Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Knitting Patterns with Colorwork Shamrocks

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Last year I did a roundup of shamrock knitting patterns that featured that symbol of St. Patrick’s Day on small accessories like hats, ties and cowls. I found some new patterns this year that aren’t on that list so I thought I’d share a few more mostly quick shamrock knitting patterns, mostly for wearables if you need something green to add to your wardrobe. 

I say mostly wearables because I couldn’t resist including this double knit shamrock and argyle pot holder knitting pattern. It’s maybe not a good project if you’re completely new to double knitting, but if you’ve done a project or two and are comfortable with the concept, this would be a fun one. It uses worsted weight cotton yarn and was designed by Jeannette Murphy. You can get a copy on Ravelry.

I found a great pattern for shamrock socks, which I would definitely wear all year long. Jennifer Beaulieu’s Shamrockin’ Socks show the shamrocks worked in different colors, which I love, but you could stick to a single color if you want. The idea is to use scraps and minis to make the shamrocks, which you should know by now is an idea I heartily approve of. But if you happen to have a skein of green yarn you want to use, that’s fine, too. You can find this pattern on Ravelry.

A lot of places it’s still cold in March, so a shamrock hat is a good idea. Soft n Warm Creations on Etsy has a cute two-color shamrock hat sized for babies, toddlers kids and adults. It uses worsted weight yarn in two colors.

If you want a quicker knit, try the super bulky Shamrock Chic Hat from Kozy Kweens Handmade, also on Etsy. Since the yarn and the design are larger this should be a pretty easy one for knitters of all stranded knitting skill levels. (The pattern is charted.)

Or check out the Lucky Charm hat from Rosie Posie Knit Co. This one has smaller motifs so it will take a little more time to knit but the result is super cute. It’s sized for babies, toddlers, bigger kids and adults, and it uses two colors of worsted weight yarn.

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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.