How to Share Free Knitting Patterns
How to catalogue and collect your favorite free knitting patterns
Are you swimming in free knitting patterns, but you still want more? Want to be part of a community who shares their patterns and has fun together? Then you're in the same situation as me! I have tons of free knitting patterns for beginners that I no longer use, patterns I've downloaded and never gotten around to, patterns I've found in books and magazines... the list goes on and on!
And yet, I still want more. Call it greed if you want. What can I say -- I have an obsession with free knitting patterns, and I just can't get enough. At one point, my knitting bag had papers flying out of it in every which direction, and my desktop held so many saved patterns my husband almost had a conniption.
Fortunately, I've discovered ways to organize my knitting patterns free of charge -- and to share them with others too. So if you're anything like me, maybe you can profit from my mistakes!
Organizing your free knitting patterns
First things first: you need to set up a file called knitting patterns on your computer. Inside that file, create subfiles with names like socks, blankets, charity -- whatever you tend to download. This might sound obvious, or it might sound completely unnecessary, but if you love to download new patterns, you'll be amazed how fast it can get out of hand.
Second: don't print off a pattern until you're ready to use it. Your computer provides free, safe storage space, so why print off 5,000 patterns and try to find space in your home? Let your hard drive do the work.
Third: create a place for patterns you do print, or those you can't save on your computer (for example, patterns you copy from books or tear out of magazines). Invest in an inexpensive 3 hole punch and a binder with some dividers, and you'll be able to store all of your patterns together. Make sure you create one section of your binder for patterns you've already done but don't want to get rid of.
You may also want to invest in sticky notes or flags to mark favorite projects or those you want to try next.
How to share knitting patterns
There's give and take in everything, and knitting patterns are no exception. If you want great new patterns, find people who share your passion and share knitting patterns together. That could mean an online community, a local knitting circle, or a best friend. Make a plan to find one new pattern each month and send it to each other.
Alternatively, start your own blog -- it's a great way to share knitting patterns and get to know other knitters online!
Don't let your patterns get out of control -- if you're going to download free knitting patterns, try to keep them organized.
