This crochet Chinese cabbage applique combines a white center with green leaves and curled edges for a playful vegetable motif. The beginner-friendly free pattern uses basic stitches and includes a step-by-step video tutorial. The applique is designed to take around 20 minutes to make, though your time may vary depending on your pace and crochet experience.
Use the finished motif to decorate accessories or other handmade items. Before you begin, gather both yarn colors and the small tools listed below so you can work through the color changes without interruption.
Ways to Use a Crochet Chinese Cabbage Applique
Add the cabbage motif to a hairpin, brooch, or bookmark, or use it as an embellishment on crochet clothes, bags, and hats. For items that will be handled often, secure the yarn ends carefully with a darning needle. You can also adjust the color choices to coordinate with the project you plan to decorate.
Other vegetable applique ideas include carrot, eggplant, chili, mushroom, and lotus root designs.
Pattern Notes and Materials
The instructions use US crochet terms. A video tutorial is also available for additional visual guidance. The pattern does not specify a gauge, so focus on keeping your stitches consistent and avoid pulling the yarn too tightly, especially around the curved edges.
- Yarn in green and white
- 2.0 mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Darning needle
- Stitch marker
Stitches and Abbreviations
- ch: chain stitch
- sc: single crochet
- ss: slip stitch
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
Read each row from beginning to end and follow the stated yarn changes. When changing colors, keep the unused strand tidy at the back of the work. A stitch marker can help you keep track of your place, particularly in the longer sections.
Crochet Chinese Cabbage Applique Instructions
With white yarn, begin with a foundation chain of 13 stitches.
Row 1
Starting in the second stitch from the hook: 11 sc, 3 sc in the next stitch, 10 sc, 2 sc in the next stitch. Make 1 ss and 1 ch.
Row 2
Make 2 sc in the next stitch, then 2 sc. Change to green yarn and work 7 sc, (2 sc in the next stitch) 3 times, then 6 sc. Change to white yarn and work 3 sc, (2 sc in the next stitch) 2 times. Make 1 ss and 1 ch.
Row 3
Make 1 sc, 2 sc in the next stitch, then 2 sc. Change to green yarn and work 2 sc, 2 hdc, 3 dc, (2 dc in the next stitch) 7 times, 3 dc, 2 hdc, and 2 sc. Change to white yarn and work 3 sc, then (1 sc, 2 sc in the next stitch) 2 times. Make 1 ss and 1 ch.
Row 4
Make 4 ss. Change to green yarn and make 4 ss, then repeat (1 sc, 3 ch) 22 times. Work 1 sc and 3 ss. Change to white yarn and make 7 ss.
Finishing and Color Ideas
The crochet Chinese cabbage applique is complete after Row 4. Weave in loose ends with the darning needle and check that the color changes and curled leaf edges are secure before attaching the motif to another item. You can try different shades or use multicolored yarn to suit your decoration project. If you are making several appliques, keep the stitch tension consistent so they have a similar finished size.
More Crochet Chinese Cabbage Applique Tips
This crochet Chinese cabbage applique is a small project that can add a handmade detail to accessories and larger crochet pieces. Follow the written pattern in US terms, refer to the video tutorial if you need visual guidance, and take care when fastening the motif to its final surface. Save the instructions with your other crochet patterns so they are easy to find when you want to make another one.
