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One of my goals this year was to create and use sustainable crochet patterns in my home. I absolutely love the idea of creating something I can use over and over in my house, especially in place of something single-use. Over the past two or three years, I’ve aimed to create crochet pieces with intention rather than just consumerism. I want to share and create pieces that I (and you) love and will keep using!
Out of those goals and hopes came some amazing ideas and projects, one of them being these patterns I’m about to share with you! As it turns out, a lot of other designers have been working on sustainable projects too. A lot of these are kitchenware related but there’s also some great home decor.
What is a sustainable crochet pattern?
Anything you can keep re-using! Crochet in itself is sustainable in that you can create something and keep using or wearing it for years to come. However, for the purposes of this post, it’s a crochet project that replaces something single-use in your home. Great examples we’ve all seen are dish towels or wash cloths but there are so many other out there.
Sustainable patterns also tend to use fibers that are long-lasting and/or bio-degradable. A great example of this is cotton. Another would be wool which is great for sweaters and the like because with proper care, they can last a long time!
What yarns are recommended for sustainable crochet patterns?
As we talked about before, cotton and wool are great options in terms of fiber content for sustainable patterns. Any yarn that has a natural material rather than acrylic is preferred. While you can use acrylic as well, I tend to steer away from it more simply because it isn’t biodegradable like natural fibers are.
Some yarns I absolutely love for sustainable patterns are;
- WeCrochet Dishie: this is a cotton yarn that I love using for home and kitchen projects. It’s super soft which can be rare for a cotton yarn. This holds up great for projects such as dish towels, wash cloths, and trivets. It’s also great to use for home decor such as hanging baskets or plant holders.
- Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton: this is another cotton yarn that is a bit more structured. Unlike Dishie, this yarn isn’t as soft as is more geared to home projects requiring a stiffer fiber. While it’s super bendy and pliable like most yarn, the slightly rope-like texture makes it great for baskets, trivets, and bags that call for more rigid structures.
- Lily Sugar n Cream Yarn: This is a great budget friendly option for a cotton yarn and has been around forever. Tried and true, this cotton yarn is amazing for all the projects we’ve already talked about and more. I used to love using these for face scrubbies as they were a little more exfoliating and easily washable.
- Lion Brand Truboo: This yarn is made of bamboo and is a great yarn to use for crochet garments. It’s super silky and smooth, giving it a great drape when worked up. While I wouldn’t use this for any of the more rigid home projects or even towels, I love this for garments.
- WeCrochet Wool of the Andes Worsted: this yarn is 100% wool and so amazing for crochet garments. Because it is worsted weight it’s more versatile to be worked up into sweaters, cardigans, or crochet tops. Wool of the Andes also comes a bulky version if you’re looking for thicker yarn for winter projects.
Grab a whole collection of washcloths to enjoy for years to come!
Best Sustainable Crochet for Home
Home projects are some of my favorites. They’re often so quick to work up and they last for years to come. They also make great gifts! I recommend using cotton yarns for most home projects as they’re most likely to hold up to heat/cold and last.
Crochet Potholders
Potholders are super simple and quick to make. There are so many patterns out there ranging from beginner-friendly to advanced. Here are some beautiful potholder patterns you can try out – and maybe even collect them all!
Easy Crochet Potholder
This potholder uses a simple stitch texture but is so pretty to keep on display in your kitchen. This is a great one to add to your collection. It can be found for free on the Blue Star Crochet blog.
Ripple Effect Potholder
This potholder has a beautiful ripple design, as it’s named after. It’s also created with the stitch pattern on a diagonal which I absolutely love. You can find this pattern for free on the This Pixie Creates blog.
Trinity Stitch Potholders
These potholders use the trinity stitch, a fun star-shaped stitch! I love that this pattern also uses little wooden handles for easy hanging and grabbing in your kitchen. This is another free pattern available on the Blackstone Designs blog.
Double Thick Crochet Potholder
You can never go wrong with a double thick potholder pattern. They’re super useful in the kitchen and amazing for holding hot pans to ensure you don’t get burned. I love the houndstooth stitch pattern of this one from My Crochet Space.
Crochet Dish Towels & Wash Cloths
Gingham Diamond Jumbo Washcloth
This pattern is one of my favorites I’ve designed to date. It has super fun colorwork and gives a little bit of a vintage farmhouse feel. You can grab this jumbo washcloth pattern for free.
Textured Dishcloth Pattern
This dishcloth has the most beautiful stitch pattern. It’s available for free on the by Goldenberry site with an ad-free PDF version available as well.
Simple Seed Stitch Dish Cloth
This dish cloth is so classic with a beautiful ribbed border and gorgeous textured body. This pattern from Salty Pearl Crochet is super versatile and long-lasting for your kitchen.
Ebbing Tides Washcloth
This ripple effect washcloth is absolutely stunning. I also love the extra ribbing for its usefulness in cleaning around the house. You can find this pattern from Sunflower Cottage Crochet on their blog.
Kitchen Storage & Cleaning
Moroccan Grocery Bag Holder
We’ve all been there – hoarding plastic bags. Plastic bag holders are such a life saver when you’re trying to keep your home organized. Grab all your bags and keep them in here to keep your cabinets clutter free! I adore the beautiful colorwork of this pattern from A Crocheted Simplicity.
Puff Stitch Plastic Bag Holder
Keeping with plastic bag holders, this puff stitch version is so pretty and dainty. This is a perfect pattern to match to your kitchen’s color scheme. You can find this pattern online from Desert Blossom Crafts.
Produce Bag Crochet Pattern
Another amazing storage option you can crochet yourself is a produce bag! These are great for trips to the grocery store and storing fruits in your home. This pattern from By Goldenberry is stunning and so simple to work up.
Sustainable Bathroom Patterns
Soap Saver
A great way to use and preserve your bar soaps is by using a soap saver! These are so easy to crochet and last a good long while. Not only is the pattern itself sustainable but it also prevents you from having to throw away usable scraps of bar soap! This pattern from Briana K Designs is simple and easy to work up.
Reusable Cotton Face Pads
Rather than single-use cotton rounds, these reusable cotton face pads are perfect to wash and use over and over again. They’re great for removing makeup, washing your face, and even exfoliating. This pattern from This Pixie Creates is super beginner-friendly.
Shower Puff Pattern
Another great swap you can make is swapping out your store-bought shower puff for this crochet version! While you’ll likely still need to replace or wash these every so often, using cotton for this pattern will make it more eco-friendly. This puff pattern from Hooked on Patterns is a great one to follow along with.
