Knitting and crocheting accessories is a great way to make a costume a little more personal, whether it's for Halloween, a child's collection of dress-up clothes, or any other costume event throughout the year. Sometimes it's difficult to find the perfect accessories in a store. Perhaps you just need another excuse to knit or crochet something. By making the accessories, it's easy to personalize items to match an outfit with the seemingly endless colors and textures of yarn available.

Costume accessories are fun projects. For knitters and crocheters who tend to stick to one category, like blankets or dishcloths, this can be a nice break from the ordinary. It's always nice when the finished product is functional and useful as well as fun to create. Kids are sure to love wearable items that allow them to dress up as their favorite characters or current interests.

There are some excellent resources online for beginners who want to learn how to knit or crochet. Many people find it easier to understand the directions and techniques of yarn crafts by watching videos rather than looking at images in a book. The instructional videos at sites like KnittingHelp and KnitWitch can be invaluable when there's no one around to demonstrate. For crochet instruction, check out NexStitch. These sites are also very useful for more experienced crafters who need to brush up on their skills or can't remember how to do a certain stitch.

The Internet is also a wonderful place to find free patterns to knit and crochet. The Hallowig is a cute knitted wig that could be personalized in a variety of ways, and it could be used for many different types of costumes year-round. Anyone is sure to get some laughs � or at least funny looks � with this crocheted Groucho Marx mask. For something a little more classy, crochet the Hairpin Lace Mask or knit a chunky flapper-style cloche hat.

There are many patterns for costume accessories written for children's sizes as well. As Harry Potter continues to be popular, why not knit a Hogwarts team scarf for a young fan? Directions are given to adjust sizes for kids and adults. If you don't know how to knit, you can crochet a Harry Potter scarf instead. This witch's hat is knitted and felted, and it's easy to make. The Darling Devil set is made for children aged four to eight. It's a fast knit and includes a tail and a headband with horns.