Tag: beginner friendly

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Best Crochet Projects for Absolute Beginners

Learning to crochet is exciting! Mastering how to hold your hook and yarn, getting your chain right and perfecting your tension all comes down to practice. The more you crochet, the more natural that it all feels. We all know though, that it can be daunting to only crochet meaningless swatches while practicing. Working on a project that will lead to an actual, usable, item is much more exciting. If you’re just starting out on your crochet journey, back and forth items are a great choice. Here are my favorite project recommendations!

Pot holders

Pot holders were my very first projects. I mean, I whipped up pot holders like there was no tomorrow and I still use those pot holders to this day. So, they are perfect for beginner projects but will also be very useful for years to come – even if they are a bit lop-sided! Check out this potholder pattern.

Placemats

Crochet Seaside Placemat

A placemat is something that you can make as simple, or as intricate as you’d like. The possibilities are endless. For beginner’s sake- this seaside placemat is just gorgeous and so easy to make!

table runners

Crochet Table Runner

Table runners are attention grabbers! And having a gorgeous crochet table runner will be the talk of your next get-together. But they don’t have to be limited to your dining room table: coffee tables, patio tables, dressers, islands, and night stands all could benefit from your new-found craftiness. Here is a super cute and simple table runner that I think you will love!

 dish cloths

Dish cloths are another really useful item for your kitchen that you can make multiple of in very little time. Here is the perfect crochet dish cloth pattern for you!

cup cozies

Cup cozies are one of those things that you probably never thought about until one day, in efforts to save the environment, your favorite coffee shop decided to not give you a sleeve for your cup and so you spend the next 30 minutes sipping piping hot coffee and trying to hold the cup as loosely as possible to avoid first degree burns on your hands.. sorry, personal experience. Anyways, I don’t have that problem any more- and you won’t either because you hold the skills to make your own cup cozy to keep in your bag, your car, or at home to keep your hand perfectly burn-free, while also being eco-friendly. Here is a super simple pattern for you.

 hot pads

Crochet Hot Pad

And here we are again with the burning thing except, this time you’re saving your counters from being burned. Super simple to make, in my opinion, they’re over-sized pot holders! Click here for pattern.

 hair scarves

Hair scarves are another perfect accessory. I wear these a whole lot and they save me from terrible hair days. Make them in just a few minutes! Click here for pattern!

headband/ ear warmers

Headbands and ear warmers are perfect gifts and fashion accessories. How cool is it to be able to make your own fashion pieces?! Here is the pattern for these wild-west ear warmers that are sure to be your favorite winter wears.

scarves

Crochet Scarf Pattern

Scarves are a must-have winter item, and they make excellent gifts for Christmas or winter birthdays. You can make tons of scarves with just back and forth single, half double, double, or treble crochets! Here is a the perfect beginner scarf pattern!

 baby blankets

Single Crochet Baby Blanket

Baby blankets are such a sweet gift for a new baby. They’re great to crochet as a beginner because they are a bigger finished project, but the pattern is back and forth, easy peasy! Single crochet baby blanket pattern here!

 

And that’s it, you guys. I hope you make some of these and tag me in your photos- I’d love to see them. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest @Homesweetsimpson! Until next time, happy crocheting!

The tools I use in all of my projects come from this kit that you can find on Amazon, I highly recommend!

http://

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Hair Scarf Crochet Pattern | Beginner Friendly

I’m not really a hair person. I like to look put together but most of the time, I cannot be bothered to do anything with my hair besides brush it. Now that it’s getting hot, between sweat and the humidity, any type of heat styling is useless by time I get to my destination.

I quit wearing makeup, mainly because my skin gets angry and lashes out in the form of cystic pimples and blackheads. I can think about foundation and get a pimple. (Yes, I’ve tried numerous BB creams and acne treatment ones as well. Yes, my skin care routine is consistent but I digress.) Not only has my lack of makeup made me feel more free, and helped my acne, it’s also saved me a lot of time. Still, not time I wish to spend on my hair. I needed something quick and stylish for my hair. That’s where the idea for this hair scarf came in. It’s perfect for adding a little flare to my untamed locks. I’ve made multiple colors to tie in the colors of whatever outfit I’m wearing. It’s almost as if I’m putting a lot of effort into my hair style. Don’t tell anyone otherwise.

This crochet project is so easy and quick to make. You can make multiple ones in a single day and quickly have all the colors you need. I wear mine tied in the front like a knotted headband. Perfect for when I have my hair in a messy bun! I also like the same style when my hair is down. Tying them around a bun with the ends hanging down in the back is really cute too! These hair scarves are stretchy so I make them so they’re pulled tight when tied to stay in place.

Materials Needed:

  • Worsted Weight #4 Yarn
  • 5 mm Crochet Hook
  • Scissors
  • Yarn Needle

Abbreviations/ Stitches Used:

  • Stitch (st)
  • Chain (ch)
  • Half Double Crochet (hdc)
  • Double Crochet (dc)
  • Double Crochet Decrease (dc dec)

*Notes- Ch. 1 is a turning chain that does not count as a stitch. In every row, begin your work in first stitch unless stated otherwise. Most people use ch. 2 for double crochet but I choose to use just 1 because I prefer the look in this project.

I do not single crochet around this project for clean edges, I like the look of textured edges in this hair scarf. You could single crochet around your hair scarf if you choose but keep in mind that it will make your project a bit wider.

Let’s Get Started!

Ch 2

Row 1: Make 1 hdc, 1 dc, and another hdc in second ch from hook.

Row 2: 1 dc in first two st. 2 dc in last st.

Row 3: 1 dc in first 3 st. 2 dc in last st.

Row 4: Make 1 dc in each st along row. (5 st)

Row 5-41: Repeat row #4

Row 42: 1 dc in first 2 st. 1 dc dec in second st. 1 dc in last st.

Row 43: 1 dc in first st. 1 dc dec in second st. 1 dc in last st.

Row 44: 1 dc in first st. 1 dc dec in second.

Fasten off, weave in any ends.

 

I hope you enjoyed this sweet and simple pattern. I’d love to see your finished projects. Please tag @homesweetsimpson in your Instagram photos and follow for more patterns and updates. Until next time, stay safe and happy crocheting!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Newborn Diaper Cover Crochet Pattern | Beginner Friendly

Hey, fancy folks!

We made it to the weekend! Everyone give yourself a pat on the back. What better way to kick off a weekend than a good crochet project?

These newborn diaper covers are perfect for photoshoots! They’re adjustable and customizable. They can have one button in the middle, or two buttons. Placing one button, or two in the middle are perfect for smaller babies or preemie size. Placing two buttons on the outermost edges is best for a newborn size or 1 month old and still has adjustability to fit smaller babies.

This project is fairly quick to make and is beginner friendly. I tried to make this pattern as simple as possible, without difficult increases or decreases and only using basic stitches. I’m confident that anyone can make this diaper cover!

Want to download and print the ad-free pattern? You can get it here.

Materials Needed:

  • -#4 Worsted Weight Yarn
  • -5mm Crochet Hook
  • -Yarn Needle
  • -Sewing Needle
  • -Embroidery Thread or Regular Sewing Thread (for
    sewing on buttons)
  • -1-2 Buttons
  • -Scissors
  • Abbreviations/ Stitches Used:
  •  
  • -Stitch (st)
  • -Chain (ch)
  • -Slip Stitch (sl st)
  • -Half Double Crochet (hdc)
  • -Double Crochet (dc)
  • -Single Crochet (sc)
    *Note- In this pattern, turning chains (ch 1 or ch 2)
    do not count as a stitch.

Let’s Get Started!


Ch 40
Row 1: Hdc in second st and continue until the end of row
(39 st total)
Row 2: Ch 2, dc in first st. Continue until the end of row.
Row 3: Ch 1, hdc in the first st. Continue until the end of
row.
Row 4: Sl st 10. Starting in st #11, hdc in each st until you
reach a total of 19 hdc. *Do not work in the remaining 10 st
of row.
Row 5: Ch 1, make 19 hdc starting in first st.
Row 6&7: Repeat row #5
Row 8: Ch 1, make 18 hdc starting in first st. *Do not do
last st.
Row 9: Ch 1, make 17 hdc starting in first st. *Do not do
last st.
Row 10: Ch 1, make 16 hdc starting in first st. *Do not do
last st.
Row 11: Ch 1, make 15 hdc starting in first st. *Do not do
last st.Row 12: Ch 1, make 14 hdc starting in first st. *Do not do
last st.
Row 13: Ch 1, make 13 hdc starting in first st. *Do not do
last st.
Row 14: Ch 1, make 12 hdc starting in first st. *Do not do last st.

Row 15-17: Ch 1, make 12 hdc starting in first st.
Row 18: Make 2 hdc in first st of row. Make 1 hdc in the
next 10 st. Make 2 hdc in the last st of row.
Row 19: Make 2 hdc in first st of row. Make 1 hdc in the
next 12 st. Make 2 hdc in the last st of row.
Row 20: Make 2 hdc in first st of row. Make 1 hdc in the
next 14 st. Make 2 hdc in the last st of row.
Row 21: Make 2 hdc in first st of row. Make 1 hdc in the
next 16 st. Make 2 hdc in the last st of row.

  • To finish and clean up sides: sc all the way around edge of
    diaper cover.
  • Fasten off and weave in ends of yarn.
  • Sew on buttons on front of diaper cover.
Sew buttons on front of diaper cover
  • Safety Note: be sure to sew on buttons as securely as possible to
    prevent any coming off. Newborns typically aren’t tuggers on
    clothing yet, but it’s best to err on the side of caution when
    creating all baby items to prevent any choking or other type of
    hazard

*All tools that I used in this project (and most of my projects) are from this set which contains everything you would need for any crochet project. From hooks, scissors, needles/pins, stitch markers, measuring tape, and more! It’s so compact and my go-to case to take anywhere.

I hope you enjoyed this pattern, follow Home Sweet Simpson on Instagram for more project inspirations. Until next time, stay safe and happy crocheting!