68 Christmas knits to cast on now

Ready to cast on for Christmas but not sure what to knit? We can help! We've brought you 50+ Free Christmas decoration crochet patterns so thought we'd better do a version for all you knitters out there too… Here's 68 of our fave free Christmas knitting patterns to keep your needles clacking this season.

Whether you're looking for little gift ideas for family and friends or cute and quirky decorations for your home, there's something in our list to fit. We'll also help you stay cosy all winter with hand-knitted hats, mittens and socks – all with a festive theme of course!

Keep scrolling to find your next festive pattern and check out our Christmas crafts collection for more inspo. And if that's not enough, make sure you sign up to our newsletter to receive a free digital magazine packed with 56 Christmas craft projects!

Knitted Christmas cards

Choose from a tree, snowman or baubles and put those scraps of yarn in your stash to good use! Embellish with sequins for some extra festive sparkle. Cast on your knitted Christmas card pattern.

Christmas wreath knitting pattern

Doesn't this look just like a real wreath? Even better, it'll last for many Christmases to come! Go for a traditional feel or jazz it up with bright bows and pompoms for a modern look. Start knitting your Christmas wreath knitting pattern.

Santa hat for kids

Little ones will love this cosy Santa hat – so much so they may still be wearing it in January! The loopy stitch is easy to work, so give it a go today. Start making our knitted Christmas hat: Santa hat knitting pattern.

Knitted Christmas tree decorations

A Christmas classic, these vintage-style red and white decorations will look beautiful on your tree. Make a couple extra as a thoughtful gift for someone special. Dive in and start making our knitted Christmas decorations (and buy the full set of patterns here).

Cute Christmas pudding hat

Just the ticket for adorable family photos, this scrumptious hat comes in child and adult sizes so you can make one for everyone! Head to our free Christmas pudding hat knitting pattern to cast on today.

Sparkly star knitting pattern

Trust us, you won't be able to stop at just one of these little stars! Why not knit a handful and turn them into pretty bunting? Get started tonight with our star knitting pattern.

Colourwork snowflake mittens

Snuggle up in these stylish mittens on chilly winter days. Ideal for colourwork beginners, they'll show off a special yarn to perfection. Knit up a snowstorm with our free snowflake mittens knitting pattern.

Knitted treats for Santa

Leave out some knitted treats for Santa and Rudolph with Amanda Berry's free pattern.

Knitted snowflake jumper

Yarn experts Bernat have this gorgeous, free snowflake jumper pattern on LoveCrafts.

Knitted mini stockings

Little Cotton Rabbits' mini knitted stockings are so adorable. Fill them with tiny sweets or maybe tiny presents for a Christmas mouse…

Mini knitted gnomes

Continuing with our mini free Christmas knitting patterns we've got Jenni Propst's tiny knitted gnomes.

Christmas tree knitted socks

Renee Kies' free Christmas knitting pattern will keep you toasty all December long.

Knitted snowman hat

Little Red Window's knitted snowman hat is designed for kids, but you could definitely scale up the pattern to make a matching pair. Snowman twins!

Cheerful knitted penguin pal

Yarnspirations' knitted penguin is complete with a candy cane belly and bright red scarf. Have you ever seen a more festive penguin?

Mini knitted wreath ornament

Stellas Yarn Universe is full of free Christmas knitting patterns, including the tutorial for this mini plaited wreath.

Knitted Santa hat

Cascade Yarns have kindly given you the free PDF for this gorgeous Santa hat here.

Knitted mittens

Red Heart Yarn's knitted mitten pairs are so adorable, and can be made in whatever festive colours you like.

Knitted Christmas tree garland

Knit some mini trees to go around your big tree for the ultimate Christmas display! Gina Michele's pattern is a great one for knitting beginners.

Knitted Santa basket

Yarnspirations are back with another fab free Christmas knitting pattern. Use their tutorial to knit up this Santa basket and get him ready to be brimming with presents.

Knitted soldier

You need someone to guard your tree so knit up Just Jen's little soldier.

Christmas knitted hearts

Knitting by Post's knitted hearts can be used to decorate your tree and then brought back out for Valentine's Day.

Tiny elf

Knit your own mini elf on the shelf using Susan B. Anderson's pattern for this guy.

Christmas stocking

DROPS Designs' traditional knitted stocking design is definitely going to be hanging on the ends of our beds this Christmas.

Knitted Christmas sprouts

We love Amanda Berry's free Christmas knitting patterns so much that we've featured another one. Knit this adorable little sprout since sprouts are a Christmas essential, right?

Colourful Christmas star tree

Frankie Brown's colourful Christmas stars can be stacked to make this rather colourful alternative tree.

Mini knitted polar bears

These mini knitted polar bears are from the book Mini Knitted Safari by Sachiyo Ishii, and you can find the pattern here.

Tiny Christmas jumpers…

We love Miriam L. Felton's tiny Christmas jumpers so much that we want to make big versions for us to wear.

…and tiny Christmas hats

Need a tiny hat to go with your tiny jumper? Of course you do! We can't resist these from Nancy Ekvall.

Mini Christmas pudding covers

There's a few different mini Christmas pudding tutorials we've found, but we love Apple Tree Crafts' one for its mini beaded holly on top. Pop these covers over some Ferrero Rochers for a Christmassy surprise.

Knitted pup in a stocking

In our 50+ crochet Christmas ornaments blog post we featured Chester the cat so we thought it was only fair we give you a knitted dog in a stocking. Sachiyo Ishii's free tutorial can be found here.

Knitted candy cane

Knit up Ms. Ellaneous' candy canes to hang on your tree or attach to some gifts.

Reindeer bauble

Knit up nine reindeer baubles using Knitting by Post's tutorial so your tree has all of Santa's crew.

Christmassy hot chocolate

What's everyone's fave festive drink? Ours is definitely hot chocolate so we're going to knit Yarnspirations' mini cup and hang it proudly on our tree.

Knitted puppy jumper

Ok, we just had to include Handy Little Me's puppy jumper pattern. If you have a puppy this is a Christmas essential.

Santa's pants

Hang Santa's jolly red trousers on your tree with Cvetulka's free Christmas knitting pattern.

Knitted kings

Nicola Valiji's three knitted kings are the addition your nativity scene needs.

Knitted gingerbread men

Sara Elizabeth Kellner's gingerbread men are an adorable trio of pals that will look fab sticking out of a stocking on Christmas morning.

Knitted bears

Julie at Little Cotton Rabbits has another tutorial on her blog for these teeny tiny teddy bears. These would be great if you have have a teeny tiny tree!

Knitted mice

Marisol the mouse is by Rachel Borello Carroll and her pattern is free on Ravelry.

Fairy mice decorations

Squeak, squeak! Let Alan Dart's fairy mice add some magic to your tree.

Christmas toadstools

Merrin Curley's Christmas toadstool pattern is free to download from her Ravelry store. The Christmas elves need somewhere to sit while they work their magic, after all.

Christmas bell

Debbie McGrath is giving you the free Christmas knitting pattern for this lovely bell.

Christmas jumper wreath

With three Christmas jumper wreath designs to choose from, you're in for a festive treat with Zoe Michel's free tutorials.

Christmas star

Every tree needs a Christmas star so use Cecile Renaud's free pattern to make your own tree topper.

Festive pot holders

This is another free pattern by DROPS Design – what lovely people they are to give you all these gorgeous free knitting patterns.

Christmas parcels

Keep your present on the tree as well as under with Lesley Arnold-Hopkins' tutorial.

Knitted gift tags

Julia Schwartz's knitted luggage gift tags will make a fab addition to people's presents.

Christmassy placemats

Jazz up your placemats this Christmas by knitting Montana Jo's festive versions.

Four calling birds

Make your four calling birds using Sara Elizabeth Kellner's free tutorial.

Knitted advent candle

Frankie Brown's knitted advent candle is a fire-safe way of keeping the tradition of candles on the tree!

Knitted poinsettia

Knit up Kirstie McLeod's poinsettia craft for the ultimate Christmas flower brooch.

Knitted mistletoe

Butterflylove1's mistletoe bouquet will last you all year long so the kisses never stop.

Knitted sweets

Knit Michele Bernstein's colourful sweeties to give your Christmas tree a pop of colour.

Winter wonder mittens

Amy Loberg (FiberWild)'s winter wonderland gloves would make a fab gift, or get you ready for your Boxing Day walk.

Knitted snowflake bunting

Victoria Bee Designs' nordic bunting will look fab in your home all winter long.

Knitted jumper

Next we've got Kate Catchpole's tiny knitted jumper. You've got to show everyone your passion right?

Knitted advent wreath

Count down the days with Monica Fuertes' advent calendar wreath knitting pattern.

Christmas toy collection

How cute are Rebecca Danger's festive toys? We need to make all four!

Knitted Christmas tea cosy

Pour a Christmas cuppa from these fun festive tea cosies by Frankie Brown.

Knitted jar toppers

Prettify home-cooked gifts with these red and white jar toppers from Yarnspirations.

Holly knitted socks

You'll have cosy toes all winter in Anna Lange's 'Happy Hollydays' socks.

Christmas cracker jumper

This jumper is a cracker! Designed by Thomas B Ramsden and shared by Save the Children, it's perfect for wearing on Christmas Jumper Day.

Elf baby hat

Get baby ready for their festive photoshoot with this adorable elf hat by Marianna Mel.

Angel decoration

And another fab design from Monica Fuertes! Make this knitted angel pattern for the top of your tree.

Christmas stocking

Hang a handmade stocking on the fireplace this year with our knitted Christmas stocking pattern from Ann Franklin.

Advent calendar

Get ready for the festive countdown with Julie Ferguson's fab knitted advent calendar with pockets.

We hope you enjoyed our free Christmas knitting patterns round up. If you have a go at making any of these Christmassy projects then tag us in a picture on Instagram and Twitter or post it on our Facebook wall.

Make sure you have all the supplies you need for your Christmas knitting with our guide to 10 of the best knitting needles and 17 of the best knitting bags and organisers. If you have a tiny new arrival to knit for this year, find out how to choose the best yarn for baby blankets and clothes. Plus don't miss our guides to the best vegan yarn and knitting books.