Yarn is an absolute essential in any craft box. This is because it is so versatile, there is no end to the ways you can be creative with it. A few yarn scraps can fill an entire afternoon of crafting. Here are 18 of the fun yarn crafts that anyone can do!
21 Fun Yarn Crafts Anyone Can Do
1. Yarn Rainbow
This yarn rainbow is a fun way to introduce kids to easy sewing projects. Use a styrofoam plate or produce tray as a canvas. This is a great base since it’s sturdy enough to provide support but also easy to puncture with a plastic needle.
The styrofoam also lets you draw the pattern directly on the base so you can follow it while sewing.
Materials You Need:
- Styrofoam produce tray or plate
- Blue paint
- Yarn
- Plastic sewing needle
- Scissors
2. Heart Pom Pom
It’s easier to make pom-poms than you might think! You can get a special tool called a pom-pom maker, but it’s just as easy to make and use a simple ring of cardboard.
This pom-pom is shaped like a heart and is perfect for a keychain, bookmark, or other decoration. It comes together in just a few minutes.
Materials You Need:
- Yarn
- Scissors
- Pom pom maker or cardboard ring
3. Yarn Flower Keychain
This craft has a bit of a learning curve because it requires the use of a fabric loom. But once you master that, you’ll be able to put this together in no time.
It’s a great way to make a unique keychain that will ensure you recognize your keys every time.
Materials You Need:
- Yarn
- Fabric loom
- Key chain clip
- Scissors
4. Yarn Letters
These easy yarn letters are a great yarn craft that doubles as eye-catching home decor. They are perfect for a kid’s bedroom (and kids are sure to enjoy personalizing their own initial).
All you need to do is cut out a cardboard letter using an X-acto knife. Then wrap it in colored yarn, either in one color or in a unique design. You can even add decoration like beads, feathers, or ribbon.
Materials You Need:
- Cardboard
- Marker or pencil
- X-acto knife
- Yarn
- Glue
5. Yarn Hearts
This yarn art is a simpler version of one of the most popular yarn crafts. Instead of going to the trouble of hammering nails into a wooden board, this version uses notches in a piece of cardboard as a way of securing the yarn.
Simply cut out the cardboard hearts and paint in a variety of colors. Once they are dry, cut small notches into the edges to hold the yarn in place.
Materials You Need:
- Construction paper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Paint brush and paint
- Cardboard
- Yarn
6. Yarn Painting
This special yarn painting activity is a variation of traditional Huichol yarn crafts. While the original version uses beeswax as a way of sticking the yarn on the canvas, this one uses glue.
You can arrange the yarn to create a “painting” in whatever design you like, such as a landscape, pattern, or anything else.
Materials You Need:
- Canvas
- Pencil
- Yarn
- Glue
- Toothpick
7. Pom-Pom Rug
This luxurious pom-pom rug looks like it came from a store, but it’s incredibly easy to throw together. If you have a rug pad and are willing to spend some time making a large number of pom-poms, this rug is a fun activity that anyone can do.
Materials You Need:
- Yarn
- Rug pad
- Toilet paper tubes
- Scissors
8. Coat Hanger Weaving
Yarn crafts are incredibly versatile and often use whatever materials you have around the house — like these fun weavings, which use yarn and a wire coat hanger. To start, you’ll shape the coat hanger into a heart shape. Then use the yarn and a sewing needle to create a unique pattern.
Materials You Need:
- Wire coat hanger
- Yarn
- Scissors
- Plastic sewing needle
9. Friendship Bracelets
One of the simplest yarn crafts you can do is a classic friendship bracelet. These are great because they are easy and there are endless ways to make them unique. This version uses pipe cleaners as a base for the yarn. All you have to do is choose how to decorate.
Materials You Need:
- Pipe cleaner
- Yarn
10. Yarn and Pipe Cleaner Trivets
Here is another yarn craft that uses pipe cleaners as a simple base. To start, shape the pipe cleaners into a trivet shape as a foundation. Then wrap the yarn around the outside in whatever design you prefer, gluing where you need to secure it better.
Materials You Need:
- Pipe cleaners
- Yarn
- Scissors
- Glue gun
11. Pom-Pom Cupcakes
If you know how to make pom-poms, you can make these fun pom-pom “cupcakes”. They don’t require any special materials and come together very quickly.
These are a fun party favor, keychain, or homemade addition to a child’s toy kitchen. All you need to do is make the pom-poms and secure them to the cupcake liners with some minimal decoration.
Materials You Need:
- Yarn
- Scissors
- Small pom-poms
- Pom pom maker or cardboard ring
- Cupcake liners
- Glue gun
12. Yarn Pinecone Mobiles
If you like outdoorsy yarn crafts, these simple yarn pinecone mobiles are right up your alley. Gather some pinecones and sticks from outdoors. Decorate with yarn in fun patterns. Secure the pinecones to the sticks with yarn and add some beads to make it eye-catching. It’s a great addition to your yard, porch, or home.
Materials You Need:
- Sticks
- Pinecones
- Yarn
- Beads
- Scissors
13. Pom Pom Mobile
This beautiful pom-pom mobile in rainbow colors is a great decoration for a nursery or child’s bedroom. To start, make the pom-poms in a variety of colors (this version uses rainbow shades).
Wrap a dowel or stick in colored yarn. Suspend the pom-poms with more yarn and add some beads to decorate.
Materials You Need:
- Yarn
- Pom pom maker or cardboard ring
- Wooden beads
- Stick
14. God’s Eye
If you ever went to summer camp, you’ve probably made a God’s Eye. These eye-catching yarn crafts are simple and beautiful. What is more, you can make them totally unique.
The classic God’s Eye uses two crossed wooden dowels as a base, but you can make the design more complex using more dowels. Then all you need to do is weave the yarn around the dowels.
Materials You Need:
- Dowels
- Scissors
- Glue gun
- Yarn
15. Yarn Garland
Macrame is one of many traditional yarn crafts that you may have heard of before. It is easy to learn and do at home with simple materials. This yarn garland uses thick yarn in various sizes and colors to create an eye-catching piece of home decor.
To start, all you need to do is secure your yarn to the wall with Washi tape or tacks. This lets you use the wall as a makeshift loom to weave your garland.
Materials You Need:
- Thick yarn
- Scissors
- Washi tape or tacks
16. Wall Hanging
This unique wall hanging repurposes a rug as a foundation. You can use any cheap rug — either one you already own or anything you spot in the store. The quality doesn’t matter, as you will be cutting it into pieces to use as a base.
Use a wooden dowel and some yarn scraps to secure the rug. Then use more yarn to string it through the rug, creating any pattern you prefer. You may want to use glue to secure any frayed parts. With minimal effort, you will have an eye-catching wall hanging that is perfect for any room in your home.
Materials You Need:
- Wooden dowel
- Yarn
- Scissors
- Cheap rug
- Glue
17. Yarn Dolls
If you have ever visited a site that does historical reenactments, you have probably seen yarn dolls being made. These classic yarn crafts rely on a single material to come together. Despite that, they are not hard to make. What’s more, you may find that the kids in your life enjoy playing with them just as much as their dolls from a store.
These yarn crafts are also simple enough that your kids can help you put them together, so they are a great family activity. There are tons of ways to customize them with decorations like beads, fabric scraps, silk flowers, ribbon, and more.
Materials You Need:
- Yarn
- Scissors
18. Snowflake Ornaments
These beautiful snowflake ornaments are a lovely addition to your Christmas tree or holiday decorations. They are easy to make, and kids will love the chance to add glitter, sequins, beads, and other customizations.
These fun yarn crafts are a variation on the classic God’s Eye, but with a wintery twist. You can also play with yarn in different textures, colors, and thicknesses.
To start, paint your wooden dowels or craft sticks with blue or white paint to start the snowflake theme. Arrange three sticks to make six “arms”. Then start wrapping the yarn around. There is no right or wrong way to do this step — feel free to play with the way you wrap the snowflake to make unique patterns.
Lastly, decorate the snowflakes with glitter, sequins, beads, or whatever other elements you prefer.
Materials You Need:
- Wooden sticks
- Glue gun
- Paint
- Yarn
- Sequins
Wrapping Up Our 21 Fun Yarn Crafts
These yarn crafts are just a few of the hundreds you can find online. Essentially, there is no end to the ways you can be creative with yarn. If you have a favorite yarn craft, add it in the comments below to share!