Crochet Crab Applique – Ocean Themed Blanket – Free Crochet Pattern

Isn’t this crabby crab the cutest?!

This is officially the start off to my Ocean Themed Granny Square Afghan Series! I have lots of ideas and I can’t wait to get them out of my head and into crochet form!

I’m already quickly working up the granny squares for this afghan.  Last week was a hot one for us here in Central PA (high 80s), so it was nice to have some small squares to work on outside while my son played with his water toys! I already have about half of the squares done, but a lot more designing to do! To be honest, I haven’t quite figured out how many of these ocean critters I will design. I’m going with the flow on this one and I can’t wait to see where it takes me!

To find the granny square pattern along with the afghan layout, yarn colors and amounts needed, and a running list of creatures designed for this project – CLICK HERE!

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Materials:
Red, White, and Black worsted weight yarn
G hook
(2) 6mm safety eyes (optional – can substitute with french knot with black yarn)
Tapestry needle and scissors for finishing off

Amazon Picks (affiliate links)

*Those safety eyes are the cheapest around. You can purchase them at a craft store, but I’ve seen them for about $3 for only 10 pieces. For about $6, you can get 100! Perfect for amigurumi and for my Woodland Afghan Series.
*Clover Amour hooks are amazing! As you can see 1 hook is about $8 (that’s about the same in stores, if not more), for $30 – you can get a whole set of 10!
NOTE: Prices may have changed since I posted this.

Pattern notes:
Number in (parenthesis) for the body is the number of stitches you should have in that round
Sc increase = 2 SC in same space
Foundation single crochet will be used in this pattern
If you are having trouble starting the foundation single crochets on the body of the crab, I did the same technique with my moose applique for his antlers – I included pictures that you can check out here.

Pattern:

Body – Red – G hook
Starting off with a chain but will ultimately be worked in rounds

Round 1: Chain 8, SC into second chain from hook and into next 5 stitches, 3 SC into last stitch, continue to work on other side of the chain, SC into next 5 stitches, 3SC into last stitch, join to first SC (17)

Round 2: Chain 1, SC into next 7 stitches, 3 SC in next stitch, SC into next 8 stitches, 3 SC into last stitch, join to first SC (21)

Round 3: Chain 1, SC into next 9 stitches, 3 SC in next stitch, SC into next 10 stitches, 3 SC into last stitch, join to first SC (25)

Round 4: Chain 1, SC in next 9 stitches, SC increase in next 3 stitches, SC in next 10 stitches, SC increase in last 3 stitches (31)
DO NOT FASTEN OFF

Eyes – G hook

You should still be on the main body with yarn intact.

Slip stitch in next stitch. Insert your hook into the next space, yarn over, pull through the stitch, yarn over, pull through one loop, yarn over, pull through two loops. This completes one foundation single crochet. Foundation single crochet 4 more times and fasten off.

For the second eye stalk, attach yarn 3 spaces to the left of the first one.

Chain 1, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull through the stitch, yarn over, pull through one loop, yarn over, pull through two loops. This completes one foundation single crochet. Foundation single crochet 4 more times and fasten off.

For the white eye balls (Make 2): – G hook – White

Magic Ring, chain 1, 8 HDC into ring, join to first HDC, fasten off. Place safety eye in the middle. – do not attach the backing yet. Attach the eye with the safety eye into the last foundation SC of the eye stalk. Attach backing of safety eye.

Claws – G hook – Red

Right Claw

Count 6 to the right of the right eye. Attach yarn, Chain 1, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull through the stitch, yarn over, pull through one loop, yarn over, pull through two loops. This completes one foundation single crochet.
Foundation single crochet 5 more times.
Chain 2, HDC and slip stitch into last foundation SC, slip stitch into next stitch, Chain 2, HDC into same space. Fasten off

Left Claw

Count 4 to the left of the left eye. Attach yarn, Chain 1, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull through the stitch, yarn over, pull through one loop, yarn over, pull through two loops. This completes one foundation single crochet.
Foundation single crochet 5 more times. Turn your work
Chain 2, turn your work, HDC and slip stitch into last foundation SC, slip stitch into next stitch, Chain 2, HDC into same space. Fasten off

Legs – G hook – Red

Left side

Attach yarn 3 spaces to the left of the left claw. Chain 6, fasten off.

Attach yarn 2 spaces left of last leg. Chain 6, fasten off.

Right side

Attach yarn 3 spaces to the right of the right claw. Chain 6, fasten off.

Attach yarn 2 spaces to the right of last leg. Chain 6, fasten off.

Mouth – Black

Sew mouth with tapestry needle and black yarn in a zig zag pattern.