Pick Your Projects with Crochet: Choose From This Amazing List!

Pick Your Projects with Crochet is a choose-your-own-adventure affair. You'll select the projects that speak to you most, and then bring the supplies listed next to each one. Tamara will lead the crochet sessions and Joleen will guide the paper projects, offering support, instruction, and encouragement as you go.

Work at your own pace and follow your creative energy. If you finish one project and want to dive into another, you’re welcome to keep going—even if others are still stitching or gluing. This retreat is centered on your rhythm, your curiosity, and your joy in making.

Beehive

What to Bring

One large picture frame with a sturdy back but no glass. The frame shown is 2½ feet wide × 4 feet tall
Earrings (optional)
Blouse fabric (optional)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours

Artfully Simple Infinity Scarf (wearable)

This is one of Tamara's most popular patterns of all time, and it's perfect for that single skein of yarn we all are hoarding, looking for the perfect 1 skein project!

What to Bring

Red Heart Unforgettable, aran/medium (4), 100% acrylic, 270 yds
Crocheting hook K/6.5 mm (body)
Crocheting hook I/5.5 mm (button tie)
1¼ button (optional)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: Less Than An Hour

Paper Topiary

What to Bring

8"–12" round styrofoam ball
Decorative upholstery tacks
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Pampering Massage Soap Saver (home)

This is another super popular pattern, and works up very quickly. Wonderful gift when paired with fancy soaps.

What to Bring

Yarn: Aran/medium-weight (worsted) yarn — the pattern recommends Red Heart Scrubby Smoothie (aran weight, approx. 40 yd / 37 m)
Hook: US I (5.5 mm) crochet hook
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: Less Than An Hour

Flowers in a Vase

What to Bring

One box frame (frame with tall, square sides). The frame shown is 30" × 32".
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours

Into the Woods Mobius (wearable)

What to Bring

Red Heart Super Saver Brushed (aran/medium)
US L / 8 mm
469 yd (429 m)
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Candy Corn Door Basket (home)

This one is perfect for fall and has a little bit of "craft" in addition to the crochet!

What to Bring

Lion Brand Wool‑Ease Thick & Quick (super bulky, #5–6) — a blend of 80% acrylic and 20% wool (Top white stripe: Fisherman – approx. 30 yds (1 ball), Middle orange stripe: Spice – approx. 50 yds (1 ball), Bottom yellow stripe: Mustard – approx. 60 yds (1 ball)) Total yardage needed: ~140 yds
US M/N (9.0 mm) crochet hook
Optional accent: A 6″ floral foam ball, plus silk flowers or greenery to fill the basket if you're hanging it as decor
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Feathered Heart

What to Bring

One large picture frame with a sturdy back and no glass.
Enough fabric to cover the background of your piece — burlap, linen, muslin, or velvet make nice choices.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours

First Fall Shawl (wearable)

The First Fall Shawl is designed to be an easy and relaxing introduction to shawl crocheting.

What to Bring

Bulky (7 wpi)
10.0 mm (N/P)
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Coiled Tray

What to Bring

One wooden beverage tray.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours

Perfect Fall Poncho (wearable)

This works up relatively fast, and is one size fits just about all adults!

What to Bring

Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool (aran weight, “4” / UK 10-ply)
US J (6.0 mm) crochet hook—ideally from Furls Fiberarts
Extras: Stitch markers
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Finger Crochet Throw

What to Bring

10 skeins of yarn in colors of your choice. The yarn weight is “7 Extra Bulky” and should be at least 300 grams per skein. (Example)
Difficulty Level: Medium-to-Hard
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours

Bird's Nest Bowl Set (home)

This is a popular nesting bowl set that can be worked up in a variety of yarns and is beginner friendly.

What to Bring

Red Heart Super Saver (worsted weight, #4)
US H (5.0 mm) crochet hook
Extras: Stitch markers, Yarn needle, Scissors
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: About An Hour

Brooch Art

What to Bring

One large rectangular picture frame with a sturdy back and no glass. The frame shown is 12" × 18".
Fabric to cover the back of your project; velvet is a great option.
Selection of brooches and costume jewelry to match your frame. You’ll need a lot, so raid those old jewelry boxes!
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Plush Pumpkin Basket (home)

A seasonal lidded crochet container, can be made in a variety of yarn weights and types.

What to Bring

For Large Basket

Bernat Plush Big (Jumbo #7, 100% polyester) — approximately 135 yds, main color
US Q (16 mm) crochet hook

For Small Basket

Bernat Plush (Super Bulky #6, 100% polyester) — approximately 60 yds for main color
US K (6.5 mm) crochet hook
Extras: Stitch markers
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: About an Hour

Macramé Plant Hanger

What to Bring

Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: About An Hour

Scented Orange Slice Ornaments (holiday, home)

Two wooly orange slices sandwich cloves and oils - or whatever scent you like.

What to Bring

Patons Classic Wool Roving (bulky / 12‑ply, 100% wool), about 25–50 yds (~23–46 m) per ornament
5.5 mm (I) crochet hook
Extras: Cloves and scents, for fragrance
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: Less Than An Hour

Hand-Sewn Journal

What to Bring

Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
(Special fabric scraps are optional to help personalize your journal.)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Christmas Tree Coffee Cozy (holiday, home)

Quick mug cozy featuring unique linked stitches.

What to Bring

Worsted/aran weight yarn
US I (5.5 mm) crochet hook
One star‑shaped or similar button for closure
Extras: Stitch marker
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Time Commitment: Less Than An Hour

Pom-Pom Wall Hanging

What to Bring

3–5 coordinating yarn colors, 2–3 skeins of each
Drapery rod, dowel, tree branch…anything from which to hang your pom-poms!
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

C2C Tunisian Pixel Blanket (home)

A rule-breaking afghan that combines C2C crochet and Tunisian stitching.

What to Bring

Bernat Blanket Perfect Phasing, Super Bulky (6), 100% polyester
US P/16 (11.5 mm) or a suitable Tunisian double-ended hook
Extras: Stitch marker
Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours

Book Mobile

What to Bring

8–10 paperbacks per strand, with each paperback being approximately 300 pages
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours

Leaping Stripes and Blocks Blanket (home)

One of my most popular blanket patterns of all time.

What to Bring

Worsted/medium (#4, aran) weight yarn — the pattern uses cotton options like Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton! or Lily Sugar’n Cream
US I (5.5 mm) crochet hook
Extras: Stitch marker, Yarn needle, Scissors
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours

Book Paper Wreath

What to Bring

Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: About An Hour

Chicken Squishy

The Chicken Squish is a round and cuddly new pal, perfect for Easter, spring, and barnyard fun!

What to Bring

Bernat Blanket (Super Bulky #6) — White (main), Crimson (comb), Gold (beak/feet)
US L (8.0 mm) crochet hook
Safety eyes: 24 mm pair
Stuffing: 10″ micro‑bead pillow or fiberfill
Extras: Stitch marker, Yarn needle, Scissors
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours

Map Mums

What to Bring

Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: About An Hour

Chunky Crochet Pumpkins

This adorable crochet pattern is a must-make for lovers of autumn decor!

What to Bring

Bernat Blanket Big (Super Bulky #6, 100% polyester) — thick, soft, and chunky — used for a plush, no-stuff texture
US‑50 / 25 mm jumbo crochet hook
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: Less Than An Hour

5 Magnificent Paper Mums

What to Bring

Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
Time Commitment: A Few Hours (if you make 5)

Library Wreath

What to Bring

10" or larger grapevine wreath
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Framed Paper Flowers

What to Bring

One box frame (frame with tall, square sides)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Seed Savers Sunburst

What to Bring

Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Happy Stack Bracelets

What to Bring

Enough semi-precious stones for 3 bracelets: approximately 22–25 8mm beads per bracelet
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: An Hour Or So

Flight of Fancy

What to Bring

Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
Difficulty Level: High
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours

Herringbone Wall Hanging

What to Bring

A sturdy background substrate, like a thicker piece of plywood or a thick piece of Masonite
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Cyanotype Sun Prints

What to Bring

Glass and backing from a recycled picture frame. (You don’t need the frame itself.)
This project requires sunshine and is weather-dependent
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: About An Hour

Berry Knot Wall Hanging

What to Bring

4mm macramé cord totaling 328 yards or more
Difficulty Level: High
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours

Fancy Pants

What to Bring

Recycled picture frame with a sturdy back and no glass. The frame shown is 7" × 23"
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours

Optical Illusion

What to Bring

One large SQUARE picture frame with a sturdy back and no glass
6–7 books that are the same size and have the same page count; Readers Digest Condensed Books are ideal for this!
Black fabric to cover your background
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours

Free the Doilies

What to Bring

One large picture frame with a sturdy back and no glass
10–15 doilies of various sizes. If you have trouble finding some, please reach out!
Fabric to cover your background; black velvet makes a great choice
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Sculpted & Folded Books

What to Bring

As many hardcover books as you’d like to fold, all roughly the same size. (Readers Digest Condensed Books are perfect for this!)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: A Few Hours (Up to many hours, depending on how many you want to make)

Tree of Life

What to Bring

One large picture frame with a sturdy back and no glass; the one shown is 16" × 20"
Background fabric of your choice (optional)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Illuminated Stories

What to Bring

Nothing! I have everything needed to make this one, except the twinkle lights. You can add those when you get home.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours

Bookboard Quilt

What to Bring

One repurposed canvas frame
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Fancy Sneezes

What to Bring

Wood tissue box
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Butterfly Kaleidoscope

What to Bring

A shadow box frame to fit an 8" circle
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: About An Hour

Circles Upon Circles

What to Bring

A recycled picture frame with a sturdy back and no glass
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Stars in the Sky

What to Bring

Nothing! I have everything you need to make this one!
Optional: battery-powered LED twinkle lights
Difficulty Level: High
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Book Board Lazy Susan

What to Bring

A Lazy Susan. I really like this one.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Kissing Ball

What to Bring

4"–8" styrofoam ball
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: More Than a Few Hours

Flower Power

What to Bring

One large picture frame with a sturdy back but no glass
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Peek-A-Boo Braid

What to Bring

3–5 vintage Playboy magazines (or similar pin-up pulp)
A piece of foam core backing for your piece
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Commitment: A Few Hours

Velvet Library

What to Bring

One picture frame with a sturdy back but no glass, large enough to contain your 9 books
Black velvet to cover your background
9 books of equal size and page count; Readers Digest Condensed Books are ideal for this!
Difficulty Level: Medium
Time Commitment: A Few Hours