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What project to start with crocheting? 9 easy ideas
Mis à jour leThe right project for your needs:
- 💛 The “serene beginner” project: a guided mini-project kit (zero stress)
- ⚡ Want a quick result? Bag charms / keychains (small, cute, finished quickly)
- 😍 Want the "wow" factor? Mini amigurumi (kawaii, perfect as a gift)
- 🚫 Trap #1: Choosing something too difficult → we start small!
- 🎉 The JOY! rule: 1 project = 1 victory
🧶 Crocheting is typically “dopamine crafting” : a cozy, simple, and ultra-rewarding activity, even when you start from scratch.
Here, you don't need to have your grandmother's knitting skills 😄 we start small, we finish, we smile.
In this article, we help you choose the right first project based on your skill level, the time you have available , and what truly motivates you .
On the agenda: a selection of ultra-accessible projects , a mini-method , mistakes to avoid , and our crochet & amigurumi kits ready to start at home.
What project to start with for crochet? Our 9 easy and motivating ideas!
When starting out, a good project is one that finishes quickly, makes you want to continue, and avoids discouragement.
Here are some tried and tested ideas for complete beginners , all with the same guiding principle: simple, cute, and rewarding . 🧶✨
1) Bag charms (bag keychains) ☕💖
Level: Absolute beginner
Duration: 30 to 60 minutes
What you will learn:
- to make a chain,
- crocheting in the round
- neatly close a small project.
A little tip: choose a "small" model. Finishing it quickly gives you an instant dopamine rush ... and the desire to make a second one 😍
Recommended kit:
- Coffee Time
- Glam Pink
-
Matcha Club
(available in the JOY crochet & amigurumi collection!)
👉 Ideal if you want a quick, cute, and useful result (attached to a bag or given as a gift).
💖 Our favorite "Bag Charms" kits to get started (dopamine guaranteed)
Small projects, finished quickly, ultra cute: the perfect combo for a stress-free first crochet project .
✨ JOY! tip: start with just one bag charm → you'll want to make a second one.
2) Mini-format Amigurumi
Level: Beginner
Duration: 1 to 2 hours (leisurely pace)
What you will learn:
- crochet in a spiral
- increase / decrease,
- give it a simple shape.
A little hack: stuff little by little and use a turn marker . It avoids mistakes… and frustration.
Recommended JOY! kit:
👉 Perfect for a first amigurumi , without embarking on a large cuddly toy.
3) Mini “simple animal” amigurumi 🐨
Level: Beginner to beginner +
Duration: 2 to 3 hours (in one or two sessions)
What you will learn:
- structuring a small project,
- to maintain a regular blood pressure
- assemble a few simple elements.
A little tip: use a light-colored thread and aim for consistency , not perfection. A well-placed stitch = a much more "professional" result.
Recommended JOY! kit:
👉 The "wow" project when you say: "I made it myself" 🥹💛
And an excellent entry point into the world of amigurumi.
4) Amigurumi cactus (the most “beginner-friendly” 🌵)
Level: Absolute beginner
Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
What you will learn:
- crocheting in the round
- to maintain a regular blood pressure
- to achieve a clean shape without complex assembly.
Why it works so well: the cactus has simple shapes + a great result , even with little experience.
It's actually one of the patterns that often wins over beginners at JOY! 🌵💛
A little hack: choose a solid or pastel color. Fewer thread changes = more fluidity and fewer mistakes.
5) Small amigurumi cuddly toy (gift size 🎁)
Level: Beginner
Duration: 3 to 4 hours (in several sessions, without pressure)
What you will learn:
- to structure a slightly longer project,
- assemble several parts,
- Pay attention to the finishing touches.
Example: Doe (17 cm) — Creative Seed
A cuddly toy format perfect for a handmade gift , without being too ambitious.
The little hack: read the entire step-by-step guide before you start . Seriously.
Understanding the order of steps avoids 80% of the roadblocks when starting out.
6) Amigurumi “character” (rapid progress 🧜♀️)
Level: Beginner +
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
What you will learn:
- vary the shapes,
- manage color changes,
- give your creation a real personality.
Example: Snowy the Mermaid — Hardcraft
A very motivating project when you already have one or two books behind you.
The little hack: mentally separate the project into two parts:
1️⃣ the crochet hook,
2️⃣ assembly.
Doing this in two separate sessions makes the project much more enjoyable.
7) Amigurumi JOY! (instant kawaii 😍)
Level: Beginner to beginner +
Duration: varies depending on the model
What you will learn:
- consolidate the foundations,
- gain confidence,
- Enjoy yourself without pressure.
Examples: Dinosaur , Rabbit ,Unicorn , Panda , Tiger ...
👉 Adorable projects, designed to be motivating from the very first stitches .
The little hack: if you like to say “another one” , these models are ideal.
They make you want to keep going… without ever getting discouraged 🧶✨
8) “Themed box” (when you like variety 🥕🥦)
Level: Absolute beginner
Duration: à la carte (1 room = 1 session)
What you will learn:
- repeating the same actions without getting tired of it,
- to gain consistency,
- progress naturally, piece by piece.
Example: DIY Crochet Kit My Vegetables — JOY!
A perfect format if you like to test several small projects , without committing to a single long work.
The little hack: you make one piece , you stop.
Result finished = immediate victory ✅ (and often, the desire to do a second one follows on its own).
9) The granny square (if you want something flat, simple, and adaptable 🟩)
Level: Absolute beginner
Duration: 20 to 40 minutes per square
What you will learn:
- the basic points,
- color changes,
- the regularity of the stitches.
The granny square is very often cited as an excellent starting point : one square = a coaster, a cushion cover, a mini bag… or the beginning of a larger project.
The little hack: start with just one color . Mastery comes before pattern.
Common difficulties (and solutions)
When you're starting out with crochet, getting stuck is normal . The good news is: they almost always have a very simple solution. Here are the most common ones… and how to overcome them without getting discouraged 🧶✨
Uneven tension (the classic type)
Is your project buckling, shrinking, or changing size for no reason?
This is the number one problem for beginners and it's not a question of talent.
Solutions:
- Use a crochet hook slightly larger than recommended.
- Take regular breaks (tension increases when you tense up).
- use a turn marker for amigurumi (we breathe, we find our bearings).
👉 With a little practice, the tension will regulate itself. I promise.
The magic circle that “glides”
Ah, the famous magic circle… dreaded, sometimes hated 😅
If it falls apart or annoys you from the start, it's not a failure .
A very effective alternative:
- Start with a classic chain link ,
- Continue your project as normal.
- You will return to the magic circle later, when you are more comfortable.
Wanting to do “too big” right away
It's tempting: a big cuddly toy, a bag, a "wow" project…
But it is also the number one cause of dropouts .
Solution :
👉 1 micro-project completed > 1 major project abandoned 😄
A small finished project gives confidence, motivation… and the desire to continue.
Ultimately, starting to crochet is simply this: a simple project , a cozy moment , a finished object .
No pressure, no performance. Just the pleasure of seeing something take shape in your hands, stitch by stitch 🧶✨
💛 You pick the one that makes you smile… and you start. The rest comes naturally.
