This little letter D keychain is worked in navy and blush pink tapestry crochet, so a pink diamond lattice runs across the whole letter. A cluster of crocheted flowers sits on the lower left: two pink blossoms, one navy blossom, a spray of pink buds and soft green leaves. It hangs from a gold split ring on a short gold chain.
The colors are navy, blush pink, sage green and cream. The look is neat and graphic, softened by the flowers. It makes a lovely monogram gift for a bag, a set of keys or a pencil case.
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished letter measures 3.25 in wide x 3.75 in tall (8.3 cm x 9.5 cm). The flowers stick out about 0.25 in (0.6 cm) past the left edge.
The letter is one flat piece worked in rows of tapestry single crochet. To make the counter (the hole in the D), you work the two legs separately and then bridge them with a chain. A navy single crochet round finishes the outer edge, and a second round finishes the inner edge. The flowers, buds and leaves are made separately and sewn on.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 3.25 in x 3.75 in (8.3 cm x 9.5 cm), without the keyring
- Skill level: Intermediate (tapestry crochet in rows, simple shaping)
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: Sport weight (#2) cotton
- Hook: 2.75 mm (C-2)
- Number of pieces: 1 letter, plus small appliqués (3 flowers, 4 buds, 4 leaves)
- Layout: single letter, not joined to any other motif
- Piece size before border: 18 sts x 21 rows = 3 in x 3.5 in (7.6 cm x 8.9 cm)
- Border depth: 1 round of sc, about 0.125 in (0.3 cm) on each edge
- Counter size after border: about 0.75 in x 1.25 in (1.9 cm x 3.2 cm)
Materials
Choose a smooth, mercerized sport-weight cotton. It shows colorwork crisply and keeps the letter firm. Acrylic also works, but the letter will be softer. The amounts below assume about 3 m per gram, which is typical for sport cotton.
- Navy (A): 10 g, about 30 m
- Blush pink (B): 8 g, about 24 m
- Sage green (C): 3 g, about 9 m
- Cream (D): 2 g, about 6 m
These quantities include a margin for a gauge swatch and tails.
Tools:
- 2.75 mm (C-2) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- 1 gold split key ring, 1 in (2.5 cm)
- 1 gold chain piece, about 1 in (2.5 cm) long, plus 2 jump rings (6 mm)
- 2 pairs of jewelry pliers
- Stitch markers
- Scissors, rust-proof pins and a blocking board
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
- inc – 2 sc in the same st
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd – round
- A / B / C / D – navy / pink / green / cream
Tapestry sc: Work a normal sc while laying the unused color along the tops of the stitches below, so it is enclosed inside the new sc. To change color, work the stitch before the change until 2 loops remain on the hook, then finish it with the new color. Carry both A and B through every row of the letter.
4-dc bud cluster: *Yarn over, insert hook in the indicated st, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Repeat from * 3 more times in the same st (5 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: 12 tapestry sc x 12 rows = 2 in (5.1 cm), carrying both colors.
Before you start, make a swatch of 16 sts x 16 rows in the Pattern Row 2 colors. Measure the center 12 sts and 12 rows. Square gauge matters here because the border works 1 sc into each row end and 1 sc into each stitch.
Checkpoints:
- After Row 6: 3 in (7.6 cm) wide, 1 in (2.5 cm) tall
- After Row 18: 3 in (7.6 cm) tall
- After Row 21: 3.5 in (8.9 cm) tall
- After the border: 3.25 in x 3.75 in (8.3 cm x 9.5 cm)
If your swatch is too big, go down to a 2.5 mm hook. If it is too small, go up to a 3 mm hook. If your stitch gauge matches but your rows are too tall or too short, adjust the tension on the carried strand. Don’t change the stitch counts.
Letter D
Reading the Colorwork
Number the columns from 1 to 18. Column 1 is at the straight stem edge and column 18 is at the curved bowl edge. Odd rows are worked from the bowl toward the stem, so the column numbers count down. Even rows are worked from the stem toward the bowl, so the column numbers count up. Any column not listed in pink is navy.
- Pattern Row 1 (Rows 1, 9, 17): B in cols 1, 5, 9, 13, 17.
- Pattern Row 2 (Rows 2, 10, 18): A in cols 3, 7, 11, 15; B in all other cols.
- Pattern Row 3 (Rows 3, 11, 19): as Pattern Row 1.
- Pattern Row 4 (Rows 4, 12, 20): all A.
- Pattern Row 5 (Rows 5, 13, 21): B in cols 3, 7, 11, 15.
- Pattern Row 6 (Rows 6, 14): A in cols 1, 5, 9, 13, 17; B in all other cols.
- Pattern Row 7 (Rows 7, 15): as Pattern Row 5.
- Pattern Row 8 (Rows 8, 16): all A.
This makes small pink diamonds in a 1-3-1 shape (1 stitch, then 3, then 1), set in offset rows and separated by navy lines. The diamonds at the edges are partial, and the border frames them.
Shaping stitches: Work every inc and sc2tog in A, even where the pattern row calls for B. This keeps the curved corners navy. The ch 1 at the start of each row does not count as a stitch.
Bottom Bar
With A, ch 16.
Row 1: Join B at the start of the row. Following Pattern Row 1, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (15 sts: cols 15 to 1)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st to the last st, then inc in the last st. (16 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Inc in the first st, then sc in each st across. (17 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st to the last st, then inc in the last st. (18 sts)
Rows 5–6: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (18 sts)
Checkpoint: 3 in (7.6 cm) wide and 1 in (2.5 cm) tall.
Bowl Leg
Row 7: Ch 1, turn. Sc in the first 6 sts (cols 18 to 13). Leave the remaining sts unworked. (6 sts)
Rows 8–15: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st, following the pattern rows for cols 13 to 18. (6 sts)
Row 15 ends at col 13, on the counter side. Fasten off A and B, leaving 6 in (15.2 cm) tails.
Stem Leg
Row 7: Skip the next 6 sts of Row 6 (cols 12 to 7). They form the bottom of the counter. Join A and B in col 6. Sc in cols 6 to 1. (6 sts)
Rows 8–15: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st. (6 sts)
Do not fasten off. Row 15 ends at col 1, on the stem edge.
Top Bar
Row 16: Ch 1, turn. With A, sc in the 6 stem-leg sts (cols 1 to 6), ch 6 (cols 7 to 12), then sc in the 6 Row 15 sts of the bowl leg (cols 13 to 18). (12 sc + 6 ch = 18 sts)
Row 17: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st and each ch across. (18 sts)
Row 18: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (18 sts)
Checkpoint: 3 in (7.6 cm) tall.
Row 19: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog over the first 2 sts, then sc in each st across. (17 sts)
Row 20: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st to the last 2 sts, then sc2tog. (16 sts)
Row 21: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog over the first 2 sts, then sc in each st across. (15 sts)
Fasten off B. Keep A attached for the border.
Checkpoint: 3 in x 3.5 in (7.6 cm x 8.9 cm). Before its border, the counter is 6 sts x 9 rows, or 1 in x 1.5 in (2.5 cm x 3.8 cm).
Border
Border gauge: Work 1 sc per stitch along the top and bottom, and 1 sc per row end along the sides. The gauge is square (6 sts and 6 rows per 1 in / 2.5 cm), so a row end is the same length as a stitch and the edge lies flat.
Outer Edge
Rnd 1: With A still attached at the stem-top corner, ch 1. Do not turn; rotate to work down the stem side.
- Stem side: 1 sc in each row end. (21 sc)
- Bottom: 3 sc in the first foundation st (col 1), then 1 sc in each foundation st across cols 2 to 15. (3 + 14 = 17 sc)
- Bowl side: 2 sc in each row end of Rows 1–3, 1 sc in each row end of Rows 4–18, then 2 sc in each row end of Rows 19–21. (6 + 15 + 6 = 27 sc)
- Top: 1 sc in each st of Row 21 across cols 15 to 2, then 3 sc in col 1. (14 + 3 = 17 sc)
Sl st to the first sc. (82 sc total: 21 + 17 + 27 + 17)
Why the math works: The two stem corners are true right angles, so each gets 3 sc in one stitch. That adds 2 sc per corner, which are already included in the 17 for the top and the 17 for the bottom. The bowl corners step out by one stitch per row in Rows 1–4 and back in over Rows 18–21. Each of those 6 steps exposes about one extra stitch of edge, so Rows 1–3 and 19–21 take 2 sc per row end instead of 1. This rounds the bowl without ruffling it.
Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail.
Inner Edge (Counter)
Rnd 1: Join A in the first skipped st of Row 6, at a corner of the counter.
- Bottom: 1 sc in each of the 6 skipped sts. (6 sc)
- Bowl leg side: 1 sc in each row end of Rows 7–15. (9 sc)
- Top: 1 sc in the underside of each ch of Row 16. (6 sc)
- Stem leg side: 1 sc in each row end of Rows 15–7. (9 sc)
Sl st to the first sc. (30 sc total: 6 + 9 + 6 + 9)
The counter’s corners are inside corners, so they get no extra stitches. Working 1 sc per stitch or row end lets them pull in slightly and stay crisp. Fasten off and weave in all ends behind the colorwork.
Flowers, Buds and Leaves
Large Pink Flower (make 1, about 1.25 in / 3.2 cm)
Rnd 1: With D, make a magic ring and work 10 sc in the ring. Sl st to the first sc and pull the ring closed. (10 sc)
Rnd 2: Join B. 2 sc in each st. Sl st to the first sc. (20 sc)
Rnd 3: *Sl st in next st, (hdc, 2 dc) in next st, (2 dc, hdc) in next st, sl st in next st. Repeat from * 4 more times. (5 petals)
Fasten off, leaving an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail.
Small Flowers (make 1 in B and 1 in A, about 0.8 in / 2.0 cm)
Rnd 1: With D, make a magic ring and work 10 sc in the ring. Sl st to the first sc. (10 sc)
Rnd 2: Join B or A. *Sl st in next st, (hdc, 2 dc, hdc) in next st. Repeat from * 4 more times. (5 petals)
Fasten off, leaving an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail.
Centers: With D, work 5 French knots (2 wraps each) on each flower center to make the bumpy cream center.
Buds (make 4, about 0.25 in / 0.6 cm)
With B, ch 3. Work a 4-dc bud cluster in the 3rd ch from the hook, then ch 1. Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail, and use the tail to round the bud.
Leaves (make 4, about 0.75 in / 1.9 cm long)
With C, ch 6. Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook, work sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc. (5 sts) Ch 1 and rotate to work along the other side of the chain: sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc. (5 sts) Sl st to the first sc. Fasten off, leaving a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail.
Assembly
Block the letter first (see below). Then lay it right side up with the stem on the left.
- Sew the large pink flower to the lower half of the stem, overlapping the left border by about 0.25 in (0.6 cm).
- Sew the navy flower below the large flower and slightly to its right, at the bottom-left corner.
- Sew the small pink flower to the right of the navy flower, on the bottom bar.
- Tuck the leaves behind the flowers: one left of the bud spray, one at the upper right of the large flower, one at its left, and one under the navy flower.
- With C, embroider 4 stem-stitch lines running up the stem from the large flower, each about 0.75 in (1.9 cm) long.
- Sew a bud to the end of each line. The top bud sits just below the stem-top corner.
- With pliers, open a jump ring. Pass it through the center sc of the stem-top corner and through the chain, then close it. Use the second jump ring to attach the chain to the split ring.
Final Blocking
- Block the letter before you sew on the appliqués.
- Lightly mist it with water, or steam it from 1 in (2.5 cm) above.
- Pin the straight stem edge first, then the top and bottom bars.
- Ease the bowl curve into shape so the letter measures 3.25 in x 3.75 in (8.3 cm x 9.5 cm).
- Pin the counter open to about 0.75 in x 1.25 in (1.9 cm x 3.2 cm).
- Let it dry completely before you sew on the flowers.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The letter measures 3.25 in x 3.75 in (8.3 cm x 9.5 cm).
- The outer border has 82 sc and the inner border has 30 sc.
- The diamonds line up in offset rows with no stray colors.
- No carried strand shows on the front.
- The stem edge is straight and the bowl curve is smooth.
- The counter is open and evenly rectangular.
- All appliqués are firmly sewn and the jump rings are fully closed.
Troubleshooting
- Carried yarn shows through: Hold the carried strand a little tighter, or use a smaller hook.
- The letter leans to one side: This is normal in tapestry sc. Block firmly and pin the stem straight.
- The yarns twist together: Turn clockwise on one row and counterclockwise on the next.
- The bowl border ruffles: Work 1 sc instead of 2 in the row ends of Rows 3 and 19.
- The bowl border pulls tight: Work 2 sc instead of 1 in the row ends of Rows 4 and 18.
- The petals curl: Steam them flat before you sew them on.
Care
Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry. Take off the metal hardware before soaking.
Final Notes
The measurement chain is simple. Gauge is 12 sts and 12 rows per 2 in (5.1 cm). The letter is 18 sts x 21 rows, which is 3 in x 3.5 in (7.6 cm x 8.9 cm). One border round brings it to 3.25 in x 3.75 in (8.3 cm x 9.5 cm). Check each stage and your D will come out neat, firm and ready to hang.
Happy crocheting!