Don't ruin yourself for Halloween: These 17 lovely crochet projects are here to save you

Halloween is one of America's favorite holidays. People are busy dreaming up costumes and spending money trying to deck out their homes in Halloween "horror." USA Today reports that Halloween ranks eighth in spending, and this year it predicts that consumers will spend $82.93 per shopper.

Rather than spending so much money on store-bought decorations and costumes, pick up your crochet hook, yarn and some patterns and create wonderful, tailor-made items for your haunted holiday. With a little bit of skill with your hook, you can create all kinds of costumes and decorations.

The crocheted Ninja Turtle mask completes the hardest part of the costume. Wearing a green shirt and shorts turns you into one of the turtles.

Everyone who goes trick-or-treating needs a bag for goodies. This pumpkin basket gives the carrier a festive place to stash his or her treats.

Many people have harvest parties and Halloween parties. Ghost coasters add a tasteful, ghoulish touch to your get-together.

So many people love to decorate with spiders and spiderwebs. Using the pattern by Snowcatcher, you can make a very realistic looking web with a spider that will complete your decorations better than any store-bought products.

5. Marge Simpson costume, pattern by stephany719 via Crafster
Creating costumes is another thing you can do with crocheting. Stephany719's Marge Simpson costume was done without a pattern; the dress is simply made out of a series of single crochets and double crochets.

If you need a topper for your table, make a spiderweb. This topper is created primarily with the chain stitch, something that is very easy to complete. The border will be the most difficult part.

For those who want to stay on the lighthearted side, make this candy corn banner. The little ghost adds your "haunted" touch.

For those who want to step up the "creepy" factor, eye pillows may be in order. Darleen Hopkins points out that she crochets with a double strand of yarn the entire way through. If you're worried about the difficulty, the pattern is rated as easy.

Pumpkins go with more than just Halloween. They are great throughout all of October and November, so you can use these little pumpkins as decorations all the way through Thanksgiving.

Having options for candy bags is a good thing. Making a candy corn for a candy bag is apropos.

Using only the chain, single crochet, double crochet, half double crochet, triple crochet and slip stitch, these monsters are designed to sit on shelves but can also be propped up on hay bales or front steps.

If you have a little girl, creating an Anna costume will make you a superstar in her eyes. This pattern is described as advanced beginner, probably because of the single crochet two together stitch that is required.

Boo Ghosts are quite adorable and simple to make. According to the pattern, the only stitches required are the chain, slip stitch and single crochet.

What's more traditional for Halloween than the "Wizard of Oz"? Make your own set of witch's legs wearing the ruby slippers.

A great way to keep from burning your hands on a hot cup of coffee is to put a sleeve around the cup. Why not make a Nightmare Before Christmas sleeve?

Halloween would not be complete without at least one witch in the mix. Make your own witch or wizard hat with this free pattern.

Although this scarf may look a little daunting, the scarf itself is done with what appears to be single crochets. The decorations or appliques on the scarf are made separately and then sewed onto it.

If Halloween is your favorite holiday, these patterns provide a wealth of ideas to draw from. Grab your yarn and hooks, pull up a chair and start spinning a web.