20 Free Knitting Patterns for Advanced Knitters

The thing about advanced knitting techniques is that they always seem intimidating until you try them. Once you learn the terminology to knit socks or how to manage multiple strings of yarn for color work, you wonder why you thought it was so hard.

How do you define an advanced pattern? To me, a pattern is hard when it meets one of the following criteria:

• It involves different pieces (thumbs, sleeves, etc)
• It is hard to memorize
• It requires counting and keeping track of exactly where you are
• It involves colorwork and multiple strands

Here are 20 patterns that require some type of advanced skill. If you’ve never tried something beyond knit or purl, pick one of these lovely patterns and challenge yourself to learn something new!

1. Owl Coffee Cup Cozie

Where: My Knitting Basket
Techniques: Cables, knitting in the round, sewing, embroidery
By: Sabrina Thompson
How to get it: Free on from My Knitting Basket’s blog

2. iPhone Hoodie

Where: ColoradoMoms.com
Techniques: Sleeves, increasing, decreasing
By: Emily Vanek
How to get it: Free on ColoradoMoms.com blog

3. Celtica Jacket

Where: Garn Studio
Techniques: Button holes, cables, charts, sleeves
By: DROPS Designs
How to get it: Free from Garn Studio’s site

4. Rigmors Selbu Mittens

Where: Ravlery
Techniques: Colorwork, thumbs, increasing and decreasing
By: Rigmour Duun Grande
How to get it: Free Ravelry PDF

5. Twin Leaf Blanket

Where: Painting Lilies
Techniques: Lace knitting
By: Me!
How to get it: Subscribe to my newsletter for a free download

6. Lace Ribbon Scarf

Where: Knitty
Techniques: Lace knitting
By: Veronik Avery
How to get it: Free from Knitty

7. Big Snowy Owl

Where: Purl Bee
Techniques: Knitting in the round, sewing
By: Whit’s Knits
How to get it: Instructions on Purl Bee

8. Mini Sweater Ornaments 

Where: Greens And Jeans
Techniques: Color strands, cables, sleeves
By: Emily
How to get it: Free download from Greens and Jeans blog

9. Bunny Nuggets

Where: Danger Crafts
Techniques: Increase, decrease, knitting in the round, 3D knitting
By: Rebecca Danger
How to get it: Free PDF download

10. Echo Flower Shawl

Where: Ravelry
Techniques: Lace knitting
By: Jenny Johnson Johnen
How to get it: Free Ravelry download

11. Two Color Brioche Hat

Where: Yana Knits
Techniques: Color knitting
By: Yana Ivey
How to get it: Free from Yana Knits blog

12. Lamar Scarf

Where: Gail Zucker’s blog
Techniques: Entrelac
By: Gail Zucker
How to get it: PDF download from gzucker.com

13. Reid Kid’s Sweater

Where: Knitty.com
Techniques: Lace knitting, sleeves
By: Brooke T Higgins
How to get it: Free on Knitty.com

14. Baby Chalice Blanket

Where: Ravelry
Techniques: Lace knitting
By: Karen S. Lauger
How to get it: Free Ravelry download

15. ITV Monkey

Where: Ravelry
Techniques: Seams, 3D
By: Sirdar Spinning
How to get it: Free Ravelry PDF

16. Karisma Socks

Where: Garn Studios
Techniques: Color knitting, sock knitting
By: DROPS Design
How to get it: Free on Garn Studios Site

17. Plaid Baby Blanket

Where: Yana Knits
Techniques: Color knitting
By: Yana Ivey
How to get it: Free from Yana Knits

18. Recess Mittens

Where: Ravelry
Techniques: Color knitting
By: Annie Watts
How to get it: Free Ravelry download

19. Love and Liquor Socks

Where: Ravelry
Techniques: Cables, sock knitting
By: General Hogbuffer
How to get it: Free Raverly download

20. Selbu Hat

Where: Ravelry
Techniques: Color knitting
By: Kate Gagnon Osborn
How to get it: Free Ravelry download