FaveCrafts

1000s of free craft projects, home decor ideas and DIY tips

7 Absurdly Easy Afghans for Beginners

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So you’ve just learned to crochet or knit. That’s fantastic! Great beginner patterns include knit or crocheted dishcloths and scarves. Once you’ve mastered some of these basic patterns, it’s time to graduate to afghans!

7 Absurdly Easy Afghans for Beginners

Beginner Knit Afghan Patterns

Homespun Country Cousins Knit Baby Blanket

Homespun Country Cousins Knit Baby Blanket, by the designers from Lion Brand Yarn

Okay, so I recently unearthed the Homespun Country Cousins Knit Baby Blanket pattern on FaveCrafts and I love it so much! It is probably the easiest knit afghan pattern we have. Whip up squares of garter stitch and seam the squares together with a contrasting yarn for that country look. You can make this blanket bigger by just working up more squares, too!

Chunky Funky One Day Blanket

Chunky Funky One Day Blanket, by Lynn Spencer from nourishandnestle.com

This Chunky Funky One Day Blanket features a basic stockinette stitch. Beginner knitters should be reasonably comfortable with this stitch because this pattern features oversized needles and yarn to complete it. The results are so worth it!

Easy Chunky Knit Blanket

Easy Chunky Knit Blanket, by the designers of Bernat Yarns

This pattern will make you pay attention, but it’s still so easy for beginners! Get the effect of those unique textured bars with this Easy Chunky Knit Blanket pattern. It looks great with a variegated yarn or a solid! A solid will help draw attention to the texture even more.

Find more of our favorite knit afghans in our collection of 33 Free Knit Afghan Patterns.

Beginner Crochet Afghan Patterns

Under 6 Hours Crochet Throw Pattern

Under 6 Hours Crochet Throw Pattern, by the designers of Lion Brand Yarn

This fast pattern is wildly easy. The Under 6 Hours Crochet Throw Pattern features the V stitch—one of my favorite beginner stitches ever!—and you hold three strands of yarn together so it works up ultra quickly.

Red Crochet Afghan

Red Crochet Afghan, by the designers of Bernat

The name says it all. This Red Crochet Afghan just has a few pattern steps that repeat. The combinations of chain stitches, single, and double crochets give this pattern a lovely texture.

If you’re looking for a new throw, explore your options! Check out our collection of 21 Gorgeous Free Crochet Throw Patterns.

Stashbuster Granny Stripe Afghan

Stashbuster Granny Stripe Afghan, by Amy Ramnarine from thestitchinmommy.com

Master the basic granny stitch, which is essentially clusters of double crochet, and you can complete this Stashbuster Granny Stripe Afghan pattern. Some very easy color changing along with a fundamental stitch are all you need to know.

Colourful Granny Rainbow Crochet Baby Blanket

Colourful Granny Rainbow Crochet Baby Blanket, by Kirsten Ballering from haakmaarraak.nl

This Colourful Granny Rainbow Crochet Baby Blanket may look complicated, but it’s much easier than you think. Beginners who’ve mastered the granny square can pull off this pattern with just a bit of basic color changing and joins.

If you adored these afghans for beginners, be sure to check out our complete collection of 51 Free Crochet Blanket Patterns for Beginners.

What are your favorite blankets to work up? Do you have a go-to pattern for gift-giving, etc?

Best Yarn for Baby Patterns: 3 Tips for Your Next Project

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Has this ever happened to you? Your sister or best friend has announced that she’s expecting, so one of your first thoughts is that you should knit or crochet an adorable baby blanket. If you’re a crafter, it’s only natural that you want to welcome the newest addition to your family by giving a handmade item. From baby blankets to wee little booties, the possibilities for making handmade items are almost endless. Need a little helping finding the best yarn for baby patterns? Then you’re in the right place.

Machine-Washable Yarn? Yes, Please!

Types of Yarn for Knitting or Crochet

What is the best type of yarn to use in your next project?

You’ve selected the perfect baby pattern to knit or crochet, so now it’s time to think yarn! When selecting the best yarn for baby patterns, some types of yarn would be better choices than others for your project than others. Because let’s be honest. While babies are cute and cuddly, they can also be messy. Really messy. And for many bleary-eyed new parents, trying to figure out the best way to launder a beautiful knit blanket or hat is low on the to-do list. With that in mind, consider acrylic yarn for your project. This type of yarn is typically machine-washable and easy to clean. If you’d like, you can also print care instructions on pretty paper, then attach the paper to your handmade item. The new parents will appreciate having instructions on how to clean the beautiful baby blanket you made right at their fingertips.

Select Yarn That Is As Soft As Can Be

For many people, the thought of wearing a wool sweater right against the skin sounds, to put it politely, uncomfortable. Babies will feel the same way. Their skin is sensitive, so putting a baby in an itchy wool blanket or sweater will make them feel annoyed. And an uncomfortable baby is a baby who will probably cry a lot. What’s a knitter or crocheter to do? Use yarn that feels soft to you for use in your pattern. If that yarn feels itchy, then The Spruce suggests putting it back and selecting another type of yarn. If you’re purchasing your yarn online, then consider opting for yarn that is specifically for use in baby patterns. For example, Red Heart Baby Hugs Yarn is warm, soft, and colorful. It is also free from harmful levels of substances (you can check out a review of this time via AllFreeCrochet.com). Other brands, including Lion Brand and Bernat, offer a selection of yarns that are just for babies, too.

Bulky Yarn Is Your Friend For Last-Minute Gifts

Let’s face it: Babies are born on their own schedules, and they’re almost never on time. If you’re looking for a baby item that can be made in a tight time frame due to a little one’s early arrival, then turn your attention to beautiful bulky yarn patterns. These baby patterns are typically quick and easy to make. This type of yarn is best for baby patterns that are no-frills, but are still beautiful and warm and will make a wonderful keepsake. You’ll love how quick and easy it is to crochet or knit a baby blanket with this yarn if time is of the essence.

Best Yarn for Baby Patterns: 3 Tips for Your Next Project

Do you know the best yarn to use for a baby pattern? Let this guide help you! Clockwise from top left: Baby Crochet Monkey Hat, Franny Crochet Baby Blanket, Easy Top-Down Sweater Free Crochet Pattern, Beehive Baby Crocheted Beanie Hat, Yellow Bow Easy Crochet Baby Booties, Little Prince Afghan, Quick and Easy Preemie Hat, and One Piece Baby Sweater.

Super Easy Knit Baby Booties

These Super Easy Knit Baby Booties are easy to make and super cute!

Now it’s time to grab your knitting needles or crochet hooks and get to work on a baby pattern found on FaveCrafts! You’ll feel inspired when you see this list of baby patterns.

  1. The Coziest Crocheted Baby Blanket Ever — The name says it all!
  2. Beehive Baby Crocheted Beanie Hat
  3. Baby Pullover Sweater
  4. Little Prince Afghan
  5. Quick and Easy Preemie Hat — Perfect for a last-minute gift idea!
  6. One Piece Baby Sweater
  7. Easy Top-Down Sweater Free Crochet Pattern
  8. Franny Crochet Baby Blanket
  9. Easy to Knit Sweet Baby Hat —This hat is as adorable as can be!
  10. Baby Crochet Monkey Hat
  11. Yellow Bow Easy Crochet Baby Booties — So unbelievably cute!
  12. Mary Jane Baby Bootie Crochet Pattern
  13. Precious Pink Baby Afghan
  14. Baby Pea Pod Snuggly
  15. Super Easy Knit Baby Booties
  16. Day of the Week Bibs and Booties — Take coordination to the next level with this adorable pattern!
  17. BONUS: Types of Yarn for Knitting or Crochet — Check out this guide before you start your next project!

What is your favorite yarn to use for baby patterns?

DIY Yarn Pom Pom Basket

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Sometimes all you need is one small detail to take your decor from drab to fab. For this craft, that small detail is, you guessed it, yarn! The DIY Yarn Pom Pom Basket is a fun way to spruce up a typically boring household item.

DIY Yarn Pom Pom Basket

All you really need for this project is a basket, some wire, and yarn! Feel free to customize each pom pom to be a different color. You can go for an overall spring color scheme, as in the photo above, or you can use more neutral colors to keep the basket stylish year round. This is such a fun and easy little DIY trick, you’ll be disappointed that you didn’t think of it sooner!

Love it yet? Find Instructions at HOMEDIT!

Let us know—what are your favorite ways to craft with yarn?

Crochet

Jewelry

Knitting

Paper

Sewing

Thrifty