Easy Crochet Halloween Appliques (Bats, Cats & Spiders)

Halloween decor does not need to be a big project to be a good one. These three little appliques – a bat, a black cat face, and a spider – each use only a scrap of yarn and almost no stuffing, and every single one can be finished in the time it takes to watch a spooky movie. They are also wonderfully beginner-friendly: nothing here is fancier than single crochet, half double crochet, and one simple decrease. Make one of each, or make a whole basket of them, then scatter your little haunted cast across hats, totes, and garlands. Let’s get spooky.

Materials

• Small amounts of worsted weight (#4) yarn in black for all three motifs, plus a scrap of orange, white, or green for details if you like
• 3.5mm to 4.0mm crochet hook (a slightly smaller hook keeps these little appliques nice and firm)
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Optional: a small pinch of stuffing (for the spider’s body only), plus a needle and contrasting thread for embroidered eyes

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• MR = magic ring (an adjustable loop you crochet into, then pull closed to leave no hole)
• sc2tog = single crochet two together, a simple decrease: pull up a loop in each of the next 2 sts, then yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on your hook

The Bat (Body Plus Two Wings, Worked Flat)

Body

– Row 1: Ch 4. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (3 sc) – Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next st, 2 sc in last st. Turn. (5 sc) – Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (5 sc) – Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. (5 sc)

Wings (make 2)

– Row 1: Ch 5. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (4 sc) – Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st, sc in last st. Turn. (5 sts) – Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. (5 sts)

The little cluster of 2 hdc partway along row 2 makes one edge of the wing curve outward slightly, which is what gives it a wing-like point when you sew it on with that curve facing up and out.

Assembly: Lay the body flat and place a wing against each long side, with the curved point aimed outward and slightly upward. Using the tails, whip stitch the straight edge of each wing to the body. Weave in the remaining ends. Add two tiny stitches of white or yellow thread for eyes, if you like.

The Black Cat Face (Circle Plus Two Ear Points)

Face

– Round 1: Make a MR, work 6 sc into the ring, pull closed. (6 sc) – Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sc) – Round 3: *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (18 sc) – Round 4: sc in each st around. Join with a sl st, fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. (18 sc)

Ears (make 2, small triangles)

– Row 1: Ch 3. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch. Turn. (2 sc) – Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog. Fasten off, leaving a tail. (1 st)

Each ear starts at its base, 2 sts wide, and comes to a single point after one decrease row – a tiny, tidy triangle.

Assembly: Position the two ears along the top edge of the face circle, points facing up and spaced a little apart, and sew the base of each one in place. Embroider two small triangular or oval eyes in white or green thread, a tiny nose, and a few short straight stitches on each side for whiskers.

The Spider (Small Ball Body Plus Chain Legs)

Body

– Round 1: Make a MR, work 6 sc into the ring, pull closed. (6 sc) – Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sc) – Round 3: sc in each st around. (12 sc) – Round 4: sc in each st around. (12 sc) – Round 5: *sc in next st, sc2tog; rep from * around. Add a small pinch of stuffing now, before the opening gets too small. (8 sc) – Round 6: sc2tog around. (4 sc)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 4 sts, pull closed like a drawstring, and secure.

Legs (8 total)

Join yarn (or use a long tail from the body) with a sl st into a st on the body. Chain 8, then work a sl st back down the chain into each ch across, ending with a sl st into the same body st you started from – this reinforces the leg so it does not go limp. Repeat 7 more times, spacing the 8 legs evenly around the body, about 4 on each side.

Assembly: Weave in ends. Add two tiny white or yellow dot eyes with a needle and thread if you would like a friendlier spider, or leave it eyeless for a simpler, spookier silhouette.

Using Your Appliques

Sew a bat or spider onto the brim of a beanie, tack a cat face onto the front of a tote bag, or thread a length of chain through the top of several motifs to string them into a garland across a mantel or window. Since none of the three uses more than a small pinch of stuffing – the cat and bat use none at all – they stay light enough to sew onto almost anything without dragging on the fabric.

Tips for Beginners

A smaller hook makes a firmer fabric. These motifs are meant to hold their shape without stuffing, so working a little tighter than usual keeps the stitches dense enough that gaps do not show through.

Save your tails on purpose. Instead of cutting them short, leave 6 to 8 inch tails on every piece – you will use most of them for sewing pieces together, so you save a step later.

Black yarn hides mistakes beautifully. If you are nervous about visible stitch definition, black is the most forgiving color to practice increases and decreases on.

Make a small batch at once. Since each piece uses only a few yards, one evening is plenty of time to crochet a whole set of bats, cats, and spiders in a single sitting.

Three tiny motifs, one evening, and suddenly your hats, totes, and garlands have a whole haunted little cast of characters – that is the fun of appliques like these: small enough to feel effortless, but charming enough that everyone asks where you got them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need different yarn colors for each applique?

No, all three motifs are worked mainly in black, with just a small scrap of orange, white, or green yarn or thread for optional details like eyes.

How long does it take to make all three appliques?

Each motif uses only a small amount of yarn and can be finished quickly, so a full set of all three is realistic to complete in one evening.

What is the most common mistake when making these appliques?

Using too large a hook, which makes the fabric loose and gappy; a smaller 3.5mm to 4.0mm hook keeps these little motifs firm enough to hold their shape without stuffing.

Can I attach these appliques to store-bought items?

Yes, they can be sewn onto a purchased hat, tote bag, or garland just as easily as onto something you crocheted yourself.

— NoraEvery pattern hand-tested