Kids Corner – Patterns You’ll Enjoy and They’ll Love

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Whether you’re sending your kids off to school in this cold winter weather or brainstorming about cute, homemade gifts, Free Patterns has you covered. Look no further than some of our favorite items for kids.

There are patterns for every skill level, whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’ll be able to create something fun for your child. You’ll enjoy working on these, and your kids will love the result.

Bam Bam Bath Set

Is there anything better than wrapping your child up in something soft and warm after bath time and spending some time cuddling and reading books? This bam bam bath set features a thick robe and matching slippers – perfect for cuddling after a bath!

Customize the set by making it in your child’s favorite color. This soft and warm set is the perfect way to spend your evenings together. You could even make a matching set for you, and your child will love it even more.

Teddy’s Close Knit Family

Making clothes for your child’s teddy bear has never been easier. This set includes a shirt and a scarf that you can knit quickly with a bulky weight yarn. Adorn bear chest sizes of ten, fourteen, and twenty-four inches.

Make a matching sweater and scarf for your child out of her favorite color to make it more personal. Your child will enjoy dressing up in matching outfits and playing house or tea party with her bear every day.

Snow Bunny Cardigan

Work up this snow bunny cardigan quickly and easily with a bulky or super bulky yard. In your child’s favorite color, she will be warm and stylish. She’ll feel like a ballerina or a professional ice skater when she shows it off.

It even doubles as an elegant shrug for holiday parties or formal events. The hood keeps her extra warm, and it’s soft and comfortable for those cold winter nights from the car into the store or house.

Dotted Square Pullover

This brightly colored sweater will look great on any school-aged child. The whimsical pattern is entertaining and making it in your child’s favorite colors will add to the fun. They’ll love wearing this to school and showing it off to their friends.

Make this sweater in a size big enough that your child can wear it over a collared shirt to dress it up a bit and keep him even warmer in the winter time.

Cuddly Chicky

It’s no secret that kids love animals. If your child has a fascination with farm animals, this cuddly chicky is the cutest. This easy quilting pattern makes a great DIY gift. The yo-yo belly can be made out of any fun fabric that your child will love.

The swinging feet allow for fun playtimes or entertainment for babies. Prop the chicken up on a shelf or hang it over a crib and watch your child bat at the feet and laugh. This is a fun twist on the traditional stuffed animals that kids love.

Rainbow Bike Basket

It may be cold outside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for warmer weather now! This rainbow bike basket is precious for any little girl. The bright colors and flower motif ensure that she’ll ride around in style all summer long.

Change the colors to camouflage or add a star in place of the flower and you very quickly have a basket for a boy. He’ll be the envy of the neighborhood with his masculine bike basket that holds all of his toy bows and arrows.

Bring a smile to your little one’s face with any of these patterns made especially for them. You’ll get a kick out of seeing their eyes light up when they play with it or wear it, and they’ll cherish it even more because it came from you.

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Cozy Crochet Projects for Your Pets

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Cozy Crochet Projects for Your Pets

Our pets are members of our family. We feed them the best food, let them sleep at the foot of the bed, and often treat them better than we treat ourselves. They are faithful and loyal companions, so it’s important to keep them happy and healthy.

Sometimes the best way to make ourselves and our pets happy is to create something for them ourselves. It may take some time but our pets are worth it. That’s why there are cozy crochet projects for your pets that make them comfortable, warm, and adorable.

Whether you want to crochet your dog a sweater or make a comfy bed for him to take a nap, there’s a pattern for everything and every pet. The best part of these projects is that you can personalize each one for your pet. Add fun details like your pet’s name or color coordinate each item!

Cozy Pet Bed

Forget buying an expensive dog bed at the pet store. You can make a cozy place for your furry friends with this cozy pet bed pattern. Your dog or cat can relax in style, and you can use any color to coordinate with your decor or your pet’s favorite collar.

This beginner level pattern is easy to make, so even if you’re an inexperienced crocheter, you can still make something nice to spoil your pet. Imagine how happy your pet will be relaxing on this homemade bed!

Pet Blankets

You can also make blankets to go along with your pet’s bed. Many animals like to burrow. It’s in their nature, and it makes them happy and keeps them from getting bored. Give them something soft to cuddle with by making them a pet blanket.

This easy crochet pattern can be made in any color, or you can crochet each square in a different color. More experienced crocheters can work patterns or embellishments into the pattern, and you can adjust the size to fit any pet!

Another fun project is to make matching blankets for you and your pet. You can snuggle together in your personalized set or you can color coordinate your dog’s blanket to her bed so she can cover up in style.

Tuxedo and Tails Dog Sweater

Your dog can dress in tails to go out on the town just like you. It’s important that your dog stays warm in the winter months when you take him on a walk, and with this tuxedo and tails dog sweater, he’ll be protected from the cold.

The skill level is intermediate, and while this pattern is a little harder than others, it’s well worth the effort to ensure that your dog looks cute and cozy. He’ll be the talk of the park in his new outfit.

This would also be the perfect pattern for anyone who wants their dog to be a part of their wedding or special event. Just imagine how amazing your pet would look dressed in this adorable tuxedo sweater.  The best pattern for any special occasion!

Fido’s Turtleneck

This turtleneck crochet pattern for dogs is easy to make and can be sized to fit many different dogs. Without any leg holes, it’s easy to pull over your dog’s neck and go. The puffy belt adds a little extra whimsy.

You can make this sweater in any color, or make one for each day of the week. Your dog will be stylish and comfortable, and you won’t have the hassle of dressing your dog in complicated sweaters from the store.

Most people love to spoil their pets, and there’s no better way to do it than to make them things you know they’ll love. They’ll be comfortable, stylish, and you won’t be able to resist cuddling. These four patterns give you a great place to start making cozy crochet projects for your pets.

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Free Crochet Patterns for Cute Kitchen Decor

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Free Crochet Patterns for Cute Kitchen Decor

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. It’s where the family gathers around the table for dinner, where guests mingle with drinks and appetizers, and where we tend to unwind with comfort food and conversation.

It’s no wonder we pride ourselves on our kitchens and want to make them feel warm and look inviting. If you need some good ideas for crochet patterns that make cute kitchen decor, look no further.

From dressing your appliances with things like slow cooker cozies to coasters or trivets to protect your countertops and tables, there are plenty of free crochet patterns for every skill level and every person’s taste.

Wee Bobbles

These sweet wee bobbles dishcloths are quick and easy. You can make them in whatever color goes best with your kitchen decor, give them sweet frilly edges, or make them bigger and use them as dish towels.

The possibilities are endless, but they do look the best using bobble stitches mixed with single and treble crochet. The lumpy look of the bobble stitch makes it look so soft; you won’t be able to resist using these all the time.

Slow Cooker Cozy

This slow cooker cozy makes your slow cooker look like it’s ready for the potluck party. It’s cold outside, and everyone is wearing a sweater, so why not your kitchen appliances? Especially those appliances that may go out with you when you bring food to an event.

Slow cookers aren’t always the most attractive kitchen items, but you can dress yours up with this fun crochet pattern for a slow cooker cozy in any color you want. It’s an easy pattern for beginners so anyone can have fun with this one.

Watermelon Coaster

There’s no cuter way to rest your drink than on a fruity coaster. This watermelon coaster is easy to crochet in the round, and with a few simple stitches, you can include seeds for a sweet embellishment.

Make an entire set of watermelon coasters, or switch up the colors any way you like to make a mixed set of all kinds of fun fruit or vegetables. It’ll make you long for those summer afternoons on the porch, sipping sweet tea.

If you prefer, you can use a rainbow of colors to make different designs or give your coasters a personal touch. Your fruit and vegetable coasters will be distinctly you no matter what you choose to do.

Flower Motif Trivet

You can create a unique garden for all of your pots and pans with this flower motif trivet. Protect your countertops and tables with your favorite spring colors or any color that matches your existing kitchen decor.

Because this trivet pattern is easy, you can make a whole set in no time at all. Make them all the same color, make a mixed set of different colors, or use the scraps in your yarn basket for a bit of fun and flair.

Cake Boxes

These sweet cake boxes go great in a kitchen because they look like cakes, but they hold all sorts of trinkets. Make a set of all different shapes, sizes, and colors to hold your keys, medicine, or coffee k-cups.

You can adorn your countertops with these sweet cake boxes and the reinforced plastic liners ensure they’re durable and will hold up under all the use they’re going to get. They look intricate, but they couldn’t be easier to make!

These are some great ideas to get you started. Your kitchen is already a haven of rest and love, but you can make sure that your family and friends feel the same way by decorating it with these free and easy crochet patterns for cute kitchen decor.

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3 Beginner-Friendly Home Decor Crochet Ideas

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You don’t have to be an expert in crochet to enjoy making fun decor projects for your home. It’s a great way to practice and hone your skills while still doing something functional and productive that you can show off to your guests when they come over.

Making beginner home decor crochet items will enhance your decor and your abilities, so you’ll be doing more advanced work in no time. Even if you’re content with your current skill level, some home decor items make great gifts, and you can whip them up quickly in order to make your friends feel special.

Alphabet Blanket

This afghan is made from alphabet blocks with an alternating geometric design. Stitch the blocks first and then join them together with a simple chain stitch border for a sweet and simple finished product for your guest room or baby’s nursery.

This project is a fun gift for any baby shower or your child’s daycare center. The colors are easy to switch out for coordinating with different decor themes or genders. It makes a perfect meaningful gift or a great home decor item for yourself.

Blankets and quilts are meaningful items that make great gifts, and they last for generations, so your grandkids will enjoy using the blanket you made years from now. The open design looks delicate and makes an excellent bedspread or elegant throw.

Easy Scrap-Yarn Rug

Have you been wondering what to do with all the yarn scraps you have lying around? If you don’t want to waste them, but you don’t know what to do, try whipping up an easy scrap-yarn rug. It’s fast and easy, and because you are using the leftover scraps you already have, it’s cheap.

This is the perfect project for a beginner, or anyone looking for a quick and easy home decoration. It clears out your yarn storage, making room for new yarns, and brightens up your doorway with a clever and unique rug, welcoming all of your guests.

Wine Sleeve With Charms

Everyone loves wine, and what better way to gift a bottle of wine or adorn your counters with empty bottles for ambiance than to cover them in themed sleeves? These wine sleeves call for a sleeve from an old blouse, some crochet hooks, and a little yarn.

They’re easy to make and embellish in any way you like. Color coordinate or mix and match using all of the old clothes you put in storage years ago. Make your holiday decor more endearing or make an original gift bag for your next housewarming party.

Empty wine bottles make excellent shabby chic decor items, so pick a stylish pattern or color that matches your existing decor, embellish the sleeves with wood or crystals, and display them on an end table or the mantle for a warm, welcoming feel to any room. For more holiday gift bag ideas, try this polka-dot gift bag.

Whether you want to enhance your decor at home, decorate for a party, or gift an item to someone else, these beginner patterns are fast and easy for all crochet levels. You’ll have fun making and embellishing them for every corner of your home and every event you attend.

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How to Crochet Roly-Poly Characters for the Holiday Season

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Fall is already here. The holidays will soon be upon us. As unprepared as you may feel, the holidays rapidly approaching, which means you’ll soon be digging out trees, ornaments, and other decorations in preparation for the most wonderful time of the year.

There’s nothing like holly jolly characters to fill your house with joy during the holidays, and these roly-poly cuties take the cake. They’re cheerful, playful, and fun. These sweeties will look quite festive amongst all of your other holiday decorations in any room.

These characters, comprised of Santa Claus, a snowman, and an angel will lift your spirits this season while giving you something fun to make for yourself, decorate for a holiday party, or give to your friends as gifts. They’re easy to make and are sure to add endless cheer to your holidays.

Getting Started

Using #4 worsted-weight yarn, work each design in a round from the bottom of the character’s body, using the color of your choice, although the obvious colors make the most sense. The angel can be any color you like, but blue or purple would provide a nice contrast with the red of Santa Claus and the white of the snowman.

Simple chain stitches will take care of attaching arms, scarves, wings, and other accessories to each character. You can make each one unique by switching up the color or position of each accessory to match the holiday decor in each room of your house.

Fill your finished characters with polyester fiberfill and embellish them with the ribbons and buttons of your choice to personalize them for you or the intended recipient. The finished size is eight inches tall and a heart full of adorable.

Where They Belong

These guys look cute on the kitchen counter, on the mantle, on an end table, or hanging on the tree. They’re small and lightweight enough to stand or hang anywhere. They also make perfect gifts. Personalize each with custom embroidery letters, a best friend’s favorite colors, or to match your mother-in-law’s holiday theme.

Better yet, throw them in a Christmas gift basket for a thoughtful collection of holiday goodies. It’s the perfect way to spread holiday cheer to those you love.

No matter how you choose to celebrate the holidays, celebrate with the holiday characters everyone knows and loves. These roly-poly characters’ bellies will make you jolly this season every time you look at them. If you’re looking for a unique, meaningful, affordable gift, put some effort into personalizing them for someone you love.

Even if you plan to make them for yourself, you’ll find they’re so fun and easy that you won’t want to stop. You’ll need one for every room and every friend. Get your holidays started early this year by downloading the free pattern now and making a few new crochet friends.

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How to Make a Table Topper Quilt for a Friend

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Table topper quilts are a cozy and welcoming decor item for your dining room, but they mean even more when they’re a homemade gift from a friend. Not only will it bring a soft and delicate look to your dining room decor, but it will bring a smile to your face every day.

There’s nothing better you can do for your dearest friends than to make them something that will fill their heart with joy, and there are so many free table topper quilt patterns to choose from that you won’t have any trouble finding something that represents your friendship.

Monkey Blues

This monkey blues pattern is a fun and clever twist on the traditional friendship star design, and perhaps it resembles your lifelong best friend and the fun you’ve had together. Blue is calming, bringing peace to a restful dining table.

The Double Monkey Wrench blocks are made with reproduction prints and are easy to make with any level of quilting experience. Each block is a six-inch square set on point, creating a thirty-inch square finished piece. It makes a charming table topper quilt. You can complete this stress-free pattern in your spare time.

The name of this table topper quilt pattern says it all. Bring a little monkeying around into your friend’s home and make them smile and remember you when they display it proudly on their table. It’s a great way to remind them that you’re never too old to have fun.

Pinwheel Path Table Topper

The pinwheel path table topper quilt pattern is a sweet, childlike design, symbolizing your friendship’s foundation blossoming into something strong and unbreakable. The florals are dainty and elegant. Your friend can use this table topper quilt on a reading table among all of their other adornments to remind them of you.

The autumn colors give any reading nook a cozy feel, so curling up with a good book feels better than ever. It also looks great on a night table in their guest room so when you come to stay, you can see how proud they are of your gift.

The childish design of the pinwheel will bring back memories of your childhood together playing outside and remind your friend of how much you care. With a joyful and playful air, the pinwheel path table topper pattern is the perfect gift.

Table Runner Quilt Patterns

These free table runner quilt patterns give you an endless array of design options for all of your friends. From seasonal designs to themes, you’ll find something for everyone. Bright and cheerful summer blooms make a fun table topper quilt, illuminated by the summer sun streaming in the windows.

Fish designs make a perfect table topper quilt for your friend’s kid table. A placemat table topper quilt makes an excellent backdrop for your friend’s pet dishes. Gifting a blue basket topper is the best way to invite your best friend for a long-overdue picnic.

At varying skill levels, there is a table runner quilt pattern for everyone. Don’t be afraid to gift a table topper quilt. Find something that you can do easily in your spare time or challenge yourself with something more complicated to show your friend how much you care.

Bring joy to your friend with the perfect table topper quilt. Search Free Patterns for all kinds of shapes, sizes, and designs. You’re bound to find something you can make that your friend will love, and you can even make yourself a matching one for a domestic take on the friendship bracelets you wore in grade school.

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Crochet a Welcome Home Rug For Your Home

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A welcome rug at your front steps or garage door is a great place to welcome guests or take off your shoes at the end of the day. These types of rugs get a lot of traffic, so they should be durable and easy to wash. There are a few things to consider before getting started, but a welcome home rug is easy enough for any skill level, and they make great gifts, too.

Decide on a Shape

Round rugs are popular choices, but they’re not as straightforward as square rugs. If you know how to crochet circles, then you’re all set. Round rugs tend to buckle and bowl, so you need to know how to fix those problems if you want to make a circle.

Otherwise, beginners should keep their rugs square or rectangular to avoid these issues. Square rugs are more forgiving because you work them in rows instead of circles. Stick to this shape if you need more practice, especially if you’re giving it as a gift.

Decide on a Pattern

You can use any pattern or repeat stitch to make a rug with a large hook and thick yarn. Just make sure the pattern doesn’t call for any large holes that might cause you to trip. This wouldn’t be the best option for a rug.

Also, pay attention to how dense the stitches are. The denser the stitches, the more yarn you’ll use. Your rug could end up costing a lot more money than you thought it would, but it will be durable and gorgeous. There are plenty of free crochet patterns for welcome home rugs with a wide variety of stitch styles and densities to choose from.

Choosing Materials

Every type of yarn is different, so what you use will depend on what you want for the end product.

Jersey Cotton

This t-shirt type material is elastic so changes in tension can significantly alter your rug’s shape. Every type of jersey cotton tubes differently, too. While some are shiny and beautiful, others fray at the ends, making them look less attractive when they’re worked up. Make sure each color you use has the same elasticity for consistency in your finished piece.

Acrylic

Acrylic yarn is perfect for a decorative welcome home rug. It’s much easier to make neat stitches because it doesn’t have the same elasticity that jersey cotton does. However, acrylic pills, so it’s not a great choice for places with heavy foot traffic. It’s better as a decorative piece.

Fabric Yarn

Fabric yarn is non-elastic, so it has the same benefits as acrylic yarn, and it’s more durable. It’s hard to work up because it’s tough on your hands and can shed tiny fibers, but the finished product will last in areas of high traffic.

Choosing a Hook

You can make rugs with small hooks like 5.5mm, but your rug will be very thin, which may not be ideal for high foot traffic areas. A 10mm crochet hook makes a nice rug thickness with the appropriate yarn thickness. A hook as big as 25mm makes a great finished product, but it’s hard on your wrists and needs a much thicker yarn.

Making the Rug

There’s no specific gauge you should use, but pay attention to what you are using because you want to be able to work it up as tight as you can and still be comfortable. If your hands or wrists hurt and you are using dense stitches, you may need a bigger hook or thinner yarn.

Take breaks to give your hands and wrists some rest. This also gives you a chance to check your rug (if you’re working in circles) to make sure it’s not buckling or bowling. You may have too few or too many stitches, and this gives you an opportunity to assess and adjust.

Finishing the Rug

A round of crab stitch or reverse single crochet gives you a dense stitch to finish up and help your edges lay flat. You can also add a non-slip backing to the rug so it won’t slide on a hardwood or tile floor. You can sew non-slip drawer liners onto the back or glue on a piece of non-stick backing cut to size. You can also find a rubber coating spray and use that on the back. It’s a lot less work but will have to be reapplied more often.

Above all else, have fun. After all, this piece will welcome you home after a long day or be a housewarming gift for your friends, and it should resemble love and relaxation. You can find free crochet patterns for beginners at Free Patterns, or you can make your own.

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4 Free Crochet Baby Blanket Patterns

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When you were a child, did you have a special baby blanket that you always kept by your side? And if you did, was it a blanket that was handmade for you? We find that baby blankets that are carefully crafted with love for a new bundle of joy have so much more sentimental value than those that are bought in stores. A homemade blanket is the physical manifestation of the love of a parent, grandparent, other loved one or friend, and it can be personalized with specific colors and patterns that have special meaning.

Whether you have a little one on the way and want to create something special just for them or have a family member or friend who is expecting, nothing says “I love you” like a homemade crochet baby blanket. It makes a great gift and is an excellent project for someone who is new to crocheting because there are many easy crochet patterns available. Not only will your heart be full when you first see the little one wrapped in the blanket you crocheted with your own hands, but you’ll also gain confidence to do more crochet projects as your skills grow.

We love to see people who still enjoy making things by hand and share their talents and efforts with those they love most. Something as simple as a blanket can turn into a cherished memento that a child saves well into adulthood and provides them with happy memories of a childhood filled with love. Because of this, we’re dedicated to providing crafters and DIYers with a wide selection of free baby blanket crochet patterns to inspire them. To really get your creative juices flowing, here are four of our favorite patterns that we think you’ll love too!

We’re kicking our list off with an easy and fun design that any baby or child will love! The Teddy Bear Blanket Buddy is the perfect unique project that combines a stuffed animal with a classic blanket. Adding an adorable teddy bear head and paws to this simple blanket pattern creates a dream-worthy blanket. Why buy a stuffed animal or a blanket when this easy pattern will show you how to create the perfect combination of both?

The next pattern on the list is also a classic look, but labeled at the intermediate level, it may be more challenging! This Baby Pocket Blanket pattern is the perfect gift to give to expectant parents or to make for your own little one. It features a beautiful and colorful border that can be customized for any nursery design. This charming baby afghan would be a special gift with its adorable and timeless design. The use of light-weight yarn makes this a heavier baby blanket that any parent will love.

If you’re looking for crochet patterns for baby blankets with a bit more of a unique style, you’ll love this Baby Spring Bouquet Afghan. It features 3-D flowers that pop off the background color and dainty scalloped edges that are perfect for a baby girl. And the best part is you can choose whichever colors you like best to make the flowers pop and ensure they match the nursery. This pattern is designed to be made with super fine yarn, so it’s comfortable for wrapping up the baby but pretty enough to be used as decoration over the side of a crib or on the back of a rocking chair.

You can’t beat baby afghan crochet patterns that create a big enough blanket to keep little ones warm even as they start growing up. And this extra-large Youth Afghan definitely fits that bill! At 3 feet wide and 5 feet tall, this blanket will be perfect for snuggling with well into childhood. And the simple pattern is a blank canvas, making it perfect for little boys or girls. Plus, it would make a great decoration in a nursery when not being used for baby snuggles.

Whether you’re a newbie at crocheting or a seasoned crochet expert, we know that you’ll love to make (and give) handmade baby blankets. A baby blanket is a special gift for a special time in someone’s life. And because we have so many free baby blanket crochet patterns to choose from, you’ll be sure to find the one that’s perfect for you.

If you like projects like these be sure to sign-up for FreePatterns.com to get unlimited access to 900+ patterns! Whether you like Crochet, Quilting, Knitting, Sewing, Cross Stitch, or more you will find the answer to all of your crafting needs!

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6 Free Crochet Afghan Patterns

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Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter who has a number of crochet projects under their belt or are someone looking for a new hobby and think crocheting would fit the bill, we bet that you’d fall in love with one (or a few) of our free crochet afghan patterns. These patterns encompass all skill levels, but even the simple patterns produce stunning blankets that even the most experienced crochet DIYers will be proud to show off.

We’ve got a number of different afghan styles to choose from and you are sure to find the design that fits your needs perfectly. Each one of these patterns will provide your home with classic style and comfort, whether you plan on using it as a decoration to be hung on a wall, or draped over a sofa, or will use it to snuggle up with a good book and a mug of piping hot tea.

We invite you to browse through our whole collection of free afghan crochet patterns. But if you’re looking for some inspiration here are our six favorites that we think you’ll love, too.

Up first is this charming Bright Waves afghan pattern that would make a great addition to any room in your home. Designed to show off bright hues, it’s the perfect blanket for tossing on a neutral colored couch or chair to add a pop of color. Its colorful, alternating waves beg to be noticed and the large size (54″ x 61 1/2″) makes it perfect for wrapping up in on a chilly fall day. Plus, this pattern is simple enough for any crocheting skill level.

If you’d like something a little subtler, this Chenille Afghan pattern will be your ideal match. The single color and simple pattern create a subtle yet stunning look that will add soft and warm style to any home. It’s the perfect crochet blanket for tossing on the couch for cold days or for leaving out in a guest bedroom for extra warmth on a bed. Although it is a larger afghan (42″ x 66″) this pattern would also make a good crib cover.

Do you know someone who defend our country in any branch of the armed services? Then you’ll love this Military Afghan. This is designed to support our men and women in all branches of the military, without whose loyalty we wouldn’t be the America we know and love. The white background creates a perfect canvas for showcasing each military symbol. This may not be a simple pattern, but is sure to amaze everyone who sees it while supporting our military.

For some major pop, look no further than this gorgeous Tie-Dyed Throw. The bright color splashes in this cozy throw bring to mind the funky, kaleidoscopic patterns of the tie-dye craze. Mix your favorite colors to create your own exceptional afghan. It makes for a fun and unique blanket sure to be treasured for years to come. Give it away as a housewarming or wedding gift or crochet one for yourself to snuggle with on a lazy weekend at home.

Crochet blanket patterns are also perfect for the holidays. This Snow Flurry Afghan features a blue winter design with snowflakes that can decorate your home all winter throughout the holiday seasons. It makes a beautiful addition to holiday decorations and also makes a fantastic gift for friends or family. This is a perfect crochet project to get you in the winter spirit.

We’ve also got a free crochet pattern that’s a perfectly subtle floral design. This Rosebud Afghan features abundant blossoms adorning a stunning background that is sure to become a decorating favorite.  There is also a beautiful fringe border that creates an even more stunning design. This design is sure to become your favorite comfy afghan.

If you’re looking for crochet patterns free to use look no further than our wide selection. We’ve got many free afghan crochet patterns to choose from that would make an advanced or simple, yet charming DIY project to add some comfort and warmth to your home or to gift to a loved one. Check out the patterns and find your favorite one today!

If you like projects like these be sure to sign-up for FreePatterns.com to get unlimited access to 900+ patterns! Whether you like Crochet, Quilting, Knitting, Sewing, Cross Stitch, or more you will find the answer to all of your crafting needs!

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Thrift Store Fabric Shopping: Sew Something for Nothing — Almost, By Lucy B. Gray

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Try thrift store fabric shopping and learn how to transform wonderful fabrics harvested from thrift-store clothing and other treasures into head-turning pieces! With found fabrics and your creative juices flowing outside of the proverbial “box,” you can create truly one-of-a-kind accessories and clothing.

The stylish pieced bags shown below are a great example of how easy it is to “make something for nothing” — well, almost — if you are willing to do some thrift store fabric shopping.

bags made after thrift store shopping

Au Printemps Bags

What’s in the Thrift Stores?

Why shop at a thrift store for fabric? The racks hold hundreds of high-quality silks, cottons and rayons as well as interesting textured polyesters and woolens just waiting for the creative sewer who wants more options than the standard fabric-and-craft store fare. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t shop for new fabrics, but sometimes you’ll be able to find exactly what you need at the thrift shop when it’s nowhere else to be found. This is particularly true when you are searching for fabrics and colors that might not be the current rage.

When I go thrift store fabric shopping, I never know what I’m going to find. I purchase anything that appeals to me, often without any preconceived notion of what I’m going to make from it. I am always looking for secondhand garments in my favorite colors or with interesting textures and prints, as well as quirky and inexpensive costume jewelry, men’s ties or anything else that looks like it has design potential.

thrift store fabrics

Look for colorful skirts, blouses, tops and dresses in easy-care fabrics. Polyester, rayon, cotton, silk and blends of these are all suitable fabrics for bags.

I collected several color-related garments from my favorite store and envisioned making some pieced handbags from the fabrics. The collage of sprightly greens reminded me of how fresh everything looks after a spring rain, and the black-and-whites provided visual contrast in the medley of potential candidates. Hence the Au Printemps (French for spring) name for these two bags.

I also found some treasures in the thrift-shop jewelry case and in my vintage-button stash to audition as design focal points.

thrift store fabrics

After you have “harvested” your fabrics, audition them with potential embellishments, such as costume jewelry and vintage buttons.

From Finds to Treasures: After You Go Thrift Store Fabric Shopping

In this article, I’ll show you how to convert your shopping finds into bags similar to mine, to showcase both your favorite fabrics and your originality! One thing is sure; you’ll never see anyone else carrying the same bag, as every purchase in a thrift store is one of a kind. For the bags shown, you’ll need five or six color coordinated garments to provide good variety. Shirts, blouses, skirts and dresses in fabrics such as cotton, silk, rayon and polyester (read the garment labels) are good prospects. If you want to use real leather for bag straps, look for leather skirts, which come in a rainbow of colors. Look for a “fabric” with interesting texture for added interest. None of these items should cost more than a few dollars apiece — that’s one of the joys of thrift store fabric shopping!

When you’re done thrift store fabric shopping, launder the clothing (except the leather skirt, of course) according to the manufacturer’s label. You can also machine-launder silk blouses and skirts in cold water, using the gentle cycle and a little mild shampoo. Dry everything on the delicate cycle and remove promptly. Harvest the fabrics by cutting the main panels of each garment free of their seams so that you have large, flat pieces to use for the piecing.

Top Tips Savvy Thrift Store Fabric Shopping

Here are my top tips for shopping for fabric in thrift stores.

  • Brilliant colors with finely detailed patterns are characteristic of the fine silk broadcloths used in men’s shirts and women’s blouses. These fabrics work well as jazzy bag linings when reinforced with fusible, low-melt interfacing. Prices range from 96 cents to $5, depending on how long they have been hanging on the racks.
  • Look for small, regular prints in your favorite colors in the women’s blouses and T-shirt racks. When cut into slightly bias strips, they make marvelous bindings.

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  • Women’s T-shirts and sweaters offer a wonderful array of textures. These fabrics work well in pieced designs, as well as for use in other bag styles, including evening bags and for drawstring-style inserts and closures.

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  • Check out women’s skirts for vivid, contrasting prints in sturdy, heavier weight rayon and polyester to use for all bag components.

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  • Leather skirts in dyed pigskin and calfskin are perfect for bag straps and for piecing. You can even use them for an entire bag if you wish. They are typically priced a few dollars higher than fabric skirts, but where else can you find inexpensive, real leather?

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  • Always stop by the jewelry case. It offers great accents for bags. Quirky little animal figures, outrageous rhinestone floral sprays and even the occasional genuine gold or silver item (unrecognized by everyone but you) can be purchased for less than the price of your favorite coffee drink.

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  • Caution: Thrift store fabric shopping can become an addictive occupation requiring perseverance and lots of storage space!

Special Tools and Supplies for Sewing after Thrift Store Fabric Shopping

Besides a sewing machine and the usual sewing notions, you’ll need some additional tools and supplies from your fabric store and sewing room. The list includes some things you may not have used before, such as glover’s needles, magnetic purse snaps, beeswax, upholstery thread, craft spray adhesive, plastic canvas, and even milk jug plastic. Some of these are easy to locate in your local shop or at anniescatalog.com.

So, get ready to rev up your creative engine and your sewing machine to expand your sewing repertoire and your wardrobe with these two fun and easy bags.

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