16 Cheap Crafts You Need to Try

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16 Cheap Crafts You Need to Try

Getting started in a craft doesn't have to be expensive when you keep these ideas for cheap crafts in mind!

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16 Cheap Crafts You Need to Try

Crafting can be a relaxing and budget-friendly option, but what do you do if you are looking for a craft to try? If you’re looking for a way to unwind while embracing your creative side, then these 16 Cheap Crafts You Need to Try are worth a look. From crochet to macramé and everything in between, these crafts are wonderful ways to spend an afternoon without breaking the budget. Although this collection of cheap craft ideas is geared for adults, several projects are great for kids, too.

Starting a new craft doesn’t have to be expensive, either, and many crafts utilize items you may have on hand. We've even included a few tips on where to source cheap crafts supplies so that you can get right to work on creating new items. 

Our friends from AllFreeKnitting, DIYIdeaCenter, and FaveCrafts have shared an assortment of crafts that will fit just about any budget. You will be inspired to create something new when you see these craft ideas!

1. Unwind with a new knitting pattern.

When it comes to cheap crafts to try, you can’t go wrong with knitting! This budget-friendly craft is a great way to relax while making a new item that can be treasured for years to come. If you are new to knitting, then consider picking up knitting needles in size 7 (4.5 mm) and yarn in worsted weight so you can make an assortment of basic patterns. You'll definitely want to make this pattern for the Quick and Easy Baby Beanie today.

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Quick and Easy Baby Beanie

2. Crochet your way to a new scarf or hat.

Similar to knitting, crochet is another example of fun adult crafts that won’t break the budget. Whether you’re looking for a way to create a warm accessory for winter or simply want to make a breezy shawl that’s perfect for summer, you simply can’t go wrong with crochet. New crocheters will want crochet hooks in size I or J, as well as worsted weight yarn. The Basic Beginner Crochet Scarf below is a stylish pattern you can't miss.

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Basic Beginner Crochet Scarf

3. Try macramé designs today.

From gorgeous designs for holding plants to wall hangings, bags, and accessories, macramé is a wonderful craft that typically uses just a handful of materials. The yarn craft is a creative way to add a stunning look to any room in your home and won’t take you long to complete a project. This tutorial on Knot Your Average How to Macrame Video can get you started.

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Knot Your Average How to Macrame Video

4. Decoupage jewelry, furniture, knickknacks, and more.

Add a beautiful and unique look to some of your favorite household items when you include decoupage. The thrifty craft is a creative way to add some style and charm to even the most ho-hum object. If your latest thrift store find could use some pizzazz or you just want to decorate an old coffee table, you can’t go wrong with using decoupage. If you've never tried decoupage, then this craft for the Decoupage Flower Pots with Scrapbook Paper is a great starting point.

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Decoupage Flower Pots with Scrapbook Paper

5. Design a stunning floral arrangement.

It’s one thing to place the flowers you have picked from your garden, but it’s another to create a floral arrangement that’s eye-catching and stunning. What’s even better about this craft is that many of the materials you will use can likely be found right outside your own front door. You'll want to see the tutorial on Flowers 101: The Basics of Arranging and Caring for Flowers so that you can create a gorgeous arrangement today.

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Flowers 101: The Basics of Arranging and Caring for Flowers

6. Preserve memories with scrapbooking.

If you spend most of the time at family get-togethers taking photos, then scrapbooking might be a cheap craft to try. The project can incorporate pre-made designs as well as mixed media, found objects, and even your own creations. The result is a beautiful scrapbook layout that you will be proud to display and share with family and friends. Get ready to preserve memories when you see this collection of Scrapbook Layout Ideas: 5 Scrapbook Templates to Inspire.

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Scrapbook Layout Ideas: 5 Scrapbook Templates to Inspire

7. Save a special bouquet by pressing flowers.

Don't discard a bouquet of flowers after they have started to droop! By pressing flowers, you can preserve a special bouquet and create a unique decoration in the process, especially when you use this tutorial on How to Press Flowers 4 Ways. Pressed flowers can be used to create a stunning collage or can be used to create bookmarks, stationery, and other beautiful and unique items.

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How to Press Flowers 4 Ways

8. Create new designs with stamps.

Jazz up a plain canvas tote or add an interesting element to handmade cards when you include stamps in the mix! You don’t need to purchase pre-made stamps to get started on this unique craft, either. This craft is also one that you can make with kids for a truly budget-friendly activity the entire family will love. You'll be inspired to start stamping when you see this craft for the Kid Friendly Stamp Toilet Paper Roll.

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Kid Friendly Stamp Toilet Paper Roll Craft

9. Share handmade cards with family and friends.

Congratulate a friend on her promotion, wish Mom a happy birthday, or give birthday greetings to a coworker when you make your own cards. Card-making can be a frugal option for the budget-conscious, as the craft can be made using materials found at home. If you'd like to add an interesting element to your card, then this craft for the Prettiest Floral Pop Up Card is a must-see idea! Card-making is also a fun and personalized alternative to purchasing mass-produced greeting cards. 

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Prettiest Floral Pop Up Card Tutorial

10. Use felt to create crafts for kids.

Kids of all ages will enjoy creating ornate designs with felt! Whether you purchase pre-made felt at your favorite craft store or you make your own felt using the following tutorial on Ways to Make Your Own Felt, this craft idea is a budget-friendly way to keep boredom at bay. Felt will look amazing as part of a larger craft and can be used to create toys and other items. This is one craft that is truly imaginative!

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Ways to Make Your Own Felt + 11 Felt Crafts

11. Get cleaned up by making soap.

Fancy soaps can be expensive, but if you go the DIY method, then a bit of luxury is within reach. Making soap is a fun and unique craft that can be customized to include essential oils of your choice, especially if you use the beginner-friendly guide below on How to Make Soap. It is also a frugal gift idea for everyone on your holiday shopping list. 

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How to Make Soap: A Beginner Soap Making Guide

12. Light a room with homemade candles.

If paying for enormous candles just isn’t in the budget right now, then making your own candles might be an option. By making your own candles, you can incorporate the scent you want, or even no scent at all. You can make your candles even more decorative by embedding leaves, cinnamon sticks, and other natural items. The following guide on How to Make Candles will inspire you to get started.

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How to Make Candles: A Beginner Candlemaking Guide

13. Create beautiful mosaics for every room in your home.

While you could purchase a complete kit to make mosaic stepping stones or other decorative features, consider going the thrifty route by using any broken dishes, cups, or glass that you may have on hand. Even paper can work, as seen in the following craft for the Decoupaged Mosaic Wine Bottle.

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Decoupaged Mosaic Wine Bottle

14. Sew and create your own clothes.

When it comes to sewing, there is more to the craft than simply attaching a button to a shirt or repairing a hole! Using a needle and thread, you can alter clothes to get a custom fit, create new items such as the Long Wrap Skirt Pattern below, or even make accessories, cuddly toys for children, and decorative items for the home. This cheap craft won’t take long for you to get the basics under your belt.

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Long Wrap Skirt Pattern

15. Upcycle scrap fabric into quilts and other items.

If your pile of scrap fabric is ready to take over your craft space, then it’s time to get creative by trying your hand at quilting! Many quilting patterns transform scrap fabric into beautiful quilts, bags, totes, mug rugs, pillows, and so much more, especially if you use the tutorial below on the Easy T-Shirt Quilt. If you love to sew, then quilting to create new items from your fabric stash will be a natural step for you.

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Easy T-Shirt Quilt Tutorial

16. Relax with a fun coloring page.

When it comes to cheap crafts, there’s nothing quite like coloring to your heart’s content! All you will need is a coloring page and your favorite colored pencils, markers, or crayons. To get started, you can try out the Intricate Penguin Adult Coloring Page. You'll have so much fun working on this one!

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Intricate Penguin Adult Coloring Page

Where to Get Cheap Crafts Supplies

Starting a new craft can be an expensive endeavor, as you may need to purchase most, if not all, of the necessary materials to make a project a success. What is a new crafter to do? Consider keeping these options in mind regarding where to get cheap crafts supplies.

  1. Join a club: A local organization dedicated to your craft might be one of your best options for finding crafts supplies for reduced fees, or even for free. Some organizations may provide ways for members to exchange materials, while others may offer a discount for select stores.
     
  2. Look online: Sites such as Freecycle and Nextdoor may offer listings of supplies from other crafters. You never know what you’ll find until you take a look!
     
  3. Thrift stores: It’s possible that a crafter has unloaded their stash of supplies for sewing, candle-making, or other projects at your local thrift store. You can also purchase inexpensive clothing, furniture, and other items and transform them into new quilts and home decor at thrift stores, too.
     
  4. Find materials at home: It’s possible that the supplies you need for a craft are already at home. From old T-shirts to plastic bags and everything in between, some of the materials you need for a pattern or craft are closer than you might think.

What is your favorite cheap craft?
Let us know in the comments below!

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My current favorite cheap craft is quilted plastic shopping bags. I've also made some fancier zipper bags from the same materials- discarded plastic shopping bags.

Thanks! I will! This is a great list.

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