If you’re looking for a new activity for your child to try, crochet for kids is a way for your children to pass the time. Crochet can help your child sharpen their motor skills and keep their hands busy. Give your child some yarn and crocheting hooks and they might just be entertained for hours.
Crocheting is a way for children to express their creativity and give them a sense of accomplishment once they finish a project. There are many benefits to teaching your child how to crochet, and many different projects your child can try.
Benefits of Teaching a Child to Crochet
Enhance Creativity
Crochet for kids is a way for children to express creativity. Children are given the opportunity to choose color for their project, and they will need to make other project-making decisions.
Boost Self-Esteem
Since the child is learning how to do something new, this can help boost a child’s self-esteem once they finish a project.
Improve Motor Skills
The craft can also hone a child’s motor skills, while practicing other skills. While a child might struggle with crocheting at first, as they practice more their motor skills will improve. Some other skills a child can gain include practicing reading, following instructions, and more.
Progress Brain Development
Research has shown that children’s brain development can be impacted by too many hours spent looking at a screen. Learning how to crochet is a great way to help a child’s brain development.
Aid in Self-Expression
Crochet is an outlet for self-expression. Once your child masters the basics, they can go on to choose different projects to try that excite them. For example, maybe your child will want to crochet their own blanket to sleep with every night.
Encourage Self-Discipline
Self-discipline is a skill that can be gained from learning how to crochet. Crochet takes patience, practice, focus, and more. Your child will also likely make mistakes they will be able to learn from.
Essential Beginner Crochet Supplies
- Crocheting hooks come in a variety of lengths and sizes and are also made from different materials. When starting out, one option is to buy a variety pack. When choosing crocheting hooks for a specific project, consider the kind of yarn you are using.
- Yarn can come in different colors, textures, weights, and more. Some kinds of yarn are better for clothing, while others might work better for a washcloth. Since different types of yarns are geared towards specific projects, research what kind of yarn will be best for the project your child is working on.
- Scissors or yarn snippers can be helpful for snipping the yarn at the start and end of a project. A small pair of scissors with a fine end are best.
- Stitch markers are useful for when you have to set down an unfinished project. Stitch markets help prevent your crochet stitches from becoming loose.
- A tape measure or ruler is beneficial to use when making an item of a certain size. While it’s not necessary, it is a good way to ensure the accuracy in sizes of certain items.
- Darning needles are important as they are used to sew the ends of the yarn and to sew the crocheted fabric at the end of the project.
- A hook organizer is valuable; it can be used to keep all of your crochet hooks in one place.
- Stitch patterns serve as a guide when doing a crochet project.
How to Teach a Child to Crochet
Step 1. Give the child an opportunity to show interest
Rather than forcing a child to learn how to crochet, allowing them to show interest first means they will find more joy in learning the craft. One way to lead your child to show interest is to have them see you crocheting.
Step 2. Learn to handle to the materials
Allow your child to try out and get a feel of different materials to see what will work best for them. Children tend to work best with worsted weight or bulky yarn, and you can let your child try different crochet hooks and yarn options. You can also try finger crochet for kids first.
Step 3. Learn basic crochet skills
One of the first steps of learning how to crochet is learning to chain. For chaining, the steps include yarn over, then to grab the yearn with the hook, and pull through.
To help your child learn chaining, you can sit beside and guide them through the process and allow them to practice. You can also teach your child their first stitch, by guiding them through a single crochet stitch or double crochet.
Step 4. Search for a first project
One way for your child to enjoy crocheting is to let them complete their first crochet project. Once a child learns how to crochet a chain, the next step is to allow them to pick a project to try. For example, the child can try a square or rectangular project.
20 Easy Crochet for Kids Projects
1. Hand-crochet Scarf
Your child could crochet their own scarf to wear when there is a slight chill in the air. All Free Crochet gives its instructions for this children’s hand chain scarf.
2. Rainbow Friendship Bracelet
This is a small project that can take less than 10 minutes to crochet. All Free Crochet provides its guide to make these rainbow friendships bracelets.
3. Classic Granny Square Pattern
While these crochet for kids granny squares may seem difficult to make, your child will find these squares quite easy after some practice. Sarah Maker provides its instructions to make these classic granny square patterns.
4. Chunky Ribbed Crochet Beanie
This quick and easy pattern leads to a textured, modern winter hat. Sarah Maker provides its guide for your child to make their own one-of-a-kind beanie.
5. Mustache
A crochet mustache can be a fun, little accessory for your child’s next Halloween costume. Make and Takes provides instructions on how your child can make this at home.
6. Bookmarks
If your child is a bookworm or just has a bunch of books they bring home from school, allow your child to make their own customized, crochet bookmark. Floss and Fleece provides its instructions on how you can make a colorful crochet bookmark.
7. Simple Necklace
This crochet necklace is a way to test out a child’s beginner crochet skills and prepare for more in-depth patterns. All Free Crochet gives its instructions on how to make this potential fashion accessory.
8. Pencil Pouch
When your child goes to school every day, send them to class with a pencil pouch they made themselves at home. Yarnspirations provides instructions on how to make this pencil-inspired pouch.
9. Flower
A crochet flower can be a great project idea during the summer months, and it is easier than you might think. All Free Crochet shares its instructions on how a child can make this crochet flower.
10. Scrunchie
A crochet scrunchie doesn’t take too long to make and can be a handmade gift for many occasions. Sarah Maker gives its guide on how to crochet a scrunchie.
11. Washcloth
If you want your child to make something that can later be used, this washcloth crochet project is great for beginners. All Free Crochet shares its instructions on how you can make a new washcloth.
12. Crochet Heart Pattern
Crochet hearts are easy to make if your child is a beginner. Sarah Maker provides its guide on how you make these mini, medium, or large crochet hearts.
13. Crochet Pumpkin
This seasonal crochet pattern is a great holiday decoration made with an easy combination of basic stitches. Sarah Maker gives its instructions on beginner crocheters.
14. Fingerless Crochet Gloves
Fingerless crochet gloves take a little less than an hour to make and require basic crochet stitches to make. Sarah Maker shares its guide to make these gloves right from your living room.
15. Beginner Hygge Sweater Pattern
While tackling a sweater project might seem like too much for a kid starting out, once a child has the basics down, a weather with a simple crocheter can be a fun project. Eva Pack Ravelry Store provides instructions on how to make this sweater for beginners.
16. Crochet Blanket
Crocheting a blanket can take a long time to make, but using an easy crochet pattern and bulkier yarn, your child can crochet one in three hours or so. Bella Coco Crochet gives instructions on how to make a crochet blanket.
17. Simple Textured Pillow
Knowing how to do a single crochet stitch is all you need to be able to make this simple textured pillow. The Pixie Creates shares instructions on how to make this crochet pillow.
18. Crochet Glasses Case
If your child wears glasses or just has a favorite pair of sunglasses, your child can crochet a glasses case. Kaper Crochet shares its guide to making this quick and easy-to-make glasses case.
19. Bow Tie
Crocheting a bow tie is a quick crochet project that is also wearable. Yarnspirations provides its free pattern guide on how to make this cute bow tie. Yarnspirations also lets you buy some materials to help you if you choose to do so.
20. Crochet Tablet Cozy Pattern
If your child has a tablet they sometimes carry around with them, they can make a crochet tablet cozy pattern. ChristaCo Designs shares its guide for your child to crochet a tablet cozy right at home.
Crochet for Kids Tips
- Try to start with smaller crochet projects. These are projects with simple crochet instructions and don’t take too long. For example, start with your child crocheting a bracelet or bow tie before having them try their hand at crocheting a blanket.
- Don’t be too technical. Try and use language that your child will understand, as some of the more technical terms might sound like a foreign language.
- If you are demonstrating crocheting tips to your child, use the dominant hand that your child will be using. This can help the child learn to crochet when they are mimicking your technique.
- Crocheting can be hard, so it can be important to remain patient as your child is learning to crochet themselves.
- Have the child do the majority of the work themselves if possible. You want your child to be able to start new projects themselves, rather than you starting the project for them.
- Allow your child to make mistakes. If your child is still learning some of the basics, expect some wonky stitches, and tell them that those wonky stitches are ok.
- Demonstrate crocheting to your child. An effective way for some children to learn is by letting them watch you try something first, then let them try it themselves.
Crochet for Kids FAQ
What age should a child learn how to crochet?
You can teach children of almost any age to crochet. For example, if your child is able to sit for a short period of time and use a pencil, they have the capability to learn how to crochet.
Many children can learn basic crochet skills at the age of five. Some children may learn at a faster or slower pace than others.
Is crochet easier than knitting?
Crochet for kids can be easier or harder than knitting depending on your skill level. The techniques and tools vary between the two.
Ultimately, both are different ways of stitching yards together. If you are a beginner, crochet might be easier to learn as tools and techniques are minimized, and it is easier to pick up as a self-taught hobby.
How long does it take to become a good crocheter?
The amount of time it can take for a child to become a good crocheter can vary. If a child starts to learn the basics of crochet at 5, they might be able to start working on more advanced crochet projects around 9 years old. However, if you are older, you can learn to crochet within a month if you put in a lot of consistent effort and practice.