If your plant collection struggles to survive, these crochet leaf earrings are a safer bet. No watering; no sunlight; and no crispy edges to contend with. They add a touch of botanical charm and make just enough of a statement; unlike the houseplants you’re trying not to forget. Admittedly, I need to work on my plant mom skills!
Spring was in the air just a few short days ago, but as I write this post it’s actually snowing. These crochet earrings will help will help bridge the gap between Winter and Spring; adding a touch of greenery until the real thing finally decides to stick around!
In less than an hour, you can create your own little nod to Spring!
Creative Craft Hop
Before we get to the tutorial, it’s time for another Creative Craft blog hop co-hosted every other month by yours truly and Donna from Modern on Monticello! If you are visiting from Carol at Blue Sky at Home, welcome! Wasn’t her file organizer so pretty? Thanks for hopping over!
At the very bottom of this post, we’ll be directing you to the next stop on this venture. But don’t forget to check out the other stops too because you’ll find plenty more ideas. Be sure to drop back in throughout the week to visit them all!
Materials for Crochet Leaf Earrings
[If you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered (disclosure): The blue links in this post may be affiliate links. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases which we proudly donate to Alzheimer’s research. But don’t worry, you don’t pay a cent more! Thanks for helping to support our fundraiser!]
- Crochet hook (I’m using a steel #3 vintage Boye hook – around 2.1 mm). Hook size will depend on the yarn you choose. This set is similar but the closest size is 2.35 mm.
- Mercerized cotton
- Earring wires
- Head pins or 20-22 gauge wire (depending on the size of your beads)
- Glass Murano Beads (I thrifted mine)
- Chain nose jewelry pliers (2 pair)
How to Crochet Earrings
I originally had in mind to make micro crochet earrings using the ultra thin yarn you see on the bottom.
However, like these crochet earrings, I once again reached for a ball of yarn I inherited from my Mom. There’s something special about using materials that carry a bit of history; each stitch feels like a small connection to her creativity and the projects she once had in mind. It’s also a wonderful reminder that even her yarn leftovers can become something beautiful.
When my Mom was in palliative care, I taught myself how to Tunisian crochet. Over the course of two weeks, I designed this crochet pillow cover. I ended up naming that project the Kayla pillow after both my mom and mother-in-law, who each passed from Alzheimer’s. That project started us on our journey to use this blog as a means to raise money for Alzheimer’s disease. Creating that first tunisian crochet project turned a difficult time into something meaningful that continues to give back every year!
If you’ve been curious about learning how to tunisian crochet, these earrings make a perfect beginner project. You don’t even need a special tunisian crochet hook! These crochet earrings are small enough to make on a standard hook.
As you’ll see when you get to the free crochet pattern below, each row repeats the same steps – but grows by one stitch at each turn. After 8 rows, you’ll have this beautiful leaf shape that you can further embellsh with some beads.
Crochet Earrings Pattern
Bead Earring Embellshment
Of course, you can ‘leaf’ these earrings as-is and just add earring wires. But I found a two bags of beads and spacers during separate trips to the thrift store.
I was actually hesitant to purchase the second bag, because the price tag was… well pricey! But once they were all sorted and organized, I could understand why. I spotted some gorgeous purple glass that I turned into earrings right away. They will complement these crochet leaf earrings perfectly!
So let’s embellish our leafy earrings!
Create a head pin from wire or use a pre-fabricated one. Slide on a spacer at the bottom, thenglass beads separated by another silver spacer. Form a loop at the top of the head pin.
Open a 6 mm jump ring with needle nose pliers. Insert into the top of the leaf. Attach head pin and the 4 mm jump ring and close using the pliers. Open the 3 mm jump ring and attach the ear wire. Close the jump ring. Repeat with the second earring.
The bulbs in our neighbourhood are just starting to peek through the earth. Until they reach for the sky and fully blossom, I can at least live vicariously through these green leafy earrings.
Tunisian Crochet Earrings
Crochet Earrings Pattern – FREE
Chain 3.
Row 1. Turn the work so the back bumps are facing. Pull up loops through each of the 4 back bumps. YO, pull through two loops on hook, 3 times.
Row 2. Turn the work so back bumps are facing (you’ll see 3 bumps). Pull up loops through 3 bumps, plus the first chain of the foundation. 5 loops on hook. YO, pull through two loops on hook, 4 times.
Row 3. Turn the work so back bumps are facing (you’ll see 4 bumps). Pull up loops through 4 bumps, plus the first chain of the foundation. 6 loops on hook. YO, pull through two loops on hook, 5 times.
Row 4. Turn the work so back bumps are facing (you’ll see 5 bumps). Pull up loops through 5 bumps, plus the first chain of the foundation. 7 loops on hook. YO, pull through two loops on hook, 6 times.
Row 5. Turn the work so back bumps are facing (you’ll see 6 bumps). Pull up loops through 6 bumps, plus the first chain of the foundation. 8 loops on hook. YO, pull through two loops on hook, 7 times.
Row 6. Turn the work so back bumps are facing (you’ll see 7 bumps). Pull up loops through 7 bumps, plus the first chain of the foundation. 9 loops on hook. YO, pull through two loops on hook, 8 times.
Row 7. Turn the work so back bumps are facing (you’ll see 8 bumps). Pull up loops through 8 bumps, plus the first chain of the foundation. 10 loops on hook. YO, pull through two loops on hook, 9 times.
Row 8. Turn the work so back bumps are facing (you’ll see 9 bumps). Pull up loops through 9 bumps, plus the first chain of the foundation. 11 loops on hook. YO, pull through two loops on hook, 10 times.
To finish: ch 1 and cut the yarn. Use a blunt need to hide the tail end inside the work.
Pin Crochet Leaf Earrings
If you found this project inspiring or helpful, why not share the love? Pinning is a great way to support our charitable work and helps others discover creative ideas too! Just click the Pin button and save it to your favourite board; you’ll be able to find it later when you’re ready to try it yourself. Every pin makes a big difference and keeps the creativity flowing!
Creative Craft Hop
Now it’s time to head to Upcycle Picture Frames to Trays from Gail at Purple Hues and Me. When you’re done, please remember to visit these other amazing talents below:
What a lovely nod to your Mom and new beginnings. They’re beautiful, Sara, One day I’m going to conquer the hook.
My offer still stands if you ever need help with learning crochet! I’m just a zoom call away 🙂
Oh my goodness, Sara, your leaf earrings are gorgeous–pinned! I love the yarn color you selected and the beads are lovely! Blessings, Cecilia – My Thrift Store Addiction
Thanks Cecilia! We’re both on the same wavelength when it comes to crochet projects; yours is gorgeous too! 🙂
Your crochet earrings bring back lots of memories for me, Sara. My mil got me into crafts and she tried to teach me how to crochet, but I couldn’t seem to pick it up. She also passed from Alzheimer’s and it was a sad ten years to see her like that. I love how your earrings turned out! So gorgeous and quite unique! What a great conversation piece! Maybe one day I’ll sit down and try again to crochet.
Crochet really is a stress buster for me so I’m glad I took it up again. I just started knitting again too and will be launching a sweater pattern once all the grading and test knitting is sorted out.