It’s m’duty to tell you that this article contains affiliate links, which earn me commission at no extra cost to you. Here’s my disclosure policy.

Audiobooks and yarn crafts go together like rama lama ding dong.

Personally, this is my happy place because two of my MOST relaxing pastimes happen simultaneously—reading and yarning. 

But, I’ve learned that it’s essential to pick EASY patterns to knit and crochet while listening to audiobooks. If I tackle a pattern that’s too tough, then I lose the thread of the story. I need a semi-mindless pattern that only demands a fraction of my brain so that the rest can latch onto the audiobook.

But I don’t want to just make square dishcloths. I want to make something good.

Pairing the right knit or crochet pattern with an audiobook takes some trial and error, but when you get it right, ooooh, it’s a match made in heaven. 

The good news? I’ve done the pattern-picking for you! Here are 10 of my favorite easy patterns to knit and crochet while listening to audiobooks! I have actually made each and every one of these patterns, so I can personally vouch for them.

Ready? Let’s go!

1. Egmont Shawl

By Katy Petersen at KT and the Squid

Type: Crochet

Difficulty: Easy-Intermediate

This is one of my favorite shawls to give as a gift because everyone seems to love it. It keeps your neck and shoulders toasty, without weighing you down. It’s basically a yarn hug. 

I recommend that you take a few minutes to work the first few foundation rows in complete silence. Then, once you get into the repeat rows, go ahead and turn on your audiobook.

The nice thing about this pattern is that I’ve had success using worsted weight yarn and a 5.0mm hook. Upping both the yarn weight and hook size means the pattern works up faster.

🎧 📖 Suggested Audiobook Pairing: The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkein (the Andy Serkis narration)

2. Annie’s Purple Hat

By Daisy Farm Crafts

Craft: Crochet

Difficulty: Easy

This is hands-down my favorite hat pattern to crochet while listening to audiobooks. Why? Because it’s insanely easy—basically just one row repeated over ‘n’ over—and the result is perfection. (I’ve never made it in purple, ironically.)

It’s a fully customizable pattern. You calculate the circumference based on the wearer’s head, so you can make a small version for a kid or a great, big man-sized hat. The design and fit work for any gender, and the style is timeless—who doesn’t love a slouch beanie? 

🎧 📖 Suggested Audiobook Pairing: Walking on Water by Madeline L’Engle

3. Barley Hat (infant to adult size)

By Tin Can Knits

Craft: Knit

Difficulty: Easy

Tin Can Knits is a fabulous brand that’s worth checking out if you’re interested in amazing free patterns that you will knit over and over again and love forever. This was the first Tin Can Knits project that I ever made, and I’ve knitted it countless times. 

Even though it’s pictured here on a baby chunkface, the pattern includes instructions for all sizes. The garter panel adds interest to an otherwise basic stockinette hat. 

If you have trouble remembering where that snazzy garter panel begins and ends—it can be easy to zone out when you’re listening to an audiobook—then just pop on a few stitch markers.

🎧 📖 Suggested Audiobook Pairing: Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

4. Ragdoll Unicorn

By Spin a Yarn Crochet

Craft: Crochet

Difficulty: Easy-Intermediate

I mean come on! Is this not the cutest plushie? Jillian Hewitt at Spin a Yarn Crochet specializes in these rag-doll-style stuffed animals. Due to its boxy design, this one isn’t too difficult to make and piece together while concentrating on an audiobook. And the result will win you oohs and ahhs from all the little girls in the land. 

If you like making toys, then you MUST check out the vast library of huggables that Jillian has designed. 

🎧 📖 Suggested Audiobook Pairing: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling

5. Millennial Pink Headband

By Alyson Chu

Craft: Crochet

Difficulty: Easy

I’ve worn this headband more than any other headband that I’ve ever made. It’s super warm and thick. It’s almost a cross between a headband and a messy bun hat on me. 

The fancy-looking twist is crazy-easy to accomplish, and it lays nice and flat instead of bumping out in a big knotlike way. 

Just a note, I chained 46 to start my foundation row, and I have a 22-inch head circumference.

🎧 📖 Suggested Audiobook Pairing: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

6. 1.5 Hour Crochet Beanie

By Crochet Dreamz

Craft: Crochet

Difficulty: Easy-Intermediate

I never timed myself, but I’d wager the 1.5 hours is accurate. I managed to finish this in one day working off and on here and there. I used size 5 yarn instead of 6, and I’m guessing that two strands of worsted held together would work just fine. 

A few pattern notes: I stopped crocheting the brim when I reached 38 “dips/spaces” for 38 sc around, and it worked fine, but I have kind of a small head. I added one more sc2tog round at the end to close the hole at the crown. 

🎧 📖 Suggested Audiobook Pairing: Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

7. Desert Winds Triangle Scarf

By Jess Coppom at Make and Do Crew

Craft: Crochet

Difficulty: Easy

As with most shawls, this one needs your full and complete attention for the first few foundation rows. Once you begin the repeat rows, you can start listening to your audiobook and enter zen mode. 

I love this pattern because it looks lacy but it doesn’t demand the extreme mental concentration that lacework is notorious for. I also found that the structure is much sturdier than most true lace patterns. And it calls for worsted-weight yarn, not the superfine stuff that makes me go cross-eyed.

🎧 📖 Suggested Audiobook Pairing: News of the World by Paulette Giles

8. Beloved Aran

By Solenn Couix-Loarer

Craft: Knit

Difficulty: Easy

This pattern looks good no matter what yarn I use. No matter what color or color combo I decide on. It’s just a beautiful, simple pattern that works for kids, adults, men, and women. It’s not too complicated as long as you keep track of which row you’re on. 

Here’s my trick for keeping track of what row I’m on. I print the pattern, and I put a post-it note on the page, and I literally draw an arrow so it’s pointing to the row I will start with when I pick back up. Very high-tech, I know. 

Apparently, this pattern only exists on Ravelry, which is free to join and a goldmine for all knitters and crocheters. 

🎧 📖 Suggested Audiobook Pairing: The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery

9. Half n Half Infinity Scarf

By Melissa Fisher at Woods and Wool

Craft: Crochet

Difficulty: Easy

A crochet pattern with one simple row to repeat? Yes, please! It does not get simpler than this!

Please note, the yarn you use DOES matter. You want to pick something on the lighter side of worsted, something that isn’t too stiff, as the gauge is dense. The color pairing is what makes this super-simple scarf pattern so fantastic. If you actually click the link and see Melissa’s yarn, you’ll get a feel for how rich and textural this pattern can become.

🎧 📖 Suggested Audiobook Pairing: The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

10. Double-Thick Crochet Potholders

By Sewrella

Craft: Crochet

Difficulty: Easy

Single-layer crochet potholders just aren’t enough to protect your hands (or countertop) from heat. But these double-thick potholders are! And you don’t have to crochet two potholders and sew them together at the end. The thermal stitch has the double-thickness built into it.

You do have to invest a few minutes in learning how to crochet the thermal stitch if you don’t already know how (it’s not very common). Once you know it, then all you have to do is repeat it, and—voila!—you’ve got a perfect potholder! I’ve given MANY of these away as hostess gifts. Who doesn’t need another potholder in their life?

🎧 📖 Suggested Audiobook Pairing: Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal

Connect with me on Ravelry

I hope you loved this list of patterns to knit and crochet while listening to audiobooks! If you’re on Ravelry, please do send me a friend request so that I can see all of the fantastic stuff you’re making with yarn!