Butter Yellow Chick Square Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This Butter Yellow Chick Square is a sweet little hatching-chick motif that's perfect for springtime, Easter, or any baby blanket you want to make extra cheerful. It's designed for beginners, using only single crochet, simple increases, and a magic ring, so you can practice the basics while making something adorable. The finished square is a flat 6 x 6 inch white single crochet panel with a round butter yellow chick head peeking out of a white eggshell, finished with tiny embroidered eyes and a little orange beak. It looks soft and smooth in worsted weight acrylic, and it feels sturdy enough to sew into blankets, bags, or wall hangings.
Materials Needed
- Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn: white (A) 30 yds, butter yellow (B) 20 yds, small amount black (C) for eyes, small amount orange (D) for beak
- 4.0 mm (G/6) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle for sewing and weaving in ends
- Scissors
- Stitch marker (optional, for the magic ring)
- Finished size: 6 x 6 inches (15 x 15 cm)
Abbreviations
- ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
- sc — single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- inc — increase: work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch.
- st(s) — stitch(es).
- MR — magic ring: an adjustable loop you crochet into, then pull closed.
- R — row or round, as noted.
Gauge
16 sc x 18 rows = 4 inches (10 cm). To check, crochet a small swatch in single crochet and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches than 16, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down a hook size.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your single crochet tension even so the square stays flat and measures 6 x 6 inches; a slightly loose tension helps the appliqués lie smooth.
- Work the magic ring snugly and pull it closed completely so the chick head has no hole in the center.
- Pin the chick head and eggshell in place before sewing so you can center them evenly on the square.
- Use a small tapestry needle and matching yarn for sewing so the stitches blend into the appliqués.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Square (make 1)
With A (white):
R1: Ch 25, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (24 sts).
Rows 2-12: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (24 sts).
Fasten off.
Chick Head (make 1)
With B (butter yellow):
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).
Rnds 4-6: Sc in each st around (18 sts).
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Eggshell (make 1)
With A (white):
R1: Ch 13, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (12 sts).
Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (12 sts).
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Beak (make 1)
With D (orange):
R1: Ch 2, sc in 2nd ch from hook (1 st).
Fasten off.
Assembly and Finishing
Thread the long tail of the chick head onto a tapestry needle and sew the head onto the center of the square, aligning the bottom of the head with Row 6 of the square. Sew the eggshell piece over the bottom of the chick head, covering the lower part of the head, with the straight edge at the bottom. Using C (black), embroider the eyes above the beak with French knots or small stitches. Sew the orange beak centered below the eyes. Weave in all ends. Block lightly by misting with water and pinning to a 6 x 6 inch square, then let it dry completely.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the butter yellow for pale pink or mint to make a whole set of pastel chick squares for a baby blanket.
- Add a simple single crochet border in white around the finished square if you plan to join it to other squares.
- Use safety eyes instead of embroidery for a quicker finish, or add a tiny blush of pink yarn on the cheeks for extra kawaii charm.
