Crochet Balloon Applique Free Crochet Pattern
Some time ago I collaborated with Hobbii, and I had the pleasure of working with their cotton yarn called Friends. I was asked to make an appliqué with it, and so I came up with a crochet flower and a hot air balloon.
Since then, many of you asked for the hot air balloon pattern, so here it is!
In this post, you will find a written pattern accompanied by how-to photos. Video tutorial is coming soon!
About the Project
This project was originally designed for the Hobbii campaign. It is a simple, colorful hot-air balloon appliqué you can use on baby clothes, blankets, or as wall decor. The motif is one-sided, meaning all the yarn ends are visible on the wrong side. If you want a two-sided decoration, join two pieces wrong sides inside and seam the edges.
This pattern is written in standard US terms. Learn how to change colors in my article.
Tools and Materials
- 3 mm crochet hook
- Fingering-weight cotton yarn in assorted colors. My appliques are made with Hobbii Friends Cotton 8/4 and Scheepjes Catona yarn. The latter is a mercerized cotton, so it has a glossy, smoother finish.
- scissors
- stitch markers
- tapestry needle
Measurements
The crochet hot air balloon applique measures 7,5 cm (~3 in) in height without and 10 cm (~3,9 in) with the basket. Your crocheting style and yarn choice may affect the size.
Stitches and Abbreviations
- ch – chain stitch
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- st – stitch
- hdc inc – increase with half double crochets = 2 hdc in one st.
- BLO – back loop only
Colorways
This project uses four colors – three for the hot air balloon motif, and one for the contrasting embroidery.
In my experience, the darkest color should be used as color 2 (as the middle side panels and the basket). Color 3 works best as the middle hue – neither too light nor too dark.
Hobbii Friends 8/4
This version uses Hobbii Friends Cotton 8/4 in colors Cream (04), Open Sea (79), Pink Berry Smoothie (54), and Pistachio (108).
Scheepjes Catona
This version uses Scheepjes Catona in colors 249, 263, 394, and 226.
Pattern Notes
We start by making the central panel and working the stitches on both sides of the foundation chain. Then, we build up the sides in rounds, changing colors every row. Next, we build up the bottom part of the hot air balloon shape. Then, we crochet the basket separately and join it to the balloon by weaving the yarn through both parts. Lastly, we add embroidery to the balloon.
- If you tend to crochet tightly, you may consider using a bigger crochet hook or relaxing your grip.
- This project is designed to have as few increases as possible, which ensures smoother curves, but makes the appliqué bend upward a little. Steam-blocking the piece once it’s ready will flatten it out.
- Using stitch markers is optional, but it makes following the pattern a little easier. If you’re experienced, you can follow along without them.
Hot Air Balloon Applique
Start – in color 1.
16 ch. Place a marker on the 16th stitch. From now on, it will be called SM1 (Stitch Marker 1 – gold), and it marks the bottom of your balloon shape.
Round 1 – in color 1.
1 sl st into the second chain stitch, 2 sc, 3 hdc, 3 dc, 3 hdc, 2 sc, 1 sl st.
1 ch, mark this stitch (SM2 – black) and turn the work upside down to work into the foundation chain from the opposite side.
1 sl st, 2 sc, 3 hdc, 3 dc, 3 hdc, 2 sc, 1 sl st.
Break the yarn and secure the end.
Round 2 – in color 2.
Work all stitches in the Back Loop Only (BLO).
Attach the yarn to the stitch marked with SM1, going through both loops.
1 sl st, 3 sc, 2 hdc, 3 dc, 2 hdc, 3 sc, 1 sl st.
1 ch, mark the stitch (SM3 – yellow).
1 sl st, 3 sc, 2 hdc, 3 dc, 2 hdc, 3 sc, 1 sl st.
Cut the yarn and weave the yarn end through the stitch marked with SM1. Secure the ends.
Round 3 – in color 1.
Work all stitches in the Back Loop Only (BLO).
Attach the yarn to the stitch next to the SM1 (the first sl st of the previous round).
1 sl st, 2 sc, 7 hdc, 2 sc, 2 sl st.
1 sl st into the marked stitch. Mark this stitch (SM4 – silver) and remove SM2 and SM3.
2 sl st, 2 sc, 7 hdc, 2 sc, 2 sl st.
Break the yarn and weave it in the last stitch of the previous round. Secure the ends.
Round 4 – in color 3.
Work all stitches in the Back Loop Only (BLO).
Attach the yarn to the 1st stitch of the previous round, going under both strands.
1 ch, 2 sl st, 2 sc, 1 hdc, hdc inc, hdc inc, 2 hdc, hdc inc, 1 hdc, 2 sc, 1 sl st into the SM4.
1 sl st, 2 sc, 1 hdc, hdc inc, 2 hdc, hdc inc, hdc inc, 1 hdc, 2 sc, 3 sl st.
At this point, the balloon may bend upward a little. Don’t worry about it, unless the bend is dramatic; in such a case, start over with a bigger hook or relax your tension.
Don’t break the yarn, continue normally, under both strands of yarn:
1 ch, 5 sc into the “base” (the bottom part of the balloon) – one stitch in the middle and two on both sides.
Then, 2 ch (counts as one hdc), 4 hdc.
Note: In the purple Scheepjes Catona version (and in the photos below), I worked two rows of 4 half double crochets, creating a more elongated shape.
The balloon shape is ready! Break the yarn and weave in all ends using a tapestry needle.
The Basket – in color 2.
Start: Chain 5.
Row 1: 1 ch, 5 sc.
Row 2-3: 1 ch, turn, 5 sc.
Finishing Touches
Using color 3, make a slip stitch line in the middle. See how to surface slip stitch in my article. Weave the end to the wrong side of the applique.
Using the same color, embroider zig-zag lines. Go under leftover front loops. Tie the yarn ends on the back and weave them in.
Take a piece of yarn in color 4 and weave it through the basket and the balloon base to create an M-shape. Tie the yarn ends on the back and trim them.
Steam-block or gently iron the finished piece to make it nice and flat.
You are done!
Congrats, your crochet hot air balloon applique is now ready.
Disclaimer
While I work hard to make sure the projects I publish are of the highest quality, this pattern was not tested and may contain errors. If you notice one, please let me know – I’m going to revise it and correct it as soon as possible.
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I want one 🙂