20+ Yarn Crafts For Cozy Fall Afternoons

Last Updated on September 9, 2026 by Masha Eretnova

If you’ve got a few balls of yarn tucked away, a chilly fall afternoon is a good time to bring them out. These yarn crafts are a fun excuse to sit down with your kids and make something together.

I’ve gathered plenty of ideas for your next family craft day or some much needed you-time. Take a look through and see what catches your eye. You might already have just the yarn for it.

Apple Wreath For Teachers

A wire wreath form and red loopy yarn come together as a cute apple decoration. Kids can help find a stick for the stem and choose letters for their teacher’s name. In just 15 minutes, it is ready to hang on a classroom door fo

Yarn Heart Wreath

You can make this fluffy yarn heart wreath in about 20 minutes, so it’s an easy little project to fit into your afternoon. Just wrap the soft yarn around the frame and enjoy seeing the heart come together. Those pink, white, and gray loops look so sweet hanging on a door or wall.

Yarn Spring Wreath

Mixing yarn colors is half the fun of making this yarn spring wreath. The sections don’t have to be the same size, so you can relax and play around with whatever yarn you have on hand. A few faux flowers and a ribbon bow give your finished wreath a pretty, personal touch.

Yarn Flower Craft

Little ones get to play with soft yarn and their favorite colors in this yarn flower craft. The included template makes getting started easy, and kids can arrange the yarn in swirls, stripes, or any pattern they like. Make a few flowers together for a colorful indoor garden.

Crochet Fall Coaster Pattern

Give your favorite mug a cozy spot with this crochet fall coaster pattern. The small granny squares are satisfying to finish and make good use of leftover cotton yarn. Button the set into its matching strap, and you’ve got a lovely gift or something pretty for your own coffee table.

Crochet Mini Tote Bag Pattern

Even a small gift feels extra special in a crochet mini tote bag you’ve made yourself. The brown and gold colors feel just right for fall, and the simple mesh stitches make this a nice project to settle into for an afternoon. Whoever receives it can keep using the little bag long after the treats are gone.

Crochet Shark – Tash

Meet Tash, a crochet shark with a friendly smile and plenty of personality. Adding the little fins and stitched details is part of the fun, and you can choose any yarn colors you like. Keep your finished shark on your desk for company, or surprise a friend who loves sea creatures with a handmade gift.

Knitted Dishcloth

A knitted dishcloth is a nice way to practice your stitches while making something for your own kitchen. The repeating knit and purl pattern gives you a gentle rhythm to enjoy as the textured fabric grows. It’s useful long after craft time, too, since the cotton cloth can handle everyday cleanups and a trip through the washing machine.

Giant Yarn Spider

Halloween craft time gets a little spooky with this giant yarn spider. Wrapping balloons with yarn and glue is messy fun to share with the kids, and you’ll need a couple of days for everything to dry. Add those fuzzy legs and bright red eyes, and you’ve got a decoration to bring out and enjoy every Halloween.

Crochet Doily Pattern

Scalloped edges give this crochet doily a sweet touch of vintage charm. Picture it under your favorite candy dish or vase, adding a little warmth to the table. With basic stitches and about an hour of crochet time, you can enjoy finishing something pretty in one sitting.

Chunky Hand Knit Blanket

Those big, fluffy loops make a chunky hand knit blanket look so inviting. It’s the kind of throw you’ll want nearby for movie nights or a lazy afternoon on the couch. Making one takes about two hours, and the tutorial shows you how to do it all with your hands.

DIY Dreamcatcher

Let the kids take charge of decorating this dreamcatcher. They can add wooden beads and colorful feathers to just a few yarn strands or fill the whole fringe with their favorites. In about 20 minutes, you’ll have something bright and personal to hang in their room.

Gnome Craft for Kids

Someone needs a beard trim in this gnome craft for kids. Children can color the printable hat, fluff up the yarn beard, and give their little character a haircut. Add a popsicle stick to the back, and their gnome is ready to star in a puppet show.

Preschool Carrot Craft

Before you recycle that cereal box, save a piece for this preschool carrot craft. Kids can wind orange yarn around the carrot shapes and add loopy green tops to make their own little harvest. Pair the activity with a reading of The Carrot Seed for a lovely mix of crafting and story time.

Yarn Heart Craft

Crisscrossed strands give this yarn heart craft a lovely homemade look. A few finished hearts make a sweet decoration for the family table, especially when everyone adds their own colors. The free template comes in two sizes, so kids can enjoy making a mix of big and small hearts.

Floral Crochet Blanket Patterns

Watch a floral crochet blanket grow one flower square at a time. The layered rose and little green leaves give each piece plenty of detail to enjoy as you crochet. You can return to the project over several afternoons, collecting finished squares until you’re ready to join them together.

Mini Yarn Hat

Making a mini yarn hat is a fun way to spend time crafting with the family. You can chat as you loop the yarn and try out different colors together. It’s so satisfying to tie the top, trim the pom-pom, and see your tiny beanie take shape.

Apple Craft with Yarn

Your little chef can make their own pretend fruit with this apple craft using yarn and tennis balls. It’s fun to choose the colors and watch each ball turn into an apple as the yarn goes around. Then they can serve up their creations in the play kitchen.

Yarn Tassel

Put on your favorite show and enjoy making a few yarn tassels. The simple wrapping is easy to repeat, and you can play around with leftover colors to see what you like. It’s a fun way to add a personal touch to a scarf, blanket, or even a bookmark.

God’s Eye Yarn Craft

Bring a bit of summer camp home with this God’s Eye yarn craft. It’s satisfying to see the striped pattern grow as you wrap the yarn around the sticks. Make one alongside the kids and have fun comparing the colors and patterns you each create.

Chunky Fingerless Crochet Gloves

Start with these chunky fingerless crochet gloves if you’d like to try making something you can wear. The soft, thick yarn feels lovely to work with, and the simple stitches are easy to follow. An evening of crochet leaves you with a cozy pair to pull on the next chilly morning.

DIY Yarn Wall Art

Bright rainbow fringe makes this DIY yarn wall art a cheerful project for a quiet afternoon. You can settle into the simple wrapping while catching up on your favorite show and choose yarn colors that suit your space. Once you’re done, hang your cloud in a craft corner or a child’s room to enjoy what you’ve made.