Easy Knitting Patterns

This Garter Stitch Scarf is the perfect first knitting pattern because all you have to know to complete it is how to cast on, knit and bind off. The bulky yarn makes it a really quick project, too, which is super-satisfying for a new knitter

Once you know how to purl you can easily work up patterns in Stockinette Stitch and other basic stitch patterns. This Stockinette Stitch Washcloth has a simple Seed Stitch border, or you can just work the edge stitches in Garter Stitch for an even easier project that's still completely cute and useful.

Once you've knit a few projects holding just one strand of yarn, it's fun to see how different colors of yarn interact when you hold them together to knit. This Favorite Color Scarf uses four different colors of yarn held together and is worked on giant -- size 50 US! -- knitting needles, making fast work of a big project.

Lots of hat patterns are knit in the round, which is a skill beginning knitters lack. If you're not ready to tackle circular knitting but you'd still like to knit yourself a funky hat, try this Flat Hat pattern. It's just a rectangle of knitting sewn up the side and gathered at the top to make a hat shape.

Ribbing is one of the most basic knitting stitch patterns out there, and you'll get a lot of practice switching between knits and purls when you knit up this simple rectangular Ribbed Wrap. Use any slightly fancy yarn you like to get big impact out of an easy stitch.

Once you're ready to try a slightly more complicated stitch pattern, consider the Linen Stitch Belt. Linen Stitch is a really cool textured pattern made by slipping stitches with the yarn at the front of the work so that you see the yarn carries on the finished fabric. It's a subtle pattern that will look great with any of your outfits.

Broken Rib is actually even easier than standard ribbing because you're forming the "rib" only on every other row (the other row is straight knitting). But the effect is really cool, and it looks great on a useful little project like this Borken Rib Washcloth.

Fleck Stitch is another easy stitch pattern for newer knitters, and this purse is simply a big rectangle folded over and sewn into a bag shape. This is a good skill-building project, too, because it involves the mattress stitch method of seaming and an I-cord strap.

Moss Stitch is one of my favorite easy knitting stitch patterns, and it's used to great effect on either plain or multicolored yarns. This Moss Stitch Lap Afghan can be worked to any size you like, just remember you'll need more yarn if you want to make yours bigger.

If you're ready to try knitting in the round, this Basic Hat by Eileen Casey is a goof first circular knitting project. The base is several inches of ribbing, but the remainder of the hat is Stockinette Stitch, which is all knitting when worked in the round. Simple decreases shape the top of the hat.