My favorite Free Patterns – Compiled for you!

This snowflake is perfect for a novice crocheter. It is easy to work up and since it’s published by Yarnspirations, it is definitely easy to follow. I used these as additions to package bows and included them in many of the family Christmas cards a few years ago. The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, but you could easily adjust your hook size for any weight of yarn or thread and make them in various sizes. Find the pattern on their website or check out the Ravelry listing to save in your queue.

When we added a cat to our family, he definitely needed a stocking. And, Yarnspirations came through again with their Cat Paws Christmas Stocking! It is so adorable, and you can definitely tell that it belongs to the cat! It calls for Red Heart Super Saver yarn, but any worsted weight will work. Grab the download on their site or add to your Ravelry queue here.

A few years ago, my son finally outgrew his moose stocking and needed something a little more grown up. The Malia Christmas Stocking is very sophisticated! It works up quickly and uses any worsted weight yarn. The original pattern calls for buttons on the cuff, but I added a little tree appliqué instead. He loves it and it is plenty big enough for all of the delicious chocolates that Santa leaves every year! Find the pattern on the Little Monkey’s Crochet site or add to your Ravelry queue here.

Here is another quick ornament that is perfect for including in Christmas cards or attaching to packages as part of a bow. Simply Hooked by Janet lays out the step by step instructions on the website, or you can purchase an ad-free version if you prefer. The pattern calls for thread, but you could probably adapt for any size cotton yarn if you wanted a larger ornament. Definitely stick with cotton because you will need to starch your angel so she keeps her shape when you hang her on the tree! See Simply Hooked by Janet’s page or add to your Ravelry queue here.

When setting up my Christmas decorations, I realized that I did not have anything to put under my grandma’s ceramic tree. This had to be remedied, so I went on the search for the perfect doily. I found it in the Star Doily by BlueRaindrops. It’s a beautiful star that fits perfectly under the tree! She designed the pattern for thread, but I used a baby weight yarn and larger hook to make it the perfect tree skirt. Check out her pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue here.

I discovered this headband while working through loads of scraps in my stash. I love the texture of the stitch used and headbands are just such a quick and satisfying project. You can complete several in an evening, which is great when you are working on last minute gifts or making in bulk for charity donations. Jessica over at Stitching Together has created the Courtney Crochet Twist Headband, and there are free instructions on her blog, or you can purchase a printer friendly PDF. She also lays out the directions for assembling the headband to create the lovely twist in the front. It is much easier than the finished product would lead you to believe. Just be warned, these are a bit addictive to make, so you might just end up overrun with twisted headbands! If you prefer Ravely, you can add it to your queue here.

The Juniper Ribbed Beanie by Premier Yarns is one of my favorite crochet hats. It is a nice unisex design and it does not have any large holes, so it is nice and warm! It is also not overly chunky, so it mimics some of the finer gauge knitted beanies out there. It is worked flat and then seamed closed once you’ve created the rectangle. And, it uses variations of the half double crochet, which happens to be my favorite stitch! You can add it to your Ravelry queue here or grab the pattern on the Premier site here.

Kali Dahle provided the pattern for another teacher gift with her adorable Fox Hat. The fox is the mascot for one of the “houses” at my son’s school (think Harry Potter, but without the dorms). And, one of his teachers is a big supporter of her house. So, she needed an orange fox hat. This pattern is available for free or you can purchase an ad-free PDF if you prefer. She has sizes from toddler up through adult. If using the free version on her website, it is based on one of her basic beanie patterns, so you will need to follow the link she includes for that pattern to get started. She does assume that you know some basics of crochet first, so if you are a true beginner, you might need to do some research before getting started. You can find it on The Friendly Red Fox website here or add it to your Ravelry queue here.

The Turtle Hat by Lovable Loops Crochet Designs came to the rescue for another teacher gift! This time, I needed something turtle, and I had to make it purple to match the house animal and color. While not a traditional color scheme for a turtle, it works! The available sizes range from baby to adult and the pattern is written with beginners in mind, so it is very easy to follow. It is available for free on her website or you can purchase an ad-free PDF if you prefer. Find the pattern on the Lovable Loops Crochet Designs website here or add it to your Ravelry queue here.

Ok – I know, I know. I always say that I hate granny squares. But, this particular blanket kept catching my eye, so I decided to give it a try with some yarn from my stash. It was actually quite addicting to make the squares. And, I like that the holes are not super big, so it feels more solid than a lot of squares out there. The pattern is free on the website, but it is written in UK terms, so make sure you are up on the translation if you are used to US terms. There is an ad free PDF available for purchase as well. Add it to your Ravelry queue here or grab it on the Cypress Textiles site here.

OMG! As soon as I saw these listed on Ravelry, I knew I had to add them to my queue. I love the Yip Yips – in fact, they are the ringtone on my phone. This pattern is courtesy of Little Bitty Noggins and it is super quick and easy to work up. The only down side is that it is only available as a YouTube video, so if you want written instructions you have to write them yourself. I did some experimenting with different hook sizes and yarn weights to create different sizes, too. And, they are perfect for using up some of those small bits of yarn in your stash. Find the video on YouTube here or add it to your Ravelry queue here.

When my son found out that his bus driver was a former Marine, we just had to make him something that honored his service. I found this “devil dog” pattern from Mommy Made Crochet and knew it would be perfect! I would not call this a beginner friendly pattern, but she does a great job of laying out exactly what you need to do to make your very own bulldog. If you have done some amigurumi crochet in the past, then you should be good to go with this pattern! Find it at the link above or add it to your Ravelry queue here.

This is an incredibly versatile pattern to have in your stash! The One Piece Crochet Doll by Supergurumi is a basic doll that you can dress up any way you like. Mine is dressed as a Cold Stream Guardsman and is being used to decorate a family member’s walker. But, this basic doll is a blank canvas for any of your amigurumi doll needs. And the best part – there is new sewing involved! You work the head, body and one leg all in one piece. The arms and other leg are created after joining yarn to the openings and working from there. So, you just need to weave in any ends! Check it out at the link above or add it to your Ravelry queue here.

One of my son’s teachers last name was Ahlvin, and of course he collected all things Alvin and the Chipmunks. So, that meant I needed to find a chipmunk pattern that would fit the bill. Carolyn Brodie’s chipmunk pattern fit the bill! She calls for bulky chenille yarn, but I just adjusted yarn and hook size to make a smaller version. This is a very well written pattern with clear instructions. It is helpful if you have a little bit of an understanding of the basics of amigurumi, but as long as you are comfortable crocheting, this would be a good first amigurumi pattern. I added the red shirt and left off the stripes. It is available as a free Ravelry download.

Lyla the Llama was destined for one of my aunt’s great granddaughters for Christmas. She was designed by Nicole Chase over at thenicolechase.com. I found the pattern very easy to follow, though having a bit of an understanding of amigurumi first is always helpful. Since my llama had to be a comparable size to another animal, because the recipients are siblings, I ended up working the pattern with two strands of yarn held together and a little bit larger hook. She gives you tips on changing yarn sizes and hook sizes, so you should be all set if you want to adapt your version. The pattern is available for free on her website, or you can purchase an ad-free PDF if you prefer.

When your best friend asks you to make a sloth, you say YES! This adorable guy was a special request, and I was able to find the perfect fit pattern over at Maplewood Road. He worked up very quickly, and I found the pattern easy to follow. I improvised a bit on the eyes and dark brown patches, as the pattern calls for felt pieces instead of crocheted. You could also probably use safety eyes if the recipient is not a small child. The pattern is available for free over on the Maplewood Road website.

This unicorn is the gift for the other sibling mention above in the Lyla the Llama post. She also comes from Nicole Chase, and the pattern did not disappoint. It was a joy to work on this unicorn – full of all of my favorite girly colors! If you have a unicorn loving little (or big) person in your life, you can’t go wrong with this pattern! It is available for free or you can purchase an ad-free PDF if you prefer.

When I saw the pattern for this koala, I just knew he had to be made for a certain person I know who LOVES koalas. The pattern lives over on Furls Crochet and is by Holly over at Storyland Amis. The head and body work up very quickly, and I just love his oversized head! The legs are a little fiddly because they are so small, but the pattern is very easy to follow and she gives clear instructions for where and how to attach the pieces. I even learned a new trick for sewing together pieces called the “seamless join”! I did add a little extra flair to his ears, as the original does not have the added white fluff.