Rewards
The best crochet patterns for beginners teach one new thing each. A washcloth teaches the stitch. A scarf teaches straight edges. A bag teaches working in the round. By the time you reach a hat or a blanket you've learned everything it needs without noticing.
These twelve are in that order. Each one lists the stitches it uses, the yarn it takes, and what you'll know afterward that you didn't before. All of them are free. If you haven't crocheted a single stitch yet, start with our how-to-crochet guide with videos, then come back.
Week one: flat squares (single and double crochet)
1. The waffle stitch washcloth. Double crochet and front-post doubles, worked flat. One skein of cotton or silk; two hours. It teaches a textured stitch on something that's allowed to be wonky. Free pattern.
2. A plain single-crochet scrubby. Single crochet only, so you can concentrate on even tension and counting stitches. Free pattern.
3. Striped coasters. Chain 12, single crochet 12 rows, change color every three rows. Makes a set of four from one skein and teaches changing colors; here's how.
Week two: scarves (straight edges, longer rows)
4. The Motley Fling scarf. One skein of worsted silk, a simple repeating stitch and tassels to hide uneven ends. Finishes in an evening. Free pattern.
5. A recycled silk scarf in double crochet. Chain 25, double crochet every row until the yarn runs out. It teaches the turning chain, which is where most beginners lose stitches. Free pattern.
6. The granny square scarf. Your first granny squares, joined into a scarf so you don't need forty of them. Teaches working in the round and joining. Free tutorial.
Week three: bags (in the round, a bit of shape)
7. The Japanese knot bag. One skein of DK silk; single crochet in the round with two simple handles. The first project people get complimented on. Free pattern.
8. The Alpine mini bucket bag. Teaches the magic ring, increasing in a flat circle, then straight sides. Free pattern. (If the magic ring fights you, here are the easier ways to start a round.)
9. The market tote. Open mesh stitches in ribbon yarn: fast, forgiving and useful. Pattern here.
Week four: things that look hard and aren't
10. A crochet gift bow. Twenty minutes, scrap yarn, and a reusable bow for every present this year. Free pattern.
11. A cat appliqué from scraps. Tiny, quick, and teaches shaping with increases and decreases on something the size of your palm. Free pattern.
12. Your first blanket. Half double crochet, one color or stripes, a simple border. It's a very wide scarf, and by now you can make a scarf. Size chart, yarn amounts and the pattern here.
What to buy for all twelve
One or two hooks (H-8 and I-9), a tapestry needle, a few locking stitch markers, and smooth worsted or DK yarn in light colors. Projects 1 through 11 take one skein each; the blanket takes ten to twelve. What to look for in a beginner kit if you'd rather buy it all at once.
Reading a beginner pattern
Patterns use shorthand: ch is chain, sc single crochet, hdc half double, dc double, st stitch, rep repeat. Asterisks mark a section to repeat. Numbers in parentheses at the end of a row are the stitch count you should have. Our crochet abbreviations list covers the rest, and how to read crochet patterns walks through a full one.
Keeping yourself supplied
The thing that stops beginners isn't difficulty, it's running out of the next project. Yarn of the Month solves that directly: three hand-dyed skeins a month with a crochet and knit pattern written for them, $29 a month plus shipping, so there's always something on deck.
Beginner crochet patterns FAQ
What is the easiest thing to crochet for a beginner?
A washcloth or a plain scarf in single or double crochet. Flat, small, and the stitch count is easy to check every row.
What yarn is best for beginner crochet patterns?
Smooth, light-colored worsted weight yarn on an H-8 or I-9 hook. Avoid dark, fuzzy or very thin yarn until your tension is even.
How long does a beginner crochet project take?
A washcloth or coaster set: an evening. A scarf: a week of evenings. A small bag: a weekend. A throw blanket: a month or two of short sessions.
