Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Knit a Little Book Review

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There’s something extra satisfying about knitting children’s sweaters. They’re small enough to feel manageable, sweet enough to make you say “just one more,” and they don’t require the same emotional commitment as knitting an adult-sized cardigan that may or may not sit in the WIP basket for three winters.

Knit a Little: 24 Seamless Patterns for Children’s Sweaters and Hats by Marie Greene is a lovely collection for knitters who enjoy practical, wearable children’s knits with a modern handmade feel.

The book includes 24 patterns: 12 children’s sweaters in sizes 0 to 10, and 12 matching beanies sized from preemie to adult. The patterns are based on Marie Greene’s signature seamless knitting style, which means less sewing up at the end — always a blessing, especially if finishing is where your projects go to quietly disappear.

What I really like about this book is that the designs feel classic without being old-fashioned. You’ll find cardigans and pullovers with details like colorwork, cables, and simple texture, but they still look like pieces children could actually wear and move around in. The designs are also gender-neutral, which makes them lovely for gifting, passing down, or knitting ahead when you don’t know who the recipient will be yet.

This book would suit knitters who already know the basics and want to try children’s garments without too much fiddly finishing. It’s especially good if you like small sweater projects, matching hat-and-sweater sets, or handmade baby and toddler gifts that feel a little more special than a quick beanie.

If you’re knitting from this book, I’d keep a good set of circular needles, stitch markers, and a project bag close by. Amazon is an easy place to find the book itself and basic knitting tools, while Mary Maxim is a natural spot to look for yarn if you’re planning a few gift knits or matching sets.

Knit a Little is a warm, useful children’s knitting book with sweet, wearable designs and the added bonus of seamless construction. Perfect for knitters who love making baby gifts, grandchild knits, and small projects that still feel beautifully finished.

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Totoro Knitting Patterns

We’re a big Studio Ghibli household, and while they are sometimes very protective of their copyrights (as evidenced by the number of patterns on Ravelry that were removed from the service when it received a takedown notice back in 2021), there are still a fair number of Totoro knitting patterns (as well as other designs I’m sure we’ll get to someday). Let’s check them out!

Yaya Labs has a cute plush Totoro that looks like it might stand up on its own. The pattern is available on LoveCrafts, and it calls for DK or light worsted weight yarn in four colors. The pattern is considered advanced but it does include a photo tutorial. It stands 10.6 inches or 27 cm tall.

A similar pattern can be found a Shino Craft, which doesn’t have the leaf hat but does include little hands, and the legs aren’t as separate from the body. This one calls for sport weight yarn and is knit flat on two needles. 

All Made Here has a Totoro pouch that is super cute and looks pretty easy to knit. It measures 14 by 18 cm and is rated for advanced beginners. You can get the pattern when you subscribe to updates or follow the designer on Instagram. 

Stitch Totoro on a sweater with the Totorogenseren sweater from Anna-Sofia Vintersol. This free download on Ravelry uses worsted/aran weight yarn in two or three colors. The pattern comes in nine sizes, with a chest measurement ranging from 77 to 149 cm. 

The Forest Spirit Fair Isle Jumper from Kraft with Kindrex features a row of Totoros on the circular yoke, along with other little colorwork designs. The design includes three sizes, with chest measurements ranging from 91 to 101 cm. It calls for 4 ply (that’s fingering/sock weight in other parts of the world). 

Or you can stitch Totoro as part of a project with more Ghibli characters, as on the Magical Anime Knit Sweater (a longtime bucket list item for me) from The Bearded Sewist. This on has a circular yoke and rows of different characters including Totoro, Ponyo, soot sprites, Calcifer and more. The pattern comes in four sizes and is rated intermediate/advanced. It calls for DK weight yarn and you can grab a copy on Ravelry. 

Or try Katharina Kuntz’s Anime Scarf, also on Ravelry. This one is a double knit scarf worked in fingering weight yarn in two colors, with allover designs from Studio Ghibli movies. She started by knitting the movies in chronological order but gave that up after she realized all her favorites would be in the middle and therefore not visible when worn. You can probably rearrange the motifs further somewhat if you want to showcase your favorites.