Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Monkeys to Knit for the Year of the Monkey

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Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and we’re about to begin the Year of the Monkey.

I found so many cute monkey knitting patterns I actually had to stop looking for fear of overwhelming you all with the cuteness, but here are a bunch to get you started, whether you’re knitting to celebrate the new year or just to make a gift for a monkey-loving kiddo.

Elaine Fitzpatrick has an adorable Imp Cloth that can be made as a washcloth or a baby bib. It’s decorated with a monkey in textured stitches and is so cute I just might have to make one even though we’re beyond the bib stage.

Looking for more knitting patterns for a Monkey? Check out these knitting patterns on Etsy and these free monkey knitting patterns from our sister site Craftbits.com

Nett Hulse has adorable little baby mittens with monkey motifs, among other designs.

Tommy Smith has a Monkey Finger Puppet, or check out the Tiny Monkey by Katie Startzman, Monkey Moo from the Knitted Toy Box, Mary Kate Long’s Tiny Sock Monkey, or Aine Marriott’s Mini Monkey. So cute!

If you like your monkeys bigger, there are many, many options, including:

There’s even a Curious George chart (from Justyna Lorkowska) and a Boots the Monkey from Jennifer Wilson-Parkes (though it should be noted those characters are licensed, so don’t try to sell anything using these patterns!).

Have you ever knit a monkey? I’d love to know what you made or if any of these designs catch your eye.

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.