Crochet turkey applique pattern

This free crochet turkey applique pattern is a beginner-friendly project made with simple stitches and straightforward color changes. It works up quickly and makes a fun Thanksgiving applique for seasonal décor, handmade gifts, classroom projects, and fall crochet projects.

Ways to use this crochet turkey applique

This crochet turkey applique is festive, colorful, and fun to use in all kinds of Thanksgiving projects. Here are a few creative ways to use it:

• Add it to pillows, table runners, or kitchen décor
• Use it on tote bags, aprons, or seasonal accessories
• Sew it onto blankets or wall hangings for fall décor
• Add it to classroom projects or holiday bulletin boards
• Use it as a handmade accent for gifts or party décor

Crochet turkey applique pattern details

Here’s a quick overview of the materials, finished size, gauge, and pattern notes before you begin.

Skill level

Beginner — This pattern uses simple stitches and straightforward color changes, making it a great project for beginners.

Materials needed

• Crochet hook size E (3.5 mm) — Gauge is not critical for this pattern
• Worsted weight yarn (#4) — In black, red, orange, yellow, and brown
• Yarn needle — For weaving in ends neatly
• Scissors — To cut your yarn

Finished size

The turkey applique measures about 10.5 inches wide by 9 inches long (27 x 23 cm).

Gauge

Gauge is not critical for this pattern. Small differences in tension will only slightly affect the finished size.

Crochet abbreviations

• dc = double crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• sc = single crochet
• sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together
• sc3tog = single crochet 3 stitches together
• hdc2tog = half double crochet 2 stitches together
• hdc3tog = half double crochet 3 stitches together
• ch/chs = chain/chains
• st/sts = stitch/stitches
• sl st = slip stitch
• rnd/rnds = round/rounds
• rem = remaining

Pattern notes

• Join each round with a slip stitch to the first stitch
• Beginning chains do not count as stitches
• Repeat instructions between asterisks (*) for the rest of the round
• Use stitch markers to mark the first stitch of each round or row if needed
• The pattern is written in US crochet terms

Crochet turkey applique pattern instructions

Follow the step-by-step instructions below to crochet each part of this free crochet turkey applique pattern from start to finish.

Turkey body

Rnd 1: magic ring, ch 2, 10 dc, join with sl st in top of first dc [10]
Rnd 2: ch 2, 2 dc in same st, 2 dc in each rem st, join [20]
Rnd 3: ch 2, 2 dc in same st, dc in next st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st*, join [30]
Rnd 4: ch 2, 2 dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts*, join [40]
Rnd 5:  ch 2, 2 dc in same st, dc in next 3 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts*, join [50]

Adding the feathers

Use orange, red, and yellow. For each new feather, follow these instructions:

Row 1: attach new color (orange, red, or yellow), ch 2, hdc in the same st and in the next 4 sts [5]
Rows 2-9: ch 2 and hdc in each st, turn [5]
Row 10: ch 2, hdc2tog, hdc in the next st, hdc2tog, turn [3]
Row 11: ch 2, hdc3tog, fasten off [1]

Attach your brown yarn and sc around the body and feathers.

Turkey head

Use brown yarn.

Rnd 1: magic ring, ch 2, 10 dc, join with sl st in top of first dc [10]
Rnd 2: ch 2, 2 dc in same st, 2 dc in each rem st, join [20]
Rnd 3: ch 2, 2 dc in same st, dc in next st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st*, join [30]

Adding the hat

Use black yarn.

Row 1: Attach your black yarn to the head. Ch 2, hdc in 10 sts, turn [10]
Row 2: slip st in three stitches, ch 2 and hdc in the same st (the 3rd st) and hdc in the next 5 sts, turn [6]
Row 3: ch 2, dc in each st, fasten off [6]

Use a yarn needle and yellow yarn to sew a buckle onto the hat. Switch to black yarn and add eyes.

Turkey beak

Use orange yarn.

Row 1: ch 5 and sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and each rem ch, turn [4]
Row 2: ch 1, sc, sc2tog, sc, turn [3]
Row 3: ch 1, sc3tog, fasten off [1]

Use a yarn needle to sew the beak onto the head.

Gobbler

Use red yarn. Chain 4, 2 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the next 2 chs. Fasten off.

Sew the gobbler onto the head next to the beak. And then sew the head onto the body.

Turkey feet

Make 2 using orange yarn. Chain 7, hdc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the next 5 chs. Fasten off and then use a yarn needle to sew the feet onto the body.

Finishing

Weave in all remaining yarn ends using a yarn needle.

Video tutorial

Follow along with this step-by-step video tutorial to see how to crochet the turkey applique from start to finish.

More free crochet applique patterns

Love quick projects? Explore my free crochet applique patterns for easy, beginner-friendly designs you can use to decorate hats, bags, blankets, and home décor.

Let’s connect!

I’d love to see what you’re making! Share your finished project and follow along for more free crochet patterns and tutorials.

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📌 Don’t forget to pin this pattern for later!
Happy crocheting! 🧶
— Melissa