Patons Knitting Patterns

Patons knitting patterns, old favourites and current designs

Patons is one of those names that turns up in every inherited knitting bag. Generations of British and North American knitters learned on their leaflets, and the house style is still recognisable: clear written instructions, sensible construction, and garments designed to be worn rather than photographed. This collection gathers Patons knitting patterns across babywear, children's knits, adult jumpers and cardigans, blankets, homeware and accessories, with a large number available as free downloads in PDF form.

What the range covers

Baby knits are the best-loved part, and the reason many people arrive here: matinee jackets, pram sets, shawls, bonnets, cardigans in 4 ply and DK, and christening pieces that have barely changed in decades because they did not need to. Beyond those sit family jumpers and cardigans in aran and chunky, tank tops, hats and scarves, toys, and blankets from simple garter squares to textured afghans. Patterns are written for Patons yarns, with the shade name and quantity specified, but the yarn weight and tension are always given so substitution is straightforward.

Working from older Patons patterns

Vintage leaflets are a joy, but they carry a few habits worth knowing about.

• Discontinued yarns: match the weight and, more importantly, the stated tension rather than hunting for the exact yarn. Fibre content is given, so a similar wool or wool blend will behave much the same.
• Tighter gauges: older patterns often assume a firmer tension than most knitters work today. Swatch honestly and drop a needle size if you need to.
• Smaller sizing: a 1970s size 36 is not a modern size 36. Ignore the label and work to the finished chest measurement, comparing it to a jumper you already own.
• Old terminology: you may meet needle sizes in the old UK numbering, where a No.8 is 4mm and a No.10 is 3.25mm, and instructions such as "wool forward" for a yarn over.
• Imperial measurements: many give inches only; keep a conversion to hand rather than estimating.

Yarn weights and needles

Patons patterns span 4 ply through to chunky. Babywear is usually 4 ply on 3mm to 3.25mm or DK on 4mm; family jumpers are typically DK or aran on 4mm to 5mm; blankets and quick winter knits use chunky on 6mm or larger. Quantities are always listed by size, and it is worth buying the largest size's quantity if you plan to lengthen sleeves or the body, which is the most common alteration knitters make to these designs.

Techniques you will meet

The Patons house style favours pieces knitted flat and seamed: back, fronts, two sleeves, then mattress stitch up the sides and a picked-up neckband. That construction is unfashionable next to seamless top-down knitting, but it produces a garment with structure that holds its shape for years, and the seams stop a heavy cardigan dropping. You will also meet simple cables, moss and double moss stitch, eyelet lace on baby yokes, and set-in sleeves. If seaming is new, practise on the sleeve seams first, where any wobble is least visible.

Downloading and printing

Each design downloads as a PDF into your account library, where it stays permanently, so an out-of-print leaflet you found here can be re-printed whenever the original gets lost. Print rather than read from a screen if the pattern has long row-by-row instructions, and tick off rows in pencil; these patterns pre-date charts and rely on written repeats.

Care and finishing

Block pieces before seaming, not after, which makes edges behave. Baby garments in superwash or acrylic can be machine washed cool; wool blends should be hand washed and dried flat. Sew buttons on with the same yarn split into finer plies, or with matching thread if the yarn is bulky.

Questions makers ask

Can I download old Patons knitting patterns free? Several archive designs are available as free PDFs. Use the free filter to see which.

Are Patons baby knitting patterns included? Yes, and they are one of the strongest parts of the range. Pair them with more free baby knitting patterns for a full set.

What if the yarn named in the pattern no longer exists? Match the weight and tension with a current yarn of similar fibre, then knit a swatch to confirm.

Do these patterns use UK or US terms? Both appear across the range depending on where the design was published; each PDF states its abbreviations. For another long-standing brand library, see Red Heart yarn patterns.