Crocheted Peacock Applique

I can’t paint and therefore use yarn to make canvas art. To add some cool art pieces to my kids’ bedrooms, I made these crochet-on-canvas pieces.

The peacock I created was SO FUN that I thought I would share the process and pattern! The cool thing is you don’t have to do this on canvas – you could use the appliqué on pillow cases, a sturdy tote bag, or make a cozy cardigan and slap this beautiful bird on the back! It’s all in your creative hands!

If you make one, send me your pictures or plop them on Ravelry (I’m MaggHG if you can find me!) If you also want to add the lettering, you can find them for free over at the Moogly Blog. She has fantastic lettering patterns!

CROCHETED PEACOCK APPLIQUE

Psssssst… You can also purchase the neat & tidy PDF pattern here on Etsy!

Abbreviations

• r = row
• ch = chain
• st = stitch
• sl st = slip stitch
• sk = skip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• tr = treble crochet
• *instructions* = repeat around
• (number) = total st’s at end of row

Materials

• Worsted Weight Acrylic, I Love This Yarn®
  • Body & Feather Color 1: “Royal”
  • Feather Color 2: “Dark Denim”
  • Feather Color 3: “Keylime”
  • Feather Color 4: “Peacock”
  • Feather Color 5: “Navy”
  • Peacock Beak: “Sungold”
  • Peacock Eyeball: “White”
• Crochet Hook Sizes H, F, and G
• (5) Small Blue Buttons
• Darning Needle (for weaving in ends)
• Large Embroidery Needle that can thread yarn (for sewing onto canvas)
• Pins for placing all components before attaching
• Large Blank Canvas, Pillow Case, or Canvas Tote Bag

BODY 

Using Crochet Hook H with Color 1 Yarn “Royal” Blue

R1: ch 3, sl st in 3^rdch from hook to form ring; ch 1, 10 hdc’s in ring, sl st to join (10).

R2: ch 1, 2 hdc in ea st around, sl st to join (20).

R3: ch 1, *1 hdc, 2 hdc in next*, sl st to join (30).

R4: ch 1, *1 hdc, 1hdc, 2 hdc*, sl st to join (40).

R5: ch 1, *1 hdc in first three st’s, 2 hdc in 4^th*, sl st to join (50).

R6: ch 1, 1 sc for 5 st’s, 1 hdc for 4 st’s, 1dc for 3 st’s, 1tr, 1dc for 3 st’s, 1 hdc for 4 st’s, 1 sc for 10 st’s, 1 hdc for 4 st’s, 1 dc for 3 st’s, 1tr, 1dc for 3 st’s, 1 hdc for 4 st’s, 1 sc for 5 st’s, sl st to join (41).  Finish with long tail to attach piece later.

HEAD

Using Crochet Hook H with Color 1 Yarn “Royal” Blue

R1: ch 3, sl st in 3^rdch from hook to form ring; ch 1, 10 hdc’s in ring, sl st to join (10).

R2: ch 1, 2 hdc in ea st around, sl st to join (20).

R3: ch 1, [*1 sc in first, 2 sc in next*] repeat this pattern 5 times, then 1 dc, 2 dc, 1 dc, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 2 hdc, 1 sc, 2 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc, sl st to join (30). Finish with long tail to attach piece later.

NECK

Using Crochet Hook H with Color 1 Yarn “Royal” Blue

R1: ch 14, hdc across beginning in 2^ndch from hook (13).

R2: ch 1, turn to opposite side of R1 chains, 1 hdc for 6 st’s, 1 dc for 4 st’s, 1 tr for 3 st’s (13). Finish with long tail to attach piece later.

EYEBALL

Using Crochet Hook Hwith Color 7 Yarn “White”

R1: ch 3, sl st in 3^rdch from hook to form ring; ch 2, 12 hdc’s in ring, sl st to join (12). Finish with 15” tail to attach piece later.

FEATHERS

Using Crochet Hook F make 5 or 6 feathers in each of the 5 Feather Colors for a total of 25-30 feathers.

R1: ch 3, sl st in 3^rdch from hook to form ring; ch 1, 10 hdc’s in ring, sl st to join (10).

R2: ch 1, 2 sc in first 4 st’s, [1 hdc + 1 dc] in next st, [1 dc + 1 hdc] in next st, 1 sc in next 4 st’s, sl st to join (20). Finish with 15” tail to attach piece later.

BEAK

Using Crochet Hook G with Color 6 Yarn “Sungold”

R1: ch 5, beginning in 2^ndch from hook, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1tr (4). Finish with 15” tail to attach piece later

ATTACHING COMPONENTS

Whether you are attaching this applique to a canvas, or sturdy tote bag, you will want a very pointy needle that can easily thread yarn through the needle’s eye. This means a traditional darning needle that is often used with crochet won’t be sharp enough.  Pull out your headpins, and be sure to place each components on your canvas before sewing anything on permanently.  Some pieces may shift as you sew them, but it’s best to make sure your pieces fit before tacking them on forever.

First attach the body – be sure to angle the body so one side of the oval is tipped up (where the neck will later attach).

Attach the neck so it has a slightly curved look.

Attach the head so it angles down from the curve of the neck

Attach the beak so it follows the line of the bridge of the forehead.

Attach the button for the eye.

Using Color 1, stitch four straight lines extending from the head for the decorative head feathers.

Attach the remaining four buttons – one at the end of each straight line just stitched in the step above – to finish the decorative head feathers.

Attach each of the 25 to 30 feathers.  Begin with the feathers furthest away from the body, and sew them completely flat to the canvas.  Then add the feathers row by row, but make sure that you only attach half of the feather to the canvas.  By leaving the pointed tip of the feather loose from the canvas, the feathers naturally curl out from the canvas, giving it a beautiful three-dimensional look, as if the feathers are peeling off your art.

Permission to Use this Pattern

You may use this pattern for personal or commercial use, but please reference this website as its creator and link back to this pattern page.  The pattern (including any photos associated with it) may not be reproduced or posted elsewhere in any capacity.  Thank you!