Photo courtesy of the National Park Service
Calling all fiber artists! Did you know the National Park Service offers completely free crochet patterns inspired by our country’s iconic wildlife and landscapes?
Here’s a peek into this crafty corner of the NPS, where ranger-made creations meet creative hands everywhere.
These aren’t just whimsical craft patterns. They’re educational mini-ambassadors. Through fiber art, crafters learn about national species and ecosystems: walleye habitat regulations, beaver’s role as ecosystem engineers, and iconic mountain goats.
If you’re looking for discount supplies, check out these local craft stores.
Let me introduce you to each nature-themed pattern:
National Park Service’s Free Crochet Patterns
Choose from eight wildlife, monument and scenic landscape crochet patterns:
Saguaro Crochet Pattern
Representing Saguaro National Park
Crochet your own symbol of the American Southwest! Did you know a saguaro can reach over 50 feet tall? Create your own mini model and bring the iconic Arizona cactus into your home.
The difficulty level is not listed.
Halibut Crochet Pattern
Representing Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
In honor of the park’s 950 square miles of ocean habitat, Ranger Hailey Burley created a halibut crochet pattern. The halibut is one of more than 200 species of fish that call Glacier Bay in Alaska home.
The difficulty level is easy to medium.
Triops Crochet Pattern
Representing Wupatki National Monument
So, what’s a triops? These small but mighty freshwater crustaceans live in temporary pools of rainwater throughout the world. Their eggs can survive in dry dirt for up to 30 years. In honor of hatching Triops eggs at Wupatki Pueblo in Arizona, you can have a creepy crawler of your very own.
The difficulty level is not listed.
Walleye Crochet Pattern
Representing Voyageurs National Park
Make your very own catch. In Minnesota, Voyageurs National Park protects roughly 84,000 acres of water for aspiring and experienced anglers to reel in a big one. There are 54 fish species, including walleye, in the park. Enjoy this pattern by Ranger Hailey Burley.
The difficulty level is easy to medium.
Beaver Crochet Pattern
Representing Great Falls Park
Make your own ecosystem engineer. Beavers play an important role building healthy homes for several creatures. Dams constructed by beavers create marshes and wetlands, pulling toxins and pollutants out of the air and water. Celebrate one of nature’s most incredible creatures with this pattern by Ranger Cody Lopez.
The difficulty level is beginner to intermediate.
Mountain Goat Crochet Pattern
Representing Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Mountain goats were a staple for tribal members in the Glacier Bay region of Alaska. Today, tribal members are permitted to gather wool along the cliffs where the wild goats roam. In creation stories, they serve as intermediaries between earth and sky. Create your own fluffy goat with this pattern by Ranger Hailey Burley.
The difficulty level is intermediate.
Get the mountain goat pattern.
Ocracoke Lighthouse Crochet Pattern
Presenting Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Located on Ocracoke Island in North Carolina, the 75-foot-tall Ocracoke Lighthouse guides mariners through the challenging Ocracoke Inlet. Using this pattern, you can crochet your very own 200-year-old lighthouse. The pattern was created by Megan Lapp.
The difficulty level is not listed.
Get the Ocracoke Lighthouse pattern.
Lava Flow Crochet Pillow
Representing El Malpais National Monument
This special pillow resembles the rough and blocky texture that represents different parts of the lava flows found at this New Mexico monument. Here’s how you can make your own pillowy basalt.
The difficulty level is medium to moderate.
For more information, visit the National Park Service’s website.
Want more Portland freebies, events and deals? Subscribe to my newsletter (only one email a day), and follow me on Facebook and Instagram!
You may also like:
Portland Living on the Cheap is a member of 
[…] Want to bring a National Park keepsake home? Check out these free NPS crochet patterns. […]