Knit one of the best-known fairy tales with this vintage Little Red Riding Hood knitting pattern, originally published in the Australian Woman’s Weekly on 17 May 1972. The pattern includes three of the story’s most recognizable characters — Little Red Riding Hood, Grandma and the Big Bad Wolf — making it a particularly fun vintage toy pattern for anyone who enjoys knitting dolls and storybook characters. And, of course, Little Red’s wonderful red hooded cape is the detail that really makes the finished set instantly recognizable.
- Pattern type: Knitted toys / dolls
- Characters included: Little Red Riding Hood, Grandma and the Big Bad Wolf
- Era: 1970s
- Original publication: Australian Woman’s Weekly
- Original publication date: 17 May 1972
- Style: Vintage fairy tale knitted toys
🧶 Yarn pick: With a vintage pattern like this, don’t worry if the original yarn is no longer available. Use the yarn weight and tension specified in the original instructions to find a suitable modern substitute. For knitted dolls and stuffed toys, I prefer a yarn with good stitch definition that creates a reasonably firm fabric so the stuffing doesn’t show between the stitches. Little Red’s cape is the place where the color really matters — choose a strong classic red to preserve that unmistakable storybook appearance
A Classic 1970s Knitted Toy Pattern
This isn’t a modern interpretation of Little Red Riding Hood.
The pattern dates from 1972, giving the finished characters the distinctive appearance of traditional vintage knitted dolls.
That’s part of its appeal.
Vintage toy patterns often use different proportions, construction methods and finishing details from the small knitted and crocheted characters that are popular today. If you collect old knitting patterns, this is a lovely example of how familiar children’s characters were interpreted more than 50 years ago.
Three Little Red Riding Hood Characters to Knit
The pattern gives you the three characters that really define the story.
Little Red Riding Hood
Naturally, Little Red is the star of the set.
Her red clothing immediately identifies the character, and this is where choosing a beautiful rich red yarn can make a big difference to the finished toy.
Grandma
Grandma makes the set much more interesting than knitting Little Red alone.
She also gives you another traditional doll to make, with her appearance and clothing distinguishing her from Little Red.
The Big Bad Wolf
And a Little Red Riding Hood collection wouldn’t be complete without the Wolf.
Including him turns the project from a pair of knitted dolls into a recognizable fairy tale scene.
A Knitting Pattern Made for Storytelling
One of the nicest things about knitting fairy tale characters is that the finished toys have a purpose beyond simply being displayed.
Little Red, Grandma and the Wolf can be used while reading the story, allowing children to act out different scenes and recognize the characters as they appear.
It could make a particularly thoughtful handmade gift when paired with a beautifully illustrated copy of Little Red Riding Hood.
Choosing Modern Yarn for a Vintage Pattern
Finding an old knitting pattern is often easier than finding the yarn it originally used.
Fortunately, you generally don’t need to track down the exact vintage yarn.
Instead, use the original pattern information to compare:
- yarn weight
- tension or gauge
- recommended needle size
- fibre content
- yardage
Gauge is particularly useful when substituting yarn because two yarns described by similar weight names aren’t necessarily identical.
For stuffed toys, also look closely at the resulting fabric. You want the knitting to be dense enough to contain the stuffing without obvious gaps.
Vintage Little Red Riding Hood vs the New Finger Puppet Set
If you love Little Red Riding Hood, there are now two very different free versions to discover on Knitting Bee.
This 1972 pattern is the choice for knitters who love the character and styling of genuine vintage knitted toys.
For something much smaller, have a look at our free Little Red Riding Hood finger puppet knitting pattern. That modern set by Sachiyo Ishii includes Little Red, Grandma, the Huntsman, Wolf and Squirrel, with the finished finger puppets measuring only around 8 cm.
They’re based on the same fairy tale but make completely different knitting projects.
More Fairy Tale Knitting Patterns
Little Red Riding Hood can also become part of a larger collection of knitted storybook characters.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears is another wonderful vintage choice, with a pattern dating from 1966.
You can also knit The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf for another complete set of recognizable storybook characters.
Together, these patterns are a lovely way to build a collection of knitted toys inspired by traditional children’s stories.
Similar Knitting Patterns
- Free Little Red Riding Hood Finger
- Free Three Little Pigs Knitting Pattern
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears Knitting Pattern
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free Little Red Riding Hood knitting pattern?
Yes. This vintage pattern includes Little Red Riding Hood together with Grandma and the Big Bad Wolf.
When was this Little Red Riding Hood knitting pattern published?
The pattern dates from 17 May 1972 and was originally published in the Australian Woman’s Weekly.
Is the Big Bad Wolf included?
Yes. The Big Bad Wolf is included along with Little Red Riding Hood and Grandma.
Is Grandma included in the knitting pattern?
Yes. All three main characters — Little Red, Grandma and the Wolf — are included.
Is this a vintage knitting pattern?
Yes. As a genuine pattern from 1972, it is now more than 50 years old.
Can I use modern yarn for a 1970s knitting pattern?
Yes. If the original yarn is unavailable, look for a modern substitute that matches the original yarn weight and, more importantly, allows you to achieve a similar tension.
Is there another Little Red Riding Hood knitting pattern on Knitting Bee?
Yes. Knitting Bee also has a modern Little Red Riding Hood finger puppet knitting pattern featuring five characters: Little Red, Grandma, the Huntsman, Wolf and Squirrel.
What other fairy tale knitting patterns can I find?
If you enjoy knitting storybook characters, try Goldilocks and the Three Bears or The Three Little Pigs and Big Bad Wolf next.
Where can I get the free vintage pattern?
Use the free pattern link near the top of this page to access the original 1972 Little Red Riding Hood knitting pattern for Little Red, Grandma and the Big Bad Wolf.