This little woodland charm hangs from a rear-view mirror. A large rust-red toadstool with cream spots sits at the top. A small mustard mushroom, two sage-green fern leaves and a brown-capped acorn hang just below it. A wooden bead and a green chain loop finish the top.
The colors are warm autumn shades: rust, cream, mustard, sage green, chocolate brown and tan. The stems use waistcoat stitch, which gives a ribbed, knit-look texture. The cap undersides are worked in back loops, which makes fine ridges that look like gills.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished charm is about 2.5 in (6.4 cm) wide at the large cap and 6 in (15.2 cm) from cap top to acorn tip. The hanging loop adds about 3.5 in (8.9 cm).
Each cap is worked top-down in the round, and then the underside is decreased in cream. The stems are made separately and sewn on stitch for stitch. The spots, ferns and acorn are added during assembly.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 2.5 in (6.4 cm) wide x 6 in (15.2 cm) tall, plus a 3.5 in (8.9 cm) loop
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Terminology: US
- Yarn weight: DK (weight 3) cotton
- Hook: 2.5 mm
- Number of pieces: 8 main pieces (large cap, large stem, small cap, small stem, acorn body, acorn cap, 2 ferns), plus 14 spots and 2 chains
- Layout: One vertical cluster hanging from a single loop
- Piece sizes: large cap 2.5 in (6.4 cm); small cap 1.25 in (3.2 cm); fern 3.25 in (8.3 cm) long; acorn 1 in (2.5 cm) wide x 1.4 in (3.6 cm) tall
- Cap size before trim: 2.5 in (6.4 cm) and 1.25 in (3.2 cm)
- Trim (border) depth: about 0.13 in (0.3 cm), 2 rounds
Materials
Use a smooth, tightly plied DK cotton, about 120 m per 50 g. Cotton holds its shape, shows texture clearly and resists fuzzing in a warm car.
- Rust red (large cap): 8 g, about 19 m
- Cream (undersides, stems, spots, trim): 8 g, about 19 m
- Mustard (small cap): 3 g, about 7 m
- Sage green (ferns, chains): 6 g, about 14 m
- Chocolate brown (acorn cap): 2 g, about 5 m
- Tan (acorn body): 3 g, about 7 m
These quantities include about 20% extra for swatching and sewing tails.
Tools: 2.5 mm hook, tapestry needle, a small handful of polyester fiberfill, one 12 mm wooden bead with a hole big enough for two strands of yarn, stitch marker, scissors, and rust-proof pins with a foam mat.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- MR: magic ring
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- inc: 2 sc in the same stitch
- dec: sc 2 together (an invisible decrease is best)
- BLO / FLO: back loop only / front loop only
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rnd: round
Special stitch: Waistcoat stitch (ws). Put the hook through the center of the next sc, between its two front legs (the “V”), not under the top loops. Yarn over and pull up a loop, then yarn over and pull through both loops. Over several rounds, ws stacks into vertical knit-look columns. To decrease in ws rounds, use a regular dec.
Work every piece in continuous spiral rounds. Don’t join or turn unless the pattern says to, and move your marker up each round.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge: A flat circle of 6 sc rounds (increasing by 6 each round to 36 sts) measures 1.5 in (3.8 cm) across. That is 6 sc and 8 rounds per 1 in (2.5 cm). For chains, 7 ch = 1 in (2.5 cm).
The large cap works as your test piece. Check it at each of these points:
- Large cap after Rnd 8 (48 sts): 2 in (5.1 cm) flat
- Large cap after Rnd 13: 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across the rim and about 1 in (2.5 cm) tall
- Large stem: 1.75 in (4.4 cm) long and 0.75 in (1.9 cm) wide at the base
- Small cap after Rnd 7: 1.25 in (3.2 cm)
If your piece is too big, use a hook 0.25 mm smaller. If it’s too small, use a hook 0.25 mm larger. If you can see gaps between stitches, the stuffing will show through, so crochet tighter even if the size is right.
Large Mushroom Cap
With rust red:
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
- Rnd 2: inc x6. (12)
- Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x6. (18)
- Rnd 4: (sc 2, inc) x6. (24)
- Rnd 5: (sc 3, inc) x6. (30)
- Rnd 6: (sc 4, inc) x6. (36)
- Rnd 7: (sc 5, inc) x6. (42)
- Rnd 8: (sc 6, inc) x6. (48)
Checkpoint: the circle should measure 2 in (5.1 cm) flat.
- Rnds 9–13: sc in each st. (48 each round)
These even rounds turn the edge down into a dome. Fasten off rust red.
Underside (gills). Join cream. Work every underside round in BLO so the leftover loops form gill ridges.
- Rnd 14: BLO sc in each st. (48) The free front loops of Rnd 13 are where the trim goes later.
- Rnd 15: BLO (sc 6, dec) x6. (42)
- Rnd 16: BLO (sc 5, dec) x6. (36)
- Rnd 17: BLO (sc 4, dec) x6. (30)
- Rnd 18: BLO (sc 3, dec) x6. (24)
- Rnd 19: BLO (sc 2, dec) x6. (18)
Stuff lightly. Press the underside up so the cap stays a shallow dome, not a ball.
- Rnd 20: BLO (sc 1, dec) x6. (12)
Sl st and fasten off. Leave the 12-st opening open for the stem.
Large Stem
With cream:
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
- Rnd 2: inc x6. (12)
- Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x6. (18)
- Rnd 4: sc in each st. (18) This makes a flat base.
- Rnds 5–6: ws in each st. (18)
- Rnd 7: (ws 4, dec) x3. (15)
- Rnds 8–9: ws in each st. (15)
- Rnd 10: (ws 3, dec) x3. (12)
- Rnds 11–17: ws in each st. (12 each round)
Stuff firmly. Fasten off and leave a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. Checkpoint: 1.75 in (4.4 cm) long.
Small Mushroom Cap
With mustard:
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
- Rnd 2: inc x6. (12)
- Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x6. (18)
- Rnd 4: (sc 2, inc) x6. (24)
- Rnds 5–7: sc in each st. (24 each round)
Checkpoint: 1.25 in (3.2 cm). Fasten off mustard and join cream.
- Rnd 8: BLO sc in each st. (24)
- Rnd 9: BLO (sc 2, dec) x6. (18)
- Rnd 10: BLO (sc 1, dec) x6. (12)
Stuff lightly and flatten the underside.
- Rnd 11: BLO (sc 2, dec) x3. (9)
Fasten off. This leaves a 9-st opening for the stem.
Small Stem
With cream:
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
- Rnd 2: (sc 1, inc) x3. (9)
- Rnds 3–9: ws in each st. (9 each round)
Stuff, fasten off and leave a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. Checkpoint: about 1 in (2.5 cm) long.
Spots
Work the spots in cream and leave a 6 in (15.2 cm) tail on each one.
- Large spot (make 6): Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. Rnd 2: (sc 1, inc) x3. (9) Sl st to join. About 0.35 in (0.9 cm) across.
- Small spot (make 8): 5 sc in MR, pull the ring tight, sl st to join. About 0.2 in (0.5 cm) across.
The small mustard cap gets 6 cream French knots (3 wraps each) instead of crocheted spots.
Acorn
Body. With tan:
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
- Rnd 2: (sc 1, inc) x3. (9)
- Rnd 3: (sc 2, inc) x3. (12)
- Rnd 4: (sc 1, inc) x6. (18)
- Rnds 5–7: sc in each st. (18 each round)
- Rnd 8: (sc 1, dec) x6. (12) Stuff firmly.
- Rnd 9: dec x6. (6) Close the hole.
Because the first rounds increase slowly, the bottom comes to a soft point.
Cap. With chocolate brown:
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
- Rnd 2: inc x6. (12)
- Rnd 3: BLO (sc 1, inc) x6. (18)
- Rnd 4: BLO (sc 2, inc) x6. (24)
- Rnd 5: BLO sc in each st. (24)
- Rnd 6: BLO (sc 2, dec) x6. (18)
The BLO rounds give the cap its scaly ridges, and Rnd 6 curls the edge in to hug the body. Leave a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. For the stalk, join brown at the MR center, ch 3, then sl st back down and fasten off.
Fern Leaves (make 2)
With sage green, ch 24. Number the chains starting from the hook, so ch 1 is the one closest to the hook.
Side A: Sl st in ch 2. Ch 1 is left unworked and forms the point. Then work ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 3 ch (leaflet made), sl st in next 2 spine ch. Repeat from * 10 times total, working into chains 3–22. Sl st in chains 23 and 24.
Side B: Rotate the work so you can stitch into the free loops of the foundation chain. Sl st in the free loops of chains 24 and 23. Then work leaflet, sl st in free loops of next 2 spine ch. Repeat from * 10 times, ending at chain 3.
Tip: Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch, sl st in the first sl st of Side A. Fasten off. Leave an 8 in (20.3 cm) tail at the base.
Each fern has 21 leaflets (10 + 10 + 1) and measures 3.25 in (8.3 cm) long x 1.25 in (3.2 cm) wide.
Hanging Loop and Acorn Chain
- Hanging loop: In sage green, ch 50, about 7 in (17.8 cm) long. Leave 8 in (20.3 cm) tails at both ends.
- Acorn chain: In sage green, ch 11, about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long. Leave 6 in (15.2 cm) tails at both ends.
Make All Pieces
| Color | Pieces |
|---|---|
| Rust red | 1 large cap (Rnds 1–13) |
| Cream | 2 undersides, 2 trims, 2 stems, 6 large spots, 8 small spots, 6 French knots |
| Mustard | 1 small cap (Rnds 1–7) |
| Sage green | 2 ferns, 1 hanging loop, 1 acorn chain |
| Chocolate brown | 1 acorn cap |
| Tan | 1 acorn body |
Layout (front view):
[ hanging loop ]
( bead )
[ LARGE RUST CAP ]
| large |
[fern] | stem | [small cap]
[fern] |_______| | stem |
|
( acorn )
Joining
Sew the pieces together with whipstitch through both loops, using matching tails.
- Large stem to cap: Line up the 12 sts of stem Rnd 17 with the 12 sts of cap Rnd 20, one to one. Whipstitch all 12 pairs, then go around a second time for strength. The stem should sit centered and straight.
- Spots: Spread the 6 large spots evenly over cap Rnds 5–11. Fill the gaps between them with the 8 small spots, and sew around the edge of each one.
- Small mushroom: Sew the 9 sts of stem Rnd 9 to the 9 sts of cap Rnd 11, stitch for stitch. Then add the French knots.
- Acorn: Sew the 18 sts of cap Rnd 6 to the 18 sts of body Rnd 7, stitch for stitch.
- Hanging loop: Thread both loop tails through the bead together. Then take them into the MR center of the large cap and knot them firmly around the Rnd 1 stitches.
- Cluster: Sew both fern bases to the left side of the large stem at Rnds 4–6, fanning them downward. Sew the small stem’s top to the right side of the large stem’s base. Sew the acorn chain between the center of the large stem’s base and the acorn stalk.
Tension: Make each stitch snug enough to close the seam, but not so tight that the fabric puckers.
Size checkpoint: Hang the charm. It should measure 6 in (15.2 cm) from cap top to acorn tip.
Border (Cap Rim Trim)
The cream rim band on each cap is worked into the free front loops left by the first underside round.
Border gauge: 6 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm), the same as the cap.
Large cap: Hold the cap dome up and join cream in any free FLO of Rnd 13.
- Trim Rnd 1: sc in each free FLO. 48 sts = 48 worked 1 per existing st + 0 added. That is six 8-st sections.
- Trim Rnd 2: sl st in each sc. 48 sts = 48 worked 1 per existing st + 0 added. Fasten off.
Small cap: Join cream in any free FLO of Rnd 7.
- Trim Rnd 1: sc in each free FLO. 24 sts = 24 worked 1 per existing st + 0 added. That is six 4-st sections.
- Trim Rnd 2: sl st in each sc. 24 sts = 24 worked 1 per existing st + 0 added.
Why the math works: Each rim already has exactly 48 or 24 stitches. Working one trim stitch per loop keeps the circumference the same. At 6 sts per inch, 48 sts is 8 in (20.3 cm), which fits the rim of a 2.5 in (6.4 cm) dome. Adding stitches would ruffle the edge, and skipping stitches would cup it. The sl st round firms up the band so it rolls slightly.
Final Blocking
- Wet both ferns in cool water and gently squeeze out the extra in a towel.
- Pin the ferns flat, spacing the leaflets evenly and angling them slightly toward the tip.
- Let them dry completely, about 4–6 hours.
- Hold a steam iron 1 in (2.5 cm) above each cap without touching it, then shape the dome and flatten the underside with your fingers.
- Roll the stems between your palms to even out the stuffing.
- Let everything cool before you hang the charm.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The large cap is 2.5 in (6.4 cm) across and the small cap is 1.25 in (3.2 cm).
- The stems are centered, straight and firm.
- All 14 spots are flat and evenly spaced.
- The trim rounds have 48 and 24 sts and lie flat.
- Both ferns have 21 leaflets.
- The acorn cap seam is closed all the way around.
- The bead sits snugly on the cap.
- The charm measures 6 in (15.2 cm) plus the 3.5 in (8.9 cm) loop.
- All tails are knotted and hidden.
Troubleshooting
- The cap looks like a ball: Take out some stuffing and press the underside flat before Rnd 20.
- The cap edge flares: Your gauge is loose. Go down a hook size.
- The stem leans: The stitch pairs don’t line up. Re-sew and match all 12 pairs.
- Waistcoat stitch is hard to work: Loosen your tension in the ws rounds.
- The fern curls: Block it again and leave it pinned longer.
- The charm spins: Sew the ferns closer to the stem to balance the weight.
Care
Spot clean with cool water and mild soap, then reshape and air dry. Don’t machine wash or tumble dry it.
Final Notes
Each measurement builds on the one before it. If you hit gauge (6 sc rounds = 1.5 in / 3.8 cm), the large cap reaches 2 in (5.1 cm) at Rnd 8 and 2.5 in (6.4 cm) at the rim. The stem’s 12 stitches match the cap’s 12-stitch opening, and the trim matches the 48- and 24-stitch rims exactly. With the stem, acorn chain and acorn added, the charm hangs 6 in (15.2 cm) below its 3.5 in (8.9 cm) loop.
Happy crocheting!