitters to try.

The Lily Sugar’n Cream knit dishcloth is a perfect beginner knitting project. It’s worked with their classic cotton yarn and big needles so it works up fast. The free pattern is available at Yarnspirations.

Nostalgic Fingerless Mitts (Ravelry link) by Stephanie Bonner are worsted weight mitts work flat and sideways, with a provisional cast on for the thumb. This isn’t a beginner technique but you could just knit a rectangle to your desired width and sew it together, leaving a hole for the thumb. This is a free pattern.

The Ellis Garter Sweater from Stitch & Story is a simple chunky sweater worked flat in pieces. It’s a great first sweater project and because of the bulky yarn it won’t take that long to knit, either.

Or if you’re in summer mode, try the Soho top Garter Stitch tank top pattern from Caidree on Etsy. The pattern is available in English and French and comes in 10 sizes up to a chest measurement of 53.5 inches.

Knit a Garter Stitch shawl for an 18-inch doll and you’ll have a cute little project where you can also learn your basic increases. This is a free pattern from ABC Knitting Patterns.

If you want a person-sized Garter Stitch shawl, check out the Simple Garter Stitch Shawl by Diane Stavola on Ravelry. This one uses worsted weight yarn, and you can use a multicolored yarn or make it a stash busting project if you have stash that needs using.

Gina Michele has cute Garter Stitch sweaters for babies. You can find her cardigan and pullover options as free patterns on her blog.

Give your Garter Stitch a little twist with this simple headband from Marianna’s Lazy Daisy Days. So cute and a great gift idea that doesn’t look like a beginner made it!Looking for more knitted socks designs and patterns to keep you warm this winter? Check out these knitted sock patterns Etsy. And these Knitting Pattern books on Annies.

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Beyond Basic Pumpkin Knitting Patterns

Over the years I have shared a lot of pumpkin knitting patterns, and I’ve knit and crocheted a lot of pumpkins myself. But it feels like there are always more fun things to try with knit pumpkins, so this year I wanted to look a little more beyond basic stockinette or ribbed pumpkins and share some pumpkin patterns with cables, bobbles and colorwork. 

In the cable collection we’ve got these cute little basic cable and ribbed pumpkins from Elly Bear Knits. There are two sizes that make a wide, flat pumpkin and a taller round pumpkin. Both are worked in the round as a tube that’s cinched top and bottom when you’re done, and they use bulky weight yarn. 

Another cute cable pumpkin knitting pattern comes from Gray Bear Akswokrat. This one is knit flat and it looks like a chunky yarn but you could use other weights to make pumpkins of different sizes. This one also has an I-cord stem and uses yarn to cinch up the sections of the pumpkin, giving it a more natural look. 

Add some bobbles to your pumpkins with this design from Autumn Shelter Makes. Also worked in the round in a tube, it features a repeating pattern of bobbles and uses yarn wrapped around the outside to make segments. This one looks like worsted weight yarn to me. 

Of course there’s nothing that says your pumpkin has to be a single color, so let’s throw in some colorwork. I love the look of the Cozy Fall Pumpkin knitting pattern from South Stitch Girls. The little leather loop adds a rustic touch but you could also just add a stick. These pumpkins have five colorwork options and are worked in worsted weight yarn in the round. 

There’s also the Autumn Fair Isle Trio pumpkins pattern from Equestriann Style, which has three different sizes of pumpkins with four colorwork designs. They are worked in super bulky yarn in the round and look good with high contrast or more muted color combinations.