Free Crochet Patterns

Baby Afghans

Many people learn how to crochet because they want to make an extra-special baby blanket to celebrate the arrival of a newborn baby. Baby afghans are wonderful beginner crochet patterns, because with an afghan, there isn’t any complicated shaping to worry about like there is with garment patterns. Also, the crochet stitch patterns used tend to be repetitive and easy to memorize.

The baby afghan pictured above is the perfect example. There’s enough variety in the stitch pattern that it’s a fun project, but the same stitches repeat over and over again, which makes it easy to crochet. The free baby afghan pattern is available from crochet.about.com.

Baby Girl’s Heart Afghan

You’ll crochet this pretty girl’s baby blanket using Bernat Softee baby yarns in a rainbow of different colors. The free crochet pattern is available from Crochet.About.com.

If those two patterns aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, you’ll find plenty of other free baby blanket patterns listed on this page.

Granny Squares and Afghan Squares

Crochet is a portable craft. Grab a crochet hook plus a few balls of yarn, and you can head out the door with your project in your bag. As long as you’re working with squares, you can even make a sizeable afghan portable, at least until you get to the part where you sew the squares together.

With smaller squares, you can get a few rounds (or rows) done while you’re on hold waiting for someone to take your phone call; another few rows while you’re waiting for lunch; another few rows while the car warms up. Crochet a few squares every day, and before you know it you’ll have enough of them to put together a complete afghan.

Edging Patterns and Trim Patterns

I love using crocheted edgings and trims to beautify many different items. Anything that has a straight edge is a candidate; lately, I’ve been crocheting edgings onto vintage postcards and handmade greeting cards. More traditionally, edgings are used on sheets, tablecloths, pillowcases, hankies, napkins, and other such linens. They’re also used on garments too.

Flowers

Click here to find free flower patterns for a variety of different designs — abstract flowers, flower appliques, pretty vintage roses, and more.

Dishcloths

Dishcloths — Most people don’t give them a lot of thought. They’re not really all that exciting, and the truth is that most people want to have as little contact with dishcloths as possible.

But, dishcloths can be a lot of fun to crochet. They’re quick; they’re easy; and they’re pretty, as long as you choose a nice pattern to start with. They give you a chance to practice interesting new crochet stitches, without making much of a commitment in either time or materials. Dishcloths can be as colorful and enticing as you want them to be. And, the result is a useful item that really enhances the look of your kitchen. So what’s not to like about crocheted dishcloths?

Click here to find free dishcloth patterns.

Hats

Show off your style and personality with a crocheted hat. There is something so personal about a hat you make yourself; you can make it any way you want it, in the colors and style you choose.

Hat Crocheted in Burnt Orange and White, Which Are the Texas Longhorn Team Colors. This Free Crochet Pattern Allows You to Crochet a Hat in Any Two Colors That Represent Your Favorite Sports Team.

The hat shown above is a fantastic example. If you have a favorite sports team, you can crochet the hat in your team’s colors. But you don’t have to choose team colors; you could pick a couple of your favorite colors, or two colors that feature prominently in your winter wardrobe.

The hat in my photo is crocheted in orange and white. I crocheted it for a friend, whose casual wardrobe consists mostly of Texas Longhorns sweatshirts and tees. If I were going to make the same hat for myself, I would make one in blue and white, to match my favorite jacket. What colors will you make yours?

You can click here to get the free crochet pattern for this hat.
Or, you can click here to see more free crochet patterns for hats.

Hearts

Hearts are especially popular around the time of Valentine’s Day, but they’re great all-purpose motifs too. Click here to see free crochet patterns with a heart design.

Scarves

Scarves make such satisfying crochet projects. They can be either practical or fancy, utilitarian or dressy. Use them to make a fashion statement, or to keep warm, or for both reasons at the same time.

Pictured above: a matching men’s crocheted hat and scarf set. Click here for the free scarf pattern, and here for the free hat pattern. Or, click here to see more free scarf patterns.

Potholders

Crocheted potholders are sturdy and practical; they’re also beautiful and decorative. Potholder patterns come in a variety of shapes, ranging from simple squares to more elaborate designs.

Pictured above: a pair of simple square potholders made using variegated yarn and Tunisian crochet. You can click here for the free potholder pattern, or click here for more free potholder patterns.

Snowflakes

When you think of winter crochet projects, snowflakes often come to mind – but one of the fantastic things about snowflakes is that you can crochet them all year long. They’re small projects, and they are often made using crochet cotton, which means that they are even compatible with summertime crocheting. This is a good thing to keep in mind if you’d rather be cuddled up with a warm snuggly project, like an afghan, when December rolls around.

Pictured here is a snowflake shaped mini album; my beaded crochet snowflake enhances the front cover of the album. This album is a keychain mini scrapbook by Clear Scraps, which fits in the palm of my hand. These make super-affordable personalized gifts for friends; you can fill them with photos and add lots of special little touches.

Click here to find more free crochet snowflake patterns.