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Tapestry crochet is one of the best ways to add beautiful colorwork designs to crochet fabric. In this article, we’ll share our favorite free tapestry crochet patterns – from beginner-friendly bags to intricate, full-sized blankets. Whether you’re new to tapestry crochet or a seasoned pro, you’ll find inspiration here.

Tapestry Crochet Patterns
Tapestry crochet is a crochet technique that uses two or more colors of yarn at once to make colorful designs in your crocheted fabric. While one strand of yarn forms the stitches, the other strand is carried along the top of your work. Most tapestry crochet patterns include charts, too, which is great for visual learners!
Sometimes, it is referred to by other names, like Intarsia or Fair Isle crochet. These are all different colorwork techniques, though – and for the sake of this guide, we’ll focus on tapestry crochet.
What can you make?
You can make nearly any crochet project using tapestry crochet, which is part of what makes it so much fun! Here’s a peak and the types of projects you’ll find in this list:
- Pouches and Bags
- Rugs
- Dishcloths and potholders
- Clothing (hats, mittens, sweaters, etc.)
- Pillows and Blankets
- Bookmarks
Can beginners do tapestry crochet?
Tapestry crochet does take more concentration than regular crochet. But with a little preparation, it’s completely approachable for any skill level! Start by brushing up on the basic crochet stitches, then practice your color change technique. Once you’ve got those down, you’re golden.
Some of the easiest patterns on this list include:
Chevron Tapestry Crochet Clutch (#13), Helpful Crochet Pouch / Mini First Aid Kit (#14), Tapestry Crochet Zipper Pouch Mila (#19), and the Tapestry Crochet Bookmark with Hearts (#20).
Tapestry Crochet Supplies
Before you get started, here are the supplies you’ll need:
- Yarn
- Crochet hook(s)
- Other notions (tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, zipper, fabric liner, buttons, pillow form, etc.)
What kind of yarn is best for tapestry crochet?
For tapestry crochet, choose yarn with smooth textures and solid colors. These types of yarn have good stitch definition, so you can easily see each color change in your design. In most cases, you’ll want to avoid very bulky or fluffy yarns, as these can make it difficult to see your design well.
Some popular yarn choices for tapestry crochet include Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Red Heart Super Saver, and Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK.
Crochet Techniques to Know
Here are some techniques that you’ll want to know to complete your tapestry crochet pattern:
- Reading a crochet pattern
- Basic stitches, like chain stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet
- Magic circle
- Increases and decreases
- Reading graphs and charts (essential for following tapestry crochet patterns)
- Carrying yarn (the technique of carrying unused colors along the row to be picked up when needed)
- Color changes (ensuring seamless transitions between colors)
- Weaving in ends
Want to learn more about tapestry crochet before getting started on your first pattern? I’ve put together a complete beginner’s guide to tapestry crochet that covers everything you need to know before starting your first project. It explains what tapestry crochet is, how to read charts, and more.
30 Free Tapestry Crochet Patterns
Check out these tapestry crochet patterns for your next project.
Tapestry Zipper Pouch
This colorful zipper pouch has so many uses! Store your crochet hooks, pile in pencils and pens, keep your makeup together, or throw it in your wallet to use for holding coins and other odds and ends. This pattern is worked in the round from the base up.
Designer: Sara Dudek
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Dishie
Windrose Rug
Made with tapestry squares, this elegant rug would be beautiful in a bathroom, kitchen, or doorway. With its simple crochet border, this rug measures approximately 25” x 30” finished. This pattern is ideal for intermediates.
Designer: Nicoletta Tronci
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Dishie
Gingham Twist Dishcloth
This vintage gingham pattern is so cute for antique-lovers or farmhouse kitchens. It’s beautiful in blue, but you could totally change up the colors to match your space! The finished dishcloth is approximately a 9” square.
Designer: Sara Dudek
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Dishie
Geo Potted Plant Covers
These plant covers are a great way to spruce up your boring pots! They come in small, medium, and large sizes. You can make your plant cover in a single shade, or use tapestry crochet to add some fun motifs.
Designer: Kate Alinari
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Shine Worsted
Floral Tapestry Top
This gorgeous sweater top features blooming roses throughout. It can be made in neutral shades, or spruce it up with floral colors! This comfy and beautiful top would be perfect for wearing to the office or dressing up with a necklace and heels for a nice dinner.
Designer: NT Maglia
Yarn weight: Sport
Suggested yarn: Galileo
Silverstone Argyle Cowl
This cozy cowl is worked in the round using single crochets. When you’re making this pattern, be sure to focus on the row you’re on rather than the whole, big picture at once. It’s much less overwhelming this way!
Designer: One Dog Woof
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Heartland
Chinook Toque
This snowflake hat was inspired by Team Canada toques (which is just another word for hat!). You can totally make this sporty hat even if you’re not Canadian, but if you are, be sure to check out the cute maple leaf idea that the designer added! This pattern makes it easy to adjust the size for a perfect fit.
Designer: Whistle and Ivy
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Patons Canadiana Yarn
Neva Fair Isle Crochet Hat and Mittens
This Olympic-themed duo is so detailed and beautiful! It includes a lot of colorwork, so make sure you’re up for a more involved project. Take it slow, and you will definitely reap the rewards of this amazing set!
Designer: Whistle and Ivy
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Mighty Stitch
Tapestry Circles Pillow
This reversible pillow features colorful stripes and tapestry crochet circles. It has a zipper closure, so it’s easy to take off and wash if needed. This fun, intermediate tapestry crochet pattern is sure to brighten up any room!
Designer: Lilla Bjorn Crochet
Yarn weight: Sport
Suggested yarn: Scheepjes Stone Washed
Titan Tapestry Crochet Bag
If you don’t want to deal with an oversized, bulky, and difficult-to-carry purse, this crossover bag is a great way to hold all of your essentials! Customize this bag by opting for a fabric lining and adding your favorite strap option. This bag measures approximately 11” x 10.5”.
Designer: Crochet 365 Knit Too
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton
Red Heart Tapestry Flower Pot Cozy
Bring your style to life in your home with this handmade flower pot holder! You can make this design with an open or closed bottom depending on how you plan to use it. This colorful pattern would be great for using up scrap yarn.
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Diamond Ladder Tapestry Crochet Cowl
This intricate-looking pattern looks more difficult than it is! Using only two colors, this is a great option for brushing up on your tapestry crochet skills. This cozy design measures approximately 25” around and 10.75” high.
Designer: Ned & Mimi
Yarn weight: Aran
Suggested yarn: Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Aran
Chevron Tapestry Crochet Clutch
This simple clutch would be a great option for beginners to tapestry crochet. It uses a simple, colorwork repeat pattern and has a fabric lining and a zipper (so you will need some basic sewing skills to make this design). The folded clutch measures approximately 8.5” wide.
Designer: Ned & Mimi
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK
Helpful Crochet Pouch | Mini First Aid Kit
You can always be prepared with this small but handy crochet first aid kit! Keep all your essentials safe inside with the zipper closure. This quick pattern would be an excellent gift for new parents or someone who likes to travel.
Designer: Winding Road Crochet
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Dinosaur Crochet Basket
Perfect for a child’s bedroom or playroom, this tapestry crochet dinosaur basket is a great place to stuff toys, blankets, or even diapers and wipes (for littler ones). Cleaning up is so much more fun when you have a dino basket to keep things in! The finished basket measures about 12” in diameter by 10” tall.
Designer: Winding Road Crochet
Yarn weight: Super bulky
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Hometown
Monstera Clutch
This clutch design is inspired by the beautiful, tropical houseplant called Monstera. Perfect for plant lovers, this project is also super practical for holding your most important items. Its finished size is 11” x 9”.
Designer: E’Claire Makery
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Furls Whims Merino DK
Strawberry Fields Pillow
You can almost taste the juicy, sweet strawberries as you admire this bright, summer pillowcase! This vintage, tapestry crochet pillow pattern with bobbles is such a fun way to spruce up your space for the season. The finished dimensions for this project are 20” x 20”.
Designer: E’Claire Makery
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: We Crochet Shine Worsted
Steps Crochet Drawstring Bag
Perfect for coins, headphones, chocolates, or a small gift, this adorable drawstring back is a quick project! It measures about 7 cm x 11.5 cm. It’s worked in the round starting with a magic ring.
Designer: Nordic Hook
Yarn weight: Fingering
Suggested yarn: Järbo 8/4
Tapestry Crochet Zipper Pouch Mila
Here’s an elegant zipper pouch that would pair nicely with a fancy dress, but could totally be used for regular days, too! Keep the dignified look by using sophisticated neutrals, or make it fun with bright colors! The finished bag measures 11 cm x 8 cm.
Designer: Nordic Hook
Yarn weight: Fingering
Suggested yarn: Madame Tricot Almina 8/4
Tapestry Crochet Bookmark with Hearts
Say “I love you” with this sweet and simple project! This small pattern would be the perfect token gift for a book lover. You’ll need to cut your yarn at the end of each row to make the tassels.
Designer: Nordic Hook
Yarn weight: Fingering
Suggested yarn: Hjertegarn DIAMOND 8/4
Crochet Colorwork Cowl
This fun, modern tapestry crochet pattern incorporates many different shades for a bright and beautiful cold-weather project. It’s an excellent way to keep your neck and chin warm on those bitter days while still looking cute. This pattern is worked in the round and is best for intermediate crocheters.
Designer: Simply Hooked by Janet
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Superwash Merino
Tapestry Crochet Mushroom Potholder
This vintage potholder created in neutral shades would be such a cute addition to a farmhouse kitchen. And if you love it, there are lots more farmhouse-themed potholder designs in this collection, too! You could totally put this adorable pattern to practical use or even just use it as a cute tapestry crochet wall hanging to decorate your kitchen space!
Designer: Raffamusa Designs
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK
Tapestry Crochet Bear Potholder
This gingham bear pattern would be an ideal piece to add to a cozy cabin. It includes a double layer of fabric on the back to help protect your surfaces from heat. It’s worked with single crochets using three strands of yarn throughout the pattern.
Designer: Raffamusa Designs
Yarn weight: Sport
Suggested yarn: Schachenmayr Catania
Lily Sun Swirl Bucket Hat
Made with classic cotton yarn, this bucket hat is durable and cool for summer days. Wear it to the beach, on a hike, or out on your daily walk. This bright design is a fun way to blend your favorite colors while offering yourself some shade, too!
Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lily Sugar ‘n Cream
Tapestry Crochet Bag
Pack all your essentials for this day in this colorful, boho-style drawstring bag. This intermediate pattern features a wide shoulder strap so you can comfortably carry it as long as you need to. The pattern is worked in rounds and measures 11.5” high and 9” in diameter (at the bottom).
Designer: Spotted Horse Design Co.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: WeCrochet Shine Worsted
Crochet Phone Case
Keep your phone close with this light and simple crossbody phone holder. This adorable design is great for wearing with athletic shorts or leggings when you don’t have a pocket handy. It fits an iPhone 13 or 14 Pro Max, but if you have a smaller phone, you’ll have extra room for chapstick, some cash, or other small essentials!
Designer: Spotted Horse Design Co.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton
Crochet Throw Blanket
Cozy up with this tapestry crochet blanket featuring a modern, diamond design. This intermediate-level pattern would be a great project to take on in the winter months during the long, restful evenings. This lap blanket measures about 37” x 54”.
Designer: Spotted Horse Design Co.
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: WeCrochet Brava Bulky
Tapestry Crochet Diamond Beanie
Whether you’re ready to hit the slopes, pull on your ice skates, or take the kids out for a snowball fight, this fun beanie is right there to keep your head warm and dry! Made with colorful diamonds, this one would be a great project for using up your scrap yarns. It’s worked from the bottom up using single crochets.
Designer: Crochet for You
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Soft
Pulmu Pullover
This festive sweater highlights its colorwork yoke and is worked from the top down. Featuring a gorgeous, snowflake-inspired design, this flattering pattern is a great way to stay both cute and cozy during the winter months. It can be made for men or women.
Designer: Brenda K.B. Anderson
Yarn weight: Fingering
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Palette
Even Squares Baby Blanket
This simple blanket would make a precious keepsake for a little one. It would be a perfect gift to make for a baby shower or to bring when visiting a brand new baby. This pattern includes a video tutorial and measures 30” x 30”.
Designer: Daisy Farm Crafts
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Patons Canadiana
Tips for Tapestry Crochet
Here are some of our best tips and tricks for making projects with tapestry crochet.
Maintain even tension.
Maintaining even tension throughout your project is crucial for making consistent and neat designs.
Use a smaller hook.
Use a smaller hook to make tighter stitches that hide carried yarn. This way, you’ll prevent unwanted colors from showing through. You want that extra yarn encased within the stitches, not poking through to the front.
Check the wrong side.
Take a look at the wrong side of your work now and then. Make sure it looks smooth and uniform, with no bumps or colors showing through. And if your work seems scrunched up, you might be pulling the unused yarn too tightly.
Block your work
Blocking helps to give your finished project a neat and well-defined look. It can especially be helpful with pieces like clothing, rugs, potholders, or anything that you really want to hold its shape well.

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Sarah Stearns has helped millions of makers find their next craft project with free patterns and step-by-step tutorials on her blog, sarahmaker.com. Read more.
With over a decade of experience in knitting and crochet, she has been featured in prominent publications like The New York Times, Scientific American, Good Housekeeping, Vox, Apartment Therapy, and Lifehacker.