Ear Warmers, Keychains & Baskets

(In no particular order—just handmade love.)

Running Handmade by Erika Liesel means I’m constantly creating, experimenting, and falling in love with new designs. However, there are three crochet items that have my heart: ear warmers, keychains, and baskets. Each one brings something special to the table—function, fun, creativity, and a whole lot of handmade charm.

1. Ear Warmers: Functional, Practical, and Handmade with Love

There’s something so comforting about a good ear warmer. They’re functional, practical, and genuinely useful… but when they’re handmade, the entire experience feels more meaningful.

My favorite part about making ear warmers is the variety. Different yarn weights, textures, and colors let me play around, practice new stitches, and merge them into patterns that feel both classic and fresh. At first, I wasn’t sure if I should keep making more—so I polled my friends. And the result?

A resounding YES.
Twelve ear warmers later… here we are. 

✔️ Shop Ear Warmers: Handmade to Wear Collection

✔️ Learn More: Craft Yarn Council – Yarn Weights & What They’re Used For

2. Keychains: The Unexpected Favorite

Keychains making my top 3? Honestly… shocking. Because I swore that I would never get into amigurumi. And now here I am crocheting tiny charms with hooks from 8mm all the way down to 3mm.

Do they take a toll on my hands? Absolutely.
Do I count rounds in my sleep? Without a doubt.
Do I love the challenge? One hundred percent.

My amigurumi journey started when a friend asked me to make a turtle for her daughter. I was intimidated and only promised to try. But when I finished it, I felt such a rush of accomplishment that I couldn’t help but keep going. Fast-forward—and now I am crocheting super mini amigurumi. Like, who am I?

✔️ Shop Keychains: The Keychain Bar

✔️ What Is Amigurumi?: Beginner’s Guide to Amigurumi

3. Baskets: Durable and Practical

Baskets easily make the list because they check every box for me: functionality, durability, and daily usefulness. I use my baskets every day. Working with two strands of yarn in every stitch gives them a sturdiness that still surprises me when I see them in action.

They make amazing gifts (for yourself or someone else), especially if—like me—you love pieces that actually do something. Plus, they sparked a huge wave of creativity when I first started making them, and I feel that same spark every time I use or see them.

✔️ Shop Baskets: Crochet Baskets

✔️ Yarn Inspiration: Choosing Yarn for Sturdy Crochet Projects

Final Thoughts

I really do love everything I make, these three just hold a special place in my maker heart. Each one represents something different: creativity, challenge, practicality, growth, and a reminder of why I started Handmade by Erika Liesel in the first place.

Creating these pieces reminds me why I picked the hook back up—there’s magic in making something with your hands that ends up becoming part of someone’s everyday life. Thanks for being here and for supporting this little handmade corner of the internet.

Explore more handmade pieces