There are so many beautiful crochet patterns out there.
I know because I have made a lot of them!
But lately I started thinking about something. How many of the things we crochet do we actually use?
We make something because we love the yarn, the stitch, or the way it looks in the photos. We finish it, admire it, and then… it sits somewhere.
So I went through my own crochet projects and looked for the things I actually come back to.
And I found five.
These are five practical crochet projects that I actually use again and again. Some are things I use myself, one is something I use around the house, and several are projects I keep making because they also make wonderful gifts.
These are not just pretty crochet projects. They have earned a place in my everyday life.
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1. Japanese Knot Waffle Bag
Get the free Japanese Knot Waffle Bag pattern
This bag is probably the one I am most obsessed with.
I actually have it in two different colors, and that should tell you something!
I use these bags when I go to my jazz concerts. I don’t need to take much with me, just my phone, keys, and maybe my sunglasses, so this little bag is perfect.
But what I really love about it is the combination of texture and structure.
The waffle stitch makes the fabric thick and sturdy, so there is no need to line the bag. And I love the Japanese knot bag construction because it is so simple to use.
It is one of those crochet projects that looks much more complicated than it really is.
And because it is practical, it makes a wonderful handmade gift too.
If you haven’t made a Japanese knot bag before, this is a great one to try.
2. Easy Crochet Mesh Shrug with Bell Sleeves
Get the free Crochet Mesh Shrug pattern
If you know me, you know that I love layers.
Where I live, our winters are not particularly cold, so I don’t always need a heavy sweater. What I often need is something light that I can put over my shoulders.
That is exactly why I keep reaching for this mesh shrug.
The open mesh makes it light and easy to wear, while the bell sleeves and little pom poms at the edges give it some personality.
I use it when I go out, when I go to a restaurant with the air conditioning turned up too high, and even when I go to a jazz concert.
This is also one of those crochet projects you can make relatively quickly because the mesh stitch works up beautifully.
It is practical, but it definitely doesn’t look boring!
And if you are looking for another lightweight crochet layer, you might also enjoy my Crochet Poncho Tutorial.
3. Granny Slouchy Hat
Get the free Granny Slouchy Hat pattern
I have a lot of crochet beanie patterns on my blog.
Probably more than I need!
But there is one that I keep coming back to: my Granny Slouchy Hat.
Again, where I live, I don’t need a very heavy winter hat. I wanted something that would give me a little warmth without feeling like I was wearing a full winter hat.
This one is just right.
The construction is also fun because it starts with a square and then becomes round, and the brim is wonderfully simple.
You can make it in different colors and yarns, which makes it a great project for using yarn you already have.
And because it is a relatively small project, it also makes a lovely handmade gift.
If you enjoy making crochet hats, you might also like my Spike Stitch Crochet Beanie, another free pattern with a completely different texture.
Sometimes the simplest things are the things we use the most.
4. Nesting Baskets
Get the Nesting Baskets pattern
Not every practical crochet project has to be something you wear.
Sometimes we just need a place to put all the little things!
These nesting baskets are something I use around my home. They fit inside each other, which makes them especially practical when you aren’t using all of them.
I chose the colors for mine to work with the colors on my balcony, so they also become part of the space rather than looking like something that was simply added for storage.
I use them for all kinds of little things and trinkets that tend to accumulate outside.
And look at that texture!
These are a paid pattern, but if you like crochet home projects that are both decorative and useful, I think they are worth having a look at.
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5. Crochet Makeup Pouch
Get the free Crochet Makeup Pouch pattern
And finally, we have my crochet makeup pouch.
This is another project that I actually use.
And if you know me, you also know that I am not a big fan of lining bags and pouches!
So I came up with a very simple solution.
I took a ready-made pouch and crocheted around it, then attached the crochet to the pouch with fabric glue.
No complicated lining.
No wrestling with a zipper.
Just a practical pouch with a crochet exterior.
I was planning a trip to New Zealand when I filmed the video, and this was definitely coming with me. It is the kind of handmade item that is beautiful enough to make me happy but practical enough that it actually gets used.
And isn’t that what we want from the things we crochet?
Before you get started, check out A Few of My Favorite Tools
Yarn Winder – a perfect crochet accessory
Steamer for Clothes – Portable ideal for crochet projects
Blocking Mat – 12.5″ for all your squares
Why I Love Practical Crochet Projects
I love making beautiful things just as much as anyone.
But there is something especially satisfying about making something that becomes part of your everyday life.
A bag that you reach for.
A shrug that you throw over your shoulders.
A hat that you actually wear.
A basket that helps you organize your home.
A pouch that travels with you.
These are the crochet projects that don’t end up forgotten in a cupboard.
And I think this is something worth thinking about the next time you choose a crochet pattern.
Before you ask yourself:
“Isn’t this beautiful?”
Maybe also ask:
“Will I actually use it?”
Because when the answer is yes, you get something even better than a beautiful finished crochet project.
You get something handmade that becomes part of your life.
I also love making small practical crochet projects for the home, like these Boho Style Crochet Coasters.
Watch the Video
Want to see all five of these projects and hear why I keep coming back to them?
Watch the video below:
And now I want to hear from you.
What is the crochet project you keep making or using again and again?
Maybe it is a bag you carry everywhere, a hat you wear all winter, a blanket that lives on your sofa, or a gift that everyone keeps asking you to make.
Tell me in the comments. I may just discover my next favorite practical crochet project!
Happy crocheting,
Sandra
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Hi my crochet friend!
Crochet has followed me from Argentina to Israel and through every crossroads since. Now I design calm, achievable crochet, made to feel possible.
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