Free Scrappy Knitting and Crochet Projects

What do you make with your Chanukah Yarn?  Your advent calendar yarn?  Collecting 10-20 g mini skeins can be a lot of fun, and there was a time when I was trying to get as many as I could possibly find for the beekeepers quilt.  (This isn't a free pattern, but one of my personal hibernating scrappy projects!)  Below I'll try to collect some options for fun scrappy projects that are free patterns. Even if you don't want to make the exact pattern I've linked, it might inspire you how to use the yarn with another of your favorite designs.  I am also going to include some of these patterns of examples of what you can do with one of your favorite existing patterns. 

Free Scrappy Knitting Patterns

• Ombré, designed by me!  This is a hat pattern that uses worsted weight, but you could increases the stitches in multiples of 4 to blend thinner yarns for the hat.  I love using this with scraps of solid colored yarn I have on hand, but it would be also fun to blend variegated ones. 
• Scrappy Marl Hat - A stockinette hat with a ribbed brim that is a great way to show off a lot of colorways.  Knit with two strands of fingering held together (or DK weight yarn) 
• This hat shows off how a lot of fun stockinette hat or sock patterns can be used with remnant yarn.  If your yarn has a lot of speckles or color variation, then a stockinette pattern can show it off well.
• Scrappy Socks  - This pattern is a free Ravelry Download. A simple stockinette ankle sock knit with fingering weight yarn.  The pattern shows off two socks that are knit in different colorways, so you can visualize a pair of mismatched socks. 
• Scrappy Ski Hat - Knit with worsted weight yarn, this is a fun colorwork pattern for blending different yarns.  
• Scrappy Bias Shawl - uses 200 g of fingering weight yarn.  It looks like it is knit in garter stitch.  I love blending different yarns together with garter stitch projects. 
• Happy Scrappy Fingerless Mitts -   This pattern is a free Ravelry Download.  This patterns shows off solid yarn, but imagine the fun you could have with the Chanukah Sampler yarn!  This pattern is written for fingering weight with a self striping yarn, but you could put your won stripes into it. 
• Scrappy Block Socks - This pattern is a free Ravelry Download.  Knit in fingering weight yarn 400-490 yards.  Want to go a bit beyond stripes or a fade?  Pick minis that have some contrast and work them in this fun colorwork pattern. 
• Super Scrappy Socks - This pattern is a free Ravelry Download.   This is a super fun pattern that includes some contrasting colorwork between color changes to really make the different sections pop.  
• Sideways Scrappy Scarf - Knit in garter stitch with DK weight yarn, you can use up remnant yarn for a fun vertical stripped pattern.  
• Scrappy Bias Scarf - Knit in Aran weight yarn, but you can adjust the number of stitches to do this with fingering or DK weight.  A bias is a great way to blend different colors because the diagonal stripes are super fun to wear. 
• Scrappy Cowl - This pattern is a free Ravelry Download.   This is a fade to blend different minis together.  The pattern is written for fingering weight yarn, but it wouldn't be hard to adapt for a DK weight project. The Chanukah Samplers aren't designed to be a fade set, but you could still blend the transitions in a super fun way. 
• Remnants Shrug - It is written as a one size fits most pattern, but I did look at the pattern and it would be easier to make bigger or smaller since it is knit as a rectangle.  I would personally double check my arm span measurements and then also measure a towel across my back to get a sense of the dimensions that would work for me personally.  However, I'm including this in the list as an idea of what you could do with another stockinette shrug or even sweater. 
• Garter stitch projects are wonderful for blending different yarns together, even if they aren't intended as a fade.  

Free Scrappy Crochet Patterns 

• Scrappy Corner-to-Corner Crochet Blanket - I haven't doing any C2C crochet projects yet, but I've always wanted to do a colorwork version.  I love the idea of a scrappy blanket to use up remnant or miniskeins! The sample was knit with DK weight yarn. 
• Scrap Yarn Crochet Basket - I adore this pattern.  It is written for you to hold multiple strands of yarn together, which I don't love to recommend for the Chanukah yarn... BUT I love the idea of taking remnants from a bunch of projects and including them in a basket you use to hold yarn or other works in progress.  
• Scrappy Blanket 2 - This pattern is a free Ravelry Download.   A chevron throw blanket that features so many different colorways. Since it is a blanket you could use almost any yarn weight.
• Scrappy Bucket Hat - written for worsted weight yarn,  but you can imagine how you can combine different colors for a more structured hat.
• Granny Square Projects - In general yarn scraps are wonderful for projects made out of these fun blocks.  I'm not linking to a particular pattern, but a lot of scrappy granny square projects are available.

Other Recommendations

The following video was recommended to me in one of the Chanukah premieres.  I haven't watched it yet, but I wanted to share another source recommending scrappy projects.  A Lovely Yarn "A Very Scrappy Episode ~50 Patterns Using Mini Skeins, Yarn Scraps, or Advent Yarn Kits"

Where to Buy Bare Yarns (Undyed Yarns)

UPDATE 1/04/2023 - I just published a new blog post Where to Buy Bare Yarns (Undyed Yarns) in 2023 since some of the businesses listed below have now closed and there are some new bare yarn retailers that weren't on this list from 2018. 

Where do you buy your bare yarns to dye?  I have an old blog post on this topic but it hasn't been updated in a long time.  I've dyed a lot more yarn now than I have back then so I know more about what I want as a home dyer.  It also seems like I can find a lot more suppliers than I could find easily back in 2010.  Not to mention that some of the websites that I originally linked to are no longer active.  Let's see where we can find bare yarns now!

There are many MANY websites that offer bare yarns for sale.  I know that I am only scratching the surface in this post.  However, I wanted to assemble a list of some of the companies that have the most name recognition in addition to some smaller players.  If I left your favorite supplier off this list, please let me know in the comments!

This post contains affiliate links which means that I earn a commission from sales made through these links.  I will note my affiliation with the company in their bullet.  

• KnitPicks - Most of the yarn I've dyed over the last 9 years has been KnitPicks bare yarns, and I feature these yarns regularly on my YouTube channel.  You can buy 20 packs of bare yarn at a bulk discount, but since you can buy individual skeins you can try the yarn before committing to a large volume.  The prices are also very competitive, too.  When I started my dyeing adventures, I was intimidated by the need to purchase 1 kg or more of bare yarns at a time, so the ability to purchase individual skeins really drew me in.  Plus there is free shipping over $50, and I never have trouble adding that much yarn to my cart!  (Full Disclosure, I became a KnitPicks Affiliate in October 2017, but I have been using these yarns for YEARS before I started officially promoting them.)
• Wool2Dye4 - This is a dyer's haven with dozens of different yarn weights, fiber contents, and more available.  They only occasionally have single skeins of yarn available, usually you purchase their yarns in 10 skein packages. They offer wholesale discounts if you make a purchase over a certain weight of yarn.  Under their Kits section, you can sometimes find samplers of 3 of their yarns in a given weight.  I purchased the sock sampler once but I've still only dyed with one of the skeins. (I really need to get on that! I've been saving the cashmere blend for something special.) Shiela's Sock yarn took dye BEAUTIFULLY and is something that I would enjoy working with again.  They have some mini skein packs available which is great if you want to dye coordinating 20 g miniskeins without having to wind them yourself.
• Craftsy - I had no idea that Craftsy sold yarn in addition to crafting classes until one of my followers mentioned it last fall.  can purchase Cloudborn Yarn Dyeables in sets of 10 skeins (50 or 100g).  The skeins range from fingering to bulky in a variety of fiber contents.  All but one are superwash and the sock yarns are both 20% nylon.  I have not tried any of these yarns but the natural colors vary from pale tan/grey to off white.  (Note, I became a Craftsy Affiliate in January 2018.) 
• Dyer Supplier by KnitCrate - Well this just sounds like a good place for an indie dyer to look, now doesn't it?  Dyer Supplier started sending me some bare yarn for free to test out in early 2019 and I am happy with the results.  I have been unboxing KnitCrates (their affiliated company) for over a year. They offer a range between 10 skein packs of yarn and they even offer some single skein samples so you can try out a yarn base before committing to 10 skeins.  Dyer Supplier offers bulk discounts, so if you're going to get multiple 10 skein sets of one yarn you can save some more money. (Note, I became a Dyer Supplier Affiliate in May 2019. At this time they are in the process of switching mills and redesigning some of their yarn bases.  I will be testing out and reviewing some of the new yarns on my YouTube channel.  ) 
• Dharma Trading - I've never used any of Dharma's dyeable yarns, but they seem to offer a bunch of different natural and synthetic fiber options.  I purchased my acid dyes from Dharma along with some undyed silk scarves and cotton fabric accessories to use with some of my commercial dyeing experiments.  Dharma also has a wide variety of dyeable rovings that include cellulose and synthetic fibers.  Someone once asked me to find 100% bamboo roving and I'm happy to say that now I've found some!  Maybe I'll have to pick some up the next time I purchase some dyes.
• New England Farm to Fiber - Natural yarn straight from the New England farmer.  This yarn company has a stall at the Boston Public Market and feature yarns from a dozen farms in the New England area.  Like many skeins of yarn from small local farms, the price per skein is higher than what you might pay from a larger yarn company. This site offers a variety of natural colors to choose from, and I imagine that they would all take up dye beautifully.  Personally I would probably chose to knit something from the natural colored wool, but I also wanted to include at least one local (to me) source on this list.
• Quince & Co - In addition to huge arrays of fabulous colors, many of their yarn lines come in at least one undyed color.  I love that the thumbnail for each of the yarn lines is a natural, undyed color of the yarn!  The have a category for bare yarns, but this leaves out some of the natural NON off white colors that they offer.  Skeins of yarn are sold individually.  Since the yarns come both undyed and dyed, you can get a solid color and then dye a variegated yarn in the same base to complement it.  Sounds fun to me! 
•  Yarn Undyed / bareyarns.com - It is funny. I just about had given up on the YarnUndyed.com website because it looked like there were only wholesale options and the website for knitters to buy individual skeins didn't seem to work properly. Then I discovered their site through bareyarns.com, and it looks like this one is set up for US based shoppers.  This UK supplier ships both to the US and Canada, and offers both single skeins and 5 skein packs in a mixture of fiber types.  Bare BFL yarns?  Yes please!  They also offer camel, cashmere / silk blends and more.  They offer free airfreight shipping on orders over $75 in case you are worried about expensive international shipping. 
•  Catnip Yarns -  Catnips offers a wide variety of fiber types, weights, and blends.  You can buy the bare yarns by the cone or by the skein, although it looks like there are more cone options available.  The single skeins range from 3.4 - 5.1 oz from what I could find scanning the site. (I am noting this because most other site sell skeins in 50 or 100 g increments.)  Catnip Yarns will provide free samples of their yarns (12" long pieces) if you email them.  I haven't reached out for samples as of writing this post, but if I do then I will update it with some opinions on the yarns.  Someone reached out to me to let me know that Catnip now only sells cones, not skeins.  
• A Child's Dream - Child's Dream only has 5 different options for undyed yarn. These include a Big loop Mohair Boucle yarn which looks very unique and cool, although it is $43 / 8 oz. The yarns appear to come the Brown Sheep Yarn Company in Nebraska.  
• Pacific Wool and Fiber - It looks like Pacific Wool and Fiber currently is only stocking bare unspun fibers, but they certainly have a lot of wheel and wheel accessory options.  They carry a nice variety of wool breeds so you can have some choices for the fiber types you want to dye and spin.  
• Thirteen Mile Lamb & Wool Company - This small company offers a variety of natural wool yarn colors in addition to some plant dyed colors.  With their natural colors, you can specify whether you would like sport, worsted, or bulky weight in the given natural undyed colorway.  The colors range from a dark chocolate brown, a variegated brown/pale twist, medium browns, to pale grey or off white colors.  I am not sure if yarns are spun to order of if there are any minimums, but it is an option for sourcing a variety of natural colors in the yarn weight you want.  
• Ashland Bay - WHOLESALE ONLINE. Ashland Bay offers dozens of different undyed yarns and unspun fibers.  I haven't personally tried any of their bare yarns, but I know that they are popular with other indie dyers.  They even provide sock blanks!  Unfortunately, you can't set up a retail account with them. In order to set up a wholesale account, you have to commit to spending $750/year and send them a copy of your business license within the fiber/textile industry.  They do have a list of online and local distributors on their website.  If they have a product you want but you can't find a supplier, maybe you can ask a yarn store that has an account with them to place a special order for you. Three online suppliers (which you can see next on this list) are WEBS, Paradise Fibers, and Fiber to Yarn. 
• WEBS America's Yarn Store - The local yarn store on the web that has the domain yarn.com, has a limited selection of natural undyed yarns.  (Search their site for "undyed" for the results to come up.)  They do, however, offer a wide selection of undyed spinning fiber as roving and top.  I have some of their BFL in my stash.  I thought I might blend it with some other, unordered, fiber that I have in my stash but I couldn't bare to mess up the ordered top. They sell Ashland Bay unspun fibers.
• Paradise Fibers -  They have multiple options for undyed 100% silk yarns in addition to some wool options.  Most of the in stock wool yarns seems to come in cone form versus skeins (the silk yarns are in skeins). They have MANY MORE options for bare spinning fiber than for undyed yarns.  They are an Ashland Bay distributor but at the time I looked the yarns were sold out and they only had Ashland Bay unspun fiber.  (Note, I became a Paradise Fibers Affiliate in June 2018.)  
• Fiber to Yarn - Here is another Ashland Bay Distributor.  They have limited 4 oz skeins in stock, but they will place a special Ashland Bay order for you if you are going to spend a minimum of $200.  It looks like this might be a good place to try out some single skeins of Ashland Bay yarns before committing to a bulk order.  
• Darn Good Yarn - They offer a limited selection of dyeable yarns that vary from wool to silk sari ribbon.  You can purchase the yarns in individual skeins. (Note, I became a Darn Good Yarn Affiliate Marketer in February 2018.)
•  ACME Fibers - This Canadian company offer a variety of weights and fiber bases.  All of the prices are listed in Canadian dollar.  WOA!  For an additional $6 or $6.50, you can get any fingering weight yarn that you purchase machine knit into a blank for dyeing... either single OR double stranded. This is a HUGE offer.  I didn't see specific information on shipping to the US, but you can always contact them to ask if they will ship internationally.  
• Elitespun - This is another Canada base company that offers a variety of yarn bases.  I found a price list for the dyeable yarns on their site, but it doesn't look like they have pictures of the individual yarns.  Elitespun's website feels like a small company, and you will likely need to email them for prices and to place an order. 
• Lion Brand Yarn - While not really an seller of undyed yarns, I need to include Lion Brand on this list since the first ever yarns that I dyed were Lion Brand Wool Ease in the color Fisherman.  This yarn is 80% acyrlic, 20% wool but it still takes up food coloring surprisingly well.  I know that a lot of my followers like to use Sock Ease in Marshmallow (75% wool, 25% nylon) because it is something that they can find in big box stores without needing to shop online.  They even offer some luxury fibers like cashmere and yak!  As a random aside that surprised me as I was looking at their site, they sell 100% acyrlic roving AND some steel/wool blend yarn.  Who knew? I've had some trouble finding some of these yarns in person lately (although I did pick up some Fishermen's Wool Yarn in Mapel Tweed this week because I thought it would be fun to over dye.)   (Note, I became a Lion Brand Affiliate in January 2018.)

Did I include your favorite place to purchase bare yarn in the above list?  Let me know and I can update the list!

The GENEie Collection of DNA Beanie Hats

The updated (3.9.2017) GENEie Collection designed by ChemKnits in support of the March for Science:

GENEie (Cable Version)

GENEie (Colorwork Version)

GENEie Pussyhat

GENEie Next Generations Headband and Hat (Colorwork - bottom left and right)

GENEie Plasmid Headband (Cable)
NOT SHOWN: Spliced - A Chained Crochet GENEie Headband

My name is Rebecca Roush Brown and I am the designer of ChemKnits.  I never imagined that when I was asked to design a DNA hat in support for the March for Science (April 22, 2017 - Earth Day) that I would end up with 5 different DNA hats.  Thank you all for the amazing response to the GENEie DNA Beanie collection.  In this post I will summarize the 5 designs and share some other amazing free science hat knitting patterns.  

The GENEie Collection (minus the GENEie Plasmid Headband)

I designed a DNA helix cable years ago to a make a Kindle Cover for my Chemist father.  This wasn't my first science design, but it was this cable that caught people's eye.  This is the reason why a few different knitters separately reached out to me to create a design for the March for Science.  The first hat that I knit, however, was the Colorwork version of GENEie.   This is the warmest hat in the collection and may not be the most appropriate for an April march.  It would be much cooler done in cotton or cotton blends.  

GENEie (Colorwork Version) - Modeled on my 22" head.

I didn't cast on the cable version of GENEie right away because I wanted to make sure I could do justice with the spacing and decreases on the crown.  I wanted the design to shrink into the top so it looked like you were looking along the length of a double helix.  Even knit with wool yarn, this hat is pretty light and airy.  It is a great option for the April March for Science if you live in a cooler area.  (Boston can either be cold and raw in April or super hot.)  

GENEie (Cable Version) - Modeled on my 22" head.

I started designing the first two GENEies before the date for the march was announced.  As soon as I realized that it was going to be towards the end of April, I started thinking of hat versions that would work for warmer weather.  Before I knew it the DNA helix had flipped and I was knitting GENEie - The Next Generations. (In retrospect I wish I had named these the GENEie Plasmids!)   The rotated colorwork cable is slightly different than the one in the original colorwork GENEie. There are four different patterns in Next Generations: a headband and a hat version that both come in Adult L and Toddler sizes.  The adult headband sample is knit in a cotton blend and that worked FANTASTIC.  This is the best option if you want to knit a head accessory but are concerned about the warmth in April.  

GENEie - The Next Generations Headband - Modeled by Keith (23.5" head)

GENEie - The Next Generations Hat (Toddler) - "Rowdy" is 1 year old and has an 18.5" head.

On the suggestion of a dear friend, I designed the GENEie Pussyhat.  All of the stores near me were out of pink yarn so I dyed my own with KoolAid and food coloring.  (Dyeing yarn is a huge passion of mine.  I have a YouTube channel dedicated to Dyeing Experiments!)  Through this hat I wish to show my support for the March for Science and the Women's March.  

The GENEie Pussyhat - Modeled by my 22" head

Finally, I'm pleased to introduce the 6th evolution of the GENEie collection... The GENEie Plasmid Headband! (Published March 9, 2017) Now there is a GENEie designed to knit flat with both line-by-line written instructions and a full chart.  Of all of the GENEie designs, this is one where gauge and yarn weight truly don't matter.  Cast on and knit until the headband is long enough and then sew the ends together. You could end up with a much wider headband or a really thin headband, but this is much easier to adapt than some of the other patterns.

GENEie Plasmid - A DNA Cable Headband Knitting Pattern

I thought the GENEies were done evolving... but then I created Spliced!  Spliced is a crochet chain appliqued onto a crochet headband base.  The base pairs are embroidered with a backstitch.  The best party of Spliced is that you can create this design on many different backdrops; knit, crochet, or woven!  

Spliced - A Crochet Chain Applique GENEie Headband

Why do I march? I believe in peer review.  I believe in evidence based legislation.  I believe that  scientific data funded by tax dollars should be available to the public.  I believe in outreach programs so the general public can understand what results mean.  I believe that you cannot ignore data just because it doesn't support your hypothesis.  I believe that by standing up and speaking loudly that we can make a difference. This is why I march.  This is why I designed the GENEies.

The GENEie DNA Knit Motifs

Free Science Hat Knitting Patterns

A long time ago, I did some research looking for science knitting patterns and DNA knitting patterns. Unfortunately, some of these links are no longer valid.  In an effort to support the March for Science with a lot of epic science hat, here are some of my favorite free science hat knitting patterns:

• Brain Hats - There are three versions of Brain Hat Knitting patterns on Ravelry, and it isn't immediately clear to me which design was created first... but all of the designs are darling.  What these hats have in common is that a series of icords to create the crevices on the brain on top of a beanie hat.  
• Brain Hat by Alana Noritake - This pattern is available for free Ravelry Download through the date of the March for Science (April 22, 2017).  I think this pattern was created pre-2011, so this might be the original brain hat design.  
• Brain Hat for Science by Kristen McDonnell - This pattern has a step-by-step photo tutorial for assembling the icords onto the finished hat base.  
• Thinking Cap - Brain by Kathy Doherty - This version of the brain hat is also from 2011. 
• Science Matters Hat - The Science Matters hat is a free knitting pattern designed specifically for the March for Science.  Knit with concentric rings textured of blue and green (some colors are K around, the alternating ones are purled), this hat subtly represents our planet.  This design is perfect for knitters who might be intimated by stranded colorwork or cables, all of the color changes on this hat are stripes.  
• Heterocycle Hat - This is a fun hat with colorwork molecules (specifically heterocyclic molecules) around the brim.  When I started designing my own molecule knitting charts I initially avoided molecules audreym used in this design.  The pattern is available as a free Ravelry download.  If you aren't comfortable with colorwork, you could always embroider a molecule with duplicate stitching to any basic knit (or crochet) hat.  
• Trilobite - Cables and bobbles create the outline of the trilobite fossil around the brim of a beanie hat.  The designer was living with a paleontologist when she realized that creating a trilobite in relief would be an awesome cable project.  
• Chromosome Cap - This is a hat after my own heart.  If you are new to cables this might be the hat for you.  This hat has chromosomes going around the edge.  If you are new to cables there are way fewer cable stitches than in my Cable GENEie hat.  (The wrap stitch might be a little complicated but I think it is well explained.)  This hat might be a better choice than the GENEie if you are attempting cables for the first time.  
• Central Dogma Hat (DNA - RNA - Protein - This colorwork hat designed by Melini Melini is stunning, especially when constructed with two colors.  I love that you can see the progression from the brim (DNA) to the crown (protein).  The hat calls for sport weight yarn to accommodate the complex colorwork design.  This pattern is available for free Ravelry download.  
• DNA Hat - Do you want a DNA hat with a DNA cable running around the brim?  Well then this hat is for you!  The cable is worked flat, grafted together and then stitches are picked up around one edge to complete the crown of the hat.  
• Earth in Space Hat - This is a simple crochet beanie but what makes it special is the amazing planet earth pompom on top of the hat.  The pattern contains instructions so you can make your own Earth pompom.  This is something that non-knitters should be able to do, too. You could add the pompom onto anything, a sewn hat, a crochet hat, or something that isn't even a hat at all. There are photos to illustrate how you should wind the colors onto the pompom maker.  I cannot wait to try this pompom myself!  
• Brain Waves Beanie (CROCHET!) - This hat isn't overtly science, but it is a very popular crochet hat that has bands of color in waves.  I don't think that someone looking at it would immediately know that it was a science hat, but it is beginner friendly.  Maybe you should add an Earth in Space pompom on top.  This pattern is available as a free Ravelry download.  
• Resistor Hat - This is another science knitting pattern designed specifically for the March for Science.  This hat is a lovely way to show your resistance (the pun title is indented.)  The designer is a microbiologist from Stanford university.  This is a perfect hat for many people, but especially those who are in the physical sciences.  
• Math Geek Hat - Pi = 3.14159265...  A colorwork chart to go around the brim of the hat.
• DNA Scarf by June Oshiro - This isn't a hat, but given that my popularity right now is based on DNA helix cables I wanted to give a shout out to this classic DNA scarf.  The DNA hat above uses the DNA chart from this pattern.  
• Binary - This is a scarf pattern filled with 0's and 1's.  While the design itself is of a scarf, I think that the 0's and 1's would look amazing on a hat for the march, too.  

If you are a beginner knitter (or crocheter) and want something simpler... knit any hat in a shade of green.   People are planning to express their love for science through their attire in a variety of ways.  Some people are tie dyeing lab coats, others are purchasing official March for Science attire.   Some people will wear the pink Pussyhats that are a symbol of resistance.  Many people will carry signs.  I plan to wear a hat (Boston can be pretty raw in the springtime) but if it is too warm then I will come up with something else. 

If April 22 is going to be too warm where you live to wear hats for the March for Science, you can still create hats to show that you are a Science Fan.  I guarantee that science lovers in your life will light up when they see one of these hats.  

GENEie - The Next Generations Hat and Headband - My head is 22" and "Rowdy's" head is 18.5"

I'm wearing the original GENEie (Colorwork version) and Rowdy is wearing GENEie - the Next Generations

The first 5 patterns of the  GENEie Collection designed by ChemKnits in support of the March for Science:
GENEie (Colorwork Version)
GENEie (Cable Version)
GENEie Next Generations Headband and Hat
GENEie Pussyhat

If you need any help with any of the GENEies, make sure you check out the following playlist:

I have no official affiliation with the March for Science. I am a Biochemistry PhD who knits and wants to share some designs that can be used to support the cause.  

A Search for Mardi Gras Knitting Patterns

Knitting has a place in every celebration and holiday, and that includes Mardi Gras! In this postI will share with you free Mardi Gras knitting patterns that I found in my research. Unfortunately there aren't that many free Mardi Gras knitting patterns available. Designers, here's you chance to fill in a niche! Please let me know in the Guestbook if you find any other relevant patterns.

Free Mardi Gras Themed Knitting Patterns

• Knit a Beaded Necklace for Mardi Gras
  Knit a large tube and fill it with some styrofoam balls to create a knit beaded necklace!
• Knit Mardi Gras Mask
  You will need to create a free Ravelry account to access this pattern
• Mardi Gras Mask Dishcloth
  Click on the "Mardi Gras" link to get the pattern for this Mask Dishcloth
• Wee Tiny Mardi Gras Sock Knitting Pattern
  This adorable little sock is rocking the purple, green and yellow!
• Loopy Mardi Gras Hat 
  You will need to create a free Ravelry account to access this pattern

Surprisingly, there weren't too many patterns to knit for Mardi Gras.  Do you know of any patterns?  

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When the platform Squidoo existed, ChemKnits did multiple focused free knitting and crochet pattern searches.  These "lenses" were migrated to Hubpages at the end of 2014, but the Hubpages platform does not like Hubs that contain multiple links, especially if these links go to the same site (such as Ravelry.)  I am reposting the search here on ChemKnits.  I did all of the searching to find this list myself, and the descriptions are of my own writing unless otherwise noted.  Please let me know if any of the links are broken, I am working to migrate many pattern searches at once and may have missed one.  

A Search for Thanksgiving Crochet Patterns

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and not just because of the amazing feast my mom creates. I enjoy the opportunity to relax (by cooking in a hectic kitchen) and spend time with my family. There is no better way to get into a holiday by bringing crafts related to that holiday into your home. In this post, I share a number of free Thanksgiving themed crochet patterns that you can use to get into the Thanksgiving spirit.

Free Turkey Crochet Patterns

• Turkey Talk Afghan
  This beautiful crochet afghan is in fall colors and has tiny decorative turkeys on it. (Very tastefully done.)
• Turkey Hand applique
  "[The designer's] applique tribute to the time honored Thanksgiving tradition of the hand-outline turned Tom Turkey." This turkey really is shaped like a hand.
• Turkey Butt Pin/Fridgie
  There is no face to this turkey, it is pretty much the silhouette of the back of a turkey (a circle with the feathers around it.)
• Crocheted Turkey
  A simple, cartoonish amigurumi turkey.
• Thanksgiving Turkey Crochet Pattern
  This turkey toy contains more shape definition, it has a neck, wings and a fan of a tail.
• Turkey Flake
  It's no snowflake... it's a turkey flake! The snowflake morphs into the turkey's tail.
• Bev's Turkey Fridgie 
  "This cute turkey can be made to wear as a pin or for a fridgie magnet. Give them as gifts to brighten someone’s day."
• Surly Turkey Kitty 
  This turkey crochet pattern amuses me. Instead of a turkey body, you have a cat body with a turkey tail! You will need to create a free Ravelry account to view this pattern.
• Gobble-gobble Turkey Applique 
  A quick and tiny 2D turkey crochet pattern.
• Tom Turkey 
  This stuffed turkey toy contains more substantial wings and feet than some of the other toys.
• Crochet Turkey 
  It appears as thought this 2D turkey crochet pattern requires the fewest number of stitches of any of the patterns in this list.
• Gobble Coaster 
  A coaster in the profile of a turkey.
• Fall Leaves with Turkey Wreath Free Pattern 
  This 2D turkey is completely 2D (rather than having a 2D body with a 2D head sewn on top of it.

Free Thanksgiving Crochet Patterns

• Thanksgiving Pilgrim Crochet Pattern
  A fun little crochet doll.
• Acorn Apron
  Perfect to wear when you want to look pretty while prepping Thanksgiving dinner.
• Crochet Acorns
  Fill a bowl with them and set it on the table

Free Thanksgiving Food Crochet Patterns

• Cornucopia 
  Filled with eggplants, pumpkins and gourds.
• Thanksgiving Cornucopia 
  The shape is a little less structured than the previous pattern.
• Smiling Jellied Cranberry Sauce
  You would think this is round at first, but it shaped like it just came out of the can.
• amicomo7-16 Pincushion
  These pincushions could appear like tartlets, and would make great Thanksgiving decorations. The pattern is in Japanese, but it is charted in symbols that anyone should be able to understand.

Free Corn Crochet Patterns

• Indian Corn
  Crochet with multicolored novelty yarn will give these ears a realistic effect
• Corn on the Cob Amigurumi
  Green husk and yellow corn.
• Corn on the Cob
  This husk is more leafy and sticks out more.
• Popcorn Potholder
  In the spirit of corn, this movie style popcorn potholder looks good.

Free Pumpkin Crochet Patterns

If you want to get ready for Halloween, too, then you can add a face onto these pumpkins to convert them to Jack-o-Lanterns.

• Pumpkin Toilet Paper Cover
  Why should the bathroom be left out of the holiday decorations?
• Pumpkin Vase Cover
  This would make a really cute centerpiece for the Thanksgiving feast
• Pumpkin Coaster
  A colorful, square coaster with a pumpkin in the center. You will need to create a free Ravelry account to view this pattern
• Pumpkin Treat
  A mini pumpkin coinpurse
• Pumpkin Towel Topper
  Decorate your kitchen for the Thanksgiving holidays.
• Patrick the Pumpkin Boy
  A little doll with a pumpkin hat and pumpkin colored body.
• Amigurumi Pumpkin
  You will need to create a free Ravelry account to view this pattern
• Crocheted Pumpkin
  Mini crochet baskets with pumpkin tops.
• Tiny Crochet Pumpkin
  Another stuffed crochet pumpkin
• Mini Pumpkins
  These pumpkins are really very tiny, sort of like Christmas light small (the large variety of Christmas lights)
• Pumpkin Patch Pillow
  Right now it is decorated for Halloween with embroidery, but you can leave that off to make this crochet pillow appropriate for Thanksgiving.
• Pumpkin
  A very cute tiny stuffed pumpkin
• Pumpkin Pie Square 
  Pumpkin pie brown center with a white crust-like border.

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When the platform Squidoo existed, ChemKnits did multiple focused free knitting and crochet pattern searches.  These "lenses" were migrated to Hubpages at the end of 2014, but the Hubpages platform does not like Hubs that contain multiple links, especially if these links go to the same site (such as Ravelry.)  I am reposting the search here on ChemKnits.  I did all of the searching to find this list myself, and the descriptions are of my own writing unless otherwise noted.  Please let me know if any of the links are broken, I am working to migrate many pattern searches at once and may have missed one.  

A Search for Valentines's Day Knitting Patterns

Before our first Valentine's Day, my fiance and I had joked about kindergarten crafts made out of pasta. The result? We both ended up making Valentine's Day cards with pasta! These cards are goofy, but we still have them almost 10 years later.  Valentine's Day is really far away, but sometimes when you're planning crafts you have to work in advance.  Here are some suggestions to get you started with creating something from the heart for your Valentine.  

Free Heart Shaped Valentine Knitting Patterns

• Knitting Pattern Central Heart Directory
  At Knitting Pattern Central, find a list of heart-related patterns. From stuffed hearts to washclothes, you can find almost anything!
• Valentine Wand
  Perfect for a valentine for a child, let someone be the love fairy for the day!
• Heartfelt
  Simple felted hearts. Great shape!
• Lace Heart Bookmark
  Lacy, delicate and oh so sweet. Make your valentine last year round!

Free Love Inspried Knitting Patterns

• Love Rocks!
  Create a necklace of knit hearts.
• Love Chart
  Use this to make a dishcloth that reads Love Amore Love
• Love Silhouette Chart
  You look into his eyes, he looks into yours... here's the chart of your shadows!

Free Flower Knitting Patterns

Why buy flowers that will die in a week when you can make flowers that will last forever? Here I've included some of my favorite flower knitting patterns.

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• Search for Knit Flowers
  My blog post that has a list of free flower knitting patterns
• Knitting Pattern Central Flower Directory
  Knitting Pattern Central also has a great list of free flower knitting patterns
• Rose
  Create this little rose embellishment complete with some leaves!
• Knitted Rose
  Another rose knitting pattern
• Flowers for Mam
  Rolled knit roses are attached to knitting needle stems for a whole bouquet. (Ever wonder how to use your old knitting needles?)
• Bloem
  This reminds me of a crocus. It has a stamen, and you can make a little bouquet out of them. (Very darling!)

Other Free Valentine's Day Knitting Patterns - A non-traditional Valentine

Who said that knit valentines had to be just stuffed knit hearts? There are ways you can take these projects I've found and make them your own. Here are some of the cuter, more original and special patterns that I've found during my search.

• Valentine Heart Ring
  What a simple little reminder to show someone you care. Not to mention that this is a project you can whip up in 10 min!
• List of Alphabet Charts
  Personalize your project by adding someone's name to it! This is a list of different fonts you can add onto your project.
• Valentine Mug Cozy
  Use this knitting chart onto a cozy for their favorite mug, or anything else that you could create a cozy for! (Cell phone, ipod...)
• Knit Heart
  Now this is not your standard knit stuffed heart. This is not the simple shape you doodle with. This is a stuffed heart that looks like it belongs in an anatomy lesson!

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When the platform Squidoo existed, ChemKnits did multiple focused free knitting and crochet pattern searches.  These "lenses" were migrated to Hubpages at the end of 2014, but the Hubpages platform does not like Hubs that contain multiple links, especially if these links go to the same site (such as Ravelry.)  I am reposting the search here on ChemKnits.  I did all of the searching to find this list myself, and the descriptions are of my own writing unless otherwise noted.  Please let me know if any of the links are broken, I am working to migrate many pattern searches at once and may have missed one.  

A Search for Crochet iPad and Kindle Covers

iPads are a blast.  Crochet iPod covers have been extremely popular, so it came as no surprise that as soon as the iPad was released, free crochet iPad cover patterns were published. Creating a crochet iPad cover is a simple and easy project that can be accomplished by a crocheter at any level. In this lens, I present to you all of the crochet iPad and Kindle covers that I can locate.

Free iPad Crochet Patterns

There aren't as many free crochet iPad patterns out there as there are iPad knitting covers, but these are among my favorites.

• Crochet iPad Cozy
  Has a great vintage feel, it needs a button or ribbon for the closure.
• Felted iPad Case
  Should be a fast simple knit. Personalize it by embroidering your name on it! (Shown with the title "iDad")
• Love my iPad Case
  Shown with a crochet heart embellishment.
• Simple Crochet iPad Case
  Looks stunning when created with variegated yarn.

Free Kindle Cover Crochet Pattens

These free crochet patterns are designed for a Kindle, not an iPad, but it shouldn't be too hard to adapt the pattern to fit your iPad dimensions.

• Kindle Kozy
  The designer says that you shouldn't worry if the cozy looks a bit small, it will be quite stretchy! This would make it easy to adapt to an iPad cover.
• Padded Kindle Sleeve
  You will need to create a free Ravelry account in order to download this free pattern.
• Crochet Kindle Case
  "Create a sturdy and stylish case for your Kindle." Looks beautiful when made from a variegated yarn.
• Crochet Kindle Cover
  You will need to create a free Ravelry account in order to download this free pattern.
• Media/kindle/nook cozy pattern
  This crochet pattern can be adapted to fit any type of eReader.

Free Nook Case Crochet Patterns

Adapt these patterns to fit your Kindle or iPad!

• Nook Case
  There is no closure to this crochet Nook case, the eReader just slides right in!

I was surprised that there weren't that many crochet eReader patterns out there. Please let me know if you find any more of them!

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When the platform Squidoo existed, ChemKnits did multiple focused free knitting and crochet pattern searches.  These "lenses" were migrated to Hubpages at the end of 2014, but the Hubpages platform does not like Hubs that contain multiple links, especially if these links go to the same site (such as Ravelry.)  I am reposting the search here on ChemKnits.  I did all of the searching to find this list myself, and the descriptions are of my own writing unless otherwise noted.  Please let me know if any of the links are broken, I am working to migrate many pattern searches at once and may have missed one.  

A Search for iPod Cozy Knitting Patterns

These days the need for an iPod cozy may seem a little dated.  More and more people have smart phones and use those devices to listen to their music.  However there are still dozens of free knitting designs created to cozy your ipod.  Some of these can be adapted to fit a phone or other small object, and the projects are fast enough that they could be great for a beginner.  I hope that this will help you find a pattern that works for you!  

Fun iPod Cozy Shapes - free knitting patterns

• BeePod iPod Cozy Knitting Pattern
  Black and yellow striped with little wings like a bee.
• SquiPod iPod Cozy
  Shaped like a squid with tentacles and everything.
• iPod Sweater Knitting Pattern
  This iPod Cozy is shaped like a sweater!
• iPod Hoodie
  This iPod cozy has a little hood. It looks like a parka, and could be used for a doll.
• Twilight Inspired iPhone/iPod Touch Socks
  "Be Safe" is written on this iPod cozy.
• Cheesy iPod Nano Sock
  Swiss cheese cozy!
• Pop Tart iPod Cozy
  Beads finish off this sweet treat
• Ipod cozie with armband
  I cannot really tell exactly how this fits around the ipod to protect it, but the idea is a great one.

Colorwork iPod Cozy Knitting Patterns - free knitting patterns

• iPod Sleeve
  Slightly ribbed with horizontal stripes.
• Harry Potter iPod Cozy
  Knit in house colors with stripes.
• Felted Fair Isle iPod Cozy
  This has intricate colorwork that is really beautiful.
• Death To Finals 
  This cozy contains Skull knitting charts
• bHive iPod Cozy knitting pattern
  This pattern reminds me of the Sheldon turtle shell with a hexagonal bee hive pattern.
• Argyle iPod Jumper / Cozy
  This argyle cozy is simply adorable

Cabled iPod Cozy Knitting Patterns - free knitting patterns

• Brina's IPOD Cozy
  This isn't really a cabled cozy, but the eyelet lace gives it a beautiful, single color effect.
• iPod Sock
  A single cable running up the cozy and there's a pocket on the back for you to store your headphones when you're not using them.
• Four Rib Braid Cabled iPod Touch Sock
  Four Rib Braid Cable

Buttoned iPod Cozy Knitting Patterns - free knitting patterns

• Ipod nano cosy
  This has a strap so you can hang it around your neck.
• iPod Cozy with all the accessories!
  This iPod cozy has a protective flap which you can unbutton to access the screen.
• iPod Cozy
  This buttons over the top of the cozy to keep the iPod protected and inside.
• iPod Touch Felted Cozy
  Buttons to keep the iPod in the cozy.
• iPod Sock
  An icord or crochet loop secures the button
• iPod Sock
  Enclosed with a decorative button
• iPod Nano Cosy
  The button closure is low enough on the cozy so you can wrap your headphones around the ipod before buttoning it closed, keeping the headphones from getting tangled.
• 4th Generation iPod Nano Cozy Knitting Pattern
  "Simple cozy for the "4th generation" style iPod Nano. Perfect for using up a bit of leftover sock yarn."
• iPod Nano Cozy
  A simple, cute iPod cozy with a button closure.
• Zune or iPod Wallet
  This cozy has two different pockets, one for the ipod and one for the headphones, both are secured by the button.
• iPod Nano Felted Cozy Cover
  h Simple button closed with a loop of yarn.
• iPod Cosy 
  Fits an iPod touch. The button loop has a decorative flower at the top.

Misc iPod Cozy Knitting Patterns - Free iPod cozy knitting patterns

Many iPod cozy knitting patterns have ribbing. These are shared here.

• iPod Sock Knitting Pattern
  "A few months ago I asked my Mum to knit me an iPod sock, because I couldn't stand the thought of shelling out over 20 quid for some thin piece of junk from Apple. Whilst she was experimenting, I suggested that she add in a pocket, for the earphones,
• iPod Sock
  This iPod sock has a knit strap so you can hang it around you neck.
• Free iPod Cosy Knitting Pattern
  With an interrupted garter stitch pattern.
• iPod Sock
  A ribbed cozy
• iPod Sock Knitting Pattern
  Ribbed and simple, that's the way I like it.
• iPod Sock
  Knit in novelty yarn
• iPod Sock Cozy
  Simple ribbed iPod cozy
• iPod Sock
  "Two versions of this iPod sock case knitting pattern are available…in the round or on straight needles. Add a strap for carrying your iPod. It uses only a small amount of yarn so it's great for using up your stash. iPod socks in the store sell for $
• iPod Nano Sock Knitting Pattern
  Ribbed and fits the Nano iPod.
• iPod cover
  iPod cover with a pocket for headphones
• Easy ipod nano cosy
  This ribbed cozy slips onto your iPod easily.
• iPod Cozy
  The cozy fits around the ipod leaving the screen and click wheel clear and accessible.
• Felted iPod case
  There is a felted cord so you can wear this around your neck.
• Who? iPod cozy with windows
  There is a flap that can cover up the screen when not in use to protect it.

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When the platform Squidoo existed, ChemKnits did multiple focused free knitting and crochet pattern searches.  These "lenses" were migrated to Hubpages at the end of 2014, but the Hubpages platform does not like Hubs that contain multiple links, especially if these links go to the same site (such as Ravelry.)  I am reposting the search here on ChemKnits.  I did all of the searching to find this list myself, and the descriptions are of my own writing unless otherwise noted.  Please let me know if any of the links are broken, I am working to migrate many pattern searches at once and may have missed one.