Free Snail Crochet Applique Pattern

• Tools and Supplies you will need
• 2 Skeins of double worsted weight yarn in contrasting colors
• Size 8 or H  crochet hook
• 1 yarn seaming needle

• Symbol key
• CH- Chain
• DC- double crochet
• SC- single crochet
• SS- slip stitch
• TC- Triple Crochet
• HDC – Half double crochet

Notes – The color of the body of the snail will later become the color of the swirl on the shell of the snail.

I was originally inspired for this Snail pattern because I saw the Heart snail pattern by Olena of Golden Lucy Crafts

SNAIL SHELL

Chain 4 with color A yarn, slip stitch into the first chain to become a small loop.

CH3 ( counts as DC) Double Crochet 11 more times into the loop. Slip Stitch into the the top of CH3 to close circle (12 DC)

CH3 (counts as DC) DC in same stitch, continue to do 2 DC in each of the next 11 stitches. You will have 24 DC at end of row. SS into top of first stitch.

CH1 , SC into same stitch , in next stitch complete 2 SC , in following stitch you SC  one time. (You continue to do 2 SC and then 1 SC) You will have 36 SC at end of row.

Slip Stitch into first stitch, CH1, close circle and finish off stitch leaving a small tail.

SNAIL BODY ( Right Facing )

Take your snail shell, turn it so the wrong side is facing you. Take the yarn you will be using for the body and slip stitch into the 4^th stitch to the right of the yarn tail. CH1 (doesn’t count as stitch) SC 2 into the same stitch, 2 SC in the following stitch. Proceed to do 1 SC into the next 11 stitches. You will have 15 SC total. CH1 and turn

SC in next 8 stitches, HDC in next 4 stitches. In the next stitch you will be using 4 stitches, 1 DC 2 TC, and 1 DC in that order. Time for the antennae.  Slip stitch in next stitch, CH4, SS in second chain from hook, and slip stitch in next 2 chains. SS at base of antennae CH4 , repeat process. Slip stitch to bring the antennae close to body. Close stitch and leave a 15-inch tail to make the swirl on the shell.

Left Facing Snail Variation

Turn over snail shell so you are facing the wrong side. Take Color B yarn to make the snail body with and slip stitch it into the 4^th SC to the right of yarn tail. Chain 1 (doesn’t count as stitch)

Single crochet into the same stitch, proceed to SC into the next 11 stitches of snail shell. In the following 2 stitches you will be doing 2 SC into each of the stitches, so there will be a total of 15 SC at the end of the row.

 CH 4 and turn your work. Slip stitch in second chain from hook. Slip stitch in remaining 2 chains, this will have created the first antennae /eye of snail. Slip stich at base of antennae/eye   CH 4 and repeat pattern for next antennae. Slip Stitch into same stitch to give it a smooth look. HDC into the next 4 stitches. Single crochet into each of the remaining stiches , CH1 and leave a 15 inch long tail to close up the body.

Color Swirl on shell

You will now be using these long yarn tails to make the swirl on the snail shells we have seen on cute snails

You want to thread your needle with the long tail and do a simple stitch along the body to bring the yarn almost to the center of the body, you will be bringing the yarn into the shell color. Weaving in and out (counter clockwise for a left facing snail, Clock wise on a right facing snail )to create a loopy swirl, it doesn’t have to be perfect and it doesn’t matter how you stitch it as long as it looks smooth on one side ( since the back isn’t really seen )

Once you are please with how it looks on the “good” side, stitch it off on the back and snip off remaining yarn