Add a little beach flair to your crochet projects with this free motif excerpt from I Like Crochet digital magazine.

Originally featured in the Blue Sea Star Bag, this crochet sea star applique has the look of a starfish with just a hint of a flower. That makes it a fun little embellishment for bags, summer accessories, home décor, gift wrap, and more.

This free crochet sea star motif comes in three sizes—small, medium, and large—so you can choose the version that works best for your project. Better yet, it’s a handy way to use up leftover yarn from your stash.

Crochet Sea Star Floral Applique Tutorial

Whether you add one to a favorite crochet bag, attach a pair to flip-flops for a playful summer look, or use several as coastal-inspired décor, this sea star motif is a quick way to bring a little beachy charm to your crochet.

Materials

Yarn: Caron Cotton Cakes (60% cotton, 40% acrylic; 211 yards [193 meters]/100 grams): #49010 Nested Blues, 3 balls

Alternate Yarn: Yarn Bee Sugarwheel Cotton (100% cotton; 335 yards [306 meters]/142 grams): #100 Better Be Blueberry, 2 balls

Although this alternate yarn is labeled as a #3 light-weight yarn, it was used to achieve the same gauge with the same hook size as the #4 medium-weight Caron Cotton Cakes in the original project.

Hook: US size H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook

Notions: Tapestry needle; three small buttons measuring approximately 3/8″–1/2″ (optional)

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How to Crochet the Sea Star Flowers

The motif is worked in the round and can be made in three sizes. Each version begins with the same center before the chain-loop length and petal size increase.

Small Sea Star

Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, ch 2 (does not count as first hdc), 11 hdc in ring, tighten ring, sl st to join in first hdc. (11 hdc)

Rnd 2: [Ch 5, sl st in next 2 sts] 5 times, ch 5, sl st in next st, sl st to join in base of beg ch-5. (6 ch-lps)

Rnd 3: Sl st into first ch-5 lp, ch 1, [sc, 2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc, sc] in each ch-lp around, sl st to join in first sc. (6 petals)

Rnd 4: Sl st to 2nd st of first petal, ch 1, sc in same st, [sc in next st, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, sc in next 2 sts, sk last sc of this petal*, sk first sc of next petal, sc in 2nd st of petal] around, ending last petal at *, sl st to join in first st of beg petal.

Fasten off.

Medium Sea Star

Rnd 1: Rep as for small flower.

Rnd 2: [Ch 7, sl st in next 2 sts] 5 times, ch 7, sl st in next st, sl st to join in base of beg ch-7. (6 ch-lps)

Rnd 3: Sl st into first ch-7 lp, ch 1, [sc, 3 hdc, ch 2, 3 hdc, sc] in each ch-lp around, sl st to join in first sc. (6 petals)

Rnd 4: Sl st to 2nd st of first petal, ch 1, sc in same st, [sc in next 2 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, sc in next 3 sts, sk last sc of this petal*, sk first sc of next petal, sc in 2nd st of petal] around, end last petal at *, sl st to join in first st of beg petal.

Fasten off.

Large Sea Star

Rnd 1: Rep as for small flower.

Rnd 2: [Ch 10, sl st in next 2 sts] 5 times, ch 10, sl st in next st, sl st to join in base of beg ch-10. (6 ch-lps)

Rnd 3: Sl st into first ch-10 lp, ch 1, [sc, 6 hdc, ch 2, 6 hdc, sc] in each ch-lp around, sl st to join in first sc. (6 petals)

Rnd 4: Sl st to 2nd st of first petal, ch 1, sc in same st, [sc in next 5 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, sc in next 6 sts, sk last sc of this petal*, sk first sc of next petal, sc in 2nd st of petal] around, end last petal at *, sl st to join in first st of beg petal.

Fasten off.

Ways to Use Your Crochet Sea Star Applique

Once you’ve made one, it’s easy to start imagining all the places these little sea stars could go.

• Add them to crochet tote bags or beach bags
• Use them as embellishments on hats or summer accessories
• Attach them to flip-flops for a playful beach-inspired look
• Add them to coastal pillows, wall hangings, or table décor
• Use them on gift bags or handmade cards
• Make several in different sizes for a layered motif arrangement

Because the motif is available in three sizes, you can also mix and match them to create a more dimensional design.

See the Sea Star Motifs in the Blue Sea Star Bag

The Blue Sea Star Bag is one of our favorites, and it shows just how charming these motifs can look when used together.

If you’d like to make the complete bag, join the I Like Crochet Gold Club for access to the full pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crochet Sea Star Appliques

Is this a starfish crochet pattern or a flower crochet pattern?

It’s a little of both. The motif is designed to resemble a sea star, but its six pointed petals also give it a floral look.

What skill level is this crochet sea star motif?

The pattern is best for crocheters who are comfortable working in the round and using basic stitches such as chains, slip stitches, single crochet, and half double crochet.

Can I use scrap yarn for this applique?

Yes. These small motifs are a great stash-busting project, especially if you want to make several in coordinating or contrasting colors.

Can I make the sea star in different sizes?

Yes. The tutorial includes small, medium, and large versions with longer chain loops and larger petals as the motif size increases.

What can I attach a crochet sea star to?

Try adding one to bags, hats, flip-flops, pillows, table décor, gift tags, wall hangings, or other summer and coastal crochet projects.

What projects will you add a crochet sea star to? Tell us in the comments!