Random Acts of Crochet Kindness

Introduction 6
Crochet for well-being 10
Tools and materials 12
How to crochet 14
Making tags 22
Where to leave your makes 24

Projects 28

Gift tag templates 124
Afterword 128

About Olivia Dieterich

Olivia Dieterich grew up around crafts thanks to her Nan, but she found a true passion for crocheting when she was at school and struggling with her mental health; she learned to crochet from watching Bella Coco on YouTube.

Olivia loves using crochet to put kindness out into the world and finds that doing so hugely benefits her own mental health, as well as bringing joy to other people. In 2019 she started the UK-based Facebook group Random Acts of Crochet Kindness, which now has over 350,000 members, with affiliated groups created all over the world, sharing kindness on a global scale. This is her first book.

This book includes little crochet ideas where you can tie them to fences so that people can find them, or give them to your friends. Spread some kindness by saying hello, have a good day, hope you're feeling well etc. This book isn't just by Olivia, but it features other people's random acts of kindness projects too. It includes USA and UK terms - there is an American website for Search Press too. There's little shamrocks to do for giving people some good luck. You can make little tags as well, which you can just draw around, or you don't even need to have it as big as the one in the book. The tags in the book has some sayings on it, and you can write them on your own tags. Now that Autumn is coming in, you could do this for little hats etc as well.

Quite a few project ideas for random acts of kindness, which most people should be able to crochet from beginner level. It includes a little mini monster crochet project. Imagine if you found this which had a label saying "I'm not lost. Take me home". That would put a little smile on a child's face, even an adult actually. You've got all these little melons, ice cream cones, poems to write on the card. There are a lot of really easy ideas. A Bella Coco pocket heart is featured, with a little poem. You could make some projects for your children who could give them to their classmates at school. 

There are really easy instructions. If you would say that you can't read a pattern, the beginning of the book includes abbreviations for UK and US terms. The best thing to do is get yourself a post-it note and write the abbreviations down so that you can place it throughout the book when you are working on the different projects. There is space available on the project pages where you can write down what the abbreviations mean, so that you don't have to keep going back to the start of the book. 

A great book and a good gift idea as well!

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Cool Wool School

Random Acts of Crochet Kindness by Olivia Dieterich is a joyful, heartwarming celebration of the power of yarn to connect people, lift spirits, and spread happiness one stitch at a time.

A Book Full of Heart and Hooks!

Random Acts of Crochet Kindness by Olivia Dieterich is a joyful, heartwarming celebration of the power of yarn to connect people, lift spirits, and spread happiness one stitch at a time. Far from being just a pattern book, its a call to action for crocheters of all levels to share their creativity with the world in meaningful ways.

The Concept

What sets this book apart immediately is its unique focus. Rather than concentrating on blankets, garments, or homewares, this collection is all about small, accessible projects designed to be left anonymously in public places, gifted to strangers, or shared with friends, family, and community memberspurely to brighten someones day. These are projects with purpose, and Olivias warm and compassionate writing draws you in from the very first page.

Each design includes not only instructions but also a little note or tag you can attach to your finished piece, explaining the idea of the kindness movement. This framing gives the projects extra meaning and encourages readers to use their skills to make the world a little softer, a little brighter.

Projects

The book includes 25 charming crochet designs, ranging from cheerful flowers, hearts, cherries, clouds, rainbows, ice-cream and even cats! Most can be completed in under an hour, making them ideal for scrap yarn and perfect for beginners. That said, theres enough variety here to keep more experienced crocheters engaged and inspired too.

Each project is thoughtfully explained with clear written instructions and often a story about how that particular item has been used to spread joy within the Random Acts of Crochet Kindness community.

Community and Spirit

The heart of this book is really the spirit of community and kindness that it cultivates. Olivia shares uplifting stories from crocheters around the world who have taken part in the movement, giving the book a deeply personal and emotional layer. Reading these short anecdotes is almost as delightful as making the projects themselves.

Theres also a guide to starting your own local kindness initiative, tips on leaving crochet gifts safely and responsibly in public, and even ideas for school or group involvement, making this a perfect book for crafters who want to build connections with others.

My Favourite...

My personal favourite was Sarah-Janes Love Cats, very sweet and endearing cat faces, with love heart noses. Awwww.

They are not only fun to make but are also sure to bring a smile to anyone who finds them tucked into a park bench or bus shelter.

My Observations

This is more than a pattern bookits a source of encouragement, positivity, and purpose. It reminds us that crochet is not just a solitary craft, but something that can truly touch lives. Whether youre leaving a flower on a strangers windscreen or gifting a rainbow to a friend going through a hard time, this book gives you the tools to make a small but meaningful impact.

Here are a few things I particularly liked:

• The projects are fast and fun, making them perfect for crochet on-the-go or quick gifts.
• The emotional stories peppered throughout add a lovely human touch.
• Theres a growing online community connected to the book and its ideas, making it easy to share your work and find inspiration from others.

Summary

Random Acts of Crochet Kindness is a wonderful resource for anyone looking to combine their love of crochet with a spirit of generosity. Olivia Dieterich has created a book that not only delivers charming, easy-to-make projects, but also encourages us all to make a differenceone stitch at a time.

Whether you're a seasoned crocheter looking for a new kind of project, or a beginner searching for small, approachable patterns with heart, this book will leave you inspired, uplifted, and ready to spread some yarny kindness in your own community.

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@sweetpeafamilycrochet

Ive loved reviewing this lovely new book by Olivia Dietrich. It is a beautiful collection of mini projects, that are such fun to make and are so lovely to giveaway in little acts of crochet kindness.

The book is beautifully written and presented with very user friendly instructions. A number of guest designers have contributed to the book, its so exciting to find so many talented designers in one place.

So far Ive made the cherries and a small pastel rainbow, lots more are on my list. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

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Craft Focus

Random Acts of Crochet Kindness (RAOCK) has a simple purpose: create something special and then leave it out in the world for someone else to pick up and enjoy. These tiny acts of everyday magic have captivated fans worldwide. The #RandomActsOfCrochetKindness hashtag has been used by countless people sharing their testimonies of being touched by the thoughtfulness of strangers.

After a personal tragedy, author and founder Olivia Dieterich started the movement to channel her sadness into creativity. She found that in addition to the boost to her own mental health, each small act of kindness had a profound effect on someone elses day as well. Her UK-based Facebook group now has over 350,000 members, and affiliated groups have since been created all over the world.

We say: Create 25 sweet and simple crocheted items to label with love and place in your local community, ready to brighten someone elses day.

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Publishers Weekly

Dieterich began pairing crocheted flowers with encouraging messages, and leaving them in public for people to find, after she lost a friend to suicide in 2018. It gave me a sense of purpose, she writes in her book, which is named after the Facebook group (now 358,000 members strong) she founded soon after she started the practice. It made me happy knowing I was potentially making someone elses day a little bit better. Instructions for 25 tiny crochet projectsrainbows, hearts, butterflies, and moreare meant to spark joy.

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Inside Crochet

This book is inspired by the idea of creating small projects that will bring other people joy, while also celebrating the mental health benefits of crafting. You'll find bright yellow mini smilies, friendly flowers, colourful rainbows, fun fruit, ice creams and more, while designers include Sarah-Jane Hicks and Bella Coco. A heart-warming idea we'll certainly be taking up. 

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Machine Knitting Monthly, October 2025

Creating something special and leaving it out in the world for someone else to pick up and enjoy has captivated fans worldwide. This book has everything you need to get involved in these tiny acts of everyday magic, including 25 patterns.