Quick Crochet Projects for Beginners: 15 Easy Ideas
If you've just arrived at Idealium and are wondering , "Where do I start?" , this article is for you. Here you'll find a selection of quick crochet projects , designed for beginners, with visual ideas , recommended materials , and helpful mini-guides . The goal: to help you find that first project that motivates you and that you can finish in an afternoon.
Table of Contents
Why choose quick projects?
- Immediate motivation: seeing results in hours encourages you to keep knitting.
- Practical learning: you repeat basic points and gain fluency without frustration.
- Minimum material: most are knitted with 1 ball or spool of t-shirt yarn.
Recommended basic materials
- 5–8 mm crochet hooks (ergonomic): comfortable for beginners. → See crochet hooks
- Medium weight cotton (category 4/aran) for small accessories. → See cotton balls
- Terra lightweight t-shirt yarn for baskets, placemats, and quick XL projects. → See t-shirt yarn
- Markers , a tapestry needle , and scissors .
Key points you will use
You only need a few points:
- Chain (cad)
- single crochet (sc)
- High point (pa)
- Increases in circular knitting (2 stitches knitted in the same stitch of the previous round)
15 quick project ideas (with mini-guide)
1) Basic round coasters
- Time: 20–30 min each
- Level: Beginner
- Materials: Medium cotton yarn + 5 mm crochet hook
Mini-guide: magic ring, 6 sc. Round 2: increase in every stitch. Round 3: alternate 1 sc, 1 inc; continue until desired diameter. Finish with a round of slip stitch for a clean edge.
2) XL Placemats
- Time: 40–60 min
- Level: Beginner
- Materials: Terra lightweight t-shirt yarn + 10 mm crochet hook
Mini-guide: Circle in dc with regular increases. Finish with a border in sc to stabilize.
3) Organizer basket
- Time: 60–90 min
- Level: Beginner
- Materials: Terra lightweight t-shirt yarn + 10 mm crochet hook
Mini-guide: circular base in single crochet, change to single crochet working in the back loop only to raise walls. Close with a firm edge.
4) Scrunchie hair tie
- Time: 20–30 min
- Level: Beginner
- Materials: Medium cotton + hair elastic + 4–5 mm crochet hook
Mini-guide: Cover the elastic with sc. Second round: 2–3 dc in each stitch to create the gather.
5) Easy braided headband
- Time: 45–60 min
- Level: Beginner
- Materials: Medium cotton or acrylic + 5 mm crochet hook
Mini-guide: crochet 3 strips in half double crochet, join them in a braid and close in a ring of your size.
6) Square kitchen pot holder
- Time: 45–60 min
- Level: Beginner
- Materials: Medium cotton yarn + 5 mm crochet hook
Mini-guide: crochet a square in single crochet. Add a crab stitch border and a loop for hanging.
7) Mug cover
- Time: 45–60 min
- Level: Beginner
- Material: Medium cotton/acrylic + 5 mm crochet hook
Mini-guide: rectangle in half double crochet with buttonhole. Closes with button.
8) Heart keychain
- Time: 20–30 min
- Level: Beginner
- Materials: Medium cotton + keyring + 4-5 mm crochet hook
Mini-guide: flat heart with symmetrical increases/decreases; sew two pieces if you want volume.
9) Monstera leaf coaster (easy)
- Time: 40–60 min
- Level: Beginner
- Materials: Medium cotton yarn + 5 mm crochet hook
Mini-guide: part of a simple sheet: oval base with increases; define slits with chains and sc.
10) Candle holder (glass) with mesh
- Time: 30–45 min
- Level: Beginner
- Materials: Fine-medium cotton + 3.5–4.5 mm crochet hook
Mini-guide: weave a net (ch + sc) around the glass and secure with a final chain stitch.
11) Small mesh bag
- Time: 90–120 min
- Level: Beginner
- Materials: Medium cotton yarn + 5 mm crochet hook
Mini-guide: oval base, mesh body (ch + dc), handles in chain stitch reinforced with sc.
You can see the full pattern at Natural Net Bag | Crochet Pattern
12) Hexagonal coaster
- Time: 30–45 min
- Level: Beginner
- Materials: Medium cotton yarn + 5 mm crochet hook
Mini-guide: Start with 6 sides in dc, increasing at the corners. Finish with a border in sc.
13) Mobile phone case (envelope type)
- Time: 60–90 min
- Level: Beginner
- Material: Medium cotton/acrylic + 5 mm crochet hook
Mini-guide: knit two rectangles in sc, sew the sides and add a flap with buttonhole and button.
14) Decorative mini pumpkin
- Time: 45–60 min
- Level: Beginner
- Materials: Medium acrylic + stuffing + 4–5 mm crochet hook
Mini-guide: rectangle in single crochet; gather the short sides to add volume, stuff and close. Mark sections with the same yarn.
15) Flower coaster
- Time: 30–45 min
- Level: Beginner
- Materials: Medium cotton + 4-5 mm crochet hook
Mini-guide: circular center; petals in multiples of 3 stitches. Final border in crab stitch.
Are you starting your first project today?
Find skeins of yarn, lightweight Terra t-shirt yarn, and comfortable crochet hooks for hassle-free knitting. Fast shipping and friendly customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size crochet hook should I choose to start with?
For beginners, 5–6 mm with medium cotton is a safe bet. If you're using lightweight yarn, go up to 8–10 mm.
How much yarn/t-shirt yarn do I need?
For small projects (coasters, keychains, hair ties), scraps or one skein of yarn are enough. For baskets and placemats made with t-shirt yarn, calculate one spool per piece.
Are there step-by-step patterns?
In the Patterns section, we publish free tutorials. If you'd like a specific pattern based on these ideas, let us know and we'll upload it.
Tip: Bookmark this article. When you finish your first project, try another one from the list using the same ball of yarn to make the most of your material.