Dinosaur Applique

Dinosaur Applique Crochet Pattern by Kerri's Crochet

What is Being Made

This is a crochet applique pattern for a Brachiosaurus dinosaur designed by Kerri's Crochet. The pattern creates a dimensional fabric applique featuring the distinctive long-necked sauropod dinosaur, suitable for attaching to garments, blankets, or other crochet projects. The design is available in two size options depending on yarn weight selection, with the larger version measuring approximately 14cm x 16cm (5.5" x 6.5") when worked in 8 ply wool, and the medium version measuring approximately 10cm x 10cm (4" x 4") when worked in 4 ply crochet cotton.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level crochet project employs several fundamental crochet techniques to construct the applique. The pattern begins with a magic loop method to create a tight center foundation, which is a popular technique for starting projects with minimal holes in the center. The design incorporates color changes using multiple yarn colors—green, light green, black, and white—to create visual definition and realistic dinosaur features. Sewing and embroidery techniques are used to attach components and add fine details, such as embroidering white dots on the crocheted eyes. The pattern also requires weaving in ends using a darning needle to finish the piece professionally.

Stitches Used

The Brachiosaurus applique pattern utilizes a range of essential crochet stitches:

• Chain stitch (ch) - used to create foundation chains and increase stitch height
• Single crochet (sc) - a fundamental short stitch for creating dense, tight fabric
• Half double crochet (hdc) - used in the head section to create the magic loop foundation with 12 stitches
• Double crochet (dc) - a medium-height stitch for building structure
• Treble crochet (tr) - a taller stitch for creating varied texture and dimension
• Slip stitch (sl st) - used to join rounds and create seamless transitions between sections

Materials and Tools

The pattern is designed to work with 4 ply crochet cotton as the primary yarn weight, which creates a medium-sized applique with excellent stitch definition and durability. The designer used a 1.25mm crochet hook with the 4 ply cotton to achieve the specified medium size of 10cm x 10cm. For crafters preferring a larger finished applique, the pattern can be scaled up using 8 ply wool with an appropriately sized hook.

The color palette consists of green, light green, black, and white yarn to create the dinosaur's body, neck, and facial features. Additional materials include scissors for cutting yarn, thread for sewing the eyes and legs onto the dinosaur body, white embroidery thread for adding fine details like eye highlights, a sewing needle for attaching components, and a darning needle for weaving in yarn ends to finish the piece cleanly.

Pattern Structure

The Brachiosaurus is constructed in distinct sections that are worked separately and then assembled. The pattern begins with the head, created using a magic loop foundation with half double crochet stitches worked into the loop, then joined with a slip stitch. The neck is constructed next using a chain foundation, establishing the characteristic long neck that defines the Brachiosaurus dinosaur. Additional sections for the body, legs, and tail would follow, though the provided pattern excerpt focuses on the initial head and neck construction. A video tutorial is available on the designer's YouTube channel for visual reference during construction.