Mediterranean Lemon Bauble Cover Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This Mediterranean Lemon Bauble Cover is a sweet little project for anyone who wants a quick, satisfying make with a sunny, coastal feel. It's perfect for beginners who have just learned single crochet and are ready to try a small in-the-round project, and it's just as fun for experienced crocheters who want a fast weekend ornament. The cover is worked in soft grey worsted-weight yarn that wraps snugly around a 3-inch bauble, then finished with three dusty rose lemon appliqués sewn evenly around the middle. The result is a smooth, slightly squishy sphere with a short chain hanging loop at the top — simple, summery, and lovely hanging in a window or on a tree.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (4) yarn, cotton or acrylic. Color A (grey): about 20 yards. Color B (dusty rose): about 10 yards.
- Hook: 3.75 mm (F/5) crochet hook.
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and one 3-inch bauble (ornament ball) to cover.
- Finished size: Fits a 3-inch bauble; the cover measures approximately 3.5 inches in diameter.
Abbreviations
- MR — magic ring: an adjustable loop you crochet into to start a round with no hole.
- sc — single crochet.
- inc — increase: work 2 single crochet into the same stitch.
- dec — decrease: work 2 stitches together into 1 single crochet.
- ch — chain.
- sl st — slip stitch.
- st(s) — stitch(es).
- Rnd — round.
- Fo — fasten off.
Gauge
Gauge is 4 sc and 4 rows = 1 inch. To check it, crochet a small flat swatch in single crochet and measure a 1-inch square; adjust your hook size if you have more or fewer than 4 stitches per inch.
Tips Before You Start
- Work the cover in continuous rounds without joining, and use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round so you never lose your place.
- Keep your tension even and slightly firm so the cover hugs the bauble snugly rather than gaping.
- Insert the bauble at the point noted (after Rnd 10) — it is much harder to add later once the cover starts to close.
- Make all three lemon appliqués first so you can space them evenly around the finished cover.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cover (Color A)
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts).
Rnds 6-10: sc in each st around (30 sts).
Insert the 3-inch bauble now, before the decreasing rounds.
Rnd 11: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24 sts).
Rnd 12: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18 sts).
Rnd 13: [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts).
Rnd 14: dec x6 (6 sts). Fo, leaving a tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close.
Hanging Loop (Color A)
Join Color A to the top of the cover, ch 10, then sl st back into the same stitch to form a loop. Fo and weave in the ends.
Lemon Appliqué (Color B) — make 3
Rnd 1: Ch 4, join with a sl st to form a ring, then work 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).
Rnd 4: sc in each st around (18 sts). Fo, leaving a 6-inch tail for sewing.
Assembly and Finishing
Using the 6-inch tails and a tapestry needle, sew the three lemon appliqués evenly around the middle of the cover, spacing them apart as shown in the photo. Weave in all remaining ends securely on the inside of the cover. Lightly steam or block the lemons flat if they curl, then let the cover dry fully before hanging.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the dusty rose for bright yellow to make classic lemons, or use pale green for a lime look.
- Add a tiny embroidered leaf in green at the edge of each appliqué for extra detail.
- Make a set in different grey and pastel shades and string them together as a summer garland.
