10 Crafts Similar to Crochet

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10 Crafts Similar to Crochet

On the hunt for crafting hobbies for adults that are similar to crochet? This list has you covered!

10 Crafts Similar to Crochet

If you know crochet and want to know what other craft hobbies you should get into, then this page will help guide you in the right direction.

If you don't know how to crochet, that's fine, too! These crafts just happen to be similar in certain aspects but none of them actually involve crochet.

So, when you find yourself asking, What craft should I do?, then you'll want to read through our resource, 10 Crafts Similar to Crochet.

We love to crochet, of course, but sometimes it's nice to take a break or use similar skills to learn a new talent and create something that you've never made before. This list includes craft ideas for adults, some for children, and craft hobbies for guys, too.

Creative people are always looking for different crafts and new ideas to expand their abilities and experiences, which is why this resource is so handy. Take a look at our suggestions below and learn a new craft today!
 

1. Knitting

We'll start with an obvious one: knitting! That's because there are a lot of similarities. Granted, many people either choose to do one or the other or excel at one and can't get into the other but you never know until you try.

Learn more here:

  1. Beginning Knitting Supplies: The Ultimate Knitting Tools List from AllFreeKnitting
  2. Free Online Knitting Class (Knitting Class: Part 1) from AllFreeKnitting

Image shows a close-up of a person knitting.

PLUS! Have you ever tried knooking? This yarn technique involves a tool called a knook and the process and style is described as a combination between knitting and crochet. This unique craft might be for you if you like crocheting, knitting, or both!

Learn more here:

  1. How to Knook: Leisure Arts Knooking Instructions for Beginners from AllFreeCrochet

Image shows a close-up of a person's hands holding a knook tool and pushing yarn through the hole.

2. Macramé

Yes, it's trending again! Popular in the 1960s and '70s, macramé, like many of the textile crafts mentioned earlier, involves knotting a length of cord in different ways. It can be done to create wall hangings, plant holders, jewelry, and similar items. Learning the different knots you can master is similar to learning all the crochet stitches you might need for future projects.

Learn more here:

  1. How to Estimate Length of Macrame Cord Needed from FaveCrafts
  2. Macrame Material Ideas + How to Knot Over a Form from FaveCrafts
  3. How to Make Macrame Plant Hangers Video from FaveCrafts
  4. Macrame Wall Hanging for Beginners from FaveCrafts

Image shows a wicker chair in the background and in the foreground, there is a white pot with a plant and a white macrame hanger holding it in the air.

3. Nålebinding

Nålebinding (other spellings include naalbinding, nålbinding, nålbindning, or naalebinding) is also known as "Viking knitting" or "Viking crochet" and it is one of the oldest forms of yarn crafting. It's Danish for "binding with a needle" and it is a beautiful and unique technique that may remind you of crochet.

Learn more here:

  1. Nålebinding Tutorial Part 1 - Oslo Stitch from HomeWithMyBookshelf on YouTube
  2. Nalebinding – Viking Knitting Technique from Think Crafts!
  3. Nalbinding Crash Course from The Knitting Genie
View this video from HomeWithMyBookshelf on YouTube right below to learn more: 

4. Sewing/Quilting

Sewing is a needlecraft like crochet but instead of yarn, you're using thread and fabric. Instead of a hook, you'll have a needle.

Let's start with general sewing. This can be done by hand or machine and is easy to learn. We would suggest starting with a simple hand-sewing project to learn the ropes before getting into more complicated projects.

However, once you learn how to use a sewing machine, it becomes easier and faster than doing anything by hand. Like crochet, patterns are often used and it takes precision and skill. 

Learn more here:

  1. Learning How to Sew: 35 Tips from AllFreeSewing
  2. List of Basic Sewing Tools from AllFreeSewing
  3. Glossary of Sewing Terms from AllFreeSewing
  4. How to Sew a Straight Line by Hand from AllFreeSewing
  5. How to Sew with a Sewing Machine from AllFreeSewing
  6. 75+ Sewing Questions Answered: Ultimate FAQs Guide from AllFreeSewing

Image shows hands hand-sewing using an embroidery hoop.

Quilting involves more advanced sewing. Quilting is mostly done by machine and involves designing and sewing pieces of fabric together to create decorative or household items. Quilts and throws are the most common creations but bags, placemats, cases/covers, drink cozies, and many other unique projects can be made by quilting.

Learn more here:

  1. 13+ Must-Have Quilting Tools from FaveQuilts
  2. How to Plan a Quilt Project from FaveQuilts
  3. How to Design a Quilt on Graph Paper from FaveQuilts
  4. How to Square Up a Quilt Block from FaveQuilts
  5. How to Prepare a Quilt for Quilting from FaveQuilts

Image shows three quilt blocks and a rotary cutter.

5. Embroidery/Cross-Stitch

Embroidery and cross-stitch are technically in the sewing category but they are slightly more detailed and exclusively done by hand. Embroidery can be done using thread or yarn and a hand needle to create designs on fabric. A variety of stitches can be incorporated to result in different textures and shapes. Embroidery work can also be embellished with other materials, such as sequins or beads.

Learn more here:

  1. How to Start a Hand Stitch from AllFreeSewing
  2. Embroidery Stem Stitch Tutorial from AllFreeSewing
  3. How to Sew a French Knot from AllFreeSewing

Image shows a purple embroidery hoop with an embroidered heart on the fabric inside. There is a threaded needle resting on the fabric as well.

Cross-Stitch is also known as counted-thread embroidery. As the name implies, the design process is a series of X-shaped stitches made with needle and thread/embroidery floss. Instead of using any fabric for this craft, it's a woven fabric that allows for perfectly spaced and even stitching.

Learn more here:

  1. Everything You Need to Start Cross-Stitching from FaveCrafts
  2. How to Make Cross-Stitch Designs from AllFreeSewing
  3. A Beautiful Peace Label from FaveCrafts (shown below)

Image shows a Beautiful Peace Label cross-stitch design. There is a stitched gift tag that has "Peace" written on it. There are leaves and a blue bird.

6. Weaving

Speaking of weaves, weaving is also a similar craft to crochet because of its use of yarn and textures. This textile craft involves interlacing a set of yarn (or thread) that results in a piece of finished "fabric" in the design of choice. Much like crochet and knitting, the process can involve different methods to achieve a certain look or texture.

Learn more here:

  1. Paper Plate Weaving from FaveCrafts
  2. Spring Fling Woven Wall Decor from FaveCrafts (shown below)
  3. God's Eye Craft Tutorial from FaveCrafts

Image shows the Spring Fling Woven Wall Decor.

7. Needlepoint/Canvas Work

Like cross-stitch, needlepoint (aka canvas work or plastic canvas work) is a form of counted thread embroidery but, in this version, it's done with a base of stiff plastic canvas. The canvas has open weaving, which allows a needle with thread, fabric, yarn, or similar materials to be pulled through. The image below shows the Spice Islands Placemat Pattern being worked on. That design uses raffia, which is sturdier than most yarn.

Learn more here:

  1. 8 Plastic Canvas Stitches from FaveCrafts
  2. 17 Christmas Plastic Canvas Patterns from FaveCrafts
  3. Spice Islands Placemat Pattern from FaveCrafts (shown below)

Image shows the Spice Islands Placemat Pattern being worked on.

8. Tatting

If you've done any steel crochet hook work with crochet thread, then you'll love tatting! Much like lace crochet, tatting is used to make delicate items such as doilies, jewelry, collars, and other decorative items. However, instead of a crochet hook, a tool called a shuttle is used. However, needles can be used to achieve a similar result.

Learn more here:

  1. Introduction to Tatting by Kaye Judt
  2. Tatted Bookmark from FaveCrafts

Image shows the Tatted Bookmark.

9. Rug Hooking

Rug hooking is a lot of fun and is one of the best craft hobbies for guys, though everyone can enjoy it. With a tool called a rug hook, that looks very similar to a crochet hook, strips of fabric are looped through a woven back, usually burlap or linen. Intricate designs or abstract creations can be created with this unique hobby.

Learn more here:

  1. An Intro to Rug Hooking for Beginners from Rug Hooking Magazine
  2. How to Cut Wool Strips Tutorial from Rug Hooking Magazine
  3. Treasure of the Sea from AllFreeCrochet (shown below)

Image shows the Treasure of the Sea design: two mermaids face-to-face with a giant shell in between them.

10. Latch Hooking

Latch hooking is similar to rug hooking as well as crochet in that it involves a similar hook. The latch hook looks like a rug or crochet hook but has a latch that holds the yarn while working. That's right, we said yarn! Latch hooking uses short pieces of yarn knotted around an open weave canvas piece. Like rug hooking, a decorative image can be designed with different colors of yarn in certain places (the canvas is usually colored to match) or something more abstract.

Learn more here:

  1. How to Latch Hook from Instructables
  2. Latch Hook Basics from Hands Occupied

Image shows preparation to rug latch hook: canvas, cut yarns, latch-hook.

BONUS! Punch Needle Embroidery

Similar to rug hooking, punch needle embroidery uses a tool that holds and feeds different weights of yarn through to a tightly woven fabric, creating designs of your choice. It's fun to start with kits and then get more creative by making your own designs. It takes a while to get the hang of the tool and process but, once you do, it's a super fun activity that will remind you of working up your favorite crochet projects.

Learn more here:

  1. Flower Burst Punch Needle Pattern from FaveCrafts
  2. Home With Yarn Punch Needle from FaveCrafts (shown below)

Image shows a punch needle embroidery design spelling out "HOME" with yarn as the "O". It is inside a unfinished wood embroidery hoop.

Up Next

Learn how to hand crochet! >>

What crafts do you think are similar to crochet?
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