Daughter #2 is a sugar skull fan, so I use that motif a lot when making gifts for her. This week I reworked my skull applique pattern and updated my Ravelry listing.
This is a simple pattern that can be used to embellish clothing and accessories. Let your imagination run wild with colors, yarn sizes, and decorations. Stay tuned later in the month for a new crochet book - Sugar Skull Crochet Patterns.
Skull:
Row 1: With white yarn, ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each of next 5 ch (6 sc).
Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, inc, sc across to last st, inc in last st (12 sc at end of Row 4).
Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Sc in 1st 3 sts. Leave remaining sts unworked.
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Leave loop hanging. Using separate piece of yarn, go back to Row 4. Skip 6 sts, sc in each of last 3 sts. Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Ch 6, join with sl st in first section of Row 6. Fasten off.
Row 7: Pick up loop on Row 6, sc across all sts & chs (12 sc).
Rows 8-9: Repeat Row 2 (16 sc).
Row 10: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st.
Row 11: Repeat Row 2 (18 sc).
Rows 12-13: Repeat Row 10.
Row 14: Ch 1, turn, sc in 4 sts.
Row 15: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc in next 2 sts (3 sc).
Row 16: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st.
Row 17: Ch 1, turn, inc, sc in next 2 sts (4 sc). Leave loop hanging. With separate piece of yarn, sk 3 sts on Row 13. Ch 1, sc in next 4 sts, ch 1, turn, dec twice. Ch 1, turn, sc in 2 sts. Ch 1, turn, inc twice. Ch 3, sl st in 1st st of Row 17. Fasten off.
Go back to Row 13. Sk 3 sts, ch 1, sc in last 4 sts. Ch 1, turn, sc in next 2 sts, dec (3 sc). Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Ch 1, turn, sc in 2 sts, inc next st (4 sc). Ch 1, sl st in middle section of Row 17. Fasten off.
Row 18: Pick up loop on first section of Row 17. Ch 1, sc in each st and ch (18 sc).
Rows 19-21: Ch 1, turn, dec first 2 sts, sc across to last 2 sts, dec last 2 sts (12 sc).
Row 22: Dec, sc next 8 sts, dec, continue down side, sc around entire skull. Join with sl st in 1st sc of Row 22.
With pink yarn, sc around both eye openings.
Heart:
With pink yarn, ch 3. In 3rd ch from hook, work 2 dc, 4 hdc, ch 1, 4 hdc, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st in same ch. Fasten off leaving 12” length and sew to forehead of skull.
Nose:
With purple yarn, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, sl st in 3rd ch. Fasten off leaving 6” length and sew to center of face.
Use straight st and white yarn to embroider teeth. Decorate cheeks with flowers in a daisy st.
Sew skull to bag. Use teal yarn to topstitch edge of skull.