Free Easy One Skein Knitting Patterns: Portable Projects to Use up your Stash

Cutie Kerchief for Adults, Kids & Pets

New for 2026, knit matching Kerchiefs for you and your kid or furry friend with this cute free pattern.

You knit a triangle shape by starting with just 2 stitches and then making yarn overs to increase by 2 stitches on every other row.

You get the hang of it after a few rows and it’s a fun, easy knit watching your triangle grow. You can knit this pattern with straight needles or use a circular instead to knit back & forth in rows if you prefer.

The ties are added at the end by casting on stitches for one end, picking up stitches all along your triangle and then casting on more stitches for the other end.

Picking up stitches along the triangle is the tricky bit for beginners, but you could simplify here by just skipping that part as follows:

• Cast on stitches for one tie, then instead of starting to pick up stitches, just knit these new stitches and bind off to finish one tie.
• Repeat this to make another tie in the same way, and attach both ties to the ends of of your kerchief.
• Another option is to knit i-cord ties instead – see my i-cord tutorial here.

Click below to download this free 1 page PDF pattern from Yarnspirations – no login needed – yay!

Bright Spot Scrunchies

Scrunchies are back in fashion & a fun little knitting project for beginners & a great way for the rest of us to use up leftover yarn.

There’s no need to buy special elastic for this, all you need is a standard hair tie or bobble.

This scrunchie pattern is knit back and forth in rows on straight needles. You knit a simple skinny stockinette rectangle in any worsted or aran weight yarn – that’s it!

To turn your rectangle into a scrunchie:

1. Seam the short edges to make a ring shape.
2. With the wrong side on the outside, gather your ring so you can pull the hair tie over it so it’s around the middle.
3. Pull the top edge down and the bottom edge up, so the right side is on the outside and seam all around with mattress stitch.

Tip: if you’re having trouble visualising the assembly part, the next scrunchie pattern below includes pics.

Download this free 1 page PDF pattern from Yarnspirations below:

Super Cute Scrunchie Set

You only need about 40 yards/metres of fine yarn to make a scrunchie with this free easy pattern, knit in the round.

There are 4 different scrunchie textures to choose from: stockinette, rib, seed stitch and moss stitch.

TIP: you can easily knit this pattern on straight needles instead if you prefer by making the follow modifications:

1. Don’t join in the round after casting on. This way you will knit a rectangle instead of a tube.
2. For the stockinette version, purl every 2nd row instead of knitting all rows.
3. After casting off, seam the short sides together to make a tube.

This pattern uses the same assembly approach as the other scrunchie pattern above, and helpfully includes a few pictures and even a video to explain it.

Designer Holly recommends seaming the scrunchie using a crochet hook and includes a video tutorial, but you could also seam them with mattress stitch or your fave method.

The pattern is free to read on Holly’s At Yarn’s Length blog & you can also download a printable PDF version there:

Frida Headband

Make this chic twisted headband with just 1 small ball of DK yarn.

Designed by Emilie Luis and available in 3 languages, you knit a simple rectangle and the assembly at the end is where the magic happens!

The pattern suggests using a circular needle, but it’s actually knit back and forth in rows, so you can use straight needles if you want.

While Emilie uses 2 yarns held together (lace and fingering weight), this is equivalent to using a single ball of DK or sport weight yarn. So there’s several yarn options for using up your stash here, or buying a ball especially for this small project.

It’s knit in double stockinette, which is super squishy and reversible. Instead of knitting every stitch, you alternate between knitting a stitch and slipping a stitch with your yarn in front. Here’s the video tutorial the pattern recommends for this technique.

After binding off, you turn your rectangle into a headband as follows:

1. Lay your long rectangle out in front of you and take an end in each hand, folding it in half in your hand, so it makes a C shape in your left hand and a backwards C shape in your right hand.
2. Layer both ends together, so that the C shapes interlink. So there is a left layer on top, then a right layer, then the other left layer above the right layer at the bottom.
3. Seam all 4 layers together with whip stitch & turn inside out so the seam is hiddenon the inside and you have a fancy twist on the right side – voila!

This is easier to see than to explain in words, so Emilie helpfully includes step by step pictures in the pattern – phew!

You can download this PDF pattern from Ravelry (free account needed) where over 4000 knitters have made this headband – wow! It’s also available from Emilie’s own online store for free.

Headband with a Twist

Here’s a more advanced twisted headband pattern designed by Mirella, highly rated on Ravelry with over 6000 projects!

I’ve included it in this easy knit round-up, because while the stitch used is more complex, Mirella includes great step by step photos for the assembly part and a pattern video tutorial which is rare.

TIP: you can make use of these photos & video even if you’re knitting a different headband pattern.

That’s because most twisted headband patterns use the same assembly process, including the easier Frida pattern above.

Mirella’s pattern is knit back and forth in rows on straight needles in English Rib, which is extra thick and reversible. It’s only a 2 row repeat so it’s not too crazy!

Once you know how to do yarn overs and knit stitches together, it’s all good. But there’s a bit going on for beginners, and it’s not easy to rip back if you make mistakes etc.

Tip: the video tutorial is easy to miss – it’s under the Pattern Overview heading near the top of the long pattern page.

This pattern is free to read on Mirella’s site where she also has several more free headband patterns – enjoy!

Easy Knit Ribbed Hat

My free ribbed hat pattern is nice & stretchy so will fit most adults.

Plus you can knit it your way: in the round or on straight needles (knit flat and seamed at the back).

While the whole hat is knit in simple knit 1 purl 1 rib stitch, you will need to know how to do the ssk (slip, slip, knit) decrease to shape the crown.

Any DK or light worsted yarn will work well for this and because it’s a stretchy hat, it doesn’t matter if your gauge isn’t spot on here.

Beginner Beanie Hat (8 Sizes)

If you want to knit hats for all ages, try my free easy beanie hat pattern.

There’s 8 sizes from a newborn baby, which only needs about 40m or half a small ball of yarn, right up to an XL adult head, which will take a full big ball (140-160m).

You can knit this hat in the round or flat on straight needles as you prefer. Beginner friendly, once you know how to do the knit stitch, purl stitch and the basic k2tog decrease (just knitting 2 stitches together), you can knit this hat.

I’ve a full video tutorial for the knit in the round beanie pattern that you can follow step by step.

You can use any worsted or aran yarn that knits to the standard gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows, and it won’t matter if your gauge is a little off either. Hats are very forgiving!

This pattern is free to read on my blog or you can download a free printable PDF pattern by joining my newsletter.

Comfy Wristers Mitts (Knit in the Round)

These easy knit wrist warmers are a nice project to practice magic loop knitting in the round (learn in 10 mins in my beginners tutorial).

But you can also knit them with a set of short DPNs if you prefer.

What makes this pattern so beginner friendly is there’s no pesky thumb to complicate things!

Instead you just make a thumb hole midway though, by casting off 4 stitches on one round and casting back on 4 stitches on the next – so simple!

You start the mitts by knitting 4 inches of 2×2 rib for the cuff for a good fit. Then you switch to double seed stitch / moss stitch for the main part of the mitt.

This gives a lovely checkerboard or basket weave texture and is really easy to knit: you just do 2 rounds of 2×2 rib and then 2 rounds of opposite 2×2 rib, where you knit the purls and purl the knits.

This pattern comes in 2 sizes to fit both 7 and 8 inch hand circumference and you just need 1 large ball (100g approx) to knit either size.

The original pattern yarn Red Heart Collage was quite an unusual type & is no longer available, but the good news is that Ravelry projects suggest that any standard aran or worsted yarn (medium weight) works well here. For example, Red Heart Super Saver has been a popular choice.

I’d recommend choosing a wool or acrylic yarn rather than cotton for this, because it’s important that mitts are stretchy and elastic for a good fit.

Download the free 1 page PDF pattern from Yarnspirations below:

Phoenix Mitts for Straight Needles

These Phoenix gauntlet wrist warmers make a great beginner knitting project, because they’re just a rectangle!

That means you can knit these with straight needles whereas many mitts patterns are knit in the round with DPNs or a circular needle instead.

There’s 3 lengths to choose from & 1 big ball of yarn should be enough to make either the mini (7 inch) or midi (14 inch) version. You might even get a pair of mini mitts out of 1 small 50g ball if you’re lucky!

You don’t even need to knit any rib – they’re simple stockinette from start to finish. The 2 longer sizes have a few increases mid way but that’s it.

Then you just seam the sides at the end, leaving a 2 inch gap for your thumb. So easy!

The original Cotton Ease pattern yarn is discontinued but Lion Brand suggest using the catchily named Made with Love The Cottony One instead.

That’s a cotton/acrylic mix but you could use any medium / worsted / aran yarn for this that knits to the standard gauge of 17-18 stitches for 4 inches.

You’ll need a free Lion Brand account to download this PDF pattern, but they have oodles more free patterns to choose from.

Tip: they also have a garter stitch wrist warmers pattern, where you just knit every row to make a rectangle with no shaping, if you want a really easy knit – perfect for beginners.

Mini Purse Catchall

You only need a small amount of worsted yarn & a button to knit this cute little purse, handy for keeping coins in or stitch markers – I’m forever losing mine!

This PDF pattern is written especially for beginners, with step by step photos throughout.

What’s great about making purses is gauge doesn’t matter – your purse will just end be a bit bigger or smaller depending on how you knit – it’s all good!

You just knit a long rectangle to make your purse – so you can use straight needles or a circular if you prefer.

You start and end with a couple of rows of garter stitch (knitting every stitch) to stop the ends from curling. Then it’s all stockinette stitch in between, knitting the right side rows and purling the wrong side.

The only tricky bit is the 2 button hole rows near the end, but this is explained step by step with pictures.

The pattern even explains how to cast on, knit, purl and cast off – no knitting experience required! Download it from Yarnspirations (no login required).

Easy Knit Fancy Face Cloth

Make fancy wash or dish cloths with my free pattern. They make great gifts or make your everyday a little more luxe.

Knitting with cotton is quite different from knitting with wool or acrylic, so this is a perfect project to try it out instead of just knitting a boring test square. Gauge doesn’t matter here either, so you can’t go wrong!

I used diagonal rib stitch for this. It’s a 4 row pattern repeat which looks a bit complex at first, but is mostly just 2×2 ribbing.

You end up with diagonal textured stripes which look really fancy for quite an easy knit – yay!

All you need is one small ball of worsted or aran cotton. I’d recommend splurging on a skein of super soft cotton if you’re making a face or washcloth, but any old hardy cotton will do for dish cloths.

While you’ll need 90m (100 yds) of cotton to make an 11 inch square cloth, if you have less yarn, you can just cast on fewer stitches to make a smaller cloth.

You can also make a larger square or a rectangular cloth if you prefer – just cast on more stitches (in multiples of 4) and knit for as long as you like, or until you run out of yarn.

Textured Stripes Washcloth

For an even easier knit, try this simple striped washcloth pattern from Red Heart.

While this pattern does use partial balls of multiple colours, it does just use 1 skein of cotton overall. So you could knit a plain cloth or cleverly use a variegated/multicolour cotton print to knit this cloth with just 1 ball.

This pattern switches between knitting stripes of seed/moss stitch (alternating between knit and purl stitches) and simple stockinette (alternating between knit and purl rows).

So it’s a nice easy knit which gives surprisingly sophisticated stripes. Using a multicolour yarn makes this extra effective.

Unfortunately the Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie cotton used in the pattern is discontinued, but any medium weight, worsted or aran cotton will work well here. You could also use DK cotton for a lighter, slightly smaller cloth.

Cascade’s Nifty Cotton is quite a close match to the pattern yarn, and comes in a whole rainbow of colours, including stonewashed/marled colours in Nifty Cotton Effects and variegated/multicolours in Nifty Cotton Splash. You should just about get 2 cloths from each skein too.

Download this free 1 page PDF pattern from Yarnspirations below:

Lace Cup Holders (Knit in the Round)

If you’re looking for a quick knit in the round project, how about these cute cup holders?

Great for using up yarn scraps, you only need a small amount of yarn here (25m/yds approx).

They’re also an ideal first lace knitting project. I love making something proper I can use while learning a new technique, and this little project is perfect for that.

Get plenty of practise making this pretty lace pattern which is an easy 3 round repeat. You’ll master your yarn overs, k2tog & ssk in no time!

You can knit this using either a long circular needle (32 inch/80 cm+) with the magic loop technique (see my video tutorial) , or else you can use a set of short double pointed needles (DPNs).

The finished cup holder has a 9 inch (23 cm) circumference, but is stretchy due to the ribbing at the top and bottom and the lace pattern. You can also easily increase the short 3 inch height by adding more lace repeats (in multiples of 3 rounds).

Designed for Red Heart Super Saver acrylic yarn, you can use any medium weight worsted or aran yarn for this. I’d recommend using wool or acrylic here, rather than cotton, so the cup holders will have some elasticity to stay on well.

Download this PDF pattern from Yarnspirations with no login needed.

Plant Pals Pot Cosies

How adorable do these plant pot covers look? Technically you could knit a plain colour one with just 1 skein & they’re too cute to leave out of this round-up!

The pattern includes 2 sizes to fit 3 and 4 inch plant pots. You only need small amounts of each colour, so this is a great project to use up leftover scrap yarn.

The construction is a little unusual here. First you knit a square back and forth in rows for the base of the pot.

Then you switch to knitting in the round with either a circular needle or set of DPNs, picking up stitches all around your square before joining to start knitting a tube for the sides of your pot.

You’ll need safety eyes to get the same look as the pattern, but you could also embroider french knots for the eyes with black yarn instead.

The pattern helpfully shows diagrams of 2 face options so you can get the expression just right.

This pattern is designed for Lily Sugar & Cream cotton, but any worsted or aran yarn should work.

Download this PDF pattern from Yarnspirations with no login needed.

Patons Plant Cosies for Straight Needles

If your style is more sophisticated or you just prefer patterns for straight needles, how about these chic plant pot cosies from Patons instead?

Designed to fit 6 inch plant pots, you knit a wide rectangle and then seam the edges at to turn it into a tube to put over your pot.

This pattern uses an interesting slip stitch pattern to keep you on your toes. You’ll need to know how to do yarn overs & be comfortable knitting them together with another stitch.

The stitch pattern gives a lovely squishy quilted effect which looks real fancy.

But if you’re a beginner an easy knit alternative would be to continue with the simple seed stitch border that the pattern starts with around the top of the pot and knit the entire piece in that instead.

Designed for Paton’s Classic Wool Roving, you could use any chunky or bulky yarn once it has a gauge on the ball band quite close to 15 stitches and 20 rows with 6mm needles.

Download this PDF pattern from Yarnspirations with no login needed.