Crochet Crab Appliqué {free crochet pattern}

This little crab is my new favorite creation! It makes me think of Maine, or Cape Cod and looks perfect on a kids' sun hat (see my free pattern for the matching hat). It wasn't easy to figure out and took me many tries, but I've finally got it!

Crochet Crab Appliqué

By Sara of My Merry Messy Life, see my Terms and Conditions for more information on the copyright.

Materials

• Hook: G
• Yarn: Worsted, Medium
• Tapestry Needle to sew in tails
• Scissors

Abbreviations

• CH = chain
• SL ST = slip stitch
• SC =single crochet
• HDC = half double crochet
• DC = double crochet
• SP = space

Crab Body

• CH 3
• SL ST to form a ring, CH 1 (counts as first SC)
• 11 SC in ring (12 total)
• Join to beginning SC with a SL ST, CH 1
• 1 SC in same sp
• 2 SC in each space around (24 total)
• Join to first SC with a SL ST

Eyes

• CH 3
• SL ST in same sp (a picot stich)
• SL ST in next sp
• work another picot stitch (CH 3, SL ST in same sp)

Pincher

• SL ST in next space
• *CH 6
• SC in 2nd CH from hook
• SC in next CH
• CH 4
• SC in 2nd CH from hook
• 1 HDC in each of the next 2 spaces
• 1 DC in each of the next 2 spaces
• HDC in next space
• 1 SC in each of the next 2 spaces*
• SL ST pincher to the body in the next space from where you started the pincher
• SL ST in next space

Leg 1

• **CH 4
• 2 SC in second CH from hook
• 2 SC in next CH
• 1 SC in last CH**
• (on crab body) SL ST in each of the next 2 spaces

Leg 2

• Repeat from ** above, working another Leg 1
• (on crab body) SL ST in each of the next 3 spaces

Leg 3

This leg is worked from the back, so it curves down instead of up! It's a little more tricky, but you'll get the hang of it quickly.

• ***CH 4
• Turn to back
• 2 SC in second CH from hook
• 2 SC in next CH
• 1 SC in last CH
• Attach the leg to the crab body with a SL ST in the next CH up from where the leg was started.
• Turn to front
• SL ST in next space***
• SL ST in each of the next 5 spaces

Leg 4

Repeat from ** above, working another Leg 1
(on crab body) SL ST in each of the next 3 spaces

Leg 5

Repeat from *** above, working another Leg 3
(on crab body) SL ST in each of the next 2 spaces (3 SL ST total)

Leg 6

Repeat from *** above, working another Leg 3
(on crab body) SL ST in each of the next 2 spaces (3 SL ST total)

Pincher #2

• CH 6
• Turn to back
• repeat from * above, working another pincher, but this time, from the back so it mirrors the other one.
• SL ST pincher to the body in the 2nd space from where you started the pincher (this is different than the first pincher)
• Turn to front
• SL ST in next space, in between the pincher and the first eye

Fasten off and weave in ends. Enjoy your cute little crab and hope he doesn't crawl away!
Merry Crocheting!

Put your new little friend on a sun hat, and you've got a perfect hat for vacation!