Easy Crochet Football Applique That Scores Big

crochet football applique patterns free are one of my favorite ways to add a quick handmade detail to hats, blankets, scarves, bags, and so many other projects. I’m so excited to share this simple football applique with you because it uses basic crochet stitches, works up quickly, and gives you that unmistakable football shape without needing complicated techniques, according to The Spruce Crafts. This written tutorial is designed to pair naturally with the video tutorial you mentioned, which also teaches how to crochet a football applique for decorating other projects. Grab your supplies and let’s get started!

A Playful Football Applique to Make in an Afternoon

This little teal football applique is quick, beginner-friendly, and perfect whenever a project needs a sporty handmade touch.

Materials Needed

Worsted-weight yarn, approximately 4 yards, in teal

Worsted-weight yarn, approximately 1 yard, in teal for the embroidered laces

5.5 mm (I/9) crochet hook

Yarn or tapestry needle with a blunt tip

Small sharp scissors

Locking stitch marker, optional

Measuring tape, optional

Finished size: approximately 4.25 inches long × 2.25 inches wide

This crochet football applique patterns free tutorial is worked flat in US crochet terminology.

Gauge (Approximate): approximately 12 single crochet stitches × 13 rows = 4 × 4 inches; gauge is not critical for an applique, but keeping your stitches even helps the football hold its shape.

Quantity: 1 finished football applique, approximately 4.25 × 2.25 inches.

Color: teal

Abbreviations / Terms Used

ch — chain

sc — single crochet

sc2tog — single crochet 2 stitches together; a single-crochet decrease

sl st — slip stitch

st/sts — stitch/stitches

yo — yarn over

RS — right side

WS — wrong side

What You Should Keep in Mind

Keep your tension firm but flexible. Loose stitches can make the football look floppy, while extremely tight stitches make shaping difficult.

Count your stitches at the end of every row, especially during the increase and decrease sections. The symmetrical shape depends on those numbers.

Keep the teal yarn smooth and untangled as you work. Consistent tension gives the finished applique a much cleaner outline.

When embroidering the laces, make small, controlled stitches instead of pulling the yarn tightly; this keeps the football flat.

Free Pattern: crochet football applique patterns free

1. Make the Foundation Chain — crochet

Action: Chain 10 with the teal yarn.

Detailed instructions: Make a slip knot and place it on your 5.5 mm hook. Yarn over and pull through the active loop to create the first chain. Continue chaining until you have exactly 10 chain stitches. Do not turn yet.

Expected result: You should have a straight foundation chain containing 10 clearly defined chain stitches.

Check yourself: Count the V-shaped chain stitches from the hook backward; there should be exactly 10.

2. Work the First Single Crochet

Action: Make 1 single crochet into the second chain from the hook.

Detailed instructions: Insert the hook into the second chain from the hook, yarn over, and pull up one loop. You now have two loops on the hook. Yarn over once more and pull through both loops to complete 1 sc.

Expected result: One single crochet sits at the beginning of the foundation chain, leaving the first chain from the hook unused.

Check yourself: You should have 1 completed sc and one active loop on your hook.

3. Complete the First Row — crochet

Action: Work 8 single crochets across the foundation chain.

Detailed instructions: Continue placing 1 sc into each remaining chain across the foundation, working into the chain spaces from the same side. When you reach the end, you will have 8 sc total in Row 1.

Expected result: The foundation chain is covered by a straight row of 8 single crochets.

Check yourself: Count the completed stitches from end to end; the row must contain 8 sc.

4. Turn for Row 2

Action: Chain 1 and turn the work.

Detailed instructions: Yarn over and pull through the active loop to make 1 ch, then rotate the work so the opposite side of Row 1 faces you.

Expected result: The 8-stitch row is now positioned for Row 2, with one turning chain at the edge.

Check yourself: The first row should now be horizontal, with the top loops of all 8 sc facing you.

5. Increase the First End

Action: Work 2 sc into the first stitch of Row 1.

Detailed instructions: Insert the hook beneath both top loops of the first sc, yarn over and pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through both loops to make the first sc. Insert the hook into that same first stitch again and make a second sc. This creates the first increase.

Expected result: The first stitch of the row now contains 2 sc, beginning the rounded end of the football.

Check yourself: You should have 2 stitches occupying the first stitch of the previous row.

6. Work Across Row 2

Action: Make 1 sc in each of the next 6 stitches.

Detailed instructions: Insert the hook under both top loops of the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops. Repeat this same single-crochet action in each of the next 6 stitches.

Expected result: Six straight single crochets extend across the middle of Row 2 after the first-end increase.

Check yourself: You should now have 8 stitches in Row 2.

7. Increase the Second End

Action: Work 2 sc into the last stitch of Row 2.

Detailed instructions: Insert the hook into the final stitch of the row and make 1 sc. Without moving to another stitch, insert the hook into that same final stitch again and make a second sc.

Expected result: Row 2 now contains 10 stitches, with an increase at each end.

Check yourself: Count the row from left to right; you should have 10 sc.

8. Work the Straight Center

Action: Single crochet across the entire 10-stitch row.

Detailed instructions: Insert the hook under both top loops of each stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through both loops. Continue across all 10 stitches without increasing or decreasing.

Expected result: The football becomes slightly longer while maintaining its 10-stitch width.

Check yourself: Row 3 must contain exactly 10 sc.

9. Build the Widest Section

Action: Increase both ends of the next row to create 12 stitches.

Detailed instructions: Chain 1 and turn. Work 2 sc in the first stitch, then work 1 sc in each of the next 8 stitches, then work 2 sc in the final stitch.

Expected result: The applique reaches its widest point so far, with 12 stitches across the row.

Check yourself: The two increases should sit at opposite ends, giving the piece a gently rounded outline.

10. Work the Middle Straight

Action: Single crochet across the 12-stitch row.

Detailed instructions: Chain 1 and turn. Work 1 sc in each of all 12 stitches, inserting the hook under both top loops of each stitch and completing each sc normally.

Expected result: The widest section gains another straight row without changing width.

Check yourself: Count the newest row and confirm 12 sc.

11. Begin the Taper

Action: Decrease the row to 10 stitches.

Detailed instructions: Chain 1 and turn. Insert the hook into the first stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop; insert the hook into the second stitch, yarn over and pull up another loop; yarn over and pull through all 3 loops to complete sc2tog. Work 1 sc in each of the next 8 stitches, then make another sc2tog over the final 2 stitches.

Expected result: The top and bottom ends begin tapering toward the football’s pointed tips, leaving 10 stitches.

Check yourself: You should have one decrease at each end and 10 total stitches across the row.

12. Continue the Taper

Action: Work the next two decrease rows, reducing the stitch count from 10 to 6.

Detailed instructions: For each row, chain 1 and turn. Make sc2tog over the first 2 stitches, single crochet across the middle stitches, then make sc2tog over the final 2 stitches. Work the first row as 10 stitches to 8, then repeat the same construction to work 8 stitches to 6.

Expected result: The football narrows noticeably toward the far point while remaining symmetrical.

Check yourself: The first row in this step ends with 8 stitches, and the second ends with 6 stitches.

13. Shape the Narrow Tip

Action: Reduce the 6-stitch row to 4 stitches.

Detailed instructions: Chain 1 and turn. Make sc2tog across the first 2 stitches, work 1 sc in each of the middle 2 stitches, then make sc2tog across the final 2 stitches.

Expected result: Only 4 stitches remain, forming a compact point at the end of the football.

Check yourself: The newest row must contain exactly 4 stitches.

14. Finish the Point

Action: Work one final sc2tog to reduce the 4-stitch row to 2 stitches.

Detailed instructions: Chain 1 and turn. Make one sc2tog over the first 2 stitches, then make a second sc2tog over the remaining 2 stitches.

Expected result: The end of the applique closes into a small two-stitch point.

Check yourself: You should have exactly 2 stitches remaining.

15. Close the Crochet

Action: Fasten off the teal yarn and secure the crochet end.

Detailed instructions: Cut the working yarn, leaving approximately 6 inches of tail. Yarn over and pull the cut end completely through the active loop. Thread the tail onto the yarn needle and weave it through several stitches on the wrong side before trimming the excess.

Expected result: The football-shaped crochet body is secure, flat, and ready for its decorative stitching.

Check yourself: Gently tug the edge; no stitch should unravel.

16. Prepare the Lace Yarn

Action: Cut approximately 12 inches of teal yarn for the football laces.

Detailed instructions: Measure approximately 12 inches of teal worsted-weight yarn and cut it cleanly with scissors. Thread one end through the yarn needle, leaving a short tail at the needle.

Expected result: You have one manageable length of teal yarn ready for embroidery.

Check yourself: The cut length should be long enough to create the center lace and several short crossbars without forcing the yarn.

17. Stitch the Center Lace

Action: Embroider one straight center lace along the football.

Detailed instructions: Place the yarn needle from the wrong side to the right side near the center of the football. Pull the teal yarn through without tightening it excessively, then insert the needle back down a few stitches away to create one straight central lace. Leave the ends on the wrong side.

Expected result: One clean vertical lace runs through the center of the football.

Check yourself: The center lace should lie flat against the crochet instead of pulling the fabric inward.

18. Add the Cross Laces

Action: Embroider three short horizontal bars across the center lace.

Detailed instructions: Working from the wrong side, bring the teal yarn up beside the center lace, pass it horizontally across the center, and return it to the wrong side. Repeat at three evenly spaced positions along the center lace. Keep each bar short and snug but not tight.

Expected result: The applique has the recognizable football-lace detail with one long center lace and three short crossbars.

Check yourself: You should see exactly 1 center lace plus 3 crossbars, all lying flat.

Quick Reference

The numbers below are the checkpoints I use when making this crochet football applique patterns free project so I can glance down and make sure the shaping is behaving correctly.

Section Stitch Count Key Detail

Foundation chain 10 ch Starting chain

Row 1 8 sc Straight base

Row 2 10 sc Increase at both ends

Row 3 10 sc Work straight

Row 4 12 sc Increase at both ends

Row 5 12 sc Work straight

Row 6 10 sc Decrease at both ends

Row 7 8 sc Decrease at both ends

Row 8 6 sc Decrease at both ends

Row 9 4 sc Decrease at both ends

Row 10 2 sc Final point

Embroidery 1 + 3 Center lace + 3 crossbars

Finished size ~4.25 × 2.25 in With worsted-weight yarn

For anyone searching for a crochet football applique pattern free pdf, this table is especially handy for checking the shape before you weave in your ends. The written crochet football applique patterns free format also makes it easy to compare your stitch counts with the video as you work.

📺 Watch the Video Tutorial

Final Thoughts

And that’s it—you’ve made your own little teal football applique! I love how much personality this tiny project can add to a plain hat, blanket, scarf, bag, or sweater. If you’ve been looking for crochet football applique patterns free, I hope this one gives you an easy project you’ll want to make more than once. Before attaching it, lightly steam-block the finished applique from the wrong side and let it cool completely under a light cloth so the edges settle without flattening the stitches. I’d love to see what you make—share your finished football and tag the blog so I can cheer you on!

Tips for a Better Experience

Keep the decreases symmetrical. For this crochet football applique patterns free project, always place one decrease at each end of a shaping row. If only one side decreases, the football will lean instead of staying balanced.

Do not pull the laces too tightly. The teal embroidery should sit on top of the crochet surface. If you pull hard, the center of the applique can pucker.

Make a smaller football easily. Use lighter-weight yarn and a smaller hook while keeping the same shaping sequence. Your stitch counts stay the same, but the finished applique becomes noticeably smaller.

Use the applique as a patch. Sew around the outer edge with matching teal yarn, taking small stitches through the applique and the underlying fabric. This is especially useful for hats, blankets, scarves, and bags.

FAQ

What are crochet football applique patterns free used for?

These crochet football applique patterns free are designed for decorating finished crochet or purchased items such as hats, blankets, scarves, bags, and clothing. This particular applique is flat, so it works especially well when sewn onto another project.

How do I crochet a football applique?

To make this simple crochet football applique pattern free, work a small flat shape with single crochet increases and decreases, fasten off, and embroider the football laces afterward. The result is a lightweight decorative applique rather than a stuffed football.

Why is this crochet football applique pattern free beginner-friendly?

This crochet football applique patterns free tutorial uses basic US crochet stitches—primarily ch, sc, sc2tog, and sl st—so you can focus on counting and shaping instead of learning complicated techniques. It is a particularly nice starting point if you are searching for a simple crochet football applique pattern free or a crochet small football applique pattern free.

The embedded video, “How to Crochet a Football Applique | Crochet Along | Free Crochet Pattern,” is also specifically presented as an easy applique that can be added to hats, blankets, scarves, and similar projects.

🛍️ Shop the Look — crochet football applique patterns free

Our handpicked Amazon picks curated specifically for crochet football applique patterns free:

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.