Apr
Granny Squares Are Actually Worth Making
So granny squares seem like the most basic boring thing ever but honestly they’re probably the best starting point for fun projects because you can turn them into literally anything. I made this huge blanket in summer 2022 when my AC was broken and I was just sitting in front of a fan being miserable anyway, might as well crochet right? Used Red Heart Super Saver because it was cheap and I needed like 10 skeins. The annoying part was weaving in all those ends afterward – every single square has like 4 ends minimum and when you’re joining 50+ squares together you want to die a little.
But here’s the thing about granny squares. You can make them all the same color for a modern look or go crazy with scraps. I’ve seen people make bags out of them, vests, even these cool floor cushions. The basic pattern is just chain 4, join, then do clusters of double crochets separated by chain spaces. Keep going in rounds until it’s the size you want.
Amigurumi Animals That Don’t Look Creepy
Okay so amigurumi is hit or miss because sometimes you follow a pattern and end up with something that looks possessed. I made a frog during spring 2024 while binge watching The Bear and it actually turned out cute? Used Bernat Blanket yarn which is probably too thick for amigurumi technically but I liked the chunky look.
The trick with amigurumi is keeping your stitches tight so the stuffing doesn’t show through. Work in continuous rounds instead of joining each round – just use a stitch marker to track where you are. Single crochet is your main stitch here. Most patterns follow this basic structure:
- Start with a magic ring
- Increase rounds to make a sphere shape
- Work even rounds for the body
- Decrease rounds to close it up
- Add limbs and features separately then attach
The annoying thing about amigurumi though is that safety eyes are expensive and you gotta order them online usually. And if you put them in the wrong spot your cute animal looks deranged. Embroidering eyes with black yarn works fine too honestly.
Market Bags Because Plastic Bags Suck
These are so easy and actually useful. I’ve made probably 6 of these as gifts and for myself. The cotton yarn works best – I like Lily Sugar’n Cream or sometimes Knit Picks Dishie when I’m feeling fancy. They stretch out to hold a ton of groceries but scrunch down small in your purse.
You basically make a rectangle or tube with a mesh stitch pattern. The mesh is usually chain spaces with double crochets or half double crochets. Something like: dc, chain 1, skip a stitch, dc, chain 1, skip a stitch. That creates the net look. Make handles by chaining a long strand and attaching it to the sides of the bag.
I made one in summer 2024 right after the granny square blanket because I was on a yarn kick I guess. My cat kept attacking the yarn ball while I worked on it which was… frustrating but also kind of entertaining when she’d run across the apartment trailing yarn behind her.
Scrunchies Take Like 15 Minutes
If you need instant gratification, make scrunchies. They use barely any yarn and you can experiment with different stitches and textures. I’ve used regular acrylic yarn, velvet yarn (Lion Brand Velvet is nice for this), even thin cotton.
Get a hair elastic – the regular thin ones you can buy in bulk. Chain enough to wrap around the elastic with a little stretch, then single crochet around the elastic as you go. Join the ends and you’re done. Or you can crochet a tube first then thread the elastic through, whatever works. The velvet ones feel really nice and look more expensive than they are.
Headbands for When You Don’t Wanna Wash Your Hair
Speaking of hair accessories. Headbands are another quick project and you can make them different widths depending on the look you want. Measure around your head first – mine’s about 21 inches but everyone’s different obviously.
Chain your measurement length, then work back and forth in rows until the band is as wide as you want. Maybe 2-3 inches? You can do simple single crochet or try textured stitches like the waistcoat stitch or puff stitches. Sew or single crochet the ends together. Some people add buttons or bows or whatever but plain works fine too.
I made a bunch of these in winter 2023 during a breakup because I needed projects that didn’t require thinking. Just mindless back and forth rows while watching trash TV. Used whatever yarn I had lying around – I think some Caron Simply Soft in there, maybe some Red Heart.
Coasters That Actually Protect Your Furniture
Coasters are another scrap yarn project. You want cotton here because acrylic will melt if someone puts down a hot mug. The Sugar’n Cream cotton works perfect and comes in a million colors.
Make circles or squares about 4 inches across. You can do simple single crochet rounds or get fancy with different stitch patterns. Granny square coasters look good. So do solid circles with surface crochet designs on top. Make them thick enough that condensation won’t soak through – maybe two layers crocheted together or use a thicker cotton yarn.
Plant Hangers Because Plants Are Cool
Okay macrame plant hangers are technically macrame not crochet but you can make crocheted versions that work just as well. Use a sturdy cotton yarn or even cotton rope. The basic idea is you’re making a net or basket that holds the pot suspended.
Start with a ring – you can buy metal or wooden rings or just crochet one. Attach several long strands of yarn to the ring (like 8 strands doubled over so you have 16 working ends). Divide them into groups of 4 and start knotting or crocheting them together at intervals down the length. The knots create the basket shape that holds the pot.
I haven’t actually finished one of these yet because I started one in spring 2024 and then got distracted by other projects, but the concept is simple. Just gotta actually commit to it.
Dishcloths Are Ugly But Practical
I know dishcloths aren’t exciting but they’re useful and they use up cotton yarn. Plus you can practice different stitch patterns without committing to a huge project. They work up fast – maybe an hour or two for one cloth.
Make squares about 8-10 inches. Any stitch pattern works but textured ones are good for scrubbing. The waffle stitch, moss stitch, or even just single crochet in back loops only. Cotton yarn only – Lily Sugar’n Cream again or the Bernat Handicrafter Cotton.
The annoying thing about dishcloths is that they’re kinda boring to make? Like yeah it’s practical but it’s just a square. But people actually use them unlike some crochet projects that just sit on a shelf looking decorative.
Fingerless Gloves for Looking Moody
These are surprisingly easy and actually wearable if you live somewhere cold. You’re basically making tubes that fit around your hands with a hole for your thumb.
Measure around your hand at the widest part (probably around your knuckles). Chain that measurement and join to make a ring. Work in rounds using half double crochet or double crochet – you want some stretch. After a few inches, leave a gap for your thumb (just chain across a section instead of crocheting into those stitches). Continue in the round above the gap, then work a few more inches until the glove reaches your desired length.
Go back and add a little thumb section by working rounds into the gap you left. Make it just long enough to cover your thumb base. I made a pair in fall 2023 using some acrylic blend yarn – maybe Caron One Pound? They were black because of course they were.
Bralettes If You’re Feeling Ambitious
Okay so crocheted bralettes are having a moment and they’re actually not that hard if you can make basic triangles. You need thin cotton yarn for this – like a sport weight or DK weight. The Knit Picks Comfy is good, or Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK.
Each cup is basically a triangle. Start with a chain foundation and increase on the sides each row until it’s big enough. Make two triangles. Add straps by chaining long pieces and attaching them to the triangles. Add a band that goes around your ribs – this can be a long chain with single crochet worked along it, or elastic covered with crochet stitches.
The annoying part is getting the sizing right. You’ll probably need to make a practice one first and adjust. And crocheted bralettes don’t provide much support so they’re more for aesthetic or layering over another bra or… you know what, they’re mostly just cute, let’s be honest.
Keychains and Bag Charms
These are perfect for using up tiny amounts of leftover yarn. Make small shapes – hearts, stars, circles, little animals, whatever. Attach a keyring or lobster clasp that you can get from a craft store.
Small amigurumi shapes work great for this. Or flat shapes worked in rows then sewn together and stuffed lightly. Add the keyring before you close up the shape. I made a bunch of these as gift additions – like when you’re giving someone a present and you wanna throw in a little extra something.
Used scraps of everything for these. That’s the point. Whatever’s in your stash bin that’s too small for anything else but too big to throw away.
Bookmarks That Won’t Fall Out
Simple flat bookmarks are just long rectangles but you can add a strap that goes over the book spine which keeps them from falling out. Make a rectangle about 2 inches wide and 6-8 inches long in whatever stitch pattern you want. Add a chain strap to one end – long enough to reach over the top of a typical book and hang down the other side a bit.
Thin yarn works better here – you don’t want a bulky bookmark making your book not close properly. Crochet thread or sock weight yarn. Add tassels to the ends if you want. Or beads woven into the chains. Whatever makes you feel crafty.
Pot Holders Because Hot Pots Are Hot
Similar to dishcloths but thicker. You want these to actually protect your hands from heat so use cotton and make them double layered or use a really thick cotton. Two squares sewn together works, or one thick square folded over and sewn on two sides to make a pocket your hand slides into.
About 8 inches square is good. Add a loop in one corner so you can hang it on a hook. Any stitch pattern but tighter stitches are better – you don’t want holes where heat can get through.
The Red Heart Kitchen Cotton is specifically made for this kind of thing and holds up to washing. I made a set of these in… I don’t remember when actually, sometime last year probably? They were cream colored which was a mistake because they show stains immediately.
Stuffed Hearts for Valentine’s Day or Whatever
Hearts are pretty straightforward – two flat heart shapes sewn together and stuffed. You can find patterns online or just freehand it. The shape is basically two humps at the top coming down to a point at the bottom.
Use any yarn but Red Heart Super Saver in red is classic and cheap. Make them any size – tiny ones for ornaments or keychains, bigger ones for decorative pillows or gifts. Add a ribbon loop for hanging or leave them as is.
I made a bunch of small ones in February 2024 as little gifts for friends. Used up a bunch of red and pink yarn I had accumulated. The most annoying part was getting the point at the bottom to look sharp and not lumpy – you gotta decrease carefully and maybe do some strategic shaping with your hook as you stuff it.
Anyway that’s most of the fun stuff I’ve made or thought about making. There’s obviously way more possibilities but these are the ones that actually seem worth the time and don’t require super advanced skills. Just pick something small to start and see if you like it before committing to a giant blanket or sweater or whatever.
