Needlecrafts Crochet

Free Crochet Patterns for Every Project

Yarn and crochet needle
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You can create a great variety of items with a crochet hook and yarn. It's a very versatile craft and patterns are available for everything from cozy afghans to cute accessories. You can even deck out your entire home in your crocheted creations. 

Let's explore the many free crochet patterns available. You're sure to find your next project and will be playing with yarn in no time.

  • 01 of 10

    Crochet for Babies

    Wouldn't it be lovely to greet a brand new baby with some beautiful hand-crocheted layette items? These tiny projects are quick to crochet and they make wonderful gifts that mom and baby will enjoy.

    A blanket is a popular option for babies and you don't have to worry about them growing out of it so quickly. Try a quick pattern like this simple Striped Lace Baby Blanket in super-soft yarn and fun colors.

    If you're looking for something that baby can wear, booties are fun. A pattern like the Tootsie Wraps Baby Booties can be finished in a night. You can even work them in a few different sizes so baby's feet are toasty as they grow.

    From colorful blankets to adorable cardigans and tiny beanies, there is an endless supply of projects you can take on for the babies in your life.

  • 02 of 10

    A Bounty of Blankets

    Blankets are favorite crochet projects because they're so quick and easy. Even many dedicated knitters turn to crochet when it's time for an afghan because you can finish it in no time at all.

    Blankets come in a great variety of styles, from mix-and-match afghan squares to one-piece shell afghans. The stitch patterns are endless and it's a fantastic opportunity to play around with color.

    Among the most popular and basic blanket options is the classic Granny Square. It's a useful pattern that you will use over and over again and it's fantastic practice for beginners. Plus, you can decide to make a single large granny square or join many smaller granny squares to form your blanket.

    Ripple afghans can be crocheted in any size and are a classic crochet blanket style as well. They work up fast and are spectacular when crocheted in various colors.

  • 03 of 10

    Shawls, Ponchos, and Skirts

    In reality, shawls and ponchos are wearable blankets, so they're just as easy and fun as any afghan. They also come in a variety of styles and shapes and range from elegant to casual.

    If you think about it, a skirt is almost the same thing. Quite often these patterns are simply joined blankets with a little trim and shaping. There are some fun skirt patterns that you should explore. Be prepared, though, because everyone will comment on your cute crocheted skirt. It's not the thing to wear when you want to blend in.

    Whether you choose a shimmery shawl, a comfy poncho, or a charming skirt, you will have a ton of fun creating and wearing any of these patterns.

  • 04 of 10

    Socks for Everyone

    Everyone loves a comfy pair of handmade socks. While knitting is often the preferred technique, you can also create some amazing socks with your crochet hook.

    The key to a successful sock is in the shaping and it throws many crocheters off from this project. Yet, with the right sock pattern and careful attention to your stitches, anyone can learn how to make them. 

    If socks seem like a little too much for you, consider the simpler option. Crocheted slippers can be just as comfortable, but they often skip the detailed shaping required in an ankle sock. They're also very cute and take hardly any time at all to finish.

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  • 05 of 10

    Stay Cozy in Warm Wearables

    Many of our favorite crochet projects are designed to keep us warm in the winter. There are endless free patterns available for scarves, hats, and gloves and they all make great gifts.

    It is very easy to find scarf patterns for the entire family and you will have fun exploring all of your options. Some patterns are designed for either women or men while others are universal.

    The same goes for warm winter hats. You can create a basic stocking cap for the guys and opt for something a little more fashion-forward for the ladies.

    One of the best gifts you can give anyone is a pair of fingerless gloves. They're very easy to crochet and can be simple designs or very fashionable. No matter the pattern, there's no denying their fun.

  • 06 of 10

    Accessorize With Crochet

    Got a yarn stash and a crochet hook? Then you have everything you need to create some lovely accessories. From headbands to barrettes, there's a quick little project for everyone.

    Headbands are great projects for beginners in crochet and they're perfect for practicing your stitches. 

    When you have some experience, you might also consider using your crochet skills to create wire jewelry with beads. It's a fun way to step away from yarn for a minute and you can create some very interesting accessories.

    Among the quickest stash-busting projects are hair accessories and they come in all sorts of styles. These include barrettes and scrunchies and quite often you can finish two or three in a single night.

  • 07 of 10

    Crochet in the Kitchen

    Among all the items you can crochet for the kitchen, the dishcloth reigns supreme.

    Towels and dishcloth patterns come in a variety of styles, from basic squares to plump, lacy designs. They're the perfect quick project for playing with new stitches and can lead to other kitchen accessories as well.

    If you think about it, potholder patterns are simply smaller and thicker dishcloths. Likewise, placemats are rectangular dishcloths crocheted as a set and often with a little more design. 

    Any of these patterns can also be adapted to work in the bath. And if you're interested in sprucing up the bathroom, consider a complementary bath mat.

    Kitchen and bath patterns prove that your crochet habit can result in something very useful for your home. We also consider that a great excuse to get more yarn.

  • 08 of 10

    Have Fun With Quick Motifs

    Motifs are simple little patterns that can stand on their own or be incorporated into larger pieces. They range in style from colorful geometric patterns to creative and three-dimensional flowers.

    We like these crochet patterns because they are so useful for a variety of projects. For instance, you can top a simple tea cozy with a bouquet or crochet a hexagon and call it a coaster. If you want to take that to a larger scale, the classic and fancy doilies are both challenging and stunning.

    Motifs are fun, quick, and another great way to use up your yarn stash.

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  • 09 of 10

    Add a Custom Finish

    As you explore patterns, you might find that something is missing. This is where you can use your creative ingenuity to jazz up and customize your crochet work.

    For instance, maybe you found a fantastic scarf pattern, but you'd like to dress it up a little bit. That's nothing a quick fringe or tassel can't fix.

    You can also add scallops, shells, or lace to the border of a blanket or shawl. Maybe you'd like to weave ribbons into the edging or finish a filet piece off with some lovely hearts.

    The finishing possibilities are almost as numerous as the patterns themselves, so having a few in your pattern library is always a good idea.

  • 10 of 10

    Expand Your Crochet Horizons

    Many of the patterns we've discussed so far use basic crochet techniques and they're all perfect for crocheters of any level. As you grow your skills, you may want to try something new and there are plenty of options.

    For example, you might want to become a master at colorwork and learn tapestry crochet or have fun with freeform wiggly crochet designs. Or maybe you'd be interested in the fusion of knit and crochet called Tunisian crochet.

    Filet crochet is one of the most popular techniques. It's used in many vintage patterns with those intricate mesh designs that often include butterflies and flowers. If you think you've crocheted it all, give filet a try.