Free Knitting Patterns for Toys

From LoveToKnow Crafts

If knitting for kids, or even pets, is a big part of your crafty endeavors, then finding free knitting patterns for toys is a big plus.

Why Knit Toys?

With so many inexpensive toy options on the market, why would anyone bother to make their own? Children's toys eventually wear out and toys for dogs and cats are sure to be chewed and clawed to pieces. However, there are still reasons a knitter might want to create her own toys:

Use up scrap yarn pieces: Small projects are great for using up small amounts of yarn that aren't plentiful enough to make anything else. You can combine different scraps and even different yarn weights in toy projects. Plus, since you already have scraps on hand, you don't have to spend money on more yarn.
Make for quick projects: Knitting toys can be an easy way to get instant gratification. Teddy bears and dolls can often be completed in a weekend; catnip or chew toys can sometimes be finished within a matter of hours. If you love quick knits, toys are perfect for providing you with the satisfaction of a completed project in a short amount of time.
Create unique items: While there are many toys available for children and pets, you can create something that no one will be able to buy in a store. Also, dogs and cats aren't too fussy about what you make for them or what color it is. You can knit a catnip mouse (or any other object), stuff it with nip and your kitty will enjoy it, whether it's blue, neon green or striped.

Finding Free Knitting Patterns for Toys

The Internet has made knitting accessible to many people and finding free patterns is a huge benefit to being online. Besides patterns, you can also find detailed help for many different techniques and styles. Some places to check out for free knitting patterns for toys include:

Knitting Pattern Central is a wonderful resource that contains patterns for anything a knitter might dream up. You'll find toy patterns for balls, bears, aliens, finger puppets, blocks, rockets, dolls, rabbits, monkeys and more.
Lion Brand Yarn often has free knitting patterns. It's worth checking out the Website every now and then to see what new patterns have been added.
The Daily Knitter has a variety of free knitted toy patterns for children and pets.
Knitting-and.com provides a selection of patterns for toys and clothing perfect for dolls and toy animals.
Knitting on the Net features several free patterns for everything from Barbie doll clothes to stuffed animal sweaters, perfect for keeping little bears and bunnies warm. These projects are also good ideas for young knitters; children can knit clothes for their dolls and stuffed toys.
If you're a member of the popular crafting site and online community Ravelry, you can use the pattern browser to find free patterns by making sure you choose "toys" and "only free" from the search function. You'll be able to see a wide variety of patterns in helpful picture form.

Adapting Existing Patterns

If you're having trouble finding a pattern for a specific toy, with a little ingenuity, you can make your own desired object by modifying a pattern you already have. The bodies of stuffed animals like bears, monkeys and rabbits are remarkably similar. By tweaking the ears and length of limbs, you can create just the toy you want without having to purchase separate patterns for different animals.

Making Your Own Patterns

Of course, one of the best ways to score a pattern without having to pay for it is to come up with your own. You don't have to be a stellar designer to do this. What you can do is combine patterns to create unique projects. For instance, if you already have a pattern for a ball, you have the basis for a head and a body for a doll, bear, dog, cat or rabbit. Use your creativity to design other parts and you have your own pattern, all for free!

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