Learning to knit was one of the most delightful accomplishments I have ever undertaken. I learned initial knitting skills as a youngster, then re-taught myself years later when I decided to knit a baby blanket for my son. No matter where you are in your particular knitting journey, nothing compares to the satisfying feeling of finishing a hand-knit piece.

It is my goal to share simple knitting patterns here on the blog, especially geared toward beginner knitters. Beginner-level knitting patterns are a great place to start. Today I’ve gathered a list of 20+ easy knitting patterns for beginners that will help start you on your own knitting adventure!

Let’s begin… what’s the easiest thing to knit for beginners? What should a beginner knitter start with? My list of easy knitting projects for beginners will get you on your way.

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Best Easy Knitting Patterns for Beginners

Where to start

Although this article provides a sample of simple knitting patterns to start with, eventually you will want to seek out knitting patterns on your own. How much easier would your journey be if you knew how and where to find perfect patterns for YOU in your style? Be sure to grab my FREE guide to walk you through the process of finding knit patterns you will absolutely LOVE…

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What is the first thing a beginner should knit?

Before I begin my list, I want to state that if you are a beginning knitter, start small.  You don’t need to tackle everything on this list quite yet, but it’s a good idea to start with a small project that doesn’t take up too much yarn or time. This way you can practice stitches.

When you first begin learning to knit, you’ll probably be making small swatches. These swatches will help you practice basic stitches, especially the BASIC KNIT AND PURL STITCHES. You can combine knit and purl stitches in a myriad of ways, but it’s easy to begin with these stitch patterns:

• Garter Stitch – knit every row
• Stockinette Stitch – knit one row, then purl the next row (and repeat)
• Rib Stitch – alternate the same number of knit and purl stitches across the row

You can find these simple stitch patterns and more in my collection of 12 EASY KNITTING STITCH PATTERNS.

For first projects, I would suggest beginning with a small square or rectangular piece, such as a dish cloth or mug cozy for the kitchen.

Knit Dish Cloth and Mug Cozy Patterns

You can easily whip up dish cloths and mug cozies in square or rectangular shapes using a variety of stitches.

Give these beginner-friendly patterns a try to make a quick knit:

Tell me… how are your knitting skills right now? Could you use a step-by-step tutorial to walk you through the basics? When you have a comprehensive knitting course with a friendly instructor (me!) to help you every step of the way, knitting won’t seem as hard as you initially thought. Check out my BEGINNER KNITTING COURSE which includes easy patterns for this tea towel, dish cloth, and mug rug using just basic knit and purl stitches (no cable stitches yet!):

Knit Scarf Patterns

One of the most common first-time knitting projects is a scarf. These are easy to make using straight needles back and forth in rows, using a simple repetitive pattern.

The simplest pattern to use for a long scarf is either Garter Stitch or Stockinette Stitch. For Garter Stitch, simply knit across every single row. These photos show examples of a simple garter stitch scarf:

I made a long white scarf a few years ago using size 7 Jumbo yarn and big knitting needles (maybe size 15 or 19?). I knitted Stockinette Stitch for the entire scarf. This pattern simply involves knitting one row, then purling the next row, and repeating this 2-row pattern.

Due to the nature of Stockinette Stitch the scarf curls inward, but I didn’t mind the ‘tube’ effect:

If you want to add a little challenge, try out a simple cable pattern with this CHUNKY KNIT SCARF. The big tassels are easy to add, too!

If you enjoy working with Jumbo sized yarn, try making this SOFT CHENILLE SCARF. It works up in under 1 hour! The pattern calls for an increase stitch and decrease stitch, but this would be a great project to practice those on since it only has 5 stitches per row. And how about those pom-poms? Fun!

THIS KNIT SHRUG is just a much larger rectangle seamed together at the end. It’s another option for trying out a simple repetitive cable pattern with Stockinette Stitch as the background (and a little Rib Stitch at the top and bottom):

Knit Hat Patterns and Other Patterns for the Head

Many beginners choose a hat as their first knitting project. Hats are usually knitted ‘in the round’ using circular needles (and perhaps double-pointed needles), but those skills may be beyond your comfort zone. No fear – there are also knit hat patterns that can be worked flat (back and forth on straight needles) and then joined with a seam. Try THIS SIMPLE BEANIE HAT out:

How about making a SIMPLE KNIT HAIR TIE? My hair tie pattern doesn’t take long and may be a good start for practicing simple increase and decrease stitches in a small project.

If you would like to try knitting a beginner hat in the round with circular needles, try THIS EASY KNIT HAT pattern. It provides step-by-step instructions on creating a stockinette knit hat from the bottom to top. Add a sweet faux fur pom-pom and ‘handmade’ tag for embellishments!

Knit Cowl Patterns

Beginners can begin making neck cowls by simply knitting a small rectangle and seaming the short ends together. THIS GREEN FOREST COWL pattern shows you how to do that, and has the option to add trim if you desire:

If you think you are ready to knit in the round using circular needles, cowls are a great project to start with! Here is a simple KNIT COWL PATTERN to practice on:

When you are ready to graduate to simple cable knit stitching, try out THIS CABLE COWL PATTERN that works up quickly with chunky yarn:

Knit Bag Patterns

Small bags and purses are a great beginner knitting project, as they can be shaped into a simple rectangle and seamed together. For instance, I made this KNIT SHOULDER BAG by simply working a stockinette pattern for many rows, folding it lengthwise, and seaming up the 2 sides.

Knit Boot Cuff Patterns

Boot cuffs are another example of small projects you can practice with. They can be simple small rectangles seamed together, such as THESE KNIT BOOT CUFFS:

More Beginner FREE Knitting Patterns

Knitting Blanket Patterns

A few years ago I was looking for a way to knit a quick throw blanket with Jumbo sized yarn. I wanted to use the throw as decor and a cozy lap blanket. I came up with THIS SIMPLE CHUNKY KNIT THROW blanket pattern using size 50 knitting needles. It takes no time at all!

Knitting Basket Patterns

If you think you can handle a simple knit pattern worked in the round on circular needles, a basket is a great first project to try. How about trying THIS EASY KNIT BASKET PATTERN? It just uses ribbing and stockinette stitch patterns, plus a few decrease stitches. These baskets work up very quickly with super bulky yarn!

Knitting Fingerless Mittens Patterns

Fingerless Mittens (aka hand warmers) are a terrific beginner knitter project because you can knit a simple rectangle and seam it together, leaving a gap at the seam for the thumb to get through. Give this FINGERLESS MITTENS PATTERN a try!

Knitting Patterns for Beginners – in Books

Simple pattern books are top on the list of where to find knitting patterns for beginners.  Once you get the hang of the knit and purl stitches, you can find a wealth of patterns that use only these two stitches!

I have recommendations of FAVORITE KNITTING BOOKS that will provide endless inspiration when you want to learn new knitting skills.

You can find several beginner-friendly knitting patterns in my ETSY SHOP, too.

Easy Knitting Projects for Gifts

Small knitting projects, such as napkin rings or Christmas ornaments are perfect for a beginner to give as gifts. They help you practice stitching, and they will make someone else happy!

Knit Ornaments Patterns

People really enjoy receiving handmade items for Christmas gifts, especially since they can become heirlooms to be brought out every Christmas thereafter. How about making one of these miniature KNIT CHRISTMAS MITTENS or KNIT CHRISTMAS STOCKING HATS for a loved one? They can be used as ornaments or as gift toppers! A bonus is that they are knit back and forth instead of in the round.

Knit Napkin Rings Patterns

One of the quickest knit projects you can try is a napkin ring. These can be made by knitting tiny rectangles and seaming them together at short ends. THESE CABLE-LOOK KNIT NAPKIN RINGS are simpler than they look because you don’t need cable needles to get the cable effect!

If you want to dip your toes into knitting color work (using two different colors of yarn, stranded), you can practice with THESE SIMPLE SCANDINAVIAN STYLE KNIT NAPKIN RINGS.

Knit Candle Holder Patterns

Another simple colorwork pattern to try is THIS KNIT CANDLE COZY with a snowflake pattern. It involves knitting a simple rectangle while incorporating the snowflake pattern using a contrasting colored yarn.

If you are planning to give any of these projects as gifts, don’t forget to top them off with a unique gift tag! I have an entire collection of gift tags you can use for a variety of crafts…

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More Beginner Knitting Patterns…

I keep adding to this list as I design more beginner-friendly knitting patterns! How about these CHUNKY KNIT PUMPKINS? You knit them in a rectangle instead of in the round, so they may be a little easier. You just need to seam the rectangle, close up the bottom, stuff it, then close up the top.

I hope this list of knitting patterns for beginners was useful to you, especially if you are just starting out. Take it one stitch, one project at a time, and you will gain confidence in your knitting abilities.

If you’d like to advance to LACE knitting stitches, this LIST OF OVER 21 LACE KNIT PATTERNS FOR BEGINNERS may be a good place to start.

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You may become addicted to this wonderful yarn hobby! Can you think of any other patterns knitters must try? Let me know in the comments.

===> Remember to PIN for later! <===