7 Absurdly Easy Afghans for Beginners

October 9, 2017 by FaveCrafts 2 Comments

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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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?

For the Love of the Granny Stitch: Easy Crochet Hat Pattern

January 9, 2017 by FaveCrafts Leave a Comment

I left my hat on the train the other day. The family and I were coming back from an event downtown. It was late, we were tired, and I took my hat off right before I closed my eyes for a train ride snooze session. When I woke up at our stop, I had completely forgotten that I had removed my hat. I didn’t realize that I wasn’t wearing it until we were already on our way home from the train station. By then, the train had moved on to the next stop, and my beautiful crochet hat was riding the rails all alone. After I was done being mad at myself, I pulled out my phone and took to the Internet in search of an easy crochet hat pattern.

I fell in love with this easy crochet hat pattern when I first laid eyes on it. It’s beautiful, stylish, and uses the granny stitch to create a hat that is comfy, cozy, and eye-catching. The best part is, this easy crochet hat can be whipped up in no time! With work kicking into high gear after the holidays, I don’t have the time I’d like for making a detailed and intricate piece for my head. This easy crochet hat pattern takes my time into consideration and still makes something that I’m absolutely thrilled about wearing out and about on our next trip downtown. I’ll make a note to put my hat in my pocket the next time that I decide to take it off.

You’ll Love This Easy Crochet Hat Pattern

By Katy Petersen for redheart.com

MATERIALS

RED HEART® Grande™: 1 ball each of 3927 Chianti A and 941 Barley B
Susan Bates® Crochet Hook: 11.5mm [US P-16]
Yarn needle

GAUGE: 6 dc = 4½” (11.5 cm); 4 rows = 4″ (10 cm)

Finished Size: Hat measures 20 (22½)” [51 (57) cm] circumference at brim.

NOTES

Easy Crochet Hat is worked in joined rounds with right side facing.
To change color, work last stitch of old color to last yarn over. Yarn over with new color and draw through all loops on hook to complete stitch. Proceed with new color. Cut old color.

Special Technique

Adjustable-ring method = Wrap yarn into a ring, ensuring that the tail falls behind the working yarn. Grip ring and tail firmly between middle finger and thumb. Insert hook through center of ring, yarn over (with working yarn) and draw up a loop. Work stitches of first round in ring, working over both strands (the tail and the ring). After the first round of stitches is worked, pull gently, but firmly, on tail to tighten ring.

DIRECTIONS
Directions for this easy crochet hat pattern make a size small. Changes for size large are in parentheses.

HAT
With A, make an adjustable ring.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 8 (9) dc in ring; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—9 (10) dc. Pull gently on tail to close ring.

Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, 2 dc in each dc around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—18 (20) dc.

Round 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, *dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc; repeat from * around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch; change to B—27 (30) dc.

Size Small Only:
Round 4: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, skip next dc, *2 dc in next dc, skip next dc; repeat from * around to last dc, dc in last dc; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—13 two-dc groups and 1 dc.

Rounds 5 and 6: Slip st in next dc, slip st in space before next 2-dc group, ch 3, dc in same space, *2 dc in next space between 2-dc groups; repeat from * 11 times, 2 dc in space before last dc, dc in space between last dc and beginning ch; join with slip st in top of beginning ch.

Round 7: Slip st in next dc; change to A, slip st in space before next 2-dc group, ch 3, dc in same space, *2 dc in next space between 2-dc groups; repeat from * 11 times, 2 dc in space before last dc, dc in space between last dc and beginning ch; join with slip st in top of beginning ch. Fasten off.

Size Large Only:
Round 4: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, skip next dc, *2 dc in next dc, skip next dc; repeat from * around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—15 two-2 dc groups.

Rounds 5–7: Slip st in next dc, slip st in space before next 2-dc group, ch 3, dc in same space, 2 dc in each space between 2-dc groups around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch.

Round 8: Slip st in next dc; change to A, slip st in space before next 2-dc group, ch 3, dc in same space, 2 dc in each space between 2-dc groups around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch. Fasten off.

FINISHING
Weave in all ends.

ABBREVIATIONS
A, B = Color A, Color B; ch = chain(s); dc = double crochet; st(s) = stitch(es); * = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated

I’m always on the lookout for more fantastic hats! What are some of your favorite winter hats to crochet?

22 Crafting Tutorials and How Tos You Might Have Missed: Part 2

November 28, 2016 by FaveCrafts Leave a Comment

In our last crafting tutorials post, “24 Crafting Tutorials and How Tos You Might Have Missed,” we put together an extensive list of articles to help beginners learn new skills, tips, and tricks. We built an exhaustive post that was devoted to sharing all sorts of neat techniques and great ideas with the crafting world. The list was our own library catalog of all of the fascinating tricks and tips we had collected. It was our magnum opus, and it was a popular resource among our greater crafting family — that means you.

The original crafting tutorials post went live months ago. A lot of things can happen between then (July) and now. One of the changes we’re eager to tell you about is our new list filled with all of the cool skills we’ve picked up in the last few months. Whether you’re completely new to crafting or are here to pick up a few new techniques, these crafting tutorials are super helpful and fun. We hope they’ll inspire all sorts of fantastic and unexpected projects!

22 Crafting Tutorials and How Tos You Might Have Missed: Part 2

What Crafting Tutorials are You Most Excited to Try?

24 Crafting Tutorials and How Tos You Might Have Missed

July 25, 2016 by FaveCrafts 1 Comment

Lately, the editorial staff here at FaveCrafts.com has been working hard on creating extensive how to articles to help our readers out with basic crafting projects and solve every day creative problems. These crafting tutorials not only come with charming DIY craft ideas, but allow you to make the best of crafting materials, your creative space and more. Whether you are brand new to crafts or just looking for some tips you may not know, the articles below are helpful and perfect for saving for later. This smart list will serve as a resource you return to time and time again.

What crafting questions do you want us to answer?

5 Beautiful Beginner Jewelry Projects for Spring

March 22, 2014 by AllFreeJewelryMaking 2 Comments

Have you ever wondered how to start making your own jewelry, but don’t know where to start? Well there is no need to wonder anymore with these five fabulous beginner projects to help you start making your jewelry designing dreams a reality. Spring is a time of new beginnings, so there is no better time to start a new project, begin a new hobby, or find a new skill than this season! Designing jewelry is a lot of fun and is a great creative outlet, but it can be a little daunting to get started. That is why we here at AllFreeJewelryMaking have put together a list of five fun and easy projects to lead you in the right direction. From simple statements to beginner woven bracelets, there is a project for everyone to try in this collection. Start the spring season off right with these beautiful beginner jewelry projects.

Quick Coral Drop Earrings DIY earrings are one of the easiest ways to start making your own jewelry. These Quick Coral Drop Earrings couldn’t be cuter, or easier to make! Learn how to make bead earrings in just five minutes using supplies you already have lying around with this simple tutorial. These easy earrings are super chic, yet still add a flirty punch of color, keeping the look light and fun and perfect for spring.

Recycling fans will love this fantastic DIY jewelry piece. With some recycled washers and a little paint, you can create this lovely Ombre Washer Necklace. Crafting jewelry out of recycled materials is both frugal and fun. This project helps you get the trendy ombre look for a fraction of the cost of many designer and retail jewelry pieces. The only question you’ll have about this fabulous DIY necklace is which color to choose!

Simple bracelets are another easy and fun way to start making your own jewelry. Ease your way into bracelet designs with the Beginner’s Wrap Bracelet. This tutorial features a simple bracelet design that is a great introduction to hemp bracelets. This easy, yet always stylish bracelets are a great way to build your bracelet making confidence.

Remember when you were young how much fun it was to play with clay? Well you can have that same enjoyment making this Mint Statement Necklace with Clay. The bright bold color of this statement necklace makes it perfect for spring. Plus, this project requires few materials, so the price to make this beginner statement necklace is perfect for any budget.

Last, but not least, we have a lovely fabric jewelry tutorial just for you. Flowers are an essential part of spring, which means they will also be a staple part of your spring jewelry collection. Grab some scrap fabric and twist, and soon you’ll have your very own Fabric Flower Ring like this one. They are so quick and charming that you’ll want to make a bouquet of them in every color!

Be sure to check back at AllFreeJewelryMaking.com for the latest beginner jewelry projects, as well as tips and tricks for beginning jewelry makers!

EXTRA: Enter the Leisure Arts Beginning Jewelry Making Books Giveaway! Enter to win a copy of Learn to Make Jewelry, Quick and Easy Peasy Jewelry, and Oh-So-Easy Jewelry. We are giving away a copy of each of these three fabulous books to two lucky winners. Learning how to make jewelry has never been easier than with these three helpful guide books from Leisure Arts. If you are interested in starting to make your own jewelry, these books are for you! Enter today to win this fabulous giveaway prize! The deadline to enter is March 31st, 2014, at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

What was the first jewelry project you made?

Simple Sewing Projects: 16 Easy Sewing Projects for Beginners

November 16, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 2 Comments

My first sewing project was a fabric plush doll similar to the Soccer Sister Doll. Of course, mine wore a dress styled after Little House on the Prairie and was as nonathletic as her maker. But I’ve kept her all these years, and now she sits in a place of honor in my sewing room.

Whether you have a child just learning to sew or are a beginner yourself, those first projects will always have a special place in your crafting heart. To that end, AllFreeSewing has your back with our new eBook, Simple Sewing Projects: 16 Easy Sewing Projects for Beginners! This eBook is chock-full of tutorials and how-tos to improve your sewing technique while making gorgeous, stress-free projects. Simple Sewing Projects: 16 Easy Sewing Projects for Beginners includes everything from market purses to scrapbusting coasters — and all on a budget!

Here are just a few of the awesome projects you’ll find in Simple Sewing Projects:

Bib with Bias

There are so many practical uses for this easy DIY bib. The Bib with Bias makes a great gift for baby showers, for one thing; for another, this pattern is incredibly easy to alter to be made doll-size. So if you’re teaching your little one to sew, this is a great place to start.

If you’re a novice sewist unused to working with bias tape, this is definitely the project for you. The shape and design of the bib is super easy to work with, so you’ll get great practice sewing on the bias.

And, of course, it’s adorable. Make a few grownup-sized bibs for the next time you serve lobster!

Big Books Library Bag

I love this cheeky DIY tote. And it’s shockingly easy to make! Not only does this tutorial teach you how to make a bag, but how to create the graphic as well. That’s a trick that you’ll use over and over on your sewing journey. From applique to embroidery, adding an overlay makes any pattern uniquely yours.

The Big Books Library Bag is also great for its sheer usefulness. You’ll make a bag that is incredibly sturdy and roomy, the perfect size for almost anything. Need to make a trip to the library to pick up books for a research project? No problem. Need to run to the grocery to cook for your in-laws? No problem. Need to lug around a holiday season’s worth of half-finished crafts to work on at the doctor’s office?

No problem.

Braided Scrap Coasters

If you’ve ever sewn before, you know that every project has leftovers. Don’t throw them out! There are tons of great ideas for scrap fabrics out there, like these Braided Scrap Coasters.

These coasters are super easy to make, use up a bunch of those scraps, protect your counters and tabletops, and they’re absolutely free! It doesn’t get better than that in a DIY home decor craft.

There are so many great projects just waiting for you in Simple Sewing Projects: 16 Easy Sewing Projects for Beginners. Whether you’re teaching or learning, this is the perfect eBook to get ideas for easy sewing projects.

Who taught you to sew?

Install Pillow Piping from The Sewing Loft: National Sewing Month 2013

September 29, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 38 Comments

It’s Day Twenty-Nine of National Sewing Month! Too see the daily blog posts, projects of the day, and more National Sewing Month details, click here.

Hello, Hello FaveCraft Readers! Heather here from The Sewing Loft and I’m so excited to join the party during National Sewing Month with you.

Today, I want to show just how easy it is to install custom piping on decorative pillows. This simple trim can really create that WOW factor on a limited budget.

Install Pillow Piping

This project is for all levels.

Skill Level- 1 Button

Supplies:

custom piping
pillow pattern

Tools:

sewing machine
zipper foot
basic sewing supplies

Basic Instructions:

Attach your zipper foot to your machine and check the needle position.
Determine the starting point of piping on your pillow. I suggest in the middle of the bottom of the pillow to hide.
Position piping; pin in place all around pillow matching seam allowance.
Straight stitch as close to the cording as possible, clipping corners as needed to turn the seam.
To join piping, unpick a few stitches on piping and fold back fabric to expose cording. Clip cording to match evenly; fold under the fabric edge and overlap to cover the seam; continue stitching piping in place.

Custom piping is an easy way to add that decorative touch on a shoestring budget. The key is to take your time and not to be caught short with the trim. With a few minutes of prep work and some simple calculations, you can transform even the simplest pillow insert into a decorator pillow.

Here is what I created with my piping.

PS- If this easy project inspires you to get your needle moving, be sure to visit me for more inspiration and sewing tips.

What project in your home would you use piping on?

Ease into Christmas Crafting with Beginner Craft Ideas!

September 19, 2013 by AllFreeChristmasCrafts Leave a Comment

Crafting in general can be a daunting task, and Christmas crafting in particular can be its own variety of overwhelming. Whether you want to make a decoration to impress your guests or a gift that loved ones will cherish, it isn’t always easy to come up with a great idea. If you’ve found yourself in this indecisive position, try making any of these beginner craft ideas! Easy and quick Christmas crafts are the perfect way to ease yourself into the Christmas spirit.

Easy Homemade Christmas Ornaments

Handmade Christmas ornaments are perhaps the best crafts for beginners. Ornaments are small, so they typically don’t take very long to make. Christmas trees are typically decorated with an abundance of ornaments, so if the ornament you make has any tiny flaws, those flaws can easily be hidden amongst the other ornaments on the tree. However, if you make a particularly glorious Christmas ornament, it is sure to stand out against the plain store-bought baubles covering the other branches.

This Little Beaded Angel is a beginner craft that the whole family can enjoy! Make this angels with your kids and the beads will reflect the Christmas lights beautifully.

DIY Christmas Decorations

No home is complete without Christmas decorations. Festive decor is vital to setting a warm and familial mood at Christmas. Indoor decorations and outdoor decorations alike are perfect for celebrating the Christmas holiday. While store-bought decor can be pretty pricey, DIY Christmas decorations are affordable and fun to make!

These Pumpkin Snowmen combine an easy Christmas craft with a great upcycling project. If you don’t carve pumpkins this Halloween and they still look good after Thanksgiving, don’t throw them out! Paint them white and make them into darling snowmen for your front porch.

Homemade Christmas Gifts

Gifts can get expensive in a hurry, and no one wants to go near the mall as it gets closer and closer to the holiday. Instead of paying a fortune for a gift and getting stuck in long lines and bad traffic, try making your own gifts for loved ones. These homemade Christmas gifts are easy Christmas crafts that your friends and family will surely appreciate.

The “We Love You” Jar is an absolutely perfect Christmas gift from kids to parents. Grab a clear glass jar out of the recycle bin, fill the jar with everything you love about someone, and give it to them for Christmas! This is such a thoughtful homemade Christmas gift.

For more beginner craft ideas, check out this list of Easy Christmas Crafts!

BONUS: Do you love paper crafting? Enter to win the Holiday Style and Timeless Paper Collections from Bazzill Basics! Giveaway ends 9/24/2013.

What was the first Christmas craft you ever made?

Invisible Zippers With Deby Coles: National Sewing Month 2013

September 3, 2013 by AllFreeSewing 44 Comments

It’s Day Three of National Sewing Month! Too see the daily blog posts, projects of the day, and more National Sewing Month details, click here.

Hello, I’m Deby from So Sew Easy. I’m fairly new to sewing and learning new techniques all the time, so I was delighted to be asked to share with you as part of the National Sewing Month series.

On my blog, I mostly sew clothes for myself and one of the sewing techniques that took me a while to master was sewing an invisible zipper. However hard I tried to work it out, more often than not I would end up putting either one or even both sides in the wrong way. But now that I have this mastered, the invisible zipper has become one of my favorite techniques because it is so easy to do, yet provides such a high level of finish.

Follow through as I show you how I sew an invisible zipper in this video tutorial.

Did you wonder what the sound was in the background? Well, I’m lucky enough to live in the glorious Cayman Islands, and that was the sound of the Caribbean Sea lapping at the beach outside my sewing room window!

If you prefer a photo tutorial, you can find a written step by step with photos over on the site as part of the beginners Sew A Skirt series at so-sew-easy.com. Now you have the zipper sorted, you might want to follow along the tutorial series and sew a custom-fit lined skirt.

Thanks for watching, I hope you found this useful and picked up some tips, and won’t keep sewing in your zippers the wrong way round like I did!

And thank you to the FaveCrafts Blog for having me over today to say hello.

Authored by: Deby at So Sew Easy

What is the hardest sewing technique you’ve ever had to learn?

Back to School Survival Guide: How to Sew the School Essentials

August 18, 2013 by AllFreeSewing Leave a Comment

Getting ready to go back to school is always a stressful time for kids and their parents. You have to figure out what school supplies you have leftover from the previous school year, you have to shop for new supplies, and you have to get yourselves back into the general swing of studying and doing homework again.

Not only is the transition period stressful, it can also do a doozy on your bank account. Fortunately, you can sew some of the back to school essentials your kids will use throughout the year. Not only will sewing school supplies like book covers and lunch bags help bring down the cost of heading back to school, it also lets you explore your creativity and get your kids ready for school with love. Check out the school survival guide below for sewing tutorials that will help your kids get back-to-school ready the fun and thrifty way.

Back to School Outfits

Make sure your kids leave a good first impression on their teachers by dressing them for success. Rather than break the bank at the store to make sure your kids have back to school clothes, try sewing some outfits yourself. These sewing patterns are perfect for any little boy or girl getting ready for the upcoming school year.

Boys

Rumble Tumble Coveralls

Girls

Back to School Pleated Skirt Tutorial

How to Make a Lunch Bag

Put an extra special touch on lunchtime for your kids by sewing lunch bags they are sure to love. These sewing tutorials will show you how to make a lunch bag that will make all your kids’ classmates a little envious. Further, these lunch bags are reusable, so they’re environmentally friendly.

Insulated Bag Tutorial

Stylish Lunch Sack

DIY Covers and Cases

Textbooks, notebooks, and writing utensils cost enough as it is. Protect your kids’ school supplies and help keep everything organized by sewing some DIY covers for their books and DIY cases for their classroom essentials.

Book Cover Ideas

A quality book cover will keep your kids’ books in good shape to be returned later. These will be especially useful if you are renting books — don’t give anyone a reason not to give you the full return on your textbooks.

Composition Book Cover

Journal Cover Tutorial

Pencil Case Patterns

Strong pencil cases will ensure that your kids can always find the pen, pencil, or highlighter they need. DIY pencil cases are a great money-saving alternative to store-bought goods.

Giant Pencil Case

Nifty Knotted Pencil Case

How to Make a Book Bag

A solid and durable book bag is key to a successful school year (in addition to studying and doing your homework). Follow along with these tutorials to learn how to make a book bag that any young boy or girl would love to bring to class.

7 Absurdly Easy Afghans for Beginners

Beginner Knit Afghan Patterns

Beginner Crochet Afghan Patterns

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

You’ll Love This Easy Crochet Hat Pattern

By Katy Petersen for redheart.com

I’m always on the lookout for more fantastic hats! What are some of your favorite winter hats to crochet?

22 Crafting Tutorials and How Tos You Might Have Missed: Part 2

What Crafting Tutorials are You Most Excited to Try?

What crafting questions do you want us to answer?

What was the first jewelry project you made?

Bib with Bias

Big Books Library Bag

Braided Scrap Coasters

Who taught you to sew?

Install Pillow Piping

What project in your home would you use piping on?

For more beginner craft ideas, check out this list of Easy Christmas Crafts!

BONUS: Do you love paper crafting? Enter to win the Holiday Style and Timeless Paper Collections from Bazzill Basics! Giveaway ends 9/24/2013.

What was the first Christmas craft you ever made?

What is the hardest sewing technique you’ve ever had to learn?

Back to School Outfits

Boys

Girls

How to Make a Lunch Bag

DIY Covers and Cases

Book Cover Ideas

Pencil Case Patterns

How to Make a Book Bag

Boys

Girls

What other school essentials do you sew for your kids?

Crochet

Jewelry

Knitting

Paper

Sewing

Thrifty