About This Pattern
This vine is a small thing with a sharp idea behind it. It borrows a tattoo's shape and turns it into soft fiber art. A slim stem grows across rows, then leaves get added one by one. It needs sport weight cotton, a 3.0 mm hook, and a quiet hour at the table. The piece stays narrow, about 12 inches tall, so it suits a bookmark or a bag panel just as well as a frame.
In the basket
Abbreviations
- ch
- chain
- sl st
- slip stitch
- sc
- single crochet
- hdc
- half double crochet
- dc
- double crochet
- inc
- increase, work 2 stitches into the same stitch
- dec
- decrease, crochet 2 stitches together
- st
- stitch
- RS
- right side
- WS
- wrong side
- UK note
- US single crochet is equivalent to UK double crochet. US double crochet is equivalent to UK treble crochet.
- Terminology
- US crochet terms
Crochet tattoo ideas: a botanical vine applique to stitch
Main Pattern
Use green yarn.
Ch 4.
- Row 1Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. (3 sts)
- Row 2Ch 1, sc across. Turn. (3 sts)
- Rows 3–20Repeat Row 2. (3 sts)
- Row 21Ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in next st, sc in last st. Turn. (4 sts)
- Row 22Ch 1, sc across. Turn. (4 sts)
- Rows 23–35Repeat Row 22. (4 sts)Fasten off and leave a long tail for attaching.
Small Leaf Motif
Make 6 small leaves.
Ch 7.
- Round 1Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch. Continue along opposite side of chain: hdc, dc in next 2 sts, hdc, sc. Join with sl st. (14 sts)
- Round 2Ch 1, sc around while increasing at both ends with 2 sc in each end stitch. Join with sl st. (18 sts)Fasten off and weave ends.
Large Leaf Motif
Make 4 large leaves.
Ch 10.
- Row 1Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next 2 ch, dc in next 4 ch, hdc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch. Turn and work along opposite side: hdc, dc in next 4 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, sc. Turn. (20 sts)
- Row 2Ch 1, sc around, adding 3 sc in each pointed end. Join with sl st. (26 sts)Fasten off and leave a sewing tail.
Special Stitch
Leaf Point Stitch: Work a sequence of hdc, dc, hdc into one stitch to create a pointed leaf tip.
Before the first stitch
- Check your cotton yarn amount covers the vine and all ten leaves before starting.
- Read through the Main Pattern rows once, since the stitch count shifts partway through.
- Make a small swatch in sc to confirm your gauge with the 3.0 mm hook.
Minutes per piece
- Main Pattern vine about 1.5 hours because of the 22-plus row count worked flat
- Leaf motifs, small and large about 2 hours because ten leaves each need shaping and finishing
Other yarns that work
- DK weight cotton blend Slightly larger finished size, needs a 3.5 mm hook, drapes a touch softer.
- Sport weight acrylic Same size and hook, but less crisp edges, so blocking holds less detail.
Where it ends up
- A fabric bookmark, paired with a plain linen cover.
- A decorative panel stitched onto a canvas tote.
- A small framed piece, paired with a narrow wood frame for a shelf.
Joining up
- Step 1 Arrange the vine vertically on a flat surface.
- Step 2 Curve the vine gently into an organic shape inspired by a climbing plant.
- Step 3 Attach three small leaves and two large leaves on each side using matching yarn.
- Step 4 Place leaves at different angles to create natural movement.
- Step 5 Add optional embroidered vein lines using a darker green yarn.
- Step 6 Secure all yarn ends on the back.
- Step 7 Block each leaf gently with steam or water blocking depending on yarn fiber. Allow pieces to dry completely before attaching them. Use invisible stitches when sewing the leaves to maintain the clean tattoo-inspired appearance.
- Step 8 For the best results, gently wash the finished crochet applique by hand using mild soap and cool water. Shape the vine and leaves while damp, then allow them to dry flat. Cotton yarn works especially well because it holds crisp details and responds nicely to blocking.
- Step 9 Pro Tip: Add surface embroidery after blocking rather than before. This helps keep decorative lines smooth and prevents distortion.
Small notes
- Keep tension even across the long run of single crochet rows, so the vine stays straight.
- Use a stitch marker on the first row of the Main Pattern to track the increase point at Row 21.
- Leave a sewing tail on each large leaf, since you will need it for attaching, not just weaving in.
- Finished size: approximately 12 inches x 3 inches (30.5 cm x 7.6 cm).
- Gauge: approximately 24 sc x 26 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) with the 3.0 mm hook.
- Color guidance: use green shades for the vine and leaves, with an optional brown, gray, or metallic accent; change colors to create autumn, tropical, or monochrome themes.
- Blocking the finished leaves before attaching them helps create sharper points and a more polished botanical appearance.
- Skill level: confident beginner to intermediate.
Little questions
Can I make the vine shorter than 12 inches?
Yes, just stop repeating Row 2 sooner. The shaping rows at the end still work the same way.
Why use cotton instead of acrylic?
Cotton holds a crisp edge after blocking. That crispness matters for the pointed leaf tips here.
Do I attach all ten leaves before or after blocking the vine?
Block the vine first, then attach leaves once it is dry. This keeps the stem straight while you sew.
What is the metallic yarn for?
It is an optional detail for the center of the vine. Skip it if you want a plain green piece.
Original pattern: https://duniarecipe.com/crochet-tattoo-ideas-unique-botanical-inspired-tattoo-designs/
About the Author
Tamsin Okoro Who writes the patterns at Yarn Gallery, how a pattern gets from the hook to the page, and what this site will never do.
