Crochet Magnets | MakerPlace by Michaels

If you’ve been looking for a small, satisfying crochet project that delivers big on charm, crochet magnets might be exactly what your hook has been waiting for. These tiny, colorful creations are beloved by crafters of all skill levels — beginners love them because they work up quickly and require only scraps of yarn, while seasoned crocheters appreciate them as a creative outlet for experimenting with color, texture, and miniature design. Whether you want to brighten up your fridge, personalize a locker, organize a magnetic whiteboard, or create handmade gifts for the people you love, crochet magnets are one of the most versatile and rewarding crafts you can make at MakerPlace by Michaels.

In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about crochet magnets — from the supplies and basic techniques involved, to popular shapes and patterns, tips for finishing your work professionally, and ideas for sharing or selling your creations. Let’s dive in.

Why Crochet Magnets Are Worth Your Time

It’s easy to overlook small projects in favor of the sweaters and blankets that seem to command more attention in the crafting world. But crochet magnets punch well above their weight. Here’s why crafters keep coming back to them.

They use up scrap yarn. If you’ve been crocheting for any length of time, you almost certainly have a yarn stash full of leftover bits and partial skeins. Crochet magnets are the perfect use for those small amounts of yarn that aren’t quite enough for a bigger project but feel too precious to throw away. A single magnet might use less than five yards of yarn, meaning even your smallest scraps have a purpose.

They work up fast. Most crochet magnets take between fifteen minutes and an hour to complete, depending on complexity. That makes them ideal for crafting sessions when you don’t have a lot of time, or when you want the satisfaction of finishing something from start to end in a single sitting.

They make wonderful gifts. A handmade crochet magnet is a thoughtful, personal gift that can be tailored to the recipient’s interests. Make a tiny cactus for the plant lover in your life, a miniature slice of pizza for the foodie friend, or a delicate flower for someone who appreciates classic, feminine details. Because they’re small and lightweight, they’re also easy to mail, tuck into a card, or attach to a gift bag.

They’re great for craft fairs and markets. Crochet magnets are popular sellers at handmade craft markets. They’re inexpensive to make, easy to display, and accessible to a wide range of buyers. A well-curated collection of colorful, themed crochet magnets can attract a lot of attention at a vendor table and move quickly, especially during holiday seasons.

They help beginners build skills. If you’re new to crochet, making small projects like magnets is a fantastic way to practice your stitches and build confidence without committing to a large project. You’ll practice working in the round, increasing and decreasing, and basic finishing techniques — all skills that translate directly to bigger and more complex patterns.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

One of the best things about crochet magnets is how minimal the supply list is. You don’t need a lot of equipment or a significant investment to get started.

Yarn. Almost any yarn weight will work for crochet magnets, but most patterns call for worsted weight or sport weight yarn. Worsted weight gives you a thicker, more substantial result, while sport or fingering weight creates a daintier, more detailed look. Cotton yarn is popular for amigurumi-style magnets because it holds its shape well and has a nice stitch definition. Acrylic yarn is widely available, budget-friendly, and comes in an enormous range of colors.

Crochet hooks. Your hook size should match your yarn. Most worsted weight projects will call for a 3.5mm to 5mm hook, while finer yarns will need smaller hooks. When making stuffed or three-dimensional magnets, many crocheters go down a hook size from the yarn’s recommendation to create a tighter fabric that doesn’t show the stuffing inside.

Polyfill stuffing. For three-dimensional magnets — the kind that have a rounded, amigurumi-style look — you’ll need a small amount of polyfill stuffing to give them shape. You only need a tiny pinch per magnet.

Small magnets. The most commonly used magnets for this type of project are small disc magnets or neodymium (rare earth) magnets. These are strong enough to hold a few layers of paper to a fridge without being overly heavy. Look for magnets that are approximately 10mm to 18mm in diameter. You can find these at Michaels, craft supply stores, or online.

Tapestry needle. You’ll need a blunt tapestry needle to weave in your ends and close up any openings in your finished crochet pieces.

Hot glue gun or craft glue. The easiest way to attach your magnet to the back of your finished crochet piece is with a strong adhesive. A hot glue gun works well for most projects. Alternatively, E6000 craft adhesive gives an extremely durable bond if you want your magnets to last a long time.

Stitch markers. These are optional but helpful, especially if you’re working in the round. A stitch marker placed at the beginning of each round helps you keep track of where you are in the pattern.

Optional embellishments like safety eyes, felt, embroidery floss, and small buttons can add personality and detail to your magnets.

Basic Techniques for Crochet Magnets

Even if you’re a complete beginner, most crochet magnet patterns rely on only a handful of techniques. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll likely encounter.

Magic ring (adjustable ring). Most crochet magnets begin with a magic ring, which allows you to start crocheting in the round with no hole in the center. To make a magic ring, wrap the yarn around your fingers to form a loop, insert your hook, pull up a loop of working yarn, and chain one to secure. Then crochet your first round of stitches into the ring before pulling the tail to close the center.

Single crochet (sc). The single crochet stitch is the workhorse of most small crochet projects. It creates a tight, even fabric that’s ideal for three-dimensional shapes.

Slip stitch (sl st). Slip stitches are used to join rounds in flat circles and squares, and to move your hook to a new position without adding height.

Increases and decreases. To create rounded three-dimensional shapes, patterns will instruct you to increase (crocheting two stitches into one stitch) and decrease (crocheting two stitches together). The invisible decrease — inserting your hook under the front loops of two consecutive stitches — creates a neater finish than the standard decrease.

Working in continuous rounds. Many amigurumi-style magnets are worked in continuous rounds rather than joined rounds. This creates a seamless spiral and is especially useful for rounded shapes.

Flat circles. If you want a flat, two-dimensional magnet like a simple flower or snowflake, you’ll work in joined rounds, slip stitching to the top of the first stitch at the end of each round and chaining up to begin the next.

Popular Crochet Magnet Shapes and Themes

Part of the joy of crochet magnets is that there are virtually no limits to what you can make. Here are some of the most beloved shapes and themes to inspire your next project.

Flowers. Classic crochet flowers are a perennial favorite for magnets. From simple five-petal designs worked in a single round to elaborate layered roses with multiple rounds of petals, flower magnets suit every skill level and look beautiful in groups on a refrigerator or bulletin board. Sunflowers, daisies, and roses are particularly popular.

Food and snacks. Miniature food is one of the most popular categories in the crochet magnet world. Think tiny donuts with colorful frosting, slices of watermelon or pizza, sushi rolls, ice cream cones, tacos, strawberries, and cupcakes. Food magnets are endlessly fun to make and are universally appealing as gifts.

Animals. From tiny bees and butterflies to cats, foxes, owls, and pandas, animal-themed crochet magnets delight crafters of all ages. Many animal magnets incorporate safety eyes and small details like embroidered noses or felt ears to bring them to life.

Seasonal and holiday themes. Crochet magnets are a wonderful way to decorate your home for different seasons without committing to large decorations. Snowflakes, pumpkins, Easter eggs, Christmas trees, hearts for Valentine’s Day, and four-leaf clovers for St. Patrick’s Day are all easy, satisfying makes that can be swapped in and out as the calendar changes.

Succulents and plants. The houseplant trend has translated beautifully into crochet. Tiny succulents and cactus shapes make charming magnets, especially in collections of three or four arranged together on a fridge.

Geometric shapes and abstract designs. Simple hexagons, stars, and mandalas worked flat make elegant, modern-looking magnets. These are excellent projects for experimenting with color combinations and stitch patterns.

Letters and numbers. Crocheted alphabet letters make personalized magnets for kids’ rooms and school lockers. These are especially popular as custom gifts — spell out a child’s name in bright, cheerful colors for a one-of-a-kind present.

Step-by-Step: A Simple Crochet Circle Magnet

To give you a taste of the process, here’s a basic pattern for a small flat circle magnet. This is a great starting point for beginners.

Materials: Small amount of worsted weight yarn in any color, 4mm crochet hook, tapestry needle, one small disc magnet, hot glue gun.

Pattern:

Start with a magic ring. Round 1: Chain 1, work 6 single crochets into the ring. Pull the ring closed. Slip stitch to the first single crochet to join. (6 stitches)

Round 2: Chain 1, work 2 single crochets into each stitch around. Slip stitch to join. (12 stitches)

Round 3: Chain 1, work 1 single crochet in the first stitch, 2 single crochets in the next stitch; repeat around. Slip stitch to join. (18 stitches)

Fasten off and leave a tail for weaving in. Weave in all ends with your tapestry needle. Use a hot glue gun to attach a disc magnet to the back of the circle. Allow to dry completely before use.

From this simple base, you can add surface embroidery, attach crocheted petals or leaves, or use it as the foundation for a more elaborate design.

Tips for Polished, Professional Results

Even if you’re making magnets purely for fun, a few simple finishing habits will make your work look noticeably cleaner and more polished.

Weave in your ends thoroughly. Loose ends can unravel over time, especially with the wear and tear of being handled and moved around. Thread your tail onto a tapestry needle and weave it back and forth through several stitches in different directions before trimming it close to the fabric.

Block your flat pieces. If you’re making flat flowers or snowflakes, a light blocking — wetting the piece and pinning it flat to dry — can open up the stitches beautifully and create a more even, refined shape. This is especially useful for cotton yarn.

Use the right adhesive. Not all glues are created equal when it comes to attaching magnets. Hot glue works well for most projects, but it can sometimes peel away from very smooth or polished surfaces over time. For a more permanent bond, E6000 craft adhesive is an excellent choice.

Choose magnets that are strong enough. A weak magnet will frustrate you and the person you give the magnet to. Neodymium disc magnets, while small, are surprisingly powerful and hold reliably on most surfaces.

Keep sizing consistent if making sets. If you’re making a collection of magnets to give as a set or sell together, try to keep your tension and sizing consistent across all pieces. Blocking helps with this, as does practicing good tension habits while you work.

Crochet Magnets as a Craft at MakerPlace by Michaels

MakerPlace by Michaels is a community of makers, crafters, and creative professionals who sell handmade goods and teach workshops through the Michaels marketplace. Crochet magnets are an excellent product to list in your MakerPlace shop for several reasons.

They have broad appeal. Fridge magnets are something almost everyone can use, which means your potential customer base is wide. Customize your designs to target specific niches — kitchen-themed magnets for home cooks, floral sets for garden lovers, whimsical animal collections for parents shopping for kids’ rooms.

They’re easy to package and ship. Because crochet magnets are lightweight and small, shipping costs are minimal. You can package them beautifully in small organza bags, attach them to a backing card with your shop logo, or nestle them into a small gift box. Presentation matters when selling handmade goods, and thoughtful packaging elevates even the simplest item.

They lend themselves to bundle pricing. Selling magnets as curated sets — a set of four seasonal flowers, a collection of six food magnets, an alphabet set — increases the perceived value and average order size compared to selling individual pieces.

Seasonal collections drive repeat purchases. If you build a following for your crochet magnet shop, offering new seasonal designs throughout the year gives customers a reason to come back regularly. Holiday collections in particular tend to be popular gift purchases.

Teaching workshops on crochet magnets is another possibility through MakerPlace. Because the projects are quick and accessible, they make fantastic introductory crochet workshops for beginners. Participants leave with a finished project, which is incredibly satisfying and helps build enthusiasm for the craft.

Caring for Crochet Magnets

Crochet magnets are generally low-maintenance, but a few care tips will keep them looking their best.

Most yarn-based magnets can be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth and a tiny drop of gentle soap if they get dirty. Avoid soaking them, especially if you’ve used polyfill stuffing inside, as this can cause the stuffing to clump.

Keep them away from prolonged direct sunlight, which can fade yarn colors over time. This is especially worth noting if you’re displaying them near a window.

Neodymium magnets should be kept away from electronics, credit cards, and other magnets that could be affected by a strong magnetic field. This is especially relevant if you’re packaging them for shipping — a note to customers about proper storage is a thoughtful touch.

Getting Inspired and Finding Patterns

The crochet magnet community is warm, generous, and incredibly creative. Platforms like Ravelry, Etsy, and Pinterest are treasure troves of free and paid crochet magnet patterns. Instagram and YouTube are also rich sources of inspiration, with many crochet creators sharing tutorials, tips, and finished project photos.

At MakerPlace by Michaels, you can find workshops led by experienced crocheters who can teach you foundational skills and help you develop your own style. Whether you prefer following patterns closely or improvising your own designs, the crochet magnet format is forgiving and flexible enough to accommodate both approaches.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Combine colors in unexpected ways, try out different stitch patterns, or scale a larger pattern down to magnet size by using finer yarn and a smaller hook. Some of the most charming crochet magnets come from creative experimentation rather than strict pattern-following.

Final Thoughts

Crochet magnets are small in size but enormous in possibility. They offer a low-stakes way to practice new techniques, a satisfying creative outlet for using up scrap yarn, and a versatile product for crafters who want to share or sell their work. Whether you’re new to crochet and looking for a confidence-building beginner project, or an experienced maker searching for a fun side project to stock your MakerPlace by Michaels shop, crochet magnets are a craft worth picking up your hook for.

So pull out that scrap yarn, grab your hook, and start stitching. The tiniest projects often bring the greatest joy — and your fridge has never looked so good.