Crochet a sun, moon, and star appliqué for a coffee cozy, blanket, or any other project with this free crochet pattern!

“When it’s dark enough, you can see the stars.”

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Looking at the stars has always been a favorite past time of mine. However, it is difficult to see them when there is too much light pollution. For optimal star viewing, it must be a clear night with no other artificial light competing with the light of the stars. In other words, the darkest conditions produce the most beauty.

Funny how the same is true of life isn’t it? It is in our darkest hours that many times we see the beauty of the little things around us. The beauty of family, health, safety, and friends all shine so much brighter when there is trouble or uncertainty in our midst.

When Kathy of Kathy’s Kozies asked me what I wanted to make for our next collab, I really had no idea we would end up here. I strive to design things in keeping with my brand and tag line. I have always had plans for a sun appliqué filed away in my idea notebook, and I knew that the beginning of summer would be perfect. However, when I brought up the possibility of designing a sun appliqué next, Kathy mentioned the option of releasing an entire celestial set, and I was instantly hooked! Being a fan of summer, one of the things I enjoy is to be able to sit outside on a warm summer night and appreciate the beauty of the night sky. So her idea instantly spoke to me! As you make these appliqués and find projects to attach them to, I hope that you will take the time to stop in perhaps a dark time and place of life and…

…admire the beauty of the stars.

Skill Level – Advanced Beginner

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to the products used in this project. If you make a purchase through any of these links, we will get a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Materials

Abbreviations

  • CH – Chain
  • YO – Yarn over
  • SL ST – Slip stitch
  • SC – Single crochet
  • SC INC – Single crochet increase
  • SC DEC – Single crochet decrease
  • HDC – Half double crochet
  • DC – Double crochet
  • Bobble – Bobble stitch

Notes

  • Gauge is not essential for this project.
  • Finished measurements are as follows:
    • Sun – 5” x 5”
    • Moon – 3” tall x 2 ½” wide
    • Star – 2” x 2”
  • The sun appliqué is made by beginning with a magic circle and crocheting in the round.  The rays are made by chaining, working down the chain, and joining to the sun body with a SL ST.
  • The moon appliqué is worked back and forth in rows starting with the outer edge of the moon and working towards the inner edge.
  • The star appliqué is made by beginning with a bobble stitch.  The rays are made by chaining from the bobble, working down the chain, and joining to the bobble with a SL ST.
  • Beginning CH stitches do not count as a stitch.
  • Brackets denote a repeat of the designated stitches.
  • These appliqués is a collaboration with The Everything Cozy by Kathy of Kathy’s Kozies!  Be sure to check her out on Instagram and give her a follow! 
  • If you have any difficulty completing this project and would like support, please email me at theplushpineappleshop@gmail.com

Special Stitches

Bobble Stitch

  • YO, insert hook into desired stitch and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).
  • YO, pull through two loops (2 loops on hook).
  • YO, insert hook back into the same stitch and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook).
  • YO, pull through two loops (3 loops on hook).
  • YO, insert hook back into the same stitch and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook).
  • YO, pull through two loops (4 loops on hook).
  • YO, insert hook back into the same stitch and pull up a loop (6 loops on hook).
  • YO, pull through two loops (5 loops on hook).
  • YO, pull through all five loops.

Picot Stitch

  • CH 3, SL ST in 3rd CH from hook

Sun

Body

Row 1:  Begin with a magic circle, work 8 SC into magic circle, SL ST to first SC to join.  (8)

Row 2:  CH 1, [HDC, Bobble] 4x.  (8)

Row 3:  CH 1, SC INC in every stitch around.  (16)   

Row 4:  CH 1, [HDC, Bobble] 8x.  (16)

Row 5:  CH 1, [SC INC, SC] 8x.  (24)

Rays

Row 1:  CH 10, SL ST in 3rd CH from hook, SC DEC over the next 3 CHs, SC INC 3 in the next CH, SC DEC over the next 3 CHs, on the sun body SK the same stitch as the CH, SL ST in next stitch.  (curvy ray completed)

Row 2:  CH 6, SL ST in 3rd CH from hook, SC 1, HDC 2, on the sun body SK 1, SL ST in next stitch.  (straight ray completed)

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 around the body of the sun alternating curvy and straight rays.

Leave a long tail for sewing, cut yarn, FO.

Moon

Row 1:  CH 24, working in the back bump of the CH, SC in the 2nd CH from hook and in each CH across.  (23)

Row 2:  CH 1, turn, [SC, SC DEC, Bobble] 5x, SC DEC, SC.  (17)

Row 3:  CH 1, turn, SC, SC DEC 3x, SC DEC over 3 stitches, SC DEC 3x, SC.  (9)

Row 4:  CH 1, do not turn, picot, SC in first CH of foundation, SC 22, picot, join to first ST of Row 3 with a SL ST.  (25)

Leave a long tail for sewing, cut yarn, FO.

Star

Row 1:  CH 2, Bobble stitch in 2nd CH from hook.

Row 2:  CH 3, SL ST in 3rd CH from hook, join to left side of Bobble with a SL ST.

Picot made, join w/ SL ST to left side of bobble
First ray made and joined

Repeat Row 2 four more times.  Join the 2nd and 3rd ray to the underneath of the Bobble.  Join the 4th ray to the right side of the Bobble.  Join the 5th ray to the top of the Bobble.

2nd ray made and joined
3rd ray made and joined
4th ray made and joined
Star complete

Attaching

You can use your new appliqué to add some celestial goodness to any of your makes!  Here is one of my appliqués shown attached to Kathy’s Everything Cozy!

To attach your appliqué, fold the cozy in thirds. 

Center the appliqué on the cozy. 

Simply use a basting stitch around the body of the appliqué.  Grab only the top of the corresponding stitches beneath, so the stitches do not show through on the other side. 

Tack the rays of the sun down with a single stitch where desired or leave them loose for a different look.

This project was a collaboration with Kathy of Kathy’s Kozies!  It was designed to fit her Everything Cozy which you can find in her Etsy shop along with laser-cut wooden buttons to match!

If you make these appliqués, please share it! I would love to see your work! You can tag me on Instagram and Facebook @theplushpineapple. Use the tag #theplushpineapple.

“Much love, sunshine, and pineapples”

Sarah

The photographs and pattern contained in this document are the property of A Plush Pineapple.  Unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part, or distribution of this pattern or content is prohibited. ALL FINISHED PRODUCTS created using this pattern may be sold locally or online.  If selling finished products online, please give my blog credit for the pattern by posting a link to my website. 

Written by

Sarah

Sarah is the maker and designer behind A Plush Pineapple. She is a wife of thirteen years to her college sweetheart and momma to two awesome kiddos. When she is not crocheting, designing, or blogging, you can probably find her soaking up the sun or eating seafood. Her goal as a designer is that love, sunshine, and pineapples make their way into the hearts and homes of all who make her designs.