What Should I Crochet Next – 45 Projects by Skill

How it works

Finished a project and your hook is idle? Press the button for one of 45 crochet projects, from a dishcloth to a cardigan, with the skill each one teaches.

Read the full guide

Match the project to your skill

After your first press, the list beside the button narrows the draw. Good first projects need only straight rows or simple rounds; A next step adds shaping, color changes or a new technique; Big projects take weeks. You can also narrow it to things to wear, for the home, toys or small gifts.

Learn one new thing each time

Pick a project that is one step past your last: a beanie teaches increases, mittens add a thumb, and a Tunisian washcloth brings a new hook. Set the count to 3 and choose the one you have yarn for.

Tips

Leftover yarn? Granny squares, keychain charms and bunting are made for scraps, and a temperature blanket uses a little of many colors.

Questions and answers

What is the easiest thing to crochet?

A dishcloth or a chunky scarf: straight rows, one stitch, no shaping. Once your rows are even, try a granny square to learn working in the round.

What is amigurumi?

The Japanese craft of small stuffed toys, crocheted in tight spirals so the stuffing does not show. An octopus or a strawberry is the gentlest start.

What can I crochet to sell or give as a gift?

Small things that are quick to repeat: keychain charms, scrunchies, bookmarks, coasters and Christmas ornaments. The Small gifts group holds nine.

All 45 crochet projects

Good first projects 16

Amigurumi octopus A round head and curly legs; one of the gentlest first toys.
Amigurumi strawberry A tiny cone in red with a green top: done in an evening.
Bookmark A thin strip in cotton thread with a tassel at the end.
Bunting A row of small triangles on a long chain, for a party or a bedroom.
Cat toy A small stuffed mouse or ball with a jingle bell inside.
Christmas ornaments Stars, snowflakes and tiny stockings for the tree.
Chunky scarf Straight rows in thick yarn; it grows fast and needs no shaping.
Coaster set Four or six small circles or squares; a first go at working in the round.
Dishcloth A small square in cotton yarn: good practice for even rows.
Fingerless gloves A tube with a gap for the thumb; no fingers to fuss over.
Granny square The classic motif, worked in rounds from a ring at the center.
Headband or ear warmer A long strip joined at the ends; small enough to finish in a weekend.
Keychain charm A tiny heart, star or fruit on a key ring; uses scraps.
Phone case pouch A small padded sleeve with a button loop.
Pot holders Thick, double-layered squares in cotton, which does not melt near heat.
Scrunchie Stitches worked over a hair elastic: quick and useful.

Show all 45 crochet projects (29 more)

A next step 19

Amigurumi bear Amigurumi is the Japanese craft of small stuffed toys, worked in tight spirals.
Amigurumi whale One body shape with a tail and fins sewn on.
Baby booties Tiny shoes with a sole, sides and a strap; quick but fiddly.
Bag of fruit toys Apples, bananas and pears for a play kitchen.
Baskets for a shelf Thick yarn or cord and tight stitches make a basket that stands up.
Beanie Worked in the round with increases at the crown: your first shaping.
Bucket hat A beanie with a brim that flares out; good in cotton for summer.
Cushion cover Two squares joined on three sides, with buttons on the fourth.
Doll clothes Tiny sweaters and hats: shaping practice at a small size.
Filet crochet sign A grid of filled and empty squares that spells a word or makes a picture.
Mandala A round, flat motif in many colors, hung on a wall.
Market bag Open mesh stitches make a stretchy bag for fruit and vegetables.
Mittens Worked in the round with a thumb added: shaping practice.
Plant hanger Long chains and a small basket that hold a pot from the ceiling.
Snowflakes Fine thread and chain loops; stiffen them so they hold their points.
Throw pillow with bobbles Bobbles are clusters of stitches that pop out of the fabric.
Tote bag A firm, dense fabric that holds its shape; add straps last.
Tunisian crochet washcloth Tunisian crochet uses a long hook and holds many loops at once, like knitting.
Water bottle holder A mesh sleeve with a long strap to carry a bottle.

Big projects 9

Baby blanket Soft yarn in one stitch pattern; a classic gift for a new baby.
Cardigan Panels joined together; take your measurements first.
Corner-to-corner blanket Worked diagonally in small blocks, so you can follow a pixel picture.
Granny square blanket Many granny squares joined together; use up every leftover color.
Pet bed A thick round cushion with raised sides, in a washable yarn.
Rug from t-shirt yarn Strips cut from old t-shirts, worked in the round with a big hook.
Socks A heel and a toe to shape, and you have to make two.
Summer top Cotton yarn and a lacy stitch; a garment you wear all season.
Temperature blanket One row a day, in a color for that day's temperature, for a whole year.

Toys 1

Amigurumi cactus in a pot A plant that never needs water; a good desk gift.

How this list was compiled: Own list of 45 crochet projects, written 2026-09-23. The lines about granny squares (worked in rounds), amigurumi (the Japanese craft of small stuffed yarn toys), Tunisian crochet (a long hook holding many loops), and filet crochet (a grid of filled and open squares) were checked against their English Wikipedia articles that day. The skill groups are our own judgment of how much shaping each project needs. Licence: own work