Guest Author - Kate Pullen

With the end of the summer approaching and the start of a new school year looming, now is the time to think about some back to school crochet projects. Hand crocheted items can range from hats and bags, through to a tiny mascot or toy to bring comfort someone facing the first day at school with trepidation (this could be for teachers as well as children!).

There are lots of great ideas on the internet for good back to school crochet projects. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

Sweaters
Sweaters and cardigans are versatile and useful garments. These can be crocheted in the school colors if required and can be handy for the cooler days of the fall.

This project at Coats Craft is a beginner level sweater pattern, using acrylic wool that is hard wearing and easy to wash.

Bags
Bags of all descriptions are useful for school. Bags for sports kit, packed lunches, shoes and boots, books, swimming kit and other school accessories are required. Many standard bag patterns can be adapted to your child’s own particular needs. For instance a bag can be made larger or smaller, worked with a different yarn to make a more substantial finished product, made with the addition of a flap or fastening.

Another variation to make a robust bag, would be to crochet the bag in pure wool and then felting the finished item. Remember that the felting process shrinks the fabric by around 50% therefore the bag needs to be made significantly bigger to accommodate this shrinkage.

Tote bags are very popular and easy to do. This pattern at Straw.com is a versatile bag which is easy to adapt.

At Marlow’s Crochet Corner you will find a project for a bag using a yarn made from recycled plastic bags. This makes a waterproof yarn and is good for swimming kits. Remember where possible to use non-biodegradable bags, as otherwise the plastic starts to break down and biodegrade in a matter of months.


Hats and Scarves
Hats and scarves are always useful. Here’s a great idea for a hat and scarf combined! This hat and scarf are knitted together and are great for young children as well as older ones.

Very young children might like this pattern for a bear hat.

Back to school crochet projects can also be a good way to teach people this wonderful craft. These are typically small projects and simple to attempt for the novice crocheter.