Simple Projects with Single Crochet

Whether you are a newbie to crochet or you are just looking for something simple and easy, there are many great projects that you can create with a simple single crochet stitch. They are great for practice and can make easy gifts for the holidays or as a just because gift.

There are people who swear by a homemade dishcloth and can never have enough of them. If you have such a person in your life, this is great gift to make for them. To start, you need cotton yarn and a G hook (4.5 mm). If you feel the need to swatch for this pattern, crochet four rows and then measure. For width, three stitches should be an inch and for height, four rows should make an inch. If not, adjust your hook as need be.

Start by making your loop and leaving approximately six inches for the tail. Chain 36 to create the base of your dish cloth. Turn your work and skipping the first chain, create your single crochet in the second chain from the hook and create one stitch in each chain, finishing with 35 stitches. Chain one, turn your work, skip the first chain and then do another 35 single crochet to the end. Continue repeating this until the cloth is the size you want. If you aren’t sure on a size, aim for approximately 10 ½ by 9 ½ inches. Finish the project by pulling the yarn through the end of the last row. Weave both the starting tail and the ending tail into the project.

By changing the size of this project, you can easily create a pot holder or a place mat. You can also experiment with colour changes to add a bit of excitement and challenge. Another modification is to make it a bit skinnier and you can create a scarf.

Once you are feeling comfortable with this, there are many different dishcloth patterns out there. You can keep doing this pattern if you want though, there are no rules. Play around with it.

When it comes to creating something special for a baby, you can make a great blanket with a simple single crochet. With a simple single crochet stitch and changing up your hook, you can create something quite interesting.

A great idea is to find a Super Speed crochet hook (its approximately 19 mm) and two or three types of yarn. If you do not have a large hook, you can use a smaller one and just use one or two strands of yarn. These types of projects work up faster and you can have a gift or something for your own use ready in no time.

Chain 55, turn your work, skip the first stitch and then continues with 54 crochet stitches. When you reach the end of the row, chain one, turn, skip the first stitch and continue for another 54 stitches. Continue until you feel your blanket is large enough.

Blankets do not have to be for babies, you can make them for anyone. I have made a lot of blankets that are simply lapghan's, about 3 feet by 3 feet. I typically use a 6.5 mm hook and about 140 stitches to start. Follow the above instructions. Everyone has different gauge so your results may vary. I typically measure after the first complete row although it does tend to expand a bit more after that.

Have leftover yarn when you are done with these projects? There are lots of things you can do with it. Check out these leftover yarn projects.

If you feel your project isn't complete and needs something, consider adding a border. You can do a round of single crochet for an effective border. I have done this with several projects and it just adds that finishing touch.