Using Ravelry
Author: Crochetly · Last updated: May 16, 2026
Sources: Ravelry
Ravelry is the largest online community for crocheters and knitters. Think of it as a social network for yarn enthusiasts, where you can find patterns, track your projects, manage your yarn stash, and connect with other makers. This guide walks through everything you need to get started and get the most out of Ravelry.
How do I create a Ravelry account?
Section titled “How do I create a Ravelry account?”Ravelry offers a free tier and a paid Plus membership. The free account gives you access to most features, while Plus unlocks additional storage and early access to new features.
- Free account: Search patterns, browse yarns, create project pages, join groups, use forums
- Plus membership: More photo storage, ad-free browsing, early feature access
Head to ravelry.com and sign up with your email address. Pick a username, as this will be your public profile name on the site.
How do I navigate Ravelry?
Section titled “How do I navigate Ravelry?”The main navigation runs along the top of the page and includes:
- Patterns: Search and browse the pattern database
- Yarns: Explore yarns by brand, weight, fiber, and color
- People: Find and follow other crocheters
- Forums: Join discussions on hundreds of topics
- Groups: Communities for specific interests, designers, and techniques
- My Notebook: Your personal area for projects, stash, queue, and favorites
Take a few minutes to click around and get familiar with the layout. Everything branches off these core sections.
How do I find patterns on Ravelry?
Section titled “How do I find patterns on Ravelry?”Ravelry’s pattern database is its most popular feature. Millions of patterns are indexed and searchable.
Basic search
Section titled “Basic search”Type keywords into the search bar, like “granny square blanket” or “crochet sweater”, and Ravelry returns matching patterns. Browse results or narrow things down.
Advanced search filters
Section titled “Advanced search filters”Click the “Advanced Search” link to access powerful filters:
| Filter | What it does |
|---|---|
| Craft | Choose crochet, knitting, or both |
| Availability | Free patterns, paid patterns, or both |
| Yarn weight | Lace, fingering, sport, DK, worsted, bulky, super bulky |
| Yardage | Minimum and maximum yarn required |
| Hook size | Filter by crochet hook size |
| Difficulty | Beginner to expert |
| Category | Garments, accessories, home decor, toys, and more |
| Attributes | Seamless, worked in rounds, colorwork, lace, etc. |
Browsing by designer or collection
Section titled “Browsing by designer or collection”Visit designer pages to see all their patterns in one place. Many designers organize patterns into collections, for example “Beginner-Friendly Patterns” or “Holiday Collection.”
How do I save patterns for later?
Section titled “How do I save patterns for later?”Found a pattern but not ready to start? Ravelry gives you two ways to save it:
- Favorites: A simple bookmark of patterns you like
- Queue: Patterns you plan to make. Prioritize and add notes like what yarn you want to use
To add a pattern to either, click the heart or queue icon on the pattern page.
How do I track my projects?
Section titled “How do I track my projects?”Project pages document your makes. Each project page can include:
- Pattern used (linked to the database)
- Yarn used with colorway and dye lot
- Hook size you actually used
- Gauge you achieved
- Start and finish dates
- Notes about modifications or tips
- Photos of your finished object and progress
To create a project, go to a pattern page and click “Add Project” or create one from scratch in My Notebook. Project pages are public by default and help other crocheters see how a pattern works up in different yarns and sizes.
Why should I track projects?
Section titled “Why should I track projects?”Project tracking helps you remember what you made, what yarn and hook you used, and what modifications you made. It also calculates yardage, as Ravelry tracks how much yarn you used across projects, so you know if you have enough leftover for something new.
How do I browse and manage yarn?
Section titled “How do I browse and manage yarn?”The Yarns section lets you browse thousands of yarns by brand, weight, fiber content, and color.
Each yarn page includes:
- Details: Weight, fiber, yardage, care instructions
- Colorways: All available colors with swatch photos
- Projects: What other people have made with this yarn
- Patterns: Patterns that work well with this yarn
- Reviews: Ratings and notes from other crocheters
How do I manage my stash?
Section titled “How do I manage my stash?”Your stash is your personal yarn inventory. Add yarns you own with details like:
- Yarn and colorway
- Quantity (number of skeins)
- Dye lot (important for matching colors)
- Storage location (if you organize by shelf or bin)
- Project assigned to (if you have a specific plan for it)
Stash management helps you shop your own yarn before buying new, which avoids buying duplicates.
What community features does Ravelry offer?
Section titled “What community features does Ravelry offer?”Ravelry has an active community built around forums, groups, and personal connections.
Forums
Section titled “Forums”Forums cover everything from technique help to designer chat to crochet-alongs. Browse by category or search for specific topics.
Groups
Section titled “Groups”Groups are smaller communities within Ravelry. There are groups for:
- Specific techniques like Tunisian crochet or mosaic crochet
- Geographic regions for local meetups
- Designer fan groups
- Crochet-alongs and challenges
- Accessibility and size inclusivity discussions
Join a few groups to find your people. The activity feed keeps you updated on group discussions.
Friends and following
Section titled “Friends and following”Follow designers, friends, and other makers. Their activity, including new projects, forum posts, and pattern releases, appears in your feed.
What tips and tricks should I know?
Section titled “What tips and tricks should I know?”- Search by photo. Not sure what a stitch is called? Upload a photo to the forums and other members will help identify it.
- Yardage calculator. Ravelry tracks yardage across your projects automatically. Use this to know exactly how much yarn you used.
- Mobile browsing. Ravelry works well on mobile browsers. There is no official app, but third-party apps like Ravit and Stash2Go provide mobile-friendly interfaces.
- Library. Organize patterns into custom categories in My Notebook, which is great for sorting by season, recipient, or skill level.
- Pattern shop integration. Many designers sell patterns directly through Ravelry. Purchased patterns are stored in your library for download anytime.