Kid's Craft - Hanger in Caron Simply Soft - Downloadable PDF

Kid's Craft - Hanger in Caron Simply Soft by Lorna Miser

This delightful beginner crochet-adjacent yarn craft project, designed by Lorna Miser and published by Caron, transforms an ordinary plastic clothes hanger into a colorful, handmade decorative accessory. Using Caron Simply Soft yarn in vibrant neon shades, this project is specifically designed to get kids excited about working with yarn and developing early crafting skills. It makes a wonderful introduction to yarn arts for young makers, combining wrapping and basic weaving techniques in a fun, approachable format available as a free downloadable PDF.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a yarn-wrapped decorative clothes hanger made from a standard plastic hanger as the base. Two contrasting neon colors of yarn are used — one to wrap the body of the hanger smoothly, and a second to create a woven pattern across the center section. The result is a bright, tactile, personalized hanger that is as much a craft activity as it is a finished functional item for a child's wardrobe or bedroom.

Techniques Used

• Yarn wrapping: The primary technique involves winding yarn smoothly and evenly around the outside edge of a plastic clothes hanger. Double stick tape is applied to the hanger first, securing the yarn in place as it is wound. Yarn strands are laid flat and side by side without overlapping to create a neat, smooth surface.
• Basic hand weaving: A second contrasting color is used to weave over and under the wrapped yarn threads across the center section of the hanger. Two long strands are threaded onto a blunt yarn needle and woven in alternating directions — over and under on one pass, then under and over on the return — building up a woven textile panel in the middle of the hanger.
• Yarn joining and finishing: Ends from additional weaving yarn are hidden within the center of the woven section, keeping the back of the hanger tidy and secure.

Stitches and Construction Details

This project does not use traditional crochet stitches, making it accessible even to children who have not yet learned to crochet. Instead, it relies on wrapping and over-under weaving — two foundational fiber arts techniques that build fine motor skills and an understanding of how yarn behaves. The wrapping step teaches tension awareness, as the instructions specifically note that yarn should be wound smoothly and loosely to avoid warping the hanger. The weaving step introduces the basic concept of interlacing threads, which underpins both weaving and knitting as crafts.

No gauge is required for this project, and no crochet hook is needed — making it truly beginner-friendly and suitable for young crafters of a wide age range.

Materials

• Yarn: Caron Simply Soft, an Aran weight yarn, used in two contrasting colors:
  • Contrast A: Neon Pink (9775) — 1 skein (170 g / 6 oz; 288 m / 315 yds)
  • Contrast B: Neon Green (9777) — 1 skein (170 g / 6 oz; 288 m / 315 yds)
• Tools and notions:
  • Plastic clothes hanger
  • Double stick tape
  • Scissors
  • Blunt yarn needle

Why Caron Simply Soft Works Well for This Project

Caron Simply Soft is a smooth, soft Aran weight yarn that lays flat and wraps evenly — ideal qualities for a project where yarn needs to lie neatly side by side without bunching. Its vibrant colorway options, including the Neon Pink and Neon Green used here, make it especially appealing to kids. The yarn is easy to handle, not splitty, and forgiving for small hands learning to manage tension for the first time.

Project Summary

Designed by Lorna Miser for Caron, the Kid's Craft - Hanger is a