Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

Ravelry, Pinterest, or ?

by

Where do you go (other than here 😉 to get your crochet eye-candy fix?  I have several go-to sites for patterns when I know what I want to make, say a scarf or babyghan.  But, when I just need some motivation or inspiration, I find that I’ll spend hours surfing the web in search of that project, yarn, or idea that will jump start my next project.  Where do you go?

I love Ravelry.com.  It’s free, has lots of great photos of lovely projects, including pictures of many crocheters’ finished items of the same project to see how they will look interpreted in different yarns or even different gauges.  It is also very clear most of the time who the author of the pattern is and who has merely posted a photo of a finished piece.

Pinterest.com is a fantastic site for eye-candy and inspiration. (See the all crochet room?) It can also be a huge time-sucker!  If I’m not careful, I can spend more than an hour clicking from one picture to the next, like turning the pages in a huge crochet picture book.  While this is certainly enjoyable, I find it a bit more difficult than Ravelry to source a pattern.  That can be frustrating.  When I have fallen in love with a certain something, I really want to know where I can find the pattern.  Pinterest makes this a bit more daunting – sometimes even a lot more daunting.

What I often find myself doing is seeing the inspirational piece then heading over to www.crochetpatterncentral.com to see if the pattern is available anywhere on the net.  Old school?  Maybe.  But, it can get me there.

Craftcrave.net is another site, newer, that is similar to Pinterest that is growing.  If there are other similar sites out there, I have yet to find them.  Not sure I want to!  LOL.  I might never have time to actually pick up a crochet hook again.

So, what is your favorite site to go to for crochet inspiration?

Comments

  1. The Craftster.org crochet boards are a favorite place for me! There are lists of tutorials/patterns available, but also a ton of posts with inspiring photos (many with outside pattern links, too).

  2. Like you mentioned, Ravelry is a very fun site for inspiration! I also the yarn brand sites, such as Caron.com, Lionbrand.com, and even the Kreinig website!

  4. Ravelry for me at the moment but I find it frustrating too as many of the projects are made with yarn available in US only. Also, it’s not always clear if the pattern is in US or UK terminology. Still do spend lots of time there.
    I spend a lot of time on youtube learning new stitches and often learn off Teresa Richardson’s site as she explains things so clearly.

  5. Ravelry is mine so far. I sometimes find a pattern and like it but have a hard time getting past the example. So I’ll scurry over to ravelry to see what others have done and get inspiration that way.

  6. Definitely agree with Craftster! They have inspiration for all the fiber arts (crochet, knit, spin, weave, embroidery, etc) plus sooo much more!

    As far as crochet goes, i-crochet.blogspot.com is my go-to site> It combines the visual interest of Pinterest with the ability to credit the source like Ravelry because each photo is being added by the creator!

  7. I have finally succumbed to the Pinterest pull. And, I must say that I agree. It is so inspirational. Such a wonderful place to organize my links in one concise location. Scary when I start trying to organize all the links to flowers I want in my garden. ha! I think my most popular board is the one where I am trying to pool together Tunisian crochet patterns that are currently available. I try not to spend too much time there, but it *is* fun. 🙂

Have you read?

Beginner-Friendly Crochet Scarves and Cowls

If you’re new to crochet and wondering where to start, scarves and cowls are one of the nicest entry points. They feel useful right away, they don’t come with the stress of tricky sizing, and they let you settle into the rhythm of stitching without needing to think too hard about shaping or assembly. That is a big win when you’re still getting comfortable holding the yarn, counting stitches, and figuring out where your row actually ends.

Let’s be honest, a lot of beginners want a project that looks good before they want a project that teaches them patience.

That’s exactly why scarves and cowls work so well. They’re practical, cozy, and giftable, and they often use the same few stitches over and over again. You get to build confidence while making something you can actually wear, wrap up for a friend, or stash away for cooler weather. It feels like real progress, not just practice.

I also love that this category has a nice mix of super simple wins and slightly more textured designs. If you want a one-skein cowl you can finish over a weekend, there are plenty of those. If you want a chunky scarf with a bit more visual interest, you can find that too. It’s a very forgiving place to begin, and for a lot of crocheters it’s the category that turns “I’m trying crochet” into “I think I’m properly into crochet now.”

If you’re building out your beginner pattern stash, you might also want to bookmark our roundup of Easy Butterfly Crochet Patterns for Beginners and this sweet Free Crochet Pattern – Emotional Support Chicken. For readers who want fast finishes, Free Patterns – Quick Crochet Projects is another handy one to keep open in a tab.

Beginner-Friendly Crochet Scarves and Cowls

Free Pattern – Moss Stitch Crochet Cowl

This is exactly the sort of project I love to recommend to newer crocheters. Moss stitch has that neat, slightly textured look that feels polished, but it’s still repetitive enough that you can relax into it once you get going. If you want a cowl that looks a little elevated without becoming fiddly, this is a lovely place to start.

One Skein Cowl

One-skein projects always feel approachable, especially when you’re not ready to commit to something huge. This cowl is a great fit for beginners who want something warm, quick, and satisfying. It also has that nice “I made this in a weekend” energy, which is very motivating when you’re just starting out.

Free Crochet Pattern – Lindsay Cowl

This one feels giftable from the moment you see it. It’s simple, adaptable, and easy to picture in different yarn colors, which makes it a fun pattern if you’re starting to think beyond just “can I make this?” and into “who could I make this for?” I always think those are the projects that keep beginners coming back for more.

Crochet a Colorful Braided Scarf Using Broomstick or Cardboard

This is a fun twist on the usual beginner scarf. It has a more decorative finish without feeling out of reach, and it’s a nice choice if you want something that looks a bit different from a standard straight scarf. It’s also a good reminder that beginner crochet doesn’t have to mean boring crochet.

Chunky Crochet Teal Scarf With Fringe

Chunky yarn and fringe are such a good combination when you want quick payoff. This kind of scarf works up faster, feels cozy almost immediately, and gives beginners that very important feeling of visible progress. And honestly, fringe covers a lot of sins if your edges aren’t perfect yet.

Free Cowl Patterns

This Lion Brand collection is worth bookmarking if you want to browse beyond a single pattern. It’s useful for readers who like having options in one place, especially when they’re still figuring out what shape and style they prefer. A roundup like this always benefits from one broad resource page readers can keep exploring.

Free Scarf Patterns

Same idea here, but for scarves. If someone finishes one beginner project and immediately wants another, this kind of resource page is handy. It gives you room to keep the momentum going without having to hunt around from scratch.

Fast and Easy Cowl

The title alone makes this a good fit for beginners. Fast and easy is exactly what many newer crocheters are looking for, especially when they want to build skill without burning out. A project like this helps you focus on consistency and comfort rather than complicated construction.

Simple Cowl Pattern

Bulky yarn plus a simple shape is a very beginner-friendly combination. This is the sort of project that can make a new crocheter feel successful quickly, and that matters more than people realise. A good first finish can turn someone into a lifelong yarn hoarder. Learned that one the hard way.

Cardiff Cowl

This one feels like a nice next-step option. It still sits in the easy category, but it has a slightly more refined look, which makes it perfect for crocheters who’ve finished a basic beginner piece and are ready for something just a touch more styled. A roundup needs a few of those “you’re ready now” patterns.

Free Ridgeway Cowl Pattern

Mary Maxim always gives you a nice practical read on a pattern, and this one feels like a strong wearable addition to the list. It’s the kind of cowl that looks useful, cozy, and realistic for everyday wear, which is exactly what many beginners want to make first.

Free Autumn Spice Cowl Pattern

This is a really good fit for an easy crochet roundup because chunky yarn and simple structure usually mean a faster finish. It has a cozy, seasonal feel to it too, which makes it ideal if your readers are already thinking ahead to cooler weather projects.

Why scarves and cowls are such good beginner crochet projects

Scarves and cowls let you focus on the part of crochet that matters most at the beginning: getting comfortable with the stitches. You’re not worrying about sleeve shaping, precise fit, or joining twenty awkward pieces together while muttering at your yarn. You’re mostly just crocheting, row by row or round by round, and that repetition is what helps the movements start to feel natural.

They also give you a finished item that feels useful.

That really matters.

A dishcloth is practical, yes, but a cozy scarf or cowl feels more exciting to a lot of people. It looks like a real handmade piece. It can become a gift, part of your winter wardrobe, or the thing that makes you think, “Actually, I can do this.”

If you’re choosing your first project, look for patterns that mention beginner, easy, one skein, chunky yarn, or fast finish. Those usually give you the most encouraging experience. The more success you have early on, the easier it is to keep going.

More easy crochet ideas to explore

If you enjoyed these scarf and cowl ideas, here are a few more beginner-friendly places to head next:

Free Patterns – Quick Crochet Projects
9 Quick & Easy Crochet Patterns
Easy Butterfly Crochet Patterns for Beginners
Beginner-Friendly Crochet Cardigan Idea
Buttoned Plaid Cowl Free Crochet Pattern

This is the kind of crochet category that quietly builds confidence stitch by stitch. Start with one simple cowl, then try a scarf with texture, then maybe a chunky wrap or hooded cowl once you feel brave. Before long, your yarn basket will be full and you’ll be calling it a “collection,” which is a very familiar craft-room trick.