May
okay so basically crochet projects by skill level
So you’re asking about crochet projects and honestly there’s like a million things you can make but I’ll break it down by what’s actually doable. Started with dishcloths back in spring 2022 when I was basically just learning to hold the hook right and those are still probably the best beginner thing even though they’re kinda boring.
Super Basic Stuff You Can Start With
Dishcloths are where it’s at for beginners. Just get some cotton yarn – I used Lily Sugar’n Cream because it’s cheap and everywhere – and make a rectangle. Single crochet back and forth until it looks square-ish. The annoying thing about dishcloths though is that your tension is gonna be all over the place at first so they end up looking wonky but whatever, they still clean dishes.
Scarves are the other obvious one. Pick any yarn you want, chain like 20 stitches or however wide you want it, and just keep going until it’s long enough. I made one during that whole Netflix binge of Stranger Things season 4 and it ended up being like 8 feet long because I wasn’t paying attention. Used Red Heart Super Saver in that burgundy color.
Granny squares are technically easy but also kind of annoying because you gotta weave in all those ends if you’re changing colors. But everyone says to learn them so… chain 4, slip stitch to make a ring, then do clusters of double crochets with chain spaces between. There’s a rhythm to it once you get going.
Stuff That’s Still Pretty Easy
Blankets are just bigger versions of scarves basically or a bunch of granny squares sewn together. I made a simple striped blanket in summer 2024 and used Caron One Pound because you need a LOT of yarn and that comes in huge skeins. Just picked three colors and alternated every few rows. The thing that annoyed me was how long it takes – like you think you’re making progress and then you hold it up and it’s still tiny.
Coasters are good for using up scraps. Same concept as dishcloths but smaller. Make them circles or squares or hexagons or whatever. I’ve made probably 50 of these as gifts because they’re quick and people actually use them.
Simple hats are doable once you understand working in the round. Magic ring to start, then increase evenly until it’s the right width for a head, then stop increasing and just go straight up. The decreasing at the top is a little weird at first but you figure it out. Beanies are easier than anything with shaping.
Headbands take like an hour. Chain the width you want, single or half double crochet for a few inches, seam the ends together. Done. Good for when you wanna finish something fast.
Medium Level Projects
Amigurumi is where things get interesting but also frustrating. Those little stuffed animals and characters require you to actually count stitches and follow patterns which I’m not great at honestly. Made a little octopus thing and the tentacles were so tedious. You work in continuous spirals usually and need stitch markers or you’ll lose track of where you are. Stuffing is its own nightmare – never enough or too much.
Bags and market totes are fun because they’re actually useful. Usually work them flat and seam the sides or work in the round from the bottom up. Handles are the tricky part – gotta make them sturdy enough that they won’t stretch out when you load them with groceries. I used Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn for one and it held up pretty well.
Baby blankets with actual patterns not just stripes. There’s chevron patterns, shell stitches, corner-to-corner (C2C) which looks complicated but is really just making diagonal squares. C2C is good for graphghans where you follow a pixel pattern to make pictures.
Shawls are easier than you’d think – most are just triangles that start small and get bigger. Virus shawl pattern is popular and looks fancy but it’s really just repeating the same row over and over with increases. Used some random acrylic blend from Walmart for mine.
Slippers and booties require some shaping knowledge but aren’t terrible. The sole is usually an oval and then you build up the sides. Making two that match is the annoying part honestly because I can never remember exactly what I did on the first one.
Getting Into More Complex Stuff
Sweaters are a whole thing. You gotta actually measure and do gauge swatches which I hate doing but it matters unless you want a sweater that fits weird. Worked on one last winter using Bernat Softee Chunky and gave up halfway through the second sleeve because my dog kept stealing the ball of yarn and I lost motivation. Sleeves are boring.
Cardigans are similar but sometimes easier because they’re worked flat instead of in the round. Still gotta do all that measuring though. Seaming is annoying – mattress stitch, whip stitch, whatever method you use it takes forever.
Dresses if you’re into that. Basically a long top with shaping for the waist usually. Haven’t made one myself because seems like a lot of work for something that might not fit right.
Socks are small but technical. Working on double pointed needles or tiny circular hooks, heel turns, toe shaping. People get really into socks but I tried once and it was too fiddly for me.
Home Decor Type Things
Pillow covers are straightforward – two squares or rectangles seamed together with an opening for the pillow form. Can do them plain or with texture stitches like popcorn stitch or bobbles. Made some with Lion Brand Wool-Ease and they’ve held up fine.
Baskets are surprisingly easy and people always think they’re impressive. Work in the round with a sturdy yarn or hold multiple strands together. The key is tight tension so they stand up on their own. Good for storing random stuff.
Table runners if you want something decorative. Usually some kind of lacy pattern or filet crochet. Takes patience because they’re long and narrow.
Rugs need really bulky yarn or fabric yarn. Work in rounds or ovals, keep it flat by increasing properly. I used t-shirt yarn for one and it was actually pretty easy just took a while because it’s big.
Wall hangings are trendy right now – tapestries, mandalas, whatever. Mandalas are basically fancy granny squares that keep going. Mount them on a hoop or dowel rod.
Accessories and Wearables
Mittens and gloves – mittens are way easier because no finger holes. Gloves require counting and patience and I’ve never successfully made a pair that actually fit.
Leg warmers are just tubes. Work in the round to whatever length you want. Used some chunky yarn from Michaels for these and they were done in like two hours each.
Cowls are even easier than scarves because they’re shorter. Work in the round or make a short scarf and seam the ends. Infinity scarves same deal.
Ear warmers are super quick. Just a band that goes around your head covering your ears. Sometimes people add flowers or buttons or whatever for decoration.
Fingerless gloves are good for when you want the hand coverage but need your fingers free. Less complicated than full gloves but still need thumb holes.
Seasonal and Holiday Projects
Christmas ornaments are tiny quick projects. Little balls, snowflakes, stars, trees, whatever. Good for using up scrap yarn. Snowflakes need thin yarn and small hooks usually.
Easter eggs are similar – just little egg shapes you can stuff or leave flat. Made a bunch of these in spring 2023 I think and used embroidery thread with a tiny hook which was kind of a pain.
Halloween stuff like pumpkins, ghosts, bats. All amigurumi style usually. Pumpkins are just orange balls with some shaping.
Stockings for Christmas are bigger projects. Can make them simple or add patterns and designs. The heel shaping is similar to socks but bigger.
Kitchen and Bath Items
Potholders need cotton yarn so they don’t melt. Similar to dishcloths but you usually make two layers and crochet them together or work them as one thick piece. Gotta be careful with tension – too loose and they won’t protect your hands.
Placemats are just rectangles with maybe a border. Use cotton or acrylic that you can wash easily. Made a set in like teal and gray that I thought would match my kitchen but the colors were off when I got them done.
Washcloths same as dishcloths really. Can do different stitch patterns to make them textured for exfoliating or whatever.
Bath mats need to be pretty big and sturdy. Cotton is good because it’s absorbent. Work them thick so they’re cushy.
Baby Stuff
Blankets obviously. People make these in every pattern imaginable. Soft acrylic is good because parents can throw it in the washer without worrying.
Hats with the little animal ears are cute and pretty easy. Just a basic beanie with ears sewn on or crocheted on as you go.
Booties are tiny shoes basically. Lots of patterns out there, some easier than others. The ones that look like sneakers are more complicated.
Bibs can be simple or shaped. Usually have some kind of closure in the back like buttons or ties.
Stuffed toys for babies need to be safe – no small parts, very secure stitching. Rattles you can make by putting a rattle insert inside amigurumi.
Pet Stuff Because Why Not
Dog sweaters if you have a small dog. Measuring is important here too because dogs are shaped weird. Made one for my neighbor’s chihuahua and it turned out okay but getting the leg holes right was annoying.
Cat toys are just little balls or mice shapes stuffed with catnip. My cat didn’t care about the one I made her, she’d rather play with hair ties.
Pet blankets are just small blankets. Nothing special about them.
Collars I guess you could make but seems like regular collars are more practical.
Advanced Technical Stuff
Lace doilies require thin thread and small steel hooks. Very delicate work and you gotta pay attention to the pattern. Never been patient enough to finish a big one.
Irish crochet is like three-dimensional lace with motifs you make separately then join together. Very traditional and time-consuming.
Tunisian crochet uses a long hook and is kind of a cross between knitting and crochet. Different technique entirely, makes a fabric that looks woven almost.
Filet crochet is making pictures or designs with a mesh background and filled-in squares. Good for curtains or table runners.
Tapestry crochet carries multiple colors and you trap the unused colors inside the stitches. Makes thick fabric and you can do complex color patterns.
Random Other Ideas
Bookmarks are quick little things – just strips with maybe a tassel or charm attached. Phone cases you can make fitted to your specific phone. Jewelry like bracelets and necklaces using thin thread or wire. Plant hangers for hanging pots, just need to know basic knots and chains. Keychains are tiny amigurumi or just decorative pieces with a keyring attached. Grocery bag holders that hang in your kitchen – basically tubes with elastic at the ends. Tissue box covers which seem kinda unnecessary but people make them. Cup cozies so your hands don’t get cold or burned holding drinks.
The thing is you can basically crochet anything if you think about it long enough or find a pattern. Most projects break down into basic shapes – circles, squares, rectangles, tubes, triangles. Once you know how to make those and combine them you can figure out pretty much whatever. Patterns help obviously but sometimes you just gotta wing it and see what happens. Some things turn out great and some things you end up frogging and starting over or just abandoning in a bag somewhere.
Yarn choice matters more for some projects than others – cotton for kitchen stuff, acrylic for most everything because it’s cheap and washable, wool if you want something warm and nice but it costs more. Bernat Baby Blanket yarn is super soft and works up fast for blankets and stuffed animals. Big Twist from Joann is decent for the price.
Anyway that’s like way more than 100 ideas if you count all the variations so you should be set for a while unless you crochet way faster than me.
