Pinning a delicate, handcrafted symbol of remembrance to the lapel of a charcoal wool coat or an ivory knit scarf brings a deeply personal touch to autumn days. This project offers a mindful, satisfying make that honors tradition while showcasing your crochet skills through rich texture and meticulous botanical shaping.
Classic Red Poppy Remembrance Brooch Free Pattern DIY
Quick Facts
- Stitches Used: Chain (ch), Single Crochet (sc), Half Double Crochet (hdc), Double Crochet (hdc/dc), Treble Crochet (tr), Slip Stitch (sl st), French Knot.
- Size Fit: One size standard brooch, approximately 3 inches (7.6 cm) in diameter.
- Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours.
- Gift Appeal: A thoughtful, heartfelt keepsake to handcraft for family, friends, and veterans on Remembrance Day.
Need to adjust the scale of your remembrance flower? Easily customize this poppy’s size using the helpful tips included later in this guide.
What Makes This Classic Red Poppy Remembrance Brooch Special
The secret to this brooch’s striking realism lies in its multi-layered construction and careful interplay of textures. Working in circular rounds creates the cupped petals, while the outer petal layer uses staggered treble and double crochet stitches to form the characteristic organic, undulating edge of a real field poppy. Paired with a dense black French knot center, this design captures the natural dimension seen in professional product photography without relying on stiffeners or wires.
Skill Level
- Level: Intermediate
- Required Skills:
- Working in the round and joining with slip stitches
- Varying stitch heights (sc, hdc, dc, tr) to create shaping
- Basic embroidery (French knots) for the stamen center
- Sewing secure closures and brooch backs
💡 Designer Tip: Don’t worry if your first petals look a little unruly; gentle blocking and adjusting the yarn tension will naturally coax the petals into their signature cupped shape.
Finished Measurements
| Measurement Type | Imperial (Inches) | Metric (Centimeters) |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 3.0 inches | 7.6 cm |
| Depth / Height | 0.8 inches | 2.0 cm |
Materials You Will Need
- Yarn Weight: Fingering / 4-ply mercerized cotton thread for crisp stitch definition.
- Crochet Hook: 2.25 mm (US Steel Hook Size B/1 or C/2).
- Notions: Tapestry needle, locking stitch markers, 25mm brooch pin back, sewing thread matching the center color, and a hot glue gun (optional for extra security).
| Color Name / Shade | Yarn Weight / Fiber | Yardage Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Vibrant Scarlet Red | Fingering / 100% Mercerized Cotton | 15 yards (14 meters) |
| Jet Black | Fingering / 100% Mercerized Cotton | 4 yards (3.5 meters) |
| Charcoal Grey (Optional backing) | Fingering / 100% Mercerized Cotton | 2 yards (1.8 meters) |
Yarn Suggestions
| Brand & Line Name | Yarn Weight | Skein Yardage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schachenmayr Catania | Sport / Fingering | 137 yards per 50g | Exceptional stitch definition and rich color saturation. |
| DMC Petra Crochet Cotton (Size 3) | Fingering | 303 yards per 100g | Highly mercerized for a crisp, professional product finish. |
| Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4 | Fingering | 186 yards per 50g | Budget-friendly with a massive palette of accurate reds. |
⚠️ Note: Avoid fuzzy mohair or thick acrylic yarns for this pattern; they obscure the delicate petal shaping and prevent the clean, structured look shown in the design.
Gauge
Gauge is not strictly critical for this decorative brooch, but maintaining a firm, consistent tension ensures the petals hold their cupped shape.
| Area | Stitch / Row Count | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Center Button | 1 round in sc | 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) diameter |
| Full Motif | 3 cumulative rounds | 3.0 inches (7.6 cm) diameter |
Always complete a quick test swatch if you are unsure of your tension with 2.25 mm hooks.
Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Full Term |
|---|---|
| ch | Chain |
| sc | Single Crochet |
| hdc | Half Double Crochet |
| dc | Double Crochet |
| tr | Treble Crochet |
| sl st | Slip Stitch |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) |
| rnd | Round |
| FO | Fasten Off |
Special Stitches Explained
- French Knot (Embroidery): Bring the threaded tapestry needle up from the back of the work through the fabric. Wrap the yarn around the needle 2 to 3 times, then insert the needle back down very close to the entry point. Pull gently until the knot forms securely on the surface.
- Cluster Petal (Cl-Petal): Work a sequence of (dc, tr, dc) into the designated stitch to create a rounded, flared petal expansion.
Pattern Instructions
Section 1: The Center Core (Jet Black)
Using Jet Black, create a magic ring.
– Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the magic ring. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (6 sc)
– Rnd 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (12 sc)
– FO Jet Black, leaving a 6-inch tail for weaving.
✅ Checkpoint: Your black center should measure approximately 0.5 inches across and lie completely flat before attaching the red petals.
Section 2: The Red Petal Layer (Vibrant Scarlet Red)
Join Vibrant Scarlet Red with a sl st into any back loop of Rnd 2 of the center core.
– Rnd 3: Ch 1, work 1 sc in the same st, [ch 3, skip next st, 1 sc in next st] repeat from * to * 5 times total, ending with a ch 3 and a sl st to the first sc. (6 sc, 6 ch-3 spaces)
– Rnd 4: Working directly into the ch-3 spaces from Rnd 3, work the following into each ch-3 space around: (1 sc, 1 hdc, 2 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc). Join with a sl st to the first sc. (36 sts)
💡 Designer Tip: Packing your stitches closely into the chain spaces during Round 4 naturally encourages the petals to cup forward, mimicking a blooming poppy.
Section 3: The Outer Petal Ruff (Vibrant Scarlet Red)
- Rnd 5: Sl st into the back loop of the first st of Rnd 4. Ch 2 (counts as hdc), work 1 hdc in same st. In next st work (1 dc, 2 tr, 1 dc); in next st work (2 hdc); repeat from * to * around to create 4 distinct ruffled petal arches. Join with a sl st to top of starting ch-2. (48 sts)
- FO Vibrant Scarlet Red, leaving a 12-inch tail for final assembly and sewing.
✅ Checkpoint: At the end of Section 3, verify your stitch count totals 48 stitches, forming four balanced, undulating petal scallops around the center.
Section 4: Finishing and Assembly
- Using your tapestry needle and the remaining black yarn tail, embroider 6 to 8 dense French Knots scattered evenly across the Jet Black center core to represent the poppy stamens.
- Weave in all loose ends on the wrong side of the work, except for the long 12-inch red tail.
- Position the metal brooch pin back centrally on the back of the crocheted poppy. Using the long red tail and a tapestry needle, whipstitch securely through the base stitches of the poppy, taking care not to let stitches show through to the front petals.
- Optionally, secure the metal pad with a dab of hot glue for added durability before final stitching.
Size Customization Tips
- To scale down: Use a 1.75 mm steel hook with size 10 crochet cotton to create a petite 2-inch lapel pin.
- To scale up: Use a 3.5 mm crochet hook with sport-weight yarn to create a dramatic 4.5-inch statement accessory.
Care Instructions
- Spot clean gently with a damp cloth and mild soap.
- Do not submerge fully in water if a glued brooch back was used.
- Reshape while damp and lay flat to dry on a clean towel.
- Store pinned to a padded hanger or inside a flat box to preserve the cupped petal shape.
Classic Red Poppy Remembrance Brooch
Thank you so much for joining me in making this meaningful piece! I would love to see your finished pins adorning your favorite coats and scarves. Be sure to tag me on social media, save this project to your Pinterest boards for later, and leave a warm comment below sharing how you plan to wear yours!