After sharing my Karura Walk post, a lot of people made comments about the hoodie I had on and were even more excited to find out that the eye at the back was actually crocheted. As requested I’m sharing the crochet eye applique pattern for free below.
More eye-themed patterns
Inspiration Behind The Crochet Eye Pattern.
The inspiration for this eye crochet pattern came from the book 1984 by George Orwell. If you haven’t read it I highly recommend that you do. I’m not going to give anything away but the phrase “Big brother is watching” has always conjured up this image and I’m excited it came out exactly as i had pictured it (which doesn’t always happen when designing patterns).
Crochet Eye Applique Pattern.
This is a simple, beginner friendly crochet applique pattern. I’ve provided pictures and detailed instructions to guide you through it. This crochet eye applique calls for worsted weight acrylic yarn and a 4.5 mm crochet hook. You can get a smaller applique by going down hook sizes and using thinner yarn. Scroll down to get the pattern for the smaller crochet eye.
Materials:
- Worsted weight yarn in the colours blue, black and white
- 4.5 mm crochet hook
- Stitch markers
- Darning needle
- Scissors
Stitches and terms used:
- dc (double crochet)
- hdc (half-double crochet)
- inc (increase)
- hdc2tog (half-double crochet 2 stitches together)
- hdc3tog (half-double crochet 3 stitches together)
- sl st (slip stitch)
- ch (chain)
Notes:
- The pattern is worked in both joined rounds and back and forth rows in some parts.
- Ch 1 and ch 2 at the beginning of rows do not count as stitches.
- Join the end of the round is made using slip stitch to the first stitch.
Gauge: 8 stitches and 4 rows in dc = 2″
Finished measurements: approximately 8.5 inches by 5.25 inches at widest points
Starting with a magic circle, follow the pattern below. If you’re not familiar with or have trouble making the magic circle, find the tutorial HERE.
a.) Pupil & Iris.
| Round | Instruction | Stitch Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Black | Ch 2, 11 dc across. Join. | 11 |
| 2 | Ch 2, (inc) 11 times. Join. Fasten off. | 22 |
| 3 Blue | Ch 2, (inc, dc) 11 times. Join. | 33 |
| 4 | Ch 2, (2 dc, inc) 11 times. Join. Fasten off. | 44 |
b.) Sclera (White Part Of The Eye).
At this point, we’re going to work the white part of the eye. To do that, take the stitch markers and mark sections as shown below. Put a stitch marker in one stitch and count 13 stitches from that marker and place another stitch marker in the next stitch.
Starting from the stitch with marker to the left facing you, work the stitches below up to the marker to the right.
Rnd 5: Ch 1, hdc in same stitch and in the next 7 sts, inc, hdc in next 13 sts, inc, hdc in next 8 sts. Leave the rest of the stitches unworked. (33 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next 5 sts, hdc2tog. (7 sts)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next 3 sts, hdc2tog. (5 sts)
Rnd 8: Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc, hdc2tog. (3 sts)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, turn, hdc3tog. Fasten off. (1 st)
Now, we’ll work on the other corner. Place a stitch marker on the first stitch of rnd 5 and another on the 9th st. You’ll be working the next rnds in these 9 sts.
Rnd 10-13: With the wrong side facing you, repeat rnd 6-9 but do not fasten off at the end of rnd 13.
Rnd 14: Ch 1, work 8 hdc evenly spaced along the edge of rnd 10-13 stitches, 2 hdc at the base of rnd 10, hdc in the next 15 sts, 2 hdc in the next st (which is at the base of rnd 6, then work 8 hdc evenly spaced along the edge of rnd 6-9. (35 sts)
Rnd 15: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across. (35 sts)
c.) Outline.
Rnd 16: With right side facing, Join black yarn in the first st of rnd 15. Ch 1, (hdc, dc, hdc) in same st, 13 hdc evenly across the edge, 2 dc in the base of rnd 5, hdc in next 13 sts, 2 dc at the base of rnd 5, 13 hdc evenly across the edge, (hdc, dc, hdc) in last st of rnd 15, hdc in each of the remaining sts. Fasten off. (82 sts)
Using your darning needle and some white yarn, add some detail to the eye.
And that’s it! Your crochet eye applique is ready for use. It’s a good size to add to tops and hoodies and with Halloween just around the corner, it’s also perfect for costumes and even your candy collection bag!
Crochet smaller eye applique.
I decided to crochet an even smaller eye applique to add as an embellishment to one of my niece’s onesies and I couldn’t be happier. The final measurements for the smaller version are 5.5 inches across with a height of 3.5 at widest points. This pattern works up similar to the version above with minor chances and even additions to include eye lashes! Let’s get started.
Materials:
- Fingering weight yarn in the colours black, white and brown
- 2 mm crochet hook
- stitch markers
- darning needle
- scissors
Pattern
Repeat as for the pattern above up to round 4.
Sclera (white part of the eye)
Put a stitch marker in one stitch and count 13 stitches from that marker and place another stitch marker in the next stitch.
Starting from the stitch with marker to the left facing you, work the stitches below up to the marker to the right.
Rnd 5: Ch 1, (2 hdc in same stitch, hdc in the next 5 sts) Rpt 5 times. Leave the rest of the stitches unworked. (35 sts)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next 6 sts, hdc2tog. (8 sts)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next 4 sts, hdc2tog. (6 sts)
Rnd 8: Ch 1, turn, (hdc2tog) 3 times. (3 sts)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, turn, hdc3tog. Fasten off. (1 st)
Now, we’ll work on the other corner. Place a stitch marker on the first stitch of rnd 5 and another on the 10th st. You’ll be working the next rnds in these 10 sts.
Rnd 10-13: With the wrong side facing you, repeat rnd 6-9 but do not fasten off at the end of rnd 13.
Rnd 14: Ch 1, work 8 hdc evenly spaced along the edge of rnd 10-13 stitches, 2 hdc at the base of rnd 10, hdc in the next 15 sts, 2 hdc in the next st (which is at the base of rnd 6, then work 8 hdc evenly spaced along the edge of rnd 6-9. (35 sts)
Rnd 15: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across. (35 sts)
Outline
Rnd 16: With right side facing, Join black yarn in the first st of rnd 15. Ch 1, (sc,hdc,sc) in same st, 13 hdc evenly across the edge, 2 sc in the base of rnd 5, hdc in next 14 sts, 2 sc at the base of rnd 5, 13 hdc evenly across the edge, (sc, hdc, sc) in last st of rnd 15, sc in each of the remaining sts.
Adding eye lashes
Rnd 17: Sl st 2 times. Ch 1, sc in the next 2 sts. {Ch 5, sc in the second ch from your hook and in the next 3 ch. (First eyelash made). Sc in the next 5 sts} Rpt 9 times). Sc in the next 5 sts. Fasten off.
Tip: To add the length of your eye lashes, increase the number of chains. I alternated between ch 5 and 6
And there you have it!
Please leave a comment below or send me an email with your remarks or questions about this pattern.
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I’d also love to see your versions of this crochet eye applique and how you’ve used them. Tag me on Instagram @morines_shop or use #morinesshop
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Is there a video tutorial to this? I can’t really read patterns, but i can learn them if i see them done visually.
Not yet Shelby but I’ll let you now when I make one.
Darn. The pictures won’t load and I’ve tried three browsers… 🙁
Hi Jean! Apologies about that. Everything is back to normal now. Thank you and have a wonderful day!
I bookmarked and came back because your site is amazing, but I still can’t see the pictures. Is there something I’m doing wrong? Thanks in advance for any information.
Hi Jean. Thank you so much. The blog did have a glitch a couple of days ago but everything is back to normal now. Can you try opening the page from a different browser and see if that helps? If you’re still having issues please let me know. Have an awesome time 😉
Hi, was just wondering if this is in US terms or UK terms please? I love this pattern – super easy to follow, thank you!
Thank you Eliza. This and- all my patterns- are written in US terms. I have a free eBook you can download with the conversions- https://www.morinesshop.com/crochet-size-charts/
Hi,
Would love to try and make this pattern but pics won’t load. I have tried for several days and on many devices/browsers. Any advice to load pictures would be appreciated! Thanks so much
Hi Val. I’m sorry to hear that! The post is fine from my end. Also asked a couple of friends from all over to check it out and theirs seem to be loading as well. It could either be a problem with the internet connection or caching. Try clearing your browser cache and try again. Let me know if you still experience the same issue.
I love this eye and would like to make it into a square for a blanket. Is that easy to do?
Hola! Que hermoso trabajo y patron 🙂 ¿Existe la posibilidad de descargar el patron? o solo esta disponible por la web?
Hola. El patrón solo está disponible en línea.
Are there any video tutorials currently?
Hi Jada. Not yet but I’m working on it.
Your pattern is awesome! I love the pictures and details of the stitches…thank you so much for sharing your wonderful pattern…can’t wait to get busy making it!
Thank you Sandy! I’d love to see it when you’re done.