Can you imagine a day when you can crochet a handmade piece effortlessly? Wouldn’t it be lovely to crochet gifts for loved ones? I absolutely love sharing crochet patterns here on the blog, especially with beginners in mind. I always want my blog to be a helpful source for crochet patterns for beginners. It can be a challenging journey to advance with crochet, and I want to make that journey easier. Today I’ve gathered a list of 25+ easy crochet patterns for beginners that will help start you on your own crocheting adventure!

So… what is the easiest thing to crochet as a beginner? What should a beginner crochet? My list of easy crochet projects for beginners will get you on your way.

Easy Crochet Patterns for Beginners

Where to Start

Although this article provides a sample of simple crochet patterns to start with, eventually you will want to seek out crochet patterns on your own. How much easier would your journey be if you knew how and where to find perfect patterns for YOU in your style? Be sure to grab my FREE guide to walk you through the process of finding crochet patterns you will absolutely LOVE…

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What is the first thing a beginner should crochet?

Before I begin my list, I want to state that if you are a beginner, start small.  You don’t need to tackle everything on this list quite yet, but it’s a good idea to start with a small project that doesn’t take up too much yarn or time. This way you can practice crochet stitches.

I would suggest beginning with a small square or rectangular project, such as a dish cloth or mug cozy for the kitchen.

Which crochet pattern is commonly used by beginners?

When you first begin learning to crochet, you’ll probably be making small swatches. These swatches will help you practice stitches, especially the 5 BASIC CROCHET PATTERN STITCHES which are:

• chain
• slip stitch
• single crochet
• half double crochet
• double crochet

You can combine basic crochet stitches in a myriad of ways for a crochet pattern, and it is easy to use the small swatches for:

• dish cloth or scrubby
• bookmark, tag
• cup cozy
• headband

Keep reading for my list of Small Crochet Projects FREE...

Crochet Dish Cloth and Cup Cozy Patterns

You can easily whip up dish cloths and mug cozies in square or rectangular shapes using a variety of stitches.

Here are some dish cloth crochet patterns to try:

This COFFEE CUP COZY is super simple to make. I also have a bundle of 10 COFFEE CUP COZY PATTERNS if you want to try more (and sell them at craft fairs!):

Crochet Heart Patterns

Another small crochet project to make is a crochet heart. It provides a nice challenge after a simple rectangle or square. You can crochet these back and forth in straight rows, but they also require increasing stitches by working in the same stitch twice.

Crochet Scarf Patterns

One of the most common first-time crochet projects is a scarf. These are easy to make working back and forth in rows, using a simple repetitive stitch pattern.

You can make a long scarf by just repeating rows of the same crochet stitch (such as sc, hdc or dc), or combining these basic stitches together. This photo shows a simple scarf being worked with single crochet stitches on every row, using thick cotton yarn:

If you want to add a little challenge, try out a pattern with a combination of stitches like this TEXTURED CROCHET SCARF. It uses the single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet stitches all in the same pattern. The big tassels are easy to add, too!

This FALL CROCHET SCARF is made in a similar way with a slightly different pattern and fringe on the ends. It’s a super easy repetitive pattern that you can work up quickly. The brown/cream color combination is gorgeous for fall:

Crochet Cowl Patterns

Beginners can begin making neck cowls by simply crocheting a small rectangle and seaming the short ends together. THIS CHUNKY COWL pattern shows you how to do that, and has the option to add a finished edge if you desire:

If you think you are ready to crochet in the round, cowls are a great project to start with! When you crochet ‘in the round’, you are joining the first and last stitches together to create a circle. Instead of working in straight rows, you are working in circular rounds.

Here is a simple CROCHET COWL PATTERN to practice working in the round:

Crochet Headband Pattern

A crochet headband can be worked in a simple long rectangle, then joined together at the short ends. Check out THIS EASY CROCHET HEADBAND pattern, which also includes tips on adjusting width and circumference. It is very beginner friendly!

Crochet Bag Patterns

Small bags and purses are a great beginner crochet project, as they can be shaped into a simple rectangle and seamed together. For instance, I made this CROCHET CLUTCH BAG by simply working a crochet pattern for many rows, (adding a lining which is optional), folding it lengthwise, and seaming up the 2 sides.

Here is a slightly more challenging CHUNKY CLUTCH PURSE PATTERN, which has a triangular shape for the top flap, and a rectangle shape for the body. The triangle is formed by increasing stitches each row.

Once you have mastered a crochet rectangle, you could try crocheting a bag in the round. THIS BAG PATTERN has you making a simple rectangle for a base, then crocheting stitches in the round to finish the upper bag:

Crochet Boot Cuff Patterns

Boot cuffs are another example of small projects you can practice with. They can be simple small rectangles seamed together, such as CROCHET BOOT CUFFS:

More Beginner FREE Crochet Patterns

Crochet Fingerless Mittens Patterns

Fingerless Mittens (aka hand warmers) are a terrific beginner crochet project because you can crochet a simple rectangle and seam it together for the cuff, then work in the round to create the rest of the upper mitten. Give this FINGERLESS MITTENS PATTERN a try if you are ready to attempt working in the round with a smaller project:

Crochet Basket Patterns

If you are ready to attempt crochet projects working in the round, baskets are a good place to start. You simply create a base circle by increasing stitches in a circular pattern, then continue working around without increasing to make the sides. Give this CROCHET BASKET PATTERN a try if you are ready to attempt working in the round with a small basket project:

Crochet Poncho Pattern

If you are ready to attempt a poncho, why not try THIS EASY PONCHO PATTERN? You will simply work two rectangles, then join them together to form the poncho shape. Lastly, you will add a contrasting edging around the neckline and bottom. Voila!

Crochet Shrug Pattern

If you are interested in learning and working with an easy granny stitch pattern, you can make so many projects with simple granny stitch stripes. Blankets are popular with this stitch, but you can start with a simple pattern like THIS GRANNY STRIPE CROCHET SHRUG. You just make one long rectangle and then seam the long edges together in sections for the sleeves. Easy!

Crochet Patterns for Beginners – in Books

Simple pattern books are top on the list of where to find crochet patterns for beginners.  Once you get the hang of the basic crochet stitches, you can find a wealth of patterns that use only these few stitches!

I have recommendations of FAVORITE CROCHET BOOKS that will provide endless inspiration.

You can find several beginner-friendly crochet patterns in my ETSY SHOP, too.

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Easy Crochet Projects for Gifts

Small crochet projects, such as napkin rings or Christmas ornaments are perfect for a beginner to give as gifts. They help you practice stitching, and they will make someone else happy!

Crochet Ornaments Patterns

People really enjoy receiving handmade items for Christmas gifts, especially since they can become heirlooms to be brought out every Christmas thereafter.

THIS CROCHET CHRISTMAS STOCKING ORNAMENT doesn’t take long at all to crochet:

Try making a flat Christmas tree to practice adding increase stitches to your crochet rows. THIS SIMPLE FLAT CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT is a great project to try, as it works up so quickly:

You could also add a small crochet ‘label’ to a handmade (or store-bought) Christmas ornament, such as THESE TICKING STRIPED ORNAMENTS:

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How about making one of these miniature CROCHET ORNAMENTS for a loved one? They can be used as gift toppers, too:

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Crochet Napkin Rings Patterns

One of the quickest crochet projects you can try is a napkin ring. These can be made by crocheting tiny rectangles and seaming them together at short ends. Just stitch a narrow rectangle to your desired width using any of the basic crochet stitches (or combination of them). Next, seam the short ends together.

I also have a unique napkin ring pattern as part of my NEWBURY CROCHET PATTERN BUNDLE in the Etsy shop:

Crochet Coasters Pattern

When you are initially learning how to crochet in the round, flat coasters are a perfect project to begin with. These COTTON CROCHET COASTERS work up quickly with Bulky cotton yarn and are both functional and pretty. They would make a lovely housewarming or hostess gift.

Crochet Tags Pattern

Ever thought of using a crochet piece as a gift tag? A small rectangle is easy to crochet, and you could add sweet ribbon and a charm to it. Try THESE CROCHET TAGS out…

Crochet Flowers Pattern

You could try using a MINIATURE CROCHET FLOWER as a gift topper, too. Crochet flowers are also terrific for garlands, hair clips, or as appliques on hats, purses, or sweaters. These are worked in the round, but can be made quickly.

If you are planning to give any of these projects as gifts, don’t forget to top them off with a unique paper gift tag! I have an entire collection of printable gift tags you can use for a variety of crafts…

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I hope this list of crochet patterns for beginners was useful to you, especially if you are just starting out. Take it one stitch, one project at a time, and you will gain confidence in your crochet abilities.

And if you are worried about making crochet mistakes, I have one more useful resource for you below…

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You may become addicted to this wonderful yarn hobby! Can you think of any other patterns beginner crocheters must try? Let me know in the comments.

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