Beginner Knitting Confidence Part 5: Picking Patterns

Now that we've chatted yarn weight, gauge, and tools, we hope you're feeling ready to finally make something!

Ravelry, the archive of knitting and crochet patterns, is the best resource for inspiration, but we'll admit that it can feel so overwhelming. There's literally thousands upon thousands of options to choose from.

Today we're giving out our quick fire tips for learning to navigate that sea of patterns and then we'll also give you a few links to our favorite beginner patterns that we can recommend wholeheartedly. 

• Before you even go online, ask yourself: what kind of project do you have in mind? Do you have the yarn picked out first? Or are you dreaming of making a summer knit? A smaller item? Want to try cables? Having a jumping off point in mind can make it feel like a more purposeful to search versus just browsing with no "goal" (though we spend A LOT of time just browsing just to get inspired too)

• Filters are your friend. You can find these on the lefthand side bar once you search a more general term like "sweater." The basics: we always start by filtering out the "big" categories. Craft? Knitting. Age or Size? Adult. Weight? Only if you have your heart set on what yarn you're using. Category? Are we talking sweaters or do you have a smaller project in mind? Hat? Shawl? Socks? We always start with these broad categories and then get even more specific if we're looking for a certain neckline, charts, sleeve length, a certain yardage, etc.

• Now filter the filtered search results. There's more? Yep! The Sort By tab at the top of the search page will shake up what order you're seeing everythign in, sometimes even more so than the filters on the side bar. We like to start with looking at Most Projects (more projects means more people have "vetted" the pattern so it's likely to be a sound choice) but sometimes we'll try Publication Date to see what's new or Hot Right Now for fun! Play around with all of them to see what you can find! And don't be afraid to go past just the first two or three pages of results.

• Once you've landed on a pattern you're considering, always click into the Projects Tab! This is where you see what other Ravelry users' projects look like. This is great for color inspiration and to get a better idea of how something looks on a wide variety of heights and body types. It's also where people put their personal project notes - the greatest resource for seeing if other people had trouble or made changes. This can warn you off a project or make you feel like you have  plenty of support.

• How do I know if a pattern I like is at my skill level? We're big believers in the theory that if you want the finished object badly enough, you'll be motivated to learn and problem solve your way through it. However, if you're still nervous, we recommend really reading those pattern notes we mentioned above for what other people struggled with. Also, search the pattern your considering's description for skills required. This is where usually pattern designers will list things you may need to know outside of knitting and purling, like decreases, increases, cables, charts, or lace. One or two new skills? Totally doable, you can learn. Dozens of skills you haven't tried yet? That pattern may overwhelm you.

Our Adventurous Beginner Pattern Picks! + yarn pairings

If sifting through patterns is making you feel fatigued, here are a few projects we've seen plenty of beginners enjoy making!

We accept anyone and everyone who wants to make a Sophie Scarf around here! These are a great way to get lots of knitting and purling practice while also learning about shaping and making an i-cord edge. It makes for a wonderful first project!

Use a DK yarn, one in Neon Nep would be fun

You could also make it in a Sport

Easy Fingerless Mitts Kit are knit flat and seamed using the loveliest local yarn from KnitWise Fibers. All you need to know is knitting and purling.

Sliplicious Stripes Kits - comes with an easy pattern that teaches you to use slip stitches!

A lot of people choose Andrea Mowry's Weekender as a great first sweater (we did a whole post about this way back when)

Uses Worsted yarn, Alpakka Ull would be great

Claude Sweater by kolibri by johanna is a great a first sweater if you're still only comfortable with garter stitch. It's seamed at the end! Uses Aran/Worsted too so it goes quickly!

Novice Mohair Cardigan by PetiteKnit, you can use two thin yarns held together or just one DK weight yarn!

We'd like to make one out of 29 Bridges Non-Superwash, Floofy DK would be lovely too

We like that this one is top down so you can try it on easily as you go and it's little lighter weight. Cardigans tend to be forgiving when it comes to sizing, too, since you can wear them buttoned or leave them open.

If you want to try lace and shaping a shawl for the first time, we love Reyna by Noora Backlund. We usually almost always have kits in stock to make this one with our custom color from Copper Corgi.