May
Okay So Fun Crochet Patterns Are Actually Easier Than You Think
Look the thing about “fun” patterns is they’re usually just normal patterns with weird shapes or color changes. Like last summer (2024) I made this totally ridiculous watermelon slice pillow and honestly it was just a triangle with some color work. Everyone acted like it was so complicated but really once you get that you can crochet literally any shape if you know where to add and decrease stitches, you’re basically set.
The watermelon thing happened because I was watching too much of that baking show (you know the British one?) and got inspired by all the colors I guess. Used Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red and Minty for that one because I’m not fancy and also it was like 3 bucks a skein at Walmart. The black seeds were just embroidered on after with some random black yarn I had lying around.
Starting With Amigurumi Because It’s The Gateway Drug
So amigurumi is where most people end up when they want “fun” patterns. It’s those little stuffed animals and characters and food items and whatever. The basic concept is you’re working in continuous rounds (no joining, you just spiral) and you’re gonna stuff it with polyfil as you go.
You need to know like maybe 5 stitches total:
- Single crochet (sc) – this is 90% of what you’ll do
- Increases (inc) – just two stitches in the same stitch
- Decreases (dec) – pulling two stitches together so they become one
- Magic ring – to start most pieces
- Slip stitch – for joining or finishing
That’s it. Every single amigurumi pattern uses these in different combinations. A sphere is just: start small, increase until it’s the size you want, work even for a bit, then decrease back down. That’s a head, a body, a ball, whatever.
The Magic Ring Thing That Everyone Struggles With
Okay so magic ring (also called magic circle) is how you start most amigurumi. You make a loop with your yarn, crochet into it (usually 6 sc), then pull the tail to close the hole. There are like a million YouTube videos on this. I probably watched 20 before it clicked because the way people hold their hands in videos never matched what my hands wanted to do.
If you hate it, you can just chain 2 and work 6 sc in the first chain. It leaves a tiny hole but honestly on most projects nobody will ever notice.
Color Changes Are Where It Gets Interesting
This is what makes patterns actually look “fun” instead of just being a blob. You switch colors to make stripes, or patterns, or like facial features on animals.
The trick is to switch colors ON the last pull-through of the stitch before you want the new color. So you’re working a stitch in the old color, but when you do that final yarn over and pull through, you use the new color. Then the next stitch starts clean in the new color.
I made this bee in spring 2022 (during that whole breakup situation, needed something to do with my hands) and the stripes were just alternating yellow and black every 2 rounds. Used Bernat Super Value I think? The yellow and black both. What annoyed me SO MUCH about that project was carrying the colors up the side – like you’re supposed to carry the yarn you’re not using up along the inside so you don’t have a million ends to weave in, but it kept showing through the stitches and looking messy.
Eventually I just cut the yarn each time and dealt with weaving in like 30 ends. Took forever but looked cleaner.
Flat Fun Patterns – Not Everything Needs To Be 3D
You can make coasters, patches, wall hangings, whatever. These are usually worked in rows (back and forth) or in rounds if they’re circular.
Granny squares are the classic here but you can make them into literally anything. I’ve seen people make granny square letters, numbers, shapes. The basic granny square is just: chain 4, join, then do clusters of double crochets with chain spaces between them. Each round adds more clusters.
But like once you understand that concept you can apply it to other shapes. Hexagons, triangles, whatever. The math is different but the idea is the same – clusters and spaces.
Mandala Patterns If You’re Into That
Mandalas are those circular decorative things with lots of detailed rounds. They’re actually pretty meditative to make once you get going. Usually start with a magic ring, then each round adds a different stitch pattern or color.
I made one with Caron Simply Soft (the Pagoda color which is this pretty teal) as the main and then added in some Soft Pink and white. Hung it on the wall for like 6 months before my cat knocked it down and I never bothered putting it back up. It’s in a drawer somewhere now.
The annoying thing about mandalas is keeping track of where rounds start and end. You need a stitch marker or you’ll lose your place constantly. And some patterns have like “work (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next ch-space, ch1, skip 2 sts” repeated 8 times and if you lose count you’re screwed.
Wearables But Make Them Weird
Fun wearables aren’t your grandma’s sweater (unless your grandma was cool I guess). Think:
- Bucket hats with frog eyes on them
- Fingerless gloves with different colors on each finger
- Scarves that look like snakes or dragons
- Crop tops with weird cutouts or color blocking
- Leg warmers that are striped or have texture patterns
The construction is normal – you’re still making a hat or gloves or whatever – but you add the fun elements through color or embellishments.
I made a beanie last winter with bear ears on top. Just a regular beanie pattern (worked in rounds, decreasing at the crown) but then I added two little semicircles folded and sewn on for ears. Used Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Fisherman (the cream color) and everyone kept asking where I bought it. Like no, I made this weird thing myself.
Following Patterns vs Making Stuff Up
Here’s the thing – most “creative” crocheters started by following patterns exactly, then gradually started modifying them, and eventually just winged entire projects.
If you’re following a pattern:
- Read the whole thing first (I never do this but you should)
- Check what stitches are used so you’re not learning mid-project
- Look at the finished size and adjust your hook if needed
- Count your stitches at the end of each row/round especially when learning
- If the pattern says “gauge matters” and you’re making clothing, actually do a gauge swatch
If you’re winging it, you just need to know basic shapes. Spheres, cylinders, cones, flat circles, squares – everything is made from these. Want to make a mushroom? That’s a cone (stem) and a flat circle that curves (cap). Want to make a dinosaur? That’s like… several spheres and cylinders attached together with decreasing and increasing to shape them.
Gauge Doesn’t Matter Until It Does
For amigurumi and most fun projects, gauge honestly doesn’t matter that much. If your mushroom is 3 inches tall instead of 4 inches, who cares? It’s still a mushroom.
But for wearables you gotta at least check. Make a small square (like 4×4 inches) in your pattern stitch and count how many stitches and rows per inch. Compare to the pattern. If you’re way off, change hook size.
I made a cardigan once (spring 2023 I think?) without checking gauge because I was impatient and it ended up like… tent-sized. Could’ve fit two of me in it. Used Bernat Blanket yarn which was probably the wrong choice anyway since it’s so thick, but I didn’t check and just followed the pattern with whatever hook felt right. Disaster.
Embellishments That Make Things More Fun
This is where you take a basic project and make it weird/cute/interesting:
- Safety eyes for amigurumi (they click in and stay put)
- Embroidery for faces or details
- Pom poms on hats or bags
- Tassels on blankets or scarves
- Buttons as decorative elements
- Felt pieces glued or sewn on
- Beads worked into stitches
Safety eyes are addictive once you start using them. They come in different sizes and colors. You poke them through the fabric from the front, then snap the washer on the back. Do this BEFORE stuffing though or you can’t get your hand inside to attach the washer.
I use embroidery for mouths usually because crocheting tiny details is annoying. Just thread a yarn needle with yarn (same or contrasting color) and stitch through the amigurumi. Straight stitch for simple mouths, satin stitch if you want something filled in, French knots for nosy or texture details.
Yarn Choice Actually Matters Sometimes
For amigurumi you want yarn that’s not too splitty and not too fuzzy. Acrylic works great – Red Heart Super Saver, Caron Simply Soft, Bernat Super Value, whatever. Cotton works too if you want something that holds shape really well.
For wearables it depends what you’re making. Cotton is good for summer stuff. Acrylic is warm and cheap. Wool blends are warm and breathe better than acrylic but cost more.
The thing nobody tells you is that fuzzy yarn (like the eyelash stuff or faux fur) is impossible to see your stitches in. I tried making a fluffy teddy bear with some Red Heart Buttercup (the fuzzy kind) and I couldn’t see where to put my hook half the time. Looked cute when done but was frustrating as hell to make.
Hook Size Is Whatever Feels Right
Patterns tell you what hook to use but honestly it depends on your tension. I crochet pretty loose so I usually go down a hook size from what patterns recommend.
For amigurumi you want tight stitches so the stuffing doesn’t show through. Use a smaller hook than the yarn calls for. If you’re using worsted weight yarn (the medium thickness), try a 3.5mm or 4mm hook instead of the 5mm it probably says on the label.
For lacey or drapey stuff use a bigger hook. For warm dense stuff use a smaller hook. You’ll figure out your preferences as you go.
Common Patterns That Are Actually Fun To Make
Granny square cardigans: You make a bunch of squares and sew them together into a cardigan shape. Sounds tedious but it’s actually satisfying because you finish each square quickly and feel accomplished.
Market bags: Usually made with cotton in a mesh or shell stitch pattern. They stretch to hold stuff but look cute. Made one with Lily Sugar’n Cream in the Ombre Beach Ball color and it’s my grocery bag now.
Amigurumi food: Strawberries, avocados, sushi, whatever. These are quick projects (like 1-2 hours each) and you can make a whole collection. The sushi rolls are literally just rectangles rolled up with different colored “fillings” inside.
Bucket hats: Having a moment right now. You work in rounds starting at the crown, then add a brim. Can add frog eyes or cow spots or whatever to make them fun.
Octopus/jellyfish: These are just spheres with tentacles. The tentacles are chains or simple tubes. You can make the tentacles curly by working like 3 stitches in each chain stitch on the way back up.
Troubleshooting When It Looks Wrong
If your amigurumi has gaps showing stuffing: use a smaller hook or double strand your yarn.
If your project is wonky shaped: you’re probably adding or losing stitches somewhere, gotta count more carefully.
If your color changes look messy: make sure you’re changing on the last pull-through of the previous stitch, and weave in ends as you go by crocheting over them.
If your circles ruffle: you’re increasing too much, try fewer increases per round.
If your circles cup: you’re not increasing enough, add more increases.
If you hate how it’s turning out: honestly just frog it (rip it out) and start over or start something else. Life’s too short to finish projects you’re not enjoying.
Where To Find Patterns
Ravelry has thousands of free patterns. Search by what you want (like “crochet frog”) and filter by free. Some are better written than others so check the comments/reviews.
Pinterest links to patterns but half the links are broken or lead to sites that want your email. Still useful for ideas even if you end up winging the actual construction.
YouTube has video patterns which are honestly easier to follow than written ones if you’re a visual learner. You can pause and rewatch sections.
Instagram and TikTok have inspiration but people don’t usually share actual patterns, just show off finished objects.
Etsy has paid patterns which are usually more detailed and better written than free ones, but like… there are so many free patterns available that I rarely buy them.
Actually Starting A Project
Just pick something small for your first fun project. Don’t try to make a wearable or something huge. Make a mushroom or a simple amigurumi character or a small pouch or whatever.
Get your yarn and hook ready, pull up the pattern or video, and just start. You’ll mess up and that’s fine. I still mess up constantly and have to redo sections. That’s just part of it.
The thing about crochet is you can always rip it out and start over. The yarn doesn’t care. So just try stuff and see what happens and adjust as you go.
