What Can You Crochet when You’re Bored?

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So, you've got a lot of yarn and a lot of time on your hands...but what are you supposed to do now? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together tons of crochet projects, along with plenty of tutorials and patterns to walk you through each activity. Whether you’re a crochet novice or veteran, you’ll be able to find a fun, engaging project that will help pass the time in a colorful and creative way.

1

Potholders

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  1. Every kitchen could use a spare potholder.
    Are you or someone you know a big fan of baking or cooking? If so, a potholder is the perfect crochet craft to try out, since this is a simple project that is worked in flat rows.[1] Make these cozy squares with the yarn of your choice. Just remember—if you use thick or bulky yarn, increase the size of your crochet hook.
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2

Granny Squares

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  1. Granny squares offer a small but creative way to use up your extra yarn.
    Like the name suggests, granny squares are square-shaped yarn creations that have a lacey look to them upon completion. Not only are they easy to make, they’re a great way to master simple crochet stitches, like single, double, and half double.[2] [3]
3

Dish Cloths

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  1. Spruce up your kitchen with a simple, colorful dish cloth (or three!
    ). Whether you hand-wash or machine-wash your dishes, a dish cloth is always handy to have near your sink. Choose a colorful yarn if you’d like to brighten up your space, or stick to neutral tones for a more minimalistic look.
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4

Coasters

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  1. Coasters are great to make if you need a quick activity to pass the time.
    If you’re a big tea or coffee drinker, you know how essential a good coaster is when you’re sitting and relaxing with a tasty beverage. These simple crafts tend to follow a circular design, and are easy to fit just about anywhere in your home.
5

Mug Cozies

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  1. This simple craft is a great complement to any mug of tea, coffee, or hot cocoa.
    Mug cozies aren’t just adorable accessories for your mugs and cups—they also keep your drink nice and toasty while protecting your hands from any nasty burns.[4] This craft hardly takes any time to do, and is a great gift for any tea or coffee lover in your life.
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6

Shawls

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  1. A colorful shawl is a great accessory for all seasons.
    Pick up some solid-colored yarn to create a monochromatic look, or pick up some multicolored yarn to achieve a specific aesthetic. Although they can take a little bit of time to complete, the stitch patterns are pretty repetitive. This makes shawls a great craft for passing the time!
7

Scarves

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  1. Scarves are a fun, easy way to keep you and your friends warm during the winter.
    [5] Thick scarves, thin scarves, infinity scarves…with all the different cuddly and cozy varieties out there, you’ll never run out of things to make. Feel free to make scarves in the warmer months, too—you’ll be good to go when winter arrives!
    • Free Scarf Crochet Tutorial
    • Free Hooded Scarf Crochet Tutorial
    • Free Infinity Scarf Crochet Tutorial
    • Free Ruffle Scarf Crochet Tutorial
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8

Blankets

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  1. Get ready for autumn and winter with a snuggly, handmade blanket.
    Blankets definitely aren’t quick crochet projects, but they’re about as simple as they come. Looking for something especially cozy? Stock up on baby or blanket yarn to make a comfy creation that’s super soft to the touch.
9

Headbands & Ear Warmers

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  1. Headbands and ear warmers earn you style points while also keeping you warm.
    Add a splash of color to your look by sticking with a single color of yarn, or grab a multicolored yarn ball to give off a colorful, eclectic vibe. This simple craft doesn’t take very long to make and is a perfect gift for the holidays or a winter birthday.
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10

Baskets and Boxes

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  1. Turn your extra yarn into extra storage that you can use around your home.
    Have a lot of yarn taking up space in your room? Crocheting baskets and boxes gives you the opportunity to free up some extra space while also creating extra storage space in the process.
11

Gloves

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  1. Gloves may take a little while to make, but they’re a worthy time investment.
    There’s no getting around it—everyone needs a pair of gloves, mittens, or glittens (a glove-mitten hybrid) when the weather starts getting chilly. Keep your own hands warm by crocheting yourself a pair; then, spread the love by making some for your friends and family!
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12

Small Decorations

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  1. A simple handmade decoration can really spruce up your home.
    Are your tables and shelves looking a little bare? Grab some yarn and whip up a small, cute, and stylish piece of decor that’s sure to brighten up your home. If you’re really in the mood, you can make extra decorations as gifts, too.
13

Hats

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  1. Hats are a practical, easy gift to make for friends and loved ones.
    Whether it’s for style or necessity, almost everyone has a hat in their wardrobe somewhere. Add one to your collection by crocheting a cozy winter hat, a stylish beanie, or a fun animal-themed hat. These don’t take too long to make, so feel free to make a bunch for your friends and relatives as well.
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14

Shoes

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  1. Crocheted shoes are a fun craft to try if you’re up for a challenge.
    While crocheted shoes aren’t meant for long walks or hikes, they’re great for strolling around your home and for lounging around. You can even make them extra durable by sewing a separate sole to the bottom.[6]
15

Clothing

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  1. Take your crocheting know-how to a whole new level with a life-sized project.
    Crocheted clothing definitely requires a good chunk of time to complete—but it leads to a super impressive final product by the time you’re done! Start with something simple, like a skirt or cardigan, or dive right into something a little more advanced, like a sweater.
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16

Accessories

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  1. Crocheted accessories add a cute, rustic charm to your everyday look.
    From leg warmers and bags to scrunchies and earrings, there’s no limit to the accessories that you can whip up with a little bit of yarn and a crochet hook. Make something fun for yourself, or create something colorful and unique as a gift for someone else.
17

Holiday Decor

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  1. Add some soft, handmade decorations to your yearly holiday traditions.
    Don’t feel like heading to the department store for more ornaments or holiday decorations? Grab your extra yarn and make a few items of your own. These soft, durable pieces of decor will last for years and years!
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18

Amigurumi

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  1. This challenging project makes a cute, cuddly gift for friends and family.
    Amigurumi is a Japanese word for a crocheted plush toy.[7] This wide category of crochet encompasses pretty much everything under the sun, from fantasy creatures and sea animals to cute kitties and Pokémon.
19

New Crochet Stitches

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  1. Use your free time to expand your crocheting repertoire.
    The more crochet stitches you know, the more fun projects you can tackle in the future. So, take some time to learn a stitch that’s totally new to you, like the popcorn, bullion, heart, crocodile, or camel stitch.
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  • Question
    What supplies do I need to begin crocheting?
    Austen Hatae
    Austen Hatae
    Top Answerer
    To begin crocheting, you will need yarn (one ball for single-color projects, or multiple for multi-colored designs), a crochet hook (the size depends on your chosen yarn), and scissors. If you plan to work in rounds, stitch markers are also very helpful. These items are readily available for purchase, often online.
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References

  1. ↑ Sarah Stearns. DIY Specialist. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://sarahmaker.com/crochet-a-granny-square/
  3. ↑ Sarah Stearns. DIY Specialist. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvFCtShFJzQ
  5. ↑ Sarah Stearns. DIY Specialist. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-oazrZoGN4
  7. ↑ https://jisho.org/search/amigurumi

About This Article

Sarah Stearns
Co-authored by:
Sarah Stearns
DIY Specialist
This article was co-authored by Sarah Stearns and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Sarah Stearns is a DIY Specialist, Artist, Maker, Blogger, and the Founder of SarahMaker.com. With over ten years of experience, she specializes in fun, approachable crafts like crocheting, making polymer clay jewelry, quilting, and creating Cricut projects. Her work has been featured in several publications, such as Scientific American, Good Housekeeping, Vox, and Apartment Therapy. Sarah holds a BA in Psychology from Vanderbilt University. This article has been viewed 23,615 times.
43 votes - 59%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: July 2, 2025
Views: 23,615
Categories: Crochet
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