15+ Crochet Project Ideas to Try First for Total Beginners

I once a crochet beginner long time ago. After I picked up my new ‘superpower’ in crocheting back in 2009, I am so eager to crochet new things and tried to sell them to my girlfriends in high school. As a part of reminiscing sweet memories with crochet during my early days, below I listed 16 crochet project ideas to try for all the beginners out there. The list below is arranged according to my project done from the first time I crochet.

All the project ideas will be linked in the photo as a credit to the rightful owner.

Flower Appliques

Flower appliques are suitable for beginners to practice all the basic crochet stitches in one project. It is not repetitive and quick to be done. It can be used as a finishing touch up on headbands, ear warmer, any clothing, hats and cases by sewing the flower appliques on them.

I have so much fun crocheting flower appliques when I first started.

It can be suited with many colors. I used to make chains after finishing an applique – to make it as a keychain where my high school friends can bought it in MYR 1.

Until today, I still crocheting flower appliques, but this time, I arranged them in a frame. They are so cute!

Flower appliques that I arranged in a frame

Table Runner

Table runner crochet is so popular as a common home decoration in Asian countries, especially in Southeast Asia. Other than table runner, there are also chairbacks, TV cover and food cover crochet too.

It makes more sense for us as we don’t wear crochet garments like Westerners do – it’s hot here!

My first crochet book that I received from my late mother is about table runner crochet. I’m able to read basic crocheting diagram at that time. As I wanted challenge myself for a bigger project than flower appliques, I tried to crochet a small table runner.

If you want to challenge yourself for a bigger and lengthy project, a table runner is perfect for you.

Phone Pouches / Phone Case

Phone cases, or phone crochet bags is one of the recommended crochet project for beginners as they require basic stitches and not consuming a lot of time. Making phone cases is suitable for any occasions for any people of different ages as most of us use phone in everyday life.

I made this when I was in second year in high school. I made it for friends and teachers! The creativity is endless; I can mixed up with different colours, trying new stitches and made up different designs.

Laptop / Tablet Case

Laptop & tablet crochet case are bigger version of phone crochet cases. The possibility of designing a tablet or laptop case is endless too as it can be tweaked its colors, sizes, crochet stitch used and decorations.

You can add design your laptop case by adding buttons, pen pockets, note book pockets and so on. The creativity is limitless.

Granny Squares

Granny squares are pieces of crocheted fabric that are done in squares, regardless of its motif and colours. Granny squares patterns ranges from easy for beginners and complicated patterns for the advanced crocheter. It is the most recommended project as it can be used in any projects; coasters, table runners, bags, any kind of cases, blankets and even clothing.

I always recommend this project for beginners as it has many uses. In times where crocheters feels like, “I don’t know what to crochet next”, we can stock up granny squares while watching Netflix and figure out what to do with the granny squares later.

We never knew if we want an emergency gift for our friends – that’s the time we assemble the granny squares pieces into either bags, blankets or pillowcases.

Book Cover

I crochet this book cover in 2013, during my final year in high school.

Crochet book covers are easy for beginners as it only used double crochet stitches around the way. The stitches can be tweaked to other type of stitches, according to your creativity.

Coasters

Crochet coasters are easy for crochet beginners. They have similar way doing flower appliques and granny squares. They are also varies according to motifs and techniques used. You can stock a few crochet coasters at home for your own use.

Ear Warmer & Headbands

One of the nicest things to crochet as a beginner is crocheting something warm and to be worn, like crocheting ear warmer!


Ear warmers crochet design can be as easy for beginners and go beyond towards complicated stitches. Simple or complicated, both are them beautiful to be wear during cold seasons.

Fingerless Hand Warmer

Another crochet item that is nice and warm but yet easy to make are fingerless hand warmer crochet. It require basic stitch such as half double crochet or double crochet and the stitches may exist in advanced type of stitches. Fingerless hand warmer crochet is a perfect gift for winter gift during Christmas.

This simple hand warmer can be varies in crocheting techniques used, decorations and colors.

I love wearing fingerless hand warmer in air-conditioned office buildings. It also perfect for students who are taking final examination in cold room!

Cozy Coffee Cup Holder

Cozy coffee cup holder crochet is one of the cute, easy thing to crochet. It can go as basic design to meet the function, or it can go further by adding decorations on the coffee cup sleeves.

I’ve seen many creative crochet designers designed the cozy coffee cup sleeves in different forms and patterns; some of them adapting the cartoon character, cute animals, and fairies on the cup holder.

Bag & Basket

There are many types of crochet bags such as tote bags, backpack, grocery bags and handbags. Bags that made from granny squares are the most recommended for crochet beginners as they are easy and beautiful to make. Though it is not compulsory to have, crochet bags may have additional item depending on the crochet designer such zipper, lining and buttons.

I’ve been making a lot of crochet bags since I started crochet in different sizes and designs. Crochet bags never go out of style!

Dishcloth

Dishcloth crochet is easy and straight forward project for beginner. It may be made from granny squares. Depending on the pattern instruction, typically 100% cotton yarn is used to crochet dishcloth.

This is the perfect gift to mothers and sisters!

Blankets

Crochet blankets varies according to type of stitches and sizes. Baby blankets is a good start for beginners to try as it have smaller size compared to normal blanket. Apart from regular half double crochet and double crochet, granny squares can be made up into blankets too.

I’ve seen many type of stitches used for blankets. I’ve seen chevron, corner-to-corner (C2C), cable crochet and ripple stitch. Blanket designs varies to boho, minimalist, warm and cool looks.

I crochet blanket once for a newborn gift! I’m glad that the mother is so happy with my crocheted gift.

Infinity Scarf

Infinity scarf crochet is a scarf that has no ends, hence it made up as a loop to be worn around the neck. It require crocheting basic knowledge such as half double crochet and double crochet.


The scarf in the picture above only use half double crochet across the stitches. Easy right?

Hat & Beanie

I’ve made crochet hats and beanies for several times! I usually make for kids as parents always approach me for kids accessories that they can be wear.

Check out the link in the picture. I think the sunflower hat is beautiful.

Pillow Case

Pillow case crochet is easy as it has the same concept of blanket with different assembling method. It may be made up from granny squares too.