4 Fun, Free Knitted Photo Frames To Help You Get Creative

Feeling crafty? Want unique frames for your cherished photos? These patterns are just what you need

Do you have a cardboard box or two hanging around your house, plus a whole lot of yarn? 📦🧶

Do you have many, many photos lying in boxes or envelopes, patiently awaiting frames? But you either forget to buy frames or never seem to have extra cash for said frames? 😑💸

Do you find typical photo frames utterly uninspiring? 🥱

If any or all of these conditions occur in your home, you have the perfect conditions with which to try a new sort of knitting project: knitted photo frames!

I was entirely blown away when I discovered knitted photo frame patterns a few years ago. I happened to be searching for a different sort of knitting pattern entirely, but then I saw the “photo frame” category, and I was intrigued.

There weren’t many then, and there aren’t many now, but I think they’re ingenious! Take a look at my favorites for yourself and see if you agree…

1. Cardboard and Yarn Picture Frames

• What you’ll need to make one: A thin cardboard box, like one that holds cereal or crackers; any yarn you want to use (though you’ll probably want to use nothing thinner than DK-weight and nothing thicker than heavy worsted); needles to suit your chosen yarn; tapestry needle; scissors (for cutting the cardboard, so you’ll want heavy-duty ones); ruler; paint and paintbrush; pen or pencil; tape; glue (hot glue works really well); hole-punch (optional)

• Why you’ll want to: This pattern comes with a little tutorial for creating your own frames made out of cardboard, which is then covered with a knitted square or rectangle. It’s part-craft project, part-knitting project, and all fun. (The linked pattern uses stockinette stitch; you can find a seed stitch-based pattern linked here.)

2. Ocean Photo Frame

• What you’ll need to make it: Card stock or a photo frame mat; yarn no heavier than worsted weight in a variety of blues (3 different shades); two double-pointed needles to suit your chosen yarn; glue (again, hot glue works well); scissors (if you’re not using a photo frame mat); paintbrush and paint; shells; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: This is also a cardboard (well, card stock)-and-yarn project. This part-craft project, part-knitting pattern uses primarily I-cords to cover the cardboard. The best part: it’s all put together to create an adorable oceanic theme.

3. Photo Frames

• What you’ll need to make one: Sport- or DK-weight yarn of your choice; US Size 1 or 2 needles; photo that you wish to frame; plastic canvas or cardboard; scissors; tapestry needle (optional); buttons, sewing needle and thread (optional)

• Why you’ll want to: Two things about this pattern make it one of my favorites. 1: this pattern creates an entirely knitted frame — including the back and even a stand! You’ll still need other materials (cardboard or plastic canvas) to stiffen the frames, but the frames themselves are yarn-based. 2: this pattern is designed so that you can actually attach multiple frames together to create a collage effect. So you can create a lovely, themed photo wall with just this pattern!

4. A White Christmas

• What you’ll need to make it: For the entire project as designed, you’ll need the following. Two sheets of plastic canvas, at least 14″ x 22″; 325 yards cream-colored DK weight yarn, plus small amounts of blue, light blue, navy blue, tan, light gray, dark gray, red, black, dark green, and dark brown DK weight yarn; US Size 3, 2.5 and 2 needles; sewing needle and thread (in cream, tan, gray, dark green, and red colors); scissors (for cutting the plastic canvas); beads (optional)

• Why you’ll want to: This is actually a set of patterns designed to create a little 3D Christmas scene, complete with knitted elements of said scene. It’s not really a photo frame per se, although you could simply create the box portion of the project and then place your own photo inside. Conversely, you could create your own little scene; check out the Projects tab in the first White Christmas pattern of the bundle to see how other knitters have done this. Or, if you love the design, go all out and knit every component to design a simply adorable holiday decoration!

Are you as charmed by these frames as I am? If you’re in the mood for a delightful craft project that can make your home brighter or want to make a different sort of gift for friends or family, knitted photo frame patterns can help you make that happen!