Extra Pocket Knitting Patterns: The Complete Guide to Adding Functional Style to Your Projects
There is something deeply satisfying about finishing a knitted garment and realizing it has exactly what you need right where you need it. Extra pockets are one of those additions that transform a piece from simply beautiful to genuinely useful, and the knitting community has fallen deeply in love with the art of incorporating them. Whether you are working on a cardigan, a coat, a bag, a pair of trousers, or even a hat, adding an extra pocket through clever knitting techniques can elevate your project in ways that buttons and buttons and colorwork simply cannot match. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about extra pocket knitting patterns, from the fundamental construction methods to advanced design ideas, yarn choices, and finishing tips that will make your pockets as polished as the rest of your work.
Why Knitters Are Obsessed with Extra Pockets
The conversation around pockets in fashion has never been louder. Sewists, knitters, and crocheters alike have taken the matter into their own hands — literally — because the fashion industry has historically underserved people who want functional clothing. Knitting your own garments puts you in complete control, and extra pocket knitting patterns are one of the most searched and beloved categories in the craft community for a very good reason. You get to decide how big the opening is, how deep the pocket sits, whether it is hidden within a seam or displayed proudly as a design element, and what lining, if any, supports the structure.
Beyond functionality, extra pockets add visual interest. A patch pocket in a contrasting color becomes a focal point. A hidden side-seam pocket creates a sleek silhouette. An oversized kangaroo pocket on a pullover gives a casual, cozy vibe. The versatility of pocket construction in knitting is enormous, and once you learn the foundational techniques, you will find yourself adding pockets to nearly everything you make.
Understanding the Types of Pocket Construction in Knitting
Before diving into specific extra pocket knitting patterns, it helps to understand the main categories of pocket construction. Each has its own set of advantages and works better in certain garment types.
Patch Pockets are the most beginner-friendly option. You knit a separate rectangle or shaped piece, then seam or pick up stitches to attach it to the surface of the finished garment. They sit on the outside of the fabric, making them highly visible and an excellent design opportunity. You can add a flap, a button, or a decorative edging to make the pocket feel intentional and refined.
Inset or Set-In Pockets involve planning ahead. You work a pocket lining separately, then when you reach the pocket opening in your main piece, you place the main stitches on a holder and work across the lining stitches instead. The result is a pocket that appears to be integrated seamlessly into the fabric, with the opening visible but the depth hidden inside the garment. These take more planning but look incredibly polished.
Side-Seam Pockets are knit as extensions of the front and back panels of a garment. When you seam the sides together, you leave a gap at the appropriate height and the pocket forms naturally within the seam. This style is particularly popular in cardigans, coats, and pullovers because the pocket is nearly invisible from the outside.
Kangaroo or Pouch Pockets appear across the front of a garment and are knit as part of the main body or attached as a large patch. They are common in hoodies and casual pullovers, offering maximum storage with a relaxed aesthetic.
Welt Pockets are more architectural and common in tailored knitting. The opening is created with a structured flap that lies flat against the garment, and the pocket bag hangs behind. These require precision and usually involve short rows or a carefully worked opening, but the result looks refined and professional.
Extra Pocket Knitting Patterns for Cardigans
Cardigans are natural candidates for extra pockets, and many designers now include pocket options as part of their patterns or offer them as add-ons. If you are working from a pattern that does not include pockets, adding them is usually straightforward.
For an inset pocket on a cardigan front, you will generally want to place the opening somewhere between 4 and 8 inches from the bottom hem, depending on the garment’s length and your personal preference. Knit your pocket lining first in a smooth, finer-weight yarn that will not add bulk. A standard lining is about 4 to 5 inches wide and 5 to 6 inches deep. When you reach the pocket placement row on your front panel, knit to the beginning of the pocket opening, place the next set of stitches (matching the width of your lining) on a holder or waste yarn, then knit across the lining stitches instead. Continue as normal, and when the garment is complete, pick up stitches around the opening for a neat edging in ribbing or seed stitch.
Adding two inset pockets to a cardigan in this way can be done entirely with the existing stitch counts — you simply swap stitches for lining stitches and carry on. The pocket linings are then seamed to the wrong side of the work once finishing begins.
For a more decorative look, patch pockets with flaps and buttons suit cardigans beautifully. Knit the pocket body as a rectangle in the same stitch pattern as the main garment, then knit a slightly wider flap that folds down over the top edge. Sew the pocket to the cardigan front with a mattress stitch along the sides and bottom, then attach the flap above it and add a button for closure. This style works especially well in tweed or textured yarns and gives a heritage, countryside feel to the finished garment.
Extra Pocket Knitting Patterns for Pullovers and Sweaters
Pullovers are slightly less commonly designed with pockets, which makes adding an extra pocket feel like a particularly personal customization. The kangaroo-style pouch pocket is the most natural choice for pullovers because it does not require any changes to seaming and can be added during or after construction.
To add a knitted kangaroo pocket, you can work it as part of the front panel using a held-stitch technique. Mark the pocket position on your schematic — typically centered on the front, beginning a few inches above the hem ribbing. When you reach the starting row of the pocket, increase out to the pocket width (adding stitches on each side), work the pocket section in a simple stockinette or complementary texture for the desired depth, then decrease back down to your original stitch count and rejoin the work. The extra fabric forms a natural pouch.
Alternatively, knit the pocket separately as a wide, shallow rectangle and seam only the bottom edge and sides to the front of the sweater, leaving the top open. Pick up stitches along the top for a ribbed or garter edging and you have a clean, functional pouch that feels like it was always meant to be there.
Hidden horizontal pockets can also be worked into the body of a pullover. If your sweater has a long enough body, you can work a pocket opening on the left and right sides near the hip by leaving a gap in the side seams and picking up stitches inside to create depth. This takes planning but works beautifully in oversized sweaters where you want a relaxed, hands-in-pocket kind of feel.
Extra Pocket Knitting Patterns for Bags and Accessories
Bags are perhaps where extra pocket patterns get the most creative and the most useful simultaneously. A knitted tote or market bag becomes significantly more functional with an internal or external divided pocket section, and the construction is often simpler than adding pockets to garments.
For an external patch pocket on a bag, knit a rectangle to your desired dimensions and seam it along three sides to the front or back panel. You can add structure with a row of eyelets at the top and thread a cord or I-cord through for a drawstring closure. Color blocking is particularly effective here — a contrasting pocket color makes a bold design statement.
Internal pockets for bags require a bit of lining work. If you are lining your knitted bag with fabric (which is highly recommended for any bag that will carry heavy items or liquids), you can simply sew a fabric pocket to the lining before attaching it to the knitted shell. This gives you a sturdy, non-stretchy pocket for items like keys and phones that you do not want shifting around in the bottom.
Knitted pouches with zipper or button closures also function as standalone extra-pocket accessories. A small knitted pouch that attaches to the outside of a larger bag with a clip or carabiner is infinitely practical and a wonderful quick project between larger knits. These small extra pocket knitting patterns are also ideal for gifts, since they can be completed in an evening or weekend and customized endlessly in terms of color, texture, and closure.
Tips for Planning Extra Pocket Placement and Sizing
Placement and sizing are two areas where knitters often second-guess themselves, but a few simple guidelines will keep you on track. For garment pockets, always try on the work in progress or measure it against a comparable garment you own and love. Hold your hand against the fabric where you envision the pocket opening and check whether the placement feels natural when your arm is at your side. The opening should fall near the base of your thumb or slightly higher, and it should be wide enough for your hand to enter comfortably — generally at least 4 inches across for most adults.
Depth matters too. A pocket that is only 3 inches deep is frustrating because items fall out when you bend over. Aim for at least 5 to 6 inches of depth, or 7 inches if you want to store bulkier items comfortably.
When adapting an existing pattern to include extra pockets, always swatch not just for gauge but for the fabric’s stretch and drape. A pocket in a very stretchy fabric will stretch and gap open at inopportune moments. You can counteract this by picking up fewer stitches along the pocket opening than you might expect — working at a slightly tighter gauge for the pocket edging helps it lay flat and hold its shape.
Yarn Choices for Pocket Knitting
Not all yarns are equally suited for pockets, and choosing wisely will make a significant difference in the final result. For garment pockets that will experience regular use — hands going in and out repeatedly — durability matters. Yarns with some nylon content, such as sock yarn blends, hold up extremely well to friction. Pure merino is luxurious but can develop holes at stress points like pocket corners with repeated use. A wool-nylon blend gives you softness with resilience.
For pocket linings, using a finer yarn in a smooth fiber like a fingering-weight merino or cotton blend reduces bulk inside the garment and prevents the pocket from creating an obvious ridge on the right side. The lining does not need to match the main yarn — in fact, it is often better if it does not, saving your nicer or thicker yarn for the visible parts of the project.
For decorative patch pockets meant to stand out, this is your chance to use that special skein you have been hoarding. A beautiful hand-dyed single skein in a complementary colorway makes a patch pocket feel like a miniature work of art.
Finishing Your Knitted Pockets Like a Pro
The finishing phase is where many knitted pockets succeed or fail. Even a well-constructed pocket can look amateurish if the edging is sloppy or the attachment is uneven. Take your time with this step.
For pocket openings, always pick up stitches rather than leaving a raw edge, even if your stitch pattern is one that does not unravel. Ribbing is the classic pocket edging because it adds elasticity and keeps the opening from gaping. A single row of garter stitch or a few rounds of seed stitch also work well and can feel more refined in certain designs. If you are working a pocket opening horizontally, pick up one stitch per stitch. For vertical openings, pick up approximately three stitches for every four rows to avoid puckering.
At the corners of any pocket opening, reinforce the stress points by weaving in tails carefully and, if needed, adding a small whipstitch or bartack with a tapestry needle. These corners take the most strain and a little extra reinforcement goes a long way toward longevity.
When seaming a patch pocket to a garment, use mattress stitch along the sides and bottom with a matching yarn. Work with a gentle tension — too tight and the fabric puckers, too loose and the seam is sloppy. Step back and check your work frequently against the garment’s grid of stitches to keep everything straight.
Finding and Adapting Extra Pocket Knitting Patterns
The good news is that the knitting pattern world is full of resources for extra pocket construction. Platforms like Ravelry allow you to search specifically for patterns with pockets, filter by garment type, and read project notes from other knitters who have modified patterns to include them. Many independent designers publish free add-on pocket tutorials alongside their main patterns, recognizing how in-demand this feature is.
If you are working from a vintage pattern or a design that predates the pocket revolution in modern knitting, adding your own pocket is entirely achievable with the knowledge in this guide. Calculate the stitch count for your pocket width based on your gauge, mark your placement, and follow the inset or patch construction method that suits the garment’s style. Do not be afraid to swatch the pocket in isolation to test your construction before committing to the main work.
Knitting communities on social media and forums are also wonderfully generous with their knowledge. If you are adapting a specific pattern and hit a snag, posting your question with a photo of the pattern will almost always bring experienced advice quickly.
A Final Word on the Joy of Extra Pockets
Adding an extra pocket to a knitted garment or accessory is one of those small decisions that pays dividends every single time you wear or use the piece. It is practical, it is personal, and it is a testament to the power of making your own things. You are not subject to the decisions of a manufacturer or a trend cycle. You are the designer, the maker, and the ultimate judge of what your creation needs — and if it needs another pocket, then another pocket is exactly what it will get.
The extra pocket knitting patterns and techniques outlined in this guide give you a solid foundation to build from, whether you are a beginner working your first patch pocket onto a simple project or an experienced knitter engineering a hidden welt pocket into a tailored coat. Keep swatching, keep experimenting, and keep putting pockets on everything. The world — and your wardrobe — will be better for it.
