Knitting is a wonderful hobby that can help you relax, unwind, and create beautiful, cozy items for yourself and your loved ones. If you are a beginner knitter, you might be wondering what the easiest things to knit are. If you are new to knitting, it is important that you don't get started with a complicated project, like a lace or cabled fingering-weight sweater, because this could discourage you to keep going. So it's always best to start with short, easy patterns using heavy weight yarns and then slowly move your way up to more complicated patterns and finer yarns.
Fortunately, there are plenty of beginner-friendly knitting patterns that are easy to follow and produce beautiful results. Here are 12 suggestions for things to knit for beginner knitters:
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Knitted washcloths and dishcloths: A knitted dishcloth is a quick and easy project that can be completed in just a few hours. These are simple to make and practical to use. You can experiment with different colors and patterns to make them more interesting. They're great for using in the shower or as a quick cleaning solution.
- add my own dishcloth free pattern
- Traditional Dishcloth by Staci Perry AKA Very Pink Knits. This is an easy beginner knitter pattern. With over 2000 projects, this pattern sure proves to be a knitter's favorite. And no need to be a beginner knitter to enjoy these!
- Spa Day Facecloth by Anne Mancine. This DK weight facecloth knits up quickly and makes a wonderful gift. Or make some to pamper yourself - you deserve it!
- Nai-Nai's Favorite by Ali Crockett. If you want a basic dishcloth, but with an exciting stitch pattern, this is a great option.
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Coffee Cup Cozy: A coffee cup cozy is a cute and practical project that can be finished in an afternoon. They're also quick to make and don't require a lot of yarn. Bonus: you will learn how to knit in the round, and get ready for your next circular project.
- Mug Hug by Rebecca Gunderson. Get going with this simple free pattern. This eco-friendly sleeve for your coffee or tea on the go will keep your fingers happy. This project takes very little yarn, just grab what you have from your scraps, and use your fave colors together!
- Boxy Cozy by Michelle Krause. Practice new stitch patterns or simply get going with the knits and purls with this easy coffee cup cozy.
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Coasters: Similar to dishcloths, coasters are quick and easy to make. Knitted coasters are a fun and simple way to add some personality to your house. They're also quick to make and don't require a lot of yarn and make great housewarming gifts!
- Drop Coaster by Karrie Weaver. These cute coaster are a great way to use leftover yarn, as well as teach you one way of decreasing stitches.
- Chocolate Bar Coasters by Purl Soho. These easy coasters can get you going as a knitter and help you practice new stitches and/or get going into beginning colorwork.
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Baby Hat: A knitted baby hat is a great project for beginners and makes for a thoughtful and personal gift. Not only is it small and quick to make, you learn all the tricks and techniques to get you knitting adult hat patterns later on. Bonus: you don't even need to bother about gauge, since the baby will grow. And if it's too small, it can be turned into a doll hat!
- Basic Baby Hat by Heather Tucker. This is a very basic baby hat pattern with a ribbed bottom, stockinette body and neatly decreased crown. It is worked in the round so that it is seamless.
- Baby Hat with Top Knot - Tegan by Julie Taylor. Simple and cute - this baby hat is ideal for a beginner knitter.
- Super Soft Hats for Everyone by Purl Soho. This hat requires bulky yarn, which means it can be knit in a few hours! It makes for an awesome first project where you'll learn to cast on, knit and purl, and work decreases.
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Knitted Cowls: I love cowls! They're great for keeping your neck warm on chilly days and quicker to knit than scarves.
- Snowshoe cowl from Sierra and Pine (yours truly). Knit in bulky weight yarn, with minimum colorwork, this pattern is perfect for a beginner looking for their first, second or third project, or who just wants to get started on easy colorwork. It is one of my favorite patterns, because it is so simple, yet elegant, AND is such a quick knit! <3
Getting Warmer from Espace Tricot. This is a favorite cowl of mine. Easy enough to make, yet cushy and warm.
Simple Yet Effective by Tin Can Knits. This simple little pattern knits up quick and it’s perfect for that special skein. Who could ask for more?
Snowshoe Hat & Cowl Pattern
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Beanies: Beanies are a classic and simple project for beginners. They're also great for practicing knitting in the round.
- Snowshoe Hat by Sierra and Pine (yours, truly). Once again, this hat is a great first, second or third project, or a perfect intro to colorwork. The hat lets you learn decreases using thick yarn and is such a quick knit! Plus, it looks great as a finished object, so you can wear your FO with pride!
- Classic Ribbed Hat by Purl Soho. Can't get anymore basis than that! This is your usual ribbed hat pattern.
- Man Hat by Haven Ashley. Knit in Bulky weight yarn, this will prove to be a quick knit! Using a different stitch pattern, this hat will make you knitting look more advanced than it truly is!
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Baby Blankets: Baby blankets are a great project for beginners because they're small and easy to handle. Plus, they make great gifts for friends and family. Recommended sizes: blankie, or stroller blanket using worsted-weight yarns or thicker.
- Simple Blanket by Sierra and Pine (yours truly). This is your go-to formula for any blanket pattern in any size. And the price of $1 makes it much sweeter than a pumpkin spice latte. Based on your own gauge, or the gauge listed on the yarn ball bands, or the gauge of others, you can just select a number of stitches to cast on and get going. This is perfect for true beginners, those who had somebody else cast on for them and are just looking to "get" the knit stitch.
- Sebastien Baby Blanket by Sierra and Pine (once again). With over 13,000 blanket knitting patterns on Ravelry, choosing one can quickly become a challenge. This blanket is simple, yet elegant and has this classic look we are all looking for when we want to make something special for the new baby to come. More appropriate for curious beginners, this blanket will teach you how to use stitch markers, weigh your yarn in order to optimize it, while still only requiring the use of knits and purls.
Sebastien Baby Blanket
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Knitted Potholders: These are simple to make and practical to use. You can experiment with different colors and patterns to make them more interesting.
- Pot Holder / Hot Pad (knit) by Lion Bran Yarn. This is a great beginning project -- the hot pad is luxuriously thick and won’t develop thin spots like store-bought potholders. And with yarn held double, it is a super duper quick knit!
- Little Tuffys by Adrienne Medrano. Using the well known and readily available Sugar N Creme yarn, this potholder is a quick knit!
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Basic Garter Stitch Scarf: A simple garter stitch scarf is a classic and easy project that every beginner should try. All you need is a skein of yarn and a pair of knitting needles, since it only uses one simple stitch pattern.
- Noro Striped Scarf by Jared Floyd. A great recipe for a pattern that's been knit millions of times since the gods invented knitting.
- Scrunchable Scarf by Susan McConne. This easy pattern lets you practice your knits and purls, and is quick and easy.
- One Row Handspun Scarf by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee AKA The Yarn Harlot. This pattern is quick, easy, has only one row to learn, is reversible, looks good in any gauge, is easy to make wider or narrower, and looks fabulous.
- Hogwarts Scarf by Lauren Kent. Harry Potter fans rejoice! If you've always dreamed of being a Gryffindor you can now look the part.
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Knitted Headbands: Headbands are a great way to practice knitting in the round. They're also quick to make and perfect for keeping your ears warm in the winter.
- Very Warm Headband in 4 Gauges by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas. This pattern has instructions for 4 gauges: Super Chunky, Chunky, Worsted, and DK. You are sure to find a gauge that matches yours!
- Calorimetry by Kathryn Schoendorf. This is a great headband for beginners, and allows you to wear your hair up while keeping your ears warm and preventing heat from escaping from the top of your head.
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Fingerless Gloves: These are great for beginners who want to try knitting gloves but aren't ready for the full commitment. Plus, they're practical for using your phone or other devices while keeping your hands warm.
- Maize by Tin Can Knits. Maize is part of The Simple Collection - a learn to knit series with excellent free patterns and clear tutorials.
- Pioneer Gloves by Kelly McClure. Get back to basics with these simple fingerless gloves. The ribbed stitch makes these gloves comfortable and stretchy. They look fantastic with any kind of sock yarn.
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Knitted Slippers: Slippers are another classic project for beginners. They're also practical and make great gifts.
- Simple House Slippers by Simone Alexandra Ærsøe. A very satisfying quick and easy pattern for classic slippers to keep you, your friends and family’s feet warm and cozy.
- Checkerboard Slippers by Phentex. You've seen them at your grandma/auntie/great greandma's house. Bring back the nostalgia and get going with these slippers.
There are many simple and easy knitting patterns perfect for beginners. These suggestions provide a good starting point for those who are new to knitting. Remember, practice makes perfect, and the more you knit, the more complex projects you'll be able to take on.
Happy knitting!