Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Sweaters and Tops Perfect for Spring

by

I don’t know if you’re starting to feel it where you live, but here in the south it’s starting to feel a little springlike again. It’s raining instead of snowing, and it’s supposed to be nearly 70 tomorrow. It’s probably time to stop knitting big bulky sweaters and start thinking about transitional pieces, if you haven’t already.

Here are a few free patterns for sweaters and vests perfect for spring or fall that have caught my eye lately. free sweater knitting patterns love knitting

Love Knitting has a few great free patterns you can get by signing up for a free account with them. There’s the UK Alpaca Tunic, a fun striped tee with cute little picot edgings worked in alpaca yarn so it’s still plenty warm for cool mornings. The Rowan Ladies Twinset is a classic in tweedy yarn (and a tweedy looking stitch pattern, too) and this fun cardigan from Lang Yarns is worked in bright cotton yarn and has a really interesting textured stitch pattern.

Looking for more Vest patterns to knit? Check out these Vest Knitting patterns on Etsy.

And the Noro Waistcoat is colorful and a fun shape for spring, and the bulky yarn will help you knit this one up in no time. lion brand spring vests

Lion Brand has this cute Ribbed Collar Bolero that’s a quick and easy knit in striped Homespun. The little sleeves give a bit of coverage and the circular shape is just fun. Also check out their Colorblock Slipover, which is worked in intarsia squares that form a simple, mostly rectangular shape. It’s a dramatic look and great practice at intarsia if you’re new to that technique.spring sweater knitting patterns

Berroco’s Winifred uses a chevron lace stitch to bring a little coolness to a long-sleeved pullover worked in a yummy alpaca, wool and silk blend. Perdido is a vest with a deep ribbed collar and cable patterns on the sides and back. Rated for intermediate knitters, it’s a good early cable project.

And Classic Elite Yarns has a fun cropped cardigan style vest that’s pretty, fuzzy and warm in a mohair yarn.

Are you knitting for spring (or fall, in the Southern Hemisphere)? I’d love to hear what you’re working on!

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.