10 Free Knitting Patterns That Are Perfect for the Boys

How do you solve a problem like knitting for a boy? With one of these terrific free knitting patterns

Let’s consider the problem of knitting for boys.

Not baby boys… not men… but boys from the age of, say, 3 to 19.

We all know this is challenging. Baby boys, well, there’s only so much they can do to avoid the hat or booties you know they need. Men are (usually!) old enough to recognize that they need to prevent frostbite with a hat, scarf, and/or mittens.

But boys between those two extremes? Hats, scarves, mittens, and so on are “uncool” or “too tight” or “uncomfortable” or “too girly.”

What’s an intrepid knitter to do?

Here’s what we’re not going to do, especially if we want to knit for charity: give up! The boys-to-men population are often underserved by charity crafting. They really need our needles.

What we are going to do is find some patterns that are so stylish and “cool” that boys will find them hard to resist!

1. Keep Those Heads Warm

Luuk

• What you’ll need to make it: About 190 yards worsted weight yarn (all in one color or in multiple colors); US Size 8 DPNs or circular needle (depending on how you like to knit in the round)

• Why you’ll want to: This fun little hat pattern is available in many sizes, from baby to adult. It’s completely unisex, so you can easily make one for everyone who wants (or needs) a hat. What I especially love about it is that you can easily use leftover yarns; you can make each of the reverse-stockinette “ridges” separate colors!

Strib Hat

• What you’ll need to make it: 125 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 6 and 7 DPNs or circular needles (depending on how you like to knit in the round).

• Why you’ll want to: This attractive hat pattern offers corrugated ribbing and stripes that you can customize in any colors the boy(s) in your life love. (Sports team colors may be especially desirable.)

Lyon Hat

• What you’ll need to make it: 196 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 8 and 10 DPNs or circular needles (depending on how you like to knit in the round); 6 buttons or toggles, about 1-inch; tapestry needle (for sewing on buttons); stitch markers; pom-pom or pom-pom maker (optional)

• Why you’ll want to: This adorable earflap hat is just perfect for a little boy (or a teenaged boy with a childlike sense of fun!). I also love that the earflaps button onto the hat. That means that the boy (or his parents!) can decide whether to keep the earflaps on or not!
  
  (Note: the blog page linked to on the pattern page is no longer in existence, but the Ravelry download still works!)

Need more help knitting for the Y chromosome? Take a look at these articles!

2. Better Handwarmers Than Pockets

Ribbed Fingerless Mitts with Garter Trim and Simply Ribbed Fingerless Mitts

• What you’ll need to make them: 135 yards DK or worsted weight yarn; US Size 6 (Ribbed Fingerless with Garter Trim) or 7 (Simply Ribbed Fingerless) DPNs or circular needles, depending on how you like to knit in the round

• Why you’ll want to: These similar fingerless mitts patterns featuring ribbing and lots of stretch, meaning you can make a pair for just about anyone. They are simple and completely unisex.
  
  (Oh, and in case you’re wondering if boys would really appreciate fingerless mitts, the answer is YES. Every boy I’ve ever known, including those that don’t like wearing mittens, love fingerless mitts!)

Houndstooth Mitts

• What you’ll need to make them: 113 yards worsted weight yarn (for main color) and 86 yards worsted weight yarn (for contrast color); US Sizes 2 and 4 DPNs and circular needles (for Small size) or US Sizes 4 and 6 DPNs and circular needles (for Medium size)

• Why you’ll want to: These are a wonderful choice for boys who enjoy a good snowball fight! They’re also a great choice for a knitter who would like to try charted colorwork. It’s far less complicated than it looks.
  
  (Note: the blog linked on the Ravelry pattern page is no longer in existence, but the pattern can still be downloaded from Ravelry.)

3. Boys’ Necks Need to Keep Warm, Too

Tweedy Eyelet Scarf

• What you’ll need to make it: 144 to 288 yards of bulky weight yarn (depending on whether you wish to make a shorter or longer scarf); US Size 11 needles

• Why you’ll want to: Don’t let the term “eyelet” scare you away; the eyelets in this scarf add visual interest (and make the knitting enjoyable) but don’t look lacy or fussy at all.

Dad Style Bias Knit Tie Pattern

• What you’ll need to make it: 168 yards DK weight yarn; US Size 2 needles

• Why you’ll want to: This sweet tie, with its diagonal knitting pattern, looks just like one Dad would wear. It’s perfect for the boy who wants to look just like his father!

Diagonal Garter Stitch Scarf

• What you’ll need to make it: 400 yards fingering weight, 300 yards worsted weight, or 200 yards bulky weight yarn; US Size 4, 7, or 10 needles (depending on whether you’re using fingering, worsted, or bulky weight yarn)

• Why you’ll want to: This scarf couldn’t be simpler, but thanks to the diagonal construction, it isn’t at all boring to knit!

Railyard Scarf

• What you’ll need to make it: 350 yards fingering weight yarn; US Size 6 needles

• Why you’ll want to: What boy doesn’t love trains? And what boy wouldn’t love a scarf with a stitch pattern that resembles train tracks? I adore the story of this scarf, in which the designer mentioned that when she began to knit this for one small boy, his older brother immediately wanted one for himself. Now that’s a legitimately boy-desired scarf!

It’s never going to be easy to knit for boys. But with these fabulous free patterns, you’ll stand a fighting chance of having your creations worn and enjoyed!