Paintbox Yarns Free Crochet Patterns

Free patterns, matched to the yarn

Paintbox Yarns exists to make crochet affordable and the patterns follow the same logic: they are free, they are written for Paintbox's own qualities, and the shade names in the pattern are the shade names on the ball. That removes two of the usual obstacles. You do not have to convert tension between brands, and you do not have to guess which of a hundred colours the sample used. The collection covers blankets, cushions and home pieces, summer tops and cardigans, bags and baskets, amigurumi toys, hats, scarves and baby items.

Choosing across the Paintbox range

• Cotton DK and aran: the natural pick for summer tops, market bags, dishcloths and crisp amigurumi where you want no gaps.
• Simply DK and aran acrylic: washable, light and inexpensive, which is what makes big blankets realistic.
• Wool blends: warmer accessories and garments with more spring in the fabric.
• Chunky and super chunky: fast throws, baskets and cushions.

Colour, which is the whole point

The Paintbox palette is deliberately broad and consistent across weights, so you can plan a colour scheme properly instead of settling for what happens to exist. For blankets, choose three or four shades in the same tonal family plus one contrast, and lay the balls together in daylight before you commit; artificial light flatters some shades and flattens others. For a granny square blanket, a single unifying colour used for the final round of every square pulls a wild mix of centres into something coherent. For amigurumi, keep the skin shade and the garment shades in contrast so the features read from a distance.

Hooks and tension

Each pattern states the hook size and tension for the Paintbox quality it uses. Swatch anyway, since crochet tension varies a lot between hookers, and adjust the hook rather than trying to change your natural tension. For amigurumi, deliberately drop a size or two below the recommendation so the fabric is dense enough to hide the stuffing. For garments, go the other way if your swatch feels boardy, because a supple fabric drapes better on the body.

Working a big blanket without losing heart

Blankets are where the free patterns get most use, and the practical advice is the same each time. Buy the whole quantity up front in one dye lot. Weave in ends as you go rather than facing four hundred of them at the end. Count your stitches at the end of every few rows, since a blanket that gradually widens or narrows is very hard to correct later. Work a firm border round of double crochet at the end to straighten the edges.

Finishing and care

Block cotton and wool pieces wet, pinned to shape; acrylic can be steamed carefully at a distance, never pressed directly. Most Paintbox cottons and acrylics take a cool machine wash, which is exactly why they suit blankets and children's makes. Dry flat and reshape while damp. Check the individual ball band before washing anything containing wool.

Paintbox crochet questions

Are all Paintbox Yarns patterns free? Yes, the Paintbox pattern range is free to download as PDFs.

Do I have to use Paintbox yarn? No, but the tension and colours in the pattern refer to Paintbox qualities, so substituting means swatching first.

Which Paintbox yarn is best for a summer top? A cotton quality in DK or aran, worked in an open stitch for breathability.

What should I use for amigurumi? Cotton DK with a smaller hook than the ball band suggests, so the stuffing cannot show through.

How much yarn does a blanket take? Follow the metreage in the pattern for your chosen size, and buy it all in one dye lot.