May
Okay so basically there’s like endless stuff you can crochet
I’m just gonna start with the easy stuff because that’s where most people actually begin even though everyone acts like you should jump into complicated patterns right away. Dishcloths are honestly the best first project and I made like twenty of them in spring 2022 when I was stuck at home with covid. Just a simple square, any stitch you want really. I used Lily Sugar’n Cream cotton yarn because it was cheap at Walmart and it holds up forever in the wash. The annoying thing about dishcloths though is that you think they’ll work up fast but somehow they always take longer than you expect? Like you’re sitting there thinking it’s just a square and then an hour later you’re still going.
Small stuff that doesn’t require much commitment
Coasters are faster than dishcloths at least. You can make a set of four in an evening if you’re not watching something too distracting on TV. I made a bunch during that one season of The Bachelor that was actually good, can’t remember which one. Granny squares work great for coasters or you can do circles or hexagons or whatever.
Bookmarks are good for using up scrap yarn. Just make a long rectangle, maybe 2 inches wide and 6-8 inches long. Add a tassel if you’re feeling fancy. Takes like 20 minutes.
Scrunchies became trendy again and they’re stupidly easy. You literally just crochet around a hair elastic. I used Red Heart Super Saver for these because it comes in a million colors and it’s scratchy but for a scrunchie who cares.
Wearable things that actually get worn
Beanies are probably the most practical thing I make. Everyone needs hats and they work up in a few hours. I like starting with a magic ring and working in rounds, increasing until it’s the right size for a head, then going straight up for like 7-8 inches. The annoying part is that everyone’s head is different so sometimes you make one and it’s too small or too slouchy and you gotta adjust. Caron Simply Soft is good for beanies because it’s not itchy.
Scarves are the classic beginner project but honestly they can get boring fast because you’re just doing rows forever. I made a really long one in summer 2024 which was stupid timing because who needs a scarf in July, but I was stress-crocheting after a bad breakup and just kept going. It ended up being like 8 feet long. Anyway, scarves are good for practicing new stitches at least.
Fingerless gloves are more interesting than regular gloves because you don’t have to deal with individual fingers. Just make two tubes that fit your hands and leave a gap for your thumb. I winged the pattern on mine and they turned out fine.
Headbands take like an hour and you can make them thick for winter or thin for just keeping hair back. My dog chewed up one of mine which was annoying because I’d used this nice Wool-Ease yarn that actually cost money.
Stuff for your space
Blankets are the big project everyone wants to make but they’re honestly a commitment. I’ve started probably ten blankets and finished like three. The problem is you get bored halfway through or your arms hurt from the weight of it or you just… anyway.
Throw blankets are more manageable than full-size blankets. Like 40×50 inches instead of trying to make something bed-sized. Granny square blankets are classic and you can work on individual squares which feels less overwhelming. Join-as-you-go methods save you from having to sew a million squares together at the end.
Lap blankets for watching TV are smaller and actually get finished. I made one with Bernat Blanket yarn which is that super thick chenille stuff, and it worked up in maybe 10 hours total? It’s heavy and warm and my cat claimed it immediately.
Pillow covers are good for using up yarn stash. Just make two squares or rectangles the size of your pillow form and seam them together on three sides. I usually do an envelope back so I can take the cover off to wash it.
Baskets for storage are more useful than you’d think. The trick is using a thick yarn or holding multiple strands together so they’re sturdy enough to actually hold things. I made some with t-shirt yarn once and they hold all my random craft supplies now.
Kitchen and dining stuff
Potholders are practical but you gotta use cotton yarn because acrylic will melt if it gets too hot. Make them thick, like double layer or really dense stitches. I learned that the hard way when I made thin ones and burned my hand.
Placemats work up pretty quick and you can make a whole set. I did oval ones with Lily Sugar’n Cream in different colors. They get dirty fast though if you actually use them for eating.
Mug cozies are cute I guess? They keep your hand from getting burned on hot mugs. Just measure around your favorite mug and make a rectangle that wraps around it, then add a button closure or ties.
Toys and amigurumi type things
This is where people either love it or hate it. Amigurumi uses smaller hooks and makes tight stitches so you’re working with like a 3mm hook and getting hand cramps but the finished stuff is really cute.
Simple animals like snakes or caterpillars are just tubes with faces. Good starter amigurumi because there’s no complicated shaping. I made a snake that was probably 4 feet long using random scrap yarn and it took forever but my friend’s kid loved it.
Octopuses are popular and honestly not that hard. Just make a ball for the head and eight tentacles. The tentacles are the annoying part because you’re making the same thing eight times.
Basic bears or bunnies follow the same general pattern usually – ball head, egg-shaped body, four limbs, ears. Once you figure out the basic shape you can modify it into different animals. I used Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK for some of these and the colors are really nice.
Ball toys for babies or pets are just spheres stuffed with fiberfill. You can put a jingle bell inside for cats. My cat ignores all the fancy toys I buy and only plays with the crocheted balls which figures.
Bags and pouches
Market bags are having a moment because of the whole reusable shopping bag thing. They stretch to hold stuff which is cool. Use cotton yarn and a mesh or open stitch pattern. The problem is they stretch SO much when you put heavy stuff in them that your groceries end up dragging on the ground.
Drawstring bags for dice or jewelry or whatever are just small cylinders with a drawstring threaded through the top. Takes maybe an hour depending on size.
Coin purses need a metal frame usually which you can buy online. You crochet the pouch part and sew it into the frame. It’s fiddly but looks professional when it’s done.
Beach bags are bigger versions of market bags basically. I made one with that Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton and it’s held up through two summers of sandy beach trips.
Accessories and jewelry-ish things
Earrings made with thread crochet and small hooks. They’re lightweight and you can make them match outfits. I use Aunt Lydia’s crochet thread usually, size 10 or smaller.
Bracelets are just chains or strips with closures added. You can do simple single crochet strips or get fancy with beads worked in.
Necklaces with crocheted beads or pendants. The beads are just tiny balls worked around wood beads usually.
Home decor that’s not blankets
Wall hangings are trendy right now with the whole boho thing. Usually involves a dowel rod or driftwood and hanging strands of textured crochet. I made one in like spring 2023 with a bunch of different stitches and yarn textures all in cream colors and it actually looks decent.
Garlands for decorating are just repeated shapes strung together. Hearts for Valentine’s day, pumpkins for fall, stars for whatever. I string them on embroidery floss usually.
Plant hangers for hanging plants obviously. There’s macrame-style ones but you can do regular crochet versions too. Just make sure they’re strong enough to hold the pot weight.
Curtain tiebacks are simple strips or braids that hold curtains open. Add a button or ring closure.
Baby stuff if you know any babies
Baby blankets are smaller than regular blankets so they’re less overwhelming to finish. Use soft acrylic that’s machine washable because babies are messy. I like Bernat Baby Sport or whatever it’s called now.
Booties are cute but babies kick them off constantly so kind of pointless? They’re fast to make though, like 30 minutes a pair.
Bibs with cotton yarn because they need to be washable and absorbent. Make them bigger than you think because babies grow fast.
Stuffed rattles have a plastic rattle insert inside. You crochet around it basically. They’re safe for babies to chew on if you use the right yarn and make tight stitches.
Seasonal and holiday stuff
Christmas ornaments are fun small projects. Snowflakes, stars, little trees, snowmen. I made like 50 snowflakes one year to give away as gift tags basically.
Easter eggs are hollow egg shapes that you can fill with candy or stuff with fiberfill. The shaping is a little tricky but there’s patterns everywhere.
Halloween stuff like pumpkins, ghosts, bats. Pumpkins are just orange balls with green stems. So easy.
Wreaths for your door with a foam wreath form and covering it with crochet or attaching crocheted elements to it.
Pet stuff because why not
Dog sweaters if you have a small dog. Big dogs don’t really need sweaters and also making one big enough is annoying. I tried to make one for my neighbor’s chihuahua and the measuring was the worst part because the dog wouldn’t hold still.
Cat beds are just big circles or ovals with sides. Cats may or may not actually use them. Mine prefers the cardboard box it came in which is typical.
Pet blankets for them to lay on. Same as human blankets but you care less if they get destroyed.
Toys for dogs need to be really sturdy. I double up the yarn and make tight stitches so they can’t rip it apart immediately. Rope toys work better honestly.
Practical everyday things
Phone cases are possible but kind of bulky. Better as phone pouches that protect the screen.
Laptop sleeves need to be the right size obviously. Measure your laptop and add a tiny bit of ease. Use a sturdy stitch.
Water bottle holders with a strap for carrying. Just a cylinder that fits your bottle with a long strap attached.
Keychains are quick gifts. Just small shapes with a keyring attached. I made a bunch of little hearts and gave them out one Valentine’s.
Clothing that’s more complicated
Cardigans are a whole thing and you need an actual pattern usually unless you’re good at construction. Sizing is important and sleeves are annoying to attach. I made one that took three months and the button band is slightly wonky but I still wear it.
Tank tops for summer are easier than cardigans because no sleeves. Just front and back panels seamed together.
Shawls are like big triangles usually. You can wing these pretty easily by just increasing on every row. I made one with Caron Cakes yarn which has the color changes built in so it looks fancier than it is.
Shorts or skirts need to fit right in the waist which is tricky. Elastic waistbands are your friend.
Random stuff I’ve made that doesn’t fit categories
Eyeglass cases are just small pouches basically. Lined with felt so they don’t scratch the lenses.
Tissue box covers make tissue boxes look less ugly I guess? You crochet around the box shape with an opening for pulling tissues out.
Toilet paper covers which are weird and kind of outdated but my grandma had them so there’s nostalgia.
Wine bottle gift bags for bringing wine to parties. Fancy wrapping paper alternative.
Scrubby things for dishes using the scratchy scrubby yarn. They work okay but fall apart faster than actual sponges.
Face scrubbies for washing your face, made with soft cotton. They’re reusable which is good for the environment or whatever.
Soap saver bags that you put bar soap in and it lathers up. Just a small mesh bag with a drawstring.
The main thing with all of this is just pick something that sounds interesting and start. You’ll mess up and that’s fine. I still mess up constantly and have to rip stuff out. Sometimes I finish things and they’re wonky but usually they’re still usable. Like that scarf I mentioned earlier is slightly wider on one end than the other but it still keeps my neck warm so who cares. Gauge matters more for fitted stuff like sweaters but for most of these projects you can just kinda wing it and adjust as you go. That’s how I learned everything anyway, just making stuff and figuring it out when it didn’t work right.
