20 knitted toys free patterns you’ll love knitting
If you’re wanting to make a soft toy, and it’s free knitting pattern ideas you’re looking for, look no further!
I’ve done the research to pick out my own favourite free pattern ideas – all easy to make and with a wide range of choice. Whether you’re feeling drawn to the idea of knitting a traditional teddy bear or cute animals are more your thing, I hope you’ll find the perfect pattern in my round-up. There are xx free knittted toy patterns to choose from and I’ve also added in great patterns to buy too, because it feels valuable to support the designers who create them and are generous enough to offer some of their work for free. There are ideas by my favourite designers, including Claire Garland and Sachiyo Ishii.
Free knitted toy patterns – top 20
I’ve picked out a varied selection of free toy knitting patterns for you – I’d love to hear what you think. And, of course, to see your finished creations! Happy knitting!
As free toys go, this one has to be one of the very best ideas…
Sachiyo Ishii is a great pattern designer to have up your sleeve too. She’s based in East Grinstead and has a gorgeous collection of patterns available to buy on Etsy (see further down the page to see my favourites)
Her most adorable free patterns (in my opinion) are: Flower Penguins
and her Cat in jumper pattern
They’re also both available as free downloadable pdf patterns on Sachiyo’s own website here: Free patterns here: https://www.knitssachi.com/free-patterns
Gina Michele is another great place to source toy pattern ideas. I love her free giant cuddly Cat pattern:
It’s mostly knitted flat on a pair of straight knitting needles – with just a touch of shaping using double-pointed and circular needles for the base.
Rachel Clarke is also worth checking out on Ravelry – her buddy the Bear pattern is cute https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/buddy-bear and there are patterns to make his clothes too… https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/buddy-bear-outfit
Cats, kittens and bears
As cute, quick knit ideas go, this Tiny window cat free pattern by Sara Elizabeth Kellner is a winner – particularly for anyone who loves cats. Also love this Bluebird of Happiness free pattern by her
Also gorgeous is this tiny parlour cat free pattern by Sarah Elizabeth:
Last pattern from Sara Elizabeth Kellner is this free Snowbirds pattern.
Or how about this Fuzzy Lamb free pattern by Barbara Prime?
If it’s a teddy bear you’re looking for, what about this lovely free pattern by Esther Braithwaite?
Michele Wilcox is also worth knowing about. She has a very lovable collection of patterns on Ravelry and Love Crafts including this Birthday Bear which is cute and free:
Lion Brand is always worth a browse as they have lots of patterns free for personal use https://www.lionbrand.com/collections/toy-knit-crochet-patterns
Cuddly bears
Comfort Bear would be my pick as it’s just so cuddly.
Sure to be loved by whoever you make it for… They also have a cute bunny/pig pattern which you could easily add a pompom nose to if you felt so inclined…
Sweet and Simple bunnies is another cute option and classed as easy.
My final pick from Lion Brand is their baby doll clothes pattern which includes a hat, dress and cardigan to fit an 18 inch doll. The pattern is not an easy one, but it does use short rows, and so I always feel less worried about taking on more challenging patterns if unpicking would be quicker and easier…
DROPS Design
DROPS Design is also always worth a browse. These cute Hedgehogs caught my eye. They’re crochet, not knit, but I wanted to include them because they’re so cute and a bit different…
My own favourite from DROPS would have to be these simple little bunnies…
They are worked back and forth in simple garter stitch and would be perfect for babies as there are no eyes or loose parts etc. The web pattern is available by following the link. It’s super cosy because the yarn shown is DROPS Alpaca and DROPS Kid-Silk or 1 strand DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk but there’s information here on how to adapt to use a different yarn https://www.garnstudio.com/lesson.php?id=14&cid=19
Adapting yarn
Worth knowing that a worsted weight yarn (which falls between DK (double knitting) and chunky weight yarn, for example, is comparable to DROPS yarn group B. To be totally honest with you, however, I tend to just try to use up wool I already have and hope for the best – especially if the pattern calls for small amounts of yarn. I made colourful dog softie for a friend’s baby a few months ago using up a random selection of approximately DK weight yarn with a bit of aran weight yarn thrown in for good measure, and it’s totally gorgeous (if I do say so myself).
Whilst we’re on the subject of Bunnies, Ola Oslopova has created a totally adorable pattern that’s free on Ravelry (above). Check out her other gorgeous patterns on Etsy too. If I had to pick out just one from her Etsy collection, it would be this Bear knitting pattern:
Cute puppy you say? I have two free beauties for you. The first is by Claire Garland and you can get it for free here: Free puppy dog knitting pattern by Claire Garland
The second is by Amanda Berry and it’s this adorable Loyal Puppy pattern from Love Crafts.
And, if you’re already a fan of Mary Jane’s Tearoom soft toy patterns on Etsy, you might like to know about this cute free messenger bag pattern that’s just the right size for her teddies.
Favourite toy patterns to buy
As I mentioned earlier, Sachiyo Ishii is one of my favourite pattern designers and she has a lovable collection available to buy on Etsy – my favourites are her Winter Bear
these Fluffy Puppies
… and this collection of mini mascots
Whippet by Claire Garland
This edited selection wouldn’t be complete without the new Whippet pattern by Claire Garland.
And I had to include this lovable Teddy bear knitting pattern by Forest Toys.
There’s a heavenly free bunny pattern by Forest Toys here too..
And if none of the above is quite cute enough for you… how about this Bunny pattern?
New from Mary Jane’s Tearoom is this cheeky little fox.
and I defy you not to fall in love with this Winter Robin It would be perfect for popping into any Christmas stockings you have to fill…
I couldn’t go without sharing this lovable Bear pattern by Cinthia Vallet on Ravelry.
The description says that it’s knit in one piece, totally seamlessly, from the tip of his nose to the tip of his toes.
(Pattern available in english and french.)
Love these Little penguins:
And this cuddly Goose:
If you’re looking to make a chocolate orange cover, how about this cute bunny pattern to make one on Etsy?
Retro Teddy Bear pattern. How adorable is this little bear?
Or what about this little fox?
This little pig is so cute too.
And how about this Kittens soft toy knitting pattern?
If you’re a beginner knitter, don’t be put off. There are some great video tutorials here which take you through from casting on to all the simple stitches you’ll need to know. Whether it’s learning how to make simple increases, getting to grips with basic stitches such as stocking stitch, purl and seed stitch, it’s so easy to pick up what you need to know and get making…
If you want to find new patterns, a good tip is to filter by ‘most recent first’ – which you can do on Etsy and Ravelry.
In case you’re interested in toy crochet patterns, you might find something you love here: 25 Free & easy animal amigurumi crochet patterns or here: 200+ cutest easy stuffed toy crochet animal patterns
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