Neon Strawberry Dangle Earrings: Free Crochet Pattern

Neon Strawberry Dangle Earrings: Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

These tiny crocheted strawberries are the perfect little project for anyone who wants a fast, cheerful finish — whether you are brand new to crochet or a seasoned maker looking for a quick gift. Worked in bright neon pink with a neon green scalloped leaf and stem, each berry is speckled with tiny black seed stitches and hung from a simple ear wire. At just one inch tall, they are light enough to forget you are wearing them, yet bold enough to add a pop of color to any outfit. Best of all, each pair takes only a few minutes and a few yards of thread, so you can make one for yourself and one for a friend.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Lace weight (0) crochet thread, 100% cotton — 10 yards neon pink (A), 5 yards neon green (B), 1 yard black (C) for seeds. This makes one pair of earrings.
• Hook: 1.8 mm (US 6 steel hook)
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and embroidering seeds, 2 metal ear wires (fishhook or lever-back), jewelry pliers for opening and closing the ear wire loops, small sharp scissors
• Finished size: Height 1 inch (2.5 cm) from bottom of berry to top of stem; width 0.75 inch (1.9 cm) at the widest part

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops
• inc — increase: work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch
• dec — decrease: work 2 stitches together into 1 (insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, insert hook in following stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops)
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook
• MR — magic ring: an adjustable loop used to begin working in the round
• rep — repeat
• sts — stitches

Gauge

10 sc x 12 rounds = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in single crochet. To check, crochet a small flat swatch with your thread and hook and measure a 1-inch section; if your stitches are larger, go down a hook size, and if smaller, go up.

Tips Before You Start

• Work tightly and evenly — small, firm stitches keep the berry rounded and stop the thread from showing gaps between stitches.
• Do not stuff the berry. The closed shape holds itself, and stuffing would make the earring too heavy.
• Make both berries one after the other so your tension stays consistent and the pair matches in size.
• Keep your starting tail long (about 6 inches) so you have plenty of thread to weave in securely at the bottom of the berry.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Berry (make 2, Color A)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts). Pull the ring closed.

Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Rnds 4-6: sc in each st around (18 sts).

Rnd 7: [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts).

Rnd 8: dec x6 (6 sts).

Rnd 9: sl st in each st around (6 sts). Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail. Do not stuff.

Seeds (Color C)

With the black thread and tapestry needle, embroider 8-10 straight stitches randomly over the surface of each berry, each about 1/8 inch (3 mm) long. Space them out so the speckles look scattered, not lined up.

Leaf and Stem (Color B)

Join B to the top of the berry at the center.

Leaf round: *Ch 3, sl st in the same st, sl st in the next st; rep from * around the top edge (6 petals).

Stem: Ch 5, then sl st in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (4 sl sts). Fasten off and weave in ends.

Assembly and Finishing

Make two identical berries, each with its seeds, leaf ring and stem. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, tugging gently so the thread disappears into the fabric. Using the pliers, open the loop at the bottom of one ear wire, slip the chain stem through the loop, and close the loop firmly. Repeat for the second earring. Gently shape each berry between your fingers and, if needed, lightly steam-block the leaves flat by holding a steam iron just above the fabric (never pressing down on the stitches). Let dry completely before wearing.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the neon pink for classic red and the green for a deeper leaf shade for a more traditional strawberry look.
• Use a fine metallic silver or gold thread for the seeds instead of black for a sparkly finish.
• Add a small jump ring between the stem and the ear wire to give the berry a little more swing and movement.