Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

NEW YEAR – NEW WAYS??

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I’m not much for making New Year’s Resolutions because it always seems that the shine wears off quickly on any changes I try to make.  I have turned over a new leaf in the housekeeping department lately, but we’ll see how long that lasts.  I can hope….

But, what about crochet?  Many resolutions that people share seem to involve:

  • using up yarn on hand
  • working on only one project at a time
  • finishing up the many UFO’s on hand
  • learning a new technique

I vote for the ‘learning a new technique’ since I know I will never work on only one project at a time, will never finish up all the UFO’s I’ve started, and will definitely not be using only the yarn I have on hand.  I have done better in the NonAcquisition of New Yarn Department, otherwise called a Yarn Diet, lately.  But, I just ordered some yarn for a wedding afghan because I simply do not have the proper brown and turquoise yarns on hand that are required to please the bride.  My new plan is to not go into yarn stores to pet yarn, but rather to order online from brands I know in colors I know I need.  Make sense?  We’ll see how this goes.

Let’s see how many of you have this yarn in your stash:

This is the aforementioned RH ‘Earth and Sky’ yarn that I need.  I don’t even own any turquoise yarn of any description.  Since the bride has chosen brown and turquoise to decorate, I thought this would be a perfect yarn for an afghan.  What do you think??

But, back to those Resolutions.  I’m wondering if I really need to bother.  Do you think things will really improve if I buy less yarn or work on only one project at a time?  I don’t.  I think I’ll be bored and find far less enjoyment in my crochet.  So, my New Year’s Resolution is to make NO RESOLUTIONS that might interfere in the least with my crochet.  Some things are just too important :-).

If you are looking for more of our DIY Wedding ideas then check out our dedicated DIY Wedding blog.

Looking for more crochet patterns for weddings? Check out these designs we found on Etsy.

Comments

  1. HI MELANIE,
    I’M GOING TO ATTEMPT TO HELP WITH YOUR QUESTIONS. USING ALL CAPS FOR EASE OF READING BETWEEN YOUR TEXT.

    Help! I’m new to this and am having difficulty reading the instructions. What does it mean when the instructions say “in second ch from hook” ? MUCH CROCHET STARTS WITH A FOUNDATION CHAIN. THE PATTERN MAY BE WRITTEN THAT THE MOTIF OR DESIGN IS A MULTIPLE OF 10 PLUS 2 – THAT MEANS THE MOTIF WILL TAKE 10 CHAINS TO WORK ACROSS AND YOU’LL NEED 2 CHAINS FOR TURNING.

    For example: “3 sc in second ch from hook, sc in next 13 chs.” Does this mean to single crochet 16 more rows? What is a “2nd chain from hook?”.

    THE SECOND CHAIN FROM YOUR HOOK CAN BE DETERMINED BY COUNTING THE CHAIN ON YOUR HOOK AS ‘ZERO’ THEN COUNTING EACH CHAIN. YOU WORK YOUR FIRST SINGLE CROCHET (SC) INTO THAT THIRD CHAIN – THEN AS THESE INSTRUCTIONS TELL YOU, YOU WILL WORK 2 MORE SC INTO THAT SAME CHAIN. THE CHAIN IS A LOOP HAVING 3 PARTS. YOU’LL TYPICALLY PLACE YOUR HOOK UNDER THE TOP TWO BARS FOR EACH STITCH (UNLESS THE PATTERN TELLS YOU TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY OR YOU DECIDE TO ON YOUR OWN. SO LONG AS YOU’RE CONSISTENT IN WHERE YOU PLACE YOUR HOOK, YOU’LL PROBABLY BE OKAY WITH BEGINNER PROJECTS.

    FOR MORE HELP ON DETERMINING WHERE TO PLACE YOUR HOOK, GO TO http://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM AND ENTER ‘BEGINNER CROCHET’ INTO THE SEARCH BOX. LOTS OF HELP THERE. THE TWO CHAINS SKIPPED IN YOUR DIRECTIONS ARE YOUR TURNING CHAIN.

    The other instruction I can’t figure out is “working on other side of foundation ch,” Does this mean I have to take the hook out and crochet the other side of the original chain?

    MOST PATTERNS WILL WORK ONLY ONE SIDE OF A FOUNDATION CHAIN – WORKING INTO THE CHAINS AS I DESCRIBED ABOVE. DOING SO WILL LEAVE ONE BAR UNUSED. TO WORK THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FOUNDATION CHAIN, YOU’LL JUST CONTINUE AROUND THE STARTING CHAIN, USUALLY ADDING 2 OR MORE STITCHES IN THE LAST CHAIN, AND WORK ON BACK DOWN THAT STARTING CHAIN INTO THOSE UNUSED BARS – TYPICALLY JUST A SINGLE BAR NOT THE TWO BARS AS YOU DID ON THE FIRST ROUND. THIS TYPE OF DIRECTION IS COMMON FOR THE BOTTOMS OF PURSES, SOME CAPS, SOME DOILIES – ANYWHERE YOU’RE TRYING TO CREATE AN OVAL FOR SURE.

    HOPE THIS HELPS. DON’T OVERLOOK THE VALUE OF YOUTUBE AND OTHER SITES FOR HELP ON BEGINNING CROCHET AND PATTERN READING.
    GOOD LUCK!
    jd

    Thanks for any help you can give me.

Have you read?

Make To Donate: 20 Beginner Crochet Patterns To Make And Donate

New to charity crochet? These beginner-friendly crochet patterns are perfect for donating to shelters, hospitals, NICUs, pet rescues, care homes, and community support groups.

If you are a beginner crocheter and you want to make something useful for charity, let me just say this first: you do not need to be fancy to be generous. You do not need complicated stitch patterns, designer-level finishing, or a yarn stash that looks like a boutique wall. You need a hook, some suitable yarn, and a project that can be used by someone who needs it.

That is the beauty of beginner charity crochet. Simple beanies, scarves, soap sacks, washcloths, rectangles, baby rugs, slippers, and lap blankets can all be meaningful. In fact, beginner-friendly projects are often the most practical donations because they are easy to wash, easy to wear, and easy for charities to distribute.

This article is part of our Make To Donate crochet series, where we gather useful crochet patterns for makers who want to give back. These beginner crochet donation patterns are especially good if you are still learning, returning to crochet after a long break, or crocheting between real life interruptions — you know, dinner, teenagers, pets, laundry, and the mystery of why there is always one odd sock in the house.

Before you donate, always check with the charity first. Hospitals, NICUs, shelters, cancer centres, and animal rescues all have different requirements. Some may want acrylic, some may need cotton, some may have exact sizes, and some may not accept certain items at all.

Beginner Crochet Patterns To Make And Donate

Basic Back Loop Beanie

A simple beanie is one of the best beginner crochet projects for charity donations. This pattern comes in multiple sizes, which makes it useful if you want to make hats for babies, children, teens, and adults. Once you get into the rhythm, it is the kind of project you can make more than once without overthinking every stitch.

Easy Peasy 30-Minute Beanie

This quick beanie is perfect for beginners who want to feel productive fast. It works well for donation drives because it is warm, useful, and doesn’t need lots of shaping. Make a few in soft washable yarn and you’ll have a little stack ready before you know it.

Gentle Kisses Charity Beanie

This charity beanie has enough texture to feel special while still being a practical donation item. It is a good next-step project if you have made a basic hat and want something with a little more personality. Hats like this are useful for shelters, winter drives, and cancer care donations when made in suitable yarn.

Misty Days Preemie Beanie

Preemie beanies are tiny, quick, and meaningful, but they must be made carefully to the receiving hospital’s rules. This pattern includes several small sizes, making it a sweet option for baby-focused charity crochet. Use soft yarn and skip embellishments unless the hospital specifically allows them.

Warm Up America Crochet Rectangle

Crochet rectangles are fantastic for beginners because they let you practise neat stitches while still contributing to a bigger charity project. This pattern is designed for Warm Up America-style donations and is ideal for craft groups. One small rectangle may not look like much on its own, but joined with others it becomes warmth.

Charity Crochet Lattice Lapghan

A lapghan is smaller than a full blanket, which makes it much less intimidating for beginners. This pattern is a lovely option for aged care homes, wheelchair users, hospital comfort donations, and community care projects. It gives warmth without requiring you to commit to a huge afghan.

Quick Crochet Afghan Pattern

This CraftBits afghan pattern is a good one for crocheters who want to make a larger donation project without choosing something overly complicated. Blankets are always comforting, and a quick afghan can be useful for shelters, crisis accommodation, or winter drives. Use practical colours and machine-washable yarn if you are making it for everyday charity use.

Preemie Baby Rug Crochet Pattern

This small preemie baby rug is designed as a charity crochet project and is a manageable size for beginners. It is a thoughtful option for baby donation programs, provided your chosen organisation accepts this type of item. Small projects like this are lovely when you want to make something meaningful without taking on a huge blanket.

Vintage Baby Bunting Cocoon Crochet Pattern

This baby bunting cocoon has a traditional handmade look and would suit baby-focused charity groups that accept cocoon-style items. It is a more specific donation project, so always check guidelines first. If accepted, it is a sweet and comforting make with a lovely vintage feel.

Gift Box Soap Sack Crochet Pattern

Soap sacks are wonderful beginner donation projects because they are small, useful, and easy to make in batches. This pattern works well for hygiene kits, shelter donations, and community outreach baskets. Made in cotton with a bar of soap tucked inside, it becomes a practical little gift of care.

Lily Sugar’n Cream Crochet Mesh Soap Saver Bag

This mesh soap saver bag is another useful cotton project for beginners. It is small enough to finish quickly and practical enough to donate in multiples. Soap sacks are especially good when you want a charity project that doesn’t use much yarn.

Crochet Soap Saver And Washcloth

This pattern gives you a matching soap saver and washcloth, which would be lovely for hygiene packs or shelter donations. Beginner crocheters can practise useful stitches while making something that has real everyday value. Cotton yarn is the best choice here because it washes well and suits bathroom use.

Quick And Easy Crochet Washcloth

A crochet washcloth is one of the most practical beginner projects you can make. It is small, useful, and forgiving, which makes it perfect when you are still getting your tension under control. Make a stack in cotton yarn and they are ready for care hampers, hygiene kits, or local support groups.

Favourite Crochet Washcloth

This beginner-friendly washcloth is soft, textured, and useful for everyday care. Washcloths are brilliant donation items because they do not need sizing, they are easy to launder, and they can be included in so many different charity packs. They are also great confidence-builders for new crocheters.

Quick And Easy Crochet Scarf For Charity

A simple scarf is a classic charity crochet project for good reason. It is warm, practical, and easy to customise depending on yarn and size. This pattern is a lovely choice for shelters, winter drives, and beginner crocheters who want a project with straight rows and a useful result.

Simple Scarf Charity Stash Bash Pattern

This simple scarf pattern is perfect for stash-busting and charity making. It is the kind of pattern you can work on while watching TV or chatting with a friend, which is exactly what I like in a donation project. Simple scarves can be incredibly useful during cold weather drives.

Crochet Neck Warmer Scarf For Operation Gratitude

A neck warmer is smaller than a scarf but still gives warmth where it is needed. This makes it a great beginner project for practical donations and care packages. It is also a nice choice when you want something unisex and compact.

Classic Prayer Shawl Crochet Pattern

A prayer shawl is a beautiful comfort project, and this one has a simple repetitive style that suits calmer crochet sessions. It would be lovely for grief support, hospital comfort, cancer care groups, or community pastoral care. Choose soft yarn and calming colours for a gentle finish.

Sawyer Easy Prayer Shawl Crochet Pattern

This easy prayer shawl is another thoughtful beginner-friendly option for charity crochet. Shawls take longer than hats or soap sacks, but they are deeply comforting donations. This is a good project when you want to slow down and make something with intention.

Two-Hour Crochet Slippers For Beginners

These rectangle slippers are a clever beginner project because they start with simple shapes and turn into something wearable. They are useful for shelters, comfort packs, or aged care donations if the organisation accepts handmade slippers. Check whether non-slip soles are needed before donating.

Tips For Beginner Charity Crochet

Start with projects that are useful and simple. Beanies, scarves, washcloths, soap sacks, rectangles, and lap blankets are all excellent beginner donation makes. Avoid complicated shaping, fancy fibres, and anything with small parts that could come loose.

If you are donating to hospitals, babies, or cancer care groups, follow the guidelines carefully. If you are donating to shelters or community groups, focus on warmth, washability, and practical colours.

The best beginner charity crochet project is not the fanciest one. It is the one you finish, wash if required, package neatly, and send off to someone who can use it. That is the real magic.

More Create To Donate Crochet Ideas

For more charity crochet inspiration, browse CraftBits crochet patterns and read our CraftGossip guide to crocheting for a cause.