Stuck on what to crochet for the men in your life? Here are 22 free crochet gift patterns for men that are practical, not precious: scarves, cowls, fingerless gloves and slippers, a wallet, card holder and glasses case, coffee and can cozies, beer coasters, a golf club cover, a water bottle holder, a toiletries bag, a messenger bag, a necktie, baskets and a chunky throw. Every full written pattern is free on the designer's own site, with no sign-up. Most use worsted yarn and simple stitches, and plenty can be finished in an evening, so there's still time to make a few before the holidays.
For each pattern I've noted the yarn weight, hook and finished size where the designer gives them. Some designers also sell an ad-free PDF, but the version linked here is free to read on the page.
How to choose a gift he'll use. Think about what he already reaches for every day: a coffee mug, his keys, his phone, his glasses, a gym bag or a favorite chair. Then pick something that fits into that routine. Stick to muted, solid colors (navy, charcoal, olive, rust, heather gray) unless you know he loves a team color, and choose sturdy, washable yarns like cotton for cozies and coasters and wool or acrylic for wearables. Looking for a hat? We have a whole roundup of free crochet hats for men, so this list skips them.
Cozy wearables: scarves, cowls, gloves and slippers
Warm, simple pieces he can wear all winter.
Men's Scarf — GoldenLucyCrafts. A two-color striped scarf worked lengthwise from a long chain, in rows of hdc and sc in worsted (#4) yarn, with a fringe made from the color-change tails. It finishes 7.5 by 64 inches and uses one skein of each color. Rated easy.
Manly Cowl — Leelee Knits. A bulky cowl worked in joined rounds of hdc with a slip stitch texture on a K/6.5mm hook, in Child and Adult sizes. Bulky yarn makes it quick, and a cowl stays put under a coat better than a scarf.
Latte Neck Warmer Cowl — Jenny & Teddy. A rectangle about 21 inches long, worked in rows of plain hdc and ribbed camel stitch, then folded and sewn. It uses sport-weight cotton blend (or worsted) on a 6mm hook and is beginner-friendly.
Crochet Cowl Neck Warmer — Annie Design Crochet. A teen-and-adult neck warmer, 21 to 22 inches around and 9.5 inches tall, started with 72 chains joined in the round. It uses 100 to 150 grams of worsted or aran yarn on a 5mm hook, in two versions: all single crochet or all double crochet.
Men's Crocheted Fingerless Gloves — My Recycled Bags. A ribbed cuff worked sideways in back-loop single crochet, then a single crochet body in rounds with a chained thumb opening. It uses 210 yards of worsted wool on F/3.75mm and G/4.25mm hooks, sized for men's large and extra-large hands.
Men's Fingerless Gloves — ChristaCoDesign. The easiest gloves here: a flat rectangle of hdc rows, seamed up the side with a thumbhole left open. Worsted (#4) yarn on a 5mm hook, in men's Small to XL, with 105 to 135 yards per pair. Rated beginner.
Men's Everyday Slippers — Crochet Dreamz. A flat rectangle of slip stitch rows in super bulky (#6) yarn on a 10mm hook, folded and joined into a slipper, in men's US sizes 7 to 14. Slip stitch makes a thick, squishy, durable fabric. Easy enough for a beginner.
For his desk, car and pocket
Small, useful things he'll carry every day.
Trifold Wallet — Crochet Dreamz. A 4.5 by 5-inch wallet worked in 29 rows of alternating hdc and slip stitch, then folded into three pockets. It uses bulky (#5) yarn on a 5mm hook. A sturdy, textured wallet that's quick to make.
Cardholder — Crochet Spot. A slim card case made from 48 rows of single crochet, folded and sewn, about 3.75 inches tall, in medium-weight yarn on an F/3.75mm hook. Good for business cards, a gift card or a transit pass.
Crochet Glasses Case — Joy of Motion Crochet. Worked in the round from a foundation chain, with a bubble stitch texture that cushions his glasses or sunglasses. It uses #4 cotton on a 4.5mm hook and is rated easy.
Coffee Cup Cozy — ChristaCoDesign. A simple sleeve of hdc rounds from 25 chains, in about 30 yards of #4 cotton on a 5mm hook. It's easy to adjust for a bigger travel mug. Rated beginner, with a video. For more ideas, see our crochet mug cozy patterns.
Beer Coasters — Jo to the World. A 5.5-inch square coaster that looks like a pint of beer, worked in rows of single crochet colorwork in worsted yarn on an F/3.75mm hook, with optional bulky yarn for the foam. Rated easy. Make a set of four for a fun gift. Our crochet coaster and mug rug patterns have more.
Hobbies, sports and the great outdoors
For the golfer, the hiker, the traveler and the game-day fan.
Hole in One Harlequin Golf Club Cover — B.Hooked Crochet. A diamond-pattern headcover that fits most drivers, started from 8 hdc in a magic ring. It uses about 250 yards of worsted (#4) yarn on 4.5mm and 3.5mm hooks and is rated intermediate. A great gift for a golfer who has everything.
Lumberjack Can Cozy — Jo to the World. A buffalo plaid can cozy that fits a 12-ounce can, worked from 10 hdc in a magic circle in three colors of worsted yarn on a 4.5mm hook. Rated easy, with a video. Perfect for a cabin weekend or a tailgate.
Crochet Water Bottle Holder — Sarah Maker. A 7-inch bottle holder with a 38-inch strap, worked from 6 sc in a magic ring through 21 rounds, in light worsted cotton on a 4mm hook. Rated easy. Handy for hikes, the gym or the golf course.
Crochet Toiletries Bag — Crochet 'n' Create. An 8.5 by 7-inch bag worked around a foundation chain (80 sc), then in rows of striped hdc, with a button loop closure. It uses DK cotton on a 4mm hook. Fill it with shaving soap or travel-size toiletries for a ready-made gift.
Crossbody Messenger Bag — Rich Textures Crochet. A roomy 12 by 16 by 4-inch bag in panels of hdc and Trinity stitch, using four balls of super bulky yarn on an 8mm hook. It's rated intermediate and has a video. The biggest project on this list, and a real showpiece.
For his home and his closet
Gifts for the man who likes things neat, or likes a good nap.
Men's Classic Necktie — Rich Textures Crochet. A 3-inch-wide, 57-inch-long tie (with a longer option for tall men) in moss stitch rows with a single crochet edge, in fingering-weight tweed on a 3.5mm hook. Rated easy, with a video. A tweedy knit-look tie is a classic.
Easy Plant Hanger — Joy of Motion Crochet. A front-post dc basket that starts with 8 sc in a ring, with crochet straps, in #4 cotton on a 5.5mm hook. It comes in two sizes and is rated easy, with a four-part video. Great for a man with a houseplant habit.
Moss Stitch Baskets — Jo to the World. Sturdy baskets in Small, Medium and Large (5, 8 and 12 inches wide), worked from 10 hdc in a magic circle with moss stitch sides, in worsted yarn held double on a 6.5mm hook. Rated easy, with a video. Use the small one as a valet tray for keys, wallet and watch.
Spikes and Stripes Pillow Cover — Joy of Motion Crochet. A 50 cm square pillow cover in rows of hdc with spike-stitch stripes, in worsted wool-blend yarn on a 5.5mm hook. Rated easy. The bold stripes look great in navy, gray and rust.
Chunky Crochet Throw — Crochet Dreamz. A 40 by 58-inch couch throw in super bulky (#6) chenille on a 10mm hook, worked in rows of a simple dc and sc repeat, with tassels. It uses about 660 yards, and the giant yarn makes it surprisingly quick. For more, see our fall and winter crochet blankets.
Tips for crocheting gifts for men
- Practical beats pretty. The gifts that get used are the ones that solve a small problem: cold hands, a lost card, a sweaty can, scratched glasses.
- Ask a sneaky question. "Do you prefer scarves or neck warmers?" in October rarely gives the game away.
- Pick a sturdy yarn. Cotton is best for cozies, coasters and bags. Wool or a soft acrylic is best for wearables, and acrylic is easiest to wash.
- Add a finishing touch. A faux-leather tag, a wooden button or a simple gift card makes a handmade gift feel shop-bought.
- Bundle small gifts. A can cozy and a set of coasters, or a wallet and a keychain, make a fuller present than either one alone.
Frequently asked questions
What can I crochet for a man?
Scarves, cowls, fingerless gloves, slippers, wallets, card holders, glasses cases, cup and can cozies, coasters, golf club covers, water bottle holders, toiletries bags, neckties, baskets and throws all make good gifts. Choose something he'll use every day.
What is the quickest crochet gift for a man?
A coffee cup cozy, can cozy, beer coaster or card holder can each be finished in an hour or two. A bulky cowl or a pair of rectangle fingerless gloves takes an evening.
What colors do men like in crochet gifts?
Most men prefer muted, solid colors such as navy, charcoal, gray, olive, brown and rust. Team colors and buffalo plaid are popular for can cozies and game-day gifts.
What yarn is best for crochet gifts for men?
Worsted (#4) yarn is the most versatile. Use cotton for items that touch drinks or get washed often, and wool or a soft acrylic for scarves, cowls, gloves and slippers.
More crochet gift ideas
Pair any of these with one of our free crochet hats for men, a crochet hat and scarf set, an easy beginner scarf or a pair of fingerless gloves. For warm feet, see our cozy crochet slipper patterns and crochet sock patterns. For small add-ons, try a paracord keychain, a crochet stocking stuffer or a weekend crochet gift. Making something for the women on your list too? Our free crochet earring patterns are quick and pretty.
