22 Projects You Can Make with a Flat Strip of Crochet Fabric
Just learning to crochet? Making a gauge swatch or trying a new stitch? Trying Tunisian crochet for the first time? This post is a list of projects that can be made from one flat strip of crochet! Perfect for beginners!
Crochet doesn’t always have to be intricate motifs or complex shapes—sometimes, the simplest stitches can create surprisingly versatile results. A basic flat strip of crochet fabric might not seem like much at first, but it can be the foundation for countless creative and functional projects.
Whether you’re a beginner looking for something easy to try or an experienced crocheter in need of quick, stash-busting ideas, this list has you covered. From practical accessories to beautiful home décor, you’ll be amazed at what you can create with just a simple strip of crochet!
Ready to get inspired? Let’s dive into 22 fun and clever ways to turn that flat crochet strip into something wonderful.
1. Bags: There are many ways to fold a crocheted strip into a bag. You can fold a long strip in half with the right sides together, sew up the sides, flip the back right side out, add some handles, and now you have a tote or market bag. But my favorite that takes it a step further is the origami bag, like this Beginner Double Crochet Origami Bag.
2. Hats: You will need to get some measurements to know how big to make the strip, but you can easily turn a crocheted strip into a hat! You can either take a long strip, fold it in half on the long sides and seam it the way I mentioned seaming a tote bag above, or you can seam the short sides, weave a tail through the top opening, and have a traditional beanie. You can see an example of folding a strip along the long side with the Kitty Cat Hat and you can see a sample of a strip turned into a traditional beanie with the Beginner Half Double Crochet Hat.
3. Earwarmers are one of my favorite ways to use a strip of crochet! It doesn’t take as much fabric as a hat, so it’s quicker to work up while experimenting with new stitches. After your strip is done, just sew the short ends together and now you have an ear warmer, like the Star Struck Ear Warmer!
4. Fingerless Gloves are another great way to use up a strip of crocheted fabric! Just sew up a side seam, leaving a small opening for the thumb, and now you have an adorable accessory, like the Basic Wristers.
5. Potholders make a fantastic gift, so it’s a good way to use up those strips. Just fold them in half the long way, seam up one side, across the top, and down the other side, then add a hanger and now you have a usable pot holder, like the Trinity Stitch Potholder!
6. Coasters can come in all shapes and sizes, so whether you’re experimenting with a rectangle, square, circle, diamond…etc, this is a great use for the sample afterwards, like these Feather Stitch Coasters.
7. Placemats can be made by crocheting one big strip or by attaching many strips or squares together. Either way, they’re a great way to show off your crochet skills.
8. Dishcloths/Washcloths: Although they are typically a square and not a “strip”, this may be the best way to test out new stitches or practice your skills. Just work it up in cotton yarn and now you have a dishcloth like the Beginner Single Crochet Dishcloth!
9. Towels are a practical project, but they also make for fun decor, and since these are a literal strip of fabric, this one is a no brainer!
10. Towel Hangers are the perfect quickie project! They are made from a small strip, about 3” x 8”, so why not test out a new stitch and then add some wooden rings to each short end and use it as a towel hanger? You may like to try the Forked Cluster Towel Hangers.
11. Rugs are another example of a project that’s intentionally a flat rectangle, so not only is this perfect for trying new stitches, it’s great for trying new yarns too. Cotton is a great yarn for rugs, but I also found chenille yarns to work well too. Check out the Plush Poms Bath Mat for example.
12. Pencil/Hook Pouch: Much like a tote bag, fold the strip, sew up the sides, and now you have a little pencil pouch, like the Journal Pen Pouch. Fold the top down and add a button to the front and now you have a pouch that closes.
13. Book Sleeve: Just like the pencil pouch idea, just a larger strip of fabric. It makes for a great way to protect your book covers while they’re in your bag!
14. Tablet Cases are a must in my home and crochet is my love, so having a crocheted tablet case just makes sense and it’s easy as cake to make. Just measure your tablet starting at the top of the screen, around the bottom, and around to the top of the back. Then measure the width of the tablet and add a ¼”-½” to each measurement and that’s how big the strip should be.
15. Pillows are the best way to show off personality in your home decor, so using them to show off your love of crochet or new found crochet skills is fun and oh so easy! Just measure your pillow form, then crochet a long strip so that one width matches the pillow width and one matches the pillow height plus 2.5”, then fold it so it creates an “envelope”, sew up the sides, and you have a pillow cover! Or stuff it and sew the entire piece closed. There is also the option to make two squares the, place the pillowform between them, and single crochet all the way around, working through both layers like shown in the Herringbone Pillows.
16. Wallhanging/Art: Frame your new crochet strip and now you have an art piece or turn it into a wall hanging by adding a wooden dowel and hanger to the top and maybe some fringe. You can use it to clip photos, pin collections, or important notes.
17. Scarf/Cowl: This is probably the most popular way people practice new stitches or in general practice their new crochet skills. It’s always nice to have an accessory to wear after you’ve worked so hard and it’s nice to be able to show off your work. The great thing about scarves is that they can have flaws in them, like missed stitches or missed loops and it doesn’t hurt anything. If you like crocheting scarves you might like the Lorelai Scarf or the Bobble Tree Scarf.
18. Shawls are another great option and it’s basically just an oversized scarf! Just make a really long strip that’s wide enough to wrap around your arms & about 24”+ high and you’ve got a shawl.
19. Vest/Tee: This one is a very easy option, but requires a little shaping. Whether you make multiple panels to attach or one long strip, you will need to shape for armholes and sew the shoulders after or make a long chain and skip a bunch of stitch for armholes or neckhole, shaping will be required to make the garment. Check out the Chunky Lace Vest as an example.
20. Ponchos can easily be made from two rectangles! Just make sure they are long enough and wide enough, so they fit your body measurements after they’re attached.
21. Pumpkins are another great way to use a strip of fabric! The best thing is you can make any strip into a pumpkin, no matter the finished size! You can see examples with the Braided Pumpkin and Harlequin Stitch Pumpkin.
22. Afghans: And of course we have afghans! You can make several squares or rectangles of the same measurements and sew them together into a blanket, or you can get creative using squares and/or rectangles of varying sizes. Just grab some graph paper and sketch it out! I’ve made a few afghans made in blocks like the Buffalo Check Plaid Blanket and the Astrology Afghan!
Which of these projects do you like making the most? Let me know in the comments!
Come on over to the Blackstone Designs Crochet Community and show it off!
Written pattern and photographs © 2024 Sonya Blackstone of Blackstone Designs. Do not sell, share, or modify this pattern, but instead share the link to where the pattern can be found. You may sell items you make with this pattern. This pattern, as with all Blackstone Designs/Sonya Blackstone patterns, are not for educational use without written permission from the designer. All rights reserved.
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