If you like knitting or crochet but want to mix things up in your crafting life, this post will introduce you to five great new crafts you can try out!
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Knitting and crochet are crafts that you can spend a lifetime doing and never run out of projects, but sometimes you just want to shake things up a little and flex your new-skill-learning muscles! Whether you’re looking to bust your yarn stash, make your own yarn, or get your feet wet with other materials, I can almost guarantee that you’ll love one of the crafts below! The best part is, most of them have a very small upstart cost– you’re likely to have most of the materials you need on hand already from your knitting or crocheting projects!
Knitting and crochet are my first crafting loves, but my love of learning new skills sent me in search of new crafts to try. This post will save you some of the leg work so you can get right to creating! All of the crafts below are things I have tried and found to scratch the same itch as knit and crochet in one way or another.
For every craft on this list, I’ll let you know what materials you need, what tools you need, and where you can look to learn more/get started with that craft. So without further ado, here are five new crafts to try if you like knitting or crochet.
5 Crafts Like Knitting and Crochet
1. Tunisian Crochet – like knitting and crochet had a baby
Tunisian crochet is a hybrid of knitting and crochet. It uses a long hook, like a knitting needle with a crochet hook end. You start out with a crochet chain, then work the rows like knitting, keeping live loops on your hook, and working back and forth. The resulting fabric is sturdier than regular crochet and works up way faster than either knit or crochet once you get the hang of it. These two properties make it amazing for blankets and other home goods.
All you need to get started is a Tunisian crochet hook and some yarn! There are lots of tutorials on YouTube to help you get started.
2. Spinning – make your own yarn!
Naturally, if you’re a knitter or crocheter, you’ve gotta have yarn! Instead of buying yarn, why not try making your own? Start with a drop spindle; they’re fairly easy to use, require no setup, and are much cheaper than a spinning wheel! For the fiber, start with basic wool; it’s the easiest to work with. I recommend getting a set of colorful roving (instead of bats of fiber) for the easiest and most fun first-time spinning experience. Then, head over to YouTube for a tutorial!
3. Weaving – use up your yarn stash
Trying to get rid of yarn instead of making more? Weaving can be an amazing way to use up scraps! There are tons of weaving techniques and variants out there to try. When you’re first starting out, try making wall hangings! You can be super creative and use up lots of scrap yarn in the process! Make a basic loom using a picture frame and some nails, then get to work weaving!
While crochet and knitting are my first crafting loves, I’ve fallen head over heels for weaving in all its forms.
If you want to make fabric, scarves, table runners, etc., you can try a rigid heddle loom. They’re a bit of an investment, so try looking for classes near you first!
4. Tatting – if you love lace, make your own!
Tatting is a way of making lace by tying small knots in thread, not unlike knitting and crochet! If you’ve enjoyed making crochet doilies or knitted lace, definitely give this a shot! It is a highly portable craft like knitting and crochet, great for keeping your hands busy during class or meetings.
If you already have some sturdy lace-weight yarn or crochet cotton lying around, all you need is a tatting shuttle (or two, they’re easy to lose!) Otherwise, you can get a kit like this that includes shuttles and balls of crochet cotton. As ever, YouTube tutorials abound. If your aesthetic leans dark and gothy, definitely check out Sparrow Spite for inspiration!
5. Rug Braiding – make a beautiful gift in a weekend
Rug braiding won’t help with your yarn stash, but it might become your new obsession! If you are or know a quilter, this is a real fabric stash buster. If you don’t have ready access to fabric you’re willing to cut up into strips, craft reuse centers tend to have lots of fabric to choose from, and for super cheap!
The great part about rug braiding is you don’t need any special tools! Just your hands and fabric. Rugs make amazing gifts, and braiding works up quicker than crochet. If you’re like me & DIY all your holiday gifts, but year after year find yourself in a crunch come winter, rug braiding could be a great way to (quickly) make gifts people will love and cherish for years.
Check out this demo from Swanson Fabrics on TikTok!
There are so many great crafts out there, I could go on for days! There are just the top five crafts I recommend for folks who love knitting and crochet.
Have you tried any of these crafts? What are your favorite knitting and crochet alternatives? Share your crafting knowledge and love in the comments!
If you know of other resources for getting started with spinning, weaving, Tunisian crochet, tatting, or rug branding, share them below! If you’re a knitter or crocheter and have another craft you’ve totally fallen in love with, let your fellow makers know!
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