Forget Me Not Applique – Free Crochet Pattern

There is something quietly magical about the forget me not flower. Small, delicate, and brilliantly blue, it carries centuries of meaning woven into its petals — love that endures, memories that refuse to fade, a gentle promise that the people and moments we hold dear will never truly be lost. When you translate that symbolism into crochet, you get something that is both deeply sentimental and surprisingly versatile. This free crochet pattern for a Forget Me Not Applique gives you a beautiful little flower you can stitch onto hats, bags, blankets, cardigans, pillow covers, and so much more. Whether you are brand new to applique crochet or a seasoned maker looking for a meaningful new motif, this pattern is for you.

Let’s talk about everything you need to know — the materials, the stitches, the step-by-step pattern, and all the creative ways you can use these charming blooms once you have made them.

What Is Crochet Applique and Why Is It So Useful?

Crochet applique is the art of crocheting a small, flat design and then attaching it to another surface — whether that surface is a crocheted item, a knitted one, or even a piece of fabric. The word “applique” comes from the French term meaning “to apply,” and that is exactly what you are doing: applying a decorative element on top of something else to add texture, color, and personality.

What makes applique crochet so appealing is its flexibility. You crochet the small piece separately, which means you can experiment with colors before committing. You can make a dozen forget me not flowers in the same shade of cornflower blue for a cohesive look, or you can vary the colors slightly for a wildflower meadow effect. You can position them wherever you want before sewing them down, move them around, and rethink the arrangement entirely without having to frog a single stitch of your main project.

Appliques are also a wonderful way to refresh older items. Have a plain cardigan that needs a little something extra? A cluster of forget me not appliques along the neckline can transform it. A simple tote bag, a baby’s receiving blanket, a set of pillow covers — all of these become something special with a few well-placed flowers.

The Story Behind the Forget Me Not

Before we dive into yarn and hooks, it is worth pausing to appreciate why this particular flower is so beloved. The forget me not, known botanically as Myosotis, grows wild across Europe, Asia, and North America. Its tiny five-petaled blooms come most commonly in a clear, sky-to-medium blue with a bright yellow center, though pink and white varieties also exist. The flowers grow in clusters on arching stems and tend to bloom in spring and early summer, carpeting roadsides, woodland floors, and garden borders in soft blue.

The name itself comes from a medieval legend — in one popular version, a knight picking wildflowers along a riverbank for his lady fell into the water under the weight of his armor. As he was swept away by the current, he threw the flowers to her and called out “forget me not.” From that point on, the flower became a symbol of faithful love, enduring memory, and the wish to remain in another person’s heart.

Over the centuries the forget me not has been adopted as a symbol by many groups and causes. It is the state flower of Alaska, a symbol used by Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness organizations around the world, and a traditional emblem of remembrance in many European countries. When you make these appliques and stitch them onto a gift for someone you love, you are tapping into a very rich current of meaning. That matters in crafting. It is part of what transforms a handmade item into an heirloom.

Materials You Will Need

One of the best things about this pattern is how little you need to get started. These are small, quick-to-crochet pieces, and most makers will find they can complete a single flower in fifteen to twenty minutes once they get the hang of the pattern.

Yarn: Any light worsted or DK weight yarn works beautifully here. You will want a main color for the petals — the classic choice is a medium blue or periwinkle, but sky blue, lavender, pale pink, and white are all lovely options. You will also need a small amount of yellow or gold for the center. The quantities are minimal; leftover scraps from other projects are perfect for this.

Hook: A size 3.75mm (F/5) or 4.0mm (G/6) hook is ideal for DK to light worsted weight yarn. Adjust as needed for your yarn weight and personal tension.

Tapestry needle: For weaving in ends and sewing the applique onto your project.

Scissors: A small, sharp pair.

Stitch markers: Optional but helpful if you are new to working in the round.

Pins: For positioning the applique before sewing it down.

Abbreviations and Stitches Used

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology.

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
MR — magic ring (also called a magic circle)
sp — space
rep — repeat
st(s) — stitch(es)

If you are unfamiliar with the magic ring, it is a technique for beginning crochet rounds that closes the center tightly so you do not have a visible hole. There are many tutorials available online and on YouTube if you would like to see it demonstrated visually. Alternatively, you can begin with a chain-2 and work your first round into the second chain from the hook — this is a perfectly acceptable substitute.

Gauge and Sizing

Gauge is not critical for this applique pattern since the exact size can vary depending on your yarn weight, hook size, and personal tension without affecting the finished look in any meaningful way. A finished Forget Me Not Applique worked in DK weight yarn with a 4.0mm hook will measure approximately 1.5 to 2 inches across — a dainty, realistic size that mirrors the actual flower beautifully.

If you want larger flowers for a bolder statement, simply move up a yarn weight. Worsted weight with a 5.0mm hook will give you a flower closer to 2.5 inches, which reads very well on bags, cushions, and heavier garments.

Free Crochet Pattern: Forget Me Not Applique

Notes Before You Begin

These flowers are worked in two parts: first the petals in your main color, then the center in yellow. The petal round creates five distinct petals using a combination of chains and slip stitches that give the flower its characteristic rounded shape. Read through the entire pattern once before you begin so you have a clear picture of how it comes together.

Part One: Petals (Main Color)

Foundation: Make a magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, work 5 sc into the magic ring. Pull the ring closed tightly. You will have 5 sc. Do not join — instead, place a stitch marker in the first stitch of the round so you can track where each round begins.

Round 2 (Petal Round): This is where the five petals take shape. Working into each sc from Round 1, create each petal as follows:

In the first sc: (sl st, ch 2, dc, ch 2, sl st) — this forms one rounded petal.

Repeat this exact sequence — (sl st, ch 2, dc, ch 2, sl st) — into each of the remaining 4 sc.

You will have 5 petals total when Round 2 is complete. Fasten off, leaving a tail for weaving in. Do not cut too short — you will need a bit of length to secure the end neatly on the back of the flower.

Part Two: Center (Yellow or Gold)

With your yellow yarn and the same hook, make a magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, work 6 sc into the magic ring. Pull the ring closed tightly. Sl st to the first sc to join. Fasten off, leaving a tail long enough for sewing.

Assembly

Using your tapestry needle and the yellow yarn tail, position the center piece on top of the middle of the petal piece. The center should sit right over the small opening where the petals converge. Use a few whipstitches or a simple running stitch around the edge of the center circle to sew it securely onto the petal base. Weave in all remaining ends neatly on the wrong side of the flower.

Give the finished flower a gentle press with your fingers to flatten and shape the petals. If needed, a light steam with an iron held a couple of inches above the flower (without direct contact) can help the petals lie flat and even.

Tips for Perfect Forget Me Not Appliques

Tension matters more than usual with small pieces. When you are working a motif this small, tight tension creates crispness. Loose tension can make petals look floppy or uneven. If your petals are not lying flat or looking distinct, try going down half a hook size.

Use a slip stitch join sparingly. The slip stitches within the petal repeat should be snug but not so tight that they pucker the petal. Practice the petal sequence once or twice on scrap yarn to get a feel for the rhythm before you work your finished flowers.

Block for best results. Even a simple wet blocking — just dampening the flower and pinning it flat to dry — can dramatically improve the finished appearance. This is especially helpful if you are making multiple flowers and want them to match in size and shape.

Make a batch. Once you have made a few of these flowers and gotten comfortable with the pattern, try sitting down and making a whole batch in one session. Put on a favorite podcast or movie, set up your colors, and go. Having a collection of finished flowers on hand means you can plan your arrangement, audition different layouts, and sew them all down at once.

Vary your blues. Real forget me not flowers grow in slightly varying shades from plant to plant — some lean more toward cornflower blue, others toward lavender, and some toward a soft sky blue. Mixing two or three closely related blue tones in a cluster of appliques gives the finished piece a more natural, garden-like quality.

Creative Ways to Use Your Forget Me Not Appliques

The possibilities really are wide open once you have a collection of these little flowers ready to go. Here are some ideas to spark your imagination.

Baby items: A soft baby blanket, a tiny newborn hat, or a set of booties gains enormous charm from a cluster of forget me nots stitched in one corner. These flowers are also a wonderful choice for memorial items made for families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, since the forget me not’s symbolism of enduring love and memory makes it especially meaningful in that context.

Gift wrapping and packaging: Crochet enthusiasts and crafters sometimes use appliques as decorative toppers for gift boxes, sewn to ribbon or twine for a handmade finishing touch. A single forget me not attached to a card or sewn onto a fabric gift bag elevates the presentation.

Clothing embellishment: Add a row of forget me nots along the hem of a crochet cardigan, scattered across the brim of a sun hat, or clustered at the shoulder of a child’s sweater. Even a single flower pinned to a lapel as a brooch (back a finished flower with a pin finding for an instant piece of wearable art) makes a quiet, beautiful statement.

Bag decoration: Tote bags, market bags, and small purses all become more personal with a few stitched blooms. Try a diagonal scatter across the front panel or a tight cluster in one corner.

Home decor: Pillow covers, wall hangings, table runners, and framed crochet art are all excellent candidates. A set of pillow covers with matching forget me not clusters in opposite corners creates a cohesive, cottage-style look that works beautifully in bedrooms and living rooms.

Bookmarks and journals: Sew a single finished flower onto a piece of ribbon for a crochet bookmark. Alternatively, attach one to a hair elastic or headband for a charming accessory.

Memorial pieces: Because of the flower’s deep association with memory and loss, forget me not appliques are frequently used on memory quilts, memorial blankets, and sympathy gifts. If you are making something to comfort a grieving friend or family member, these flowers carry the weight of your intention beautifully.

How to Sew Your Applique Onto Your Project

Sewing down an applique neatly is a skill worth taking a moment to learn well. Begin by using pins to place your flower exactly where you want it on your project. Step back and look at the placement from a little distance — what feels right up close sometimes shifts when you see the whole picture.

Thread your tapestry needle with a length of yarn in either your petal color or a neutral that blends with your project. Working from the back of your project, bring the needle up through both the project fabric and the edge of one petal, then back down through both layers just beside the same point. Work your way around the entire perimeter of the flower, making small, even stitches that catch the edge of each petal without distorting its shape.

When you have made your way all the way around, bring the needle to the back, knot the end securely, and weave in the tail. The flower should lie completely flat and feel firmly attached — give it a gentle tug to make sure nothing will shift or pull loose over time and with washing.

Caring for Items with Crochet Appliques

Anything embellished with crochet appliques should generally be washed gently. A cool hand wash or a machine wash on a delicate cycle in a mesh laundry bag will protect the flowers from snagging or distorting. Lay flat to dry whenever possible rather than hanging, especially for heavier pieces where the weight of wet yarn could stretch the fabric.

Final Thoughts

The Forget Me Not Applique is one of those patterns that repays you far beyond the simple time it takes to make. It is quick, it is charming, and it carries with it a resonance that purely decorative motifs often lack. Whether you make one and stitch it onto a favorite sweater, or make fifty and scatter them across a keepsake blanket for someone you love, these tiny flowers become a way of saying something that sometimes words alone cannot quite reach.

As with all the free patterns here at EyeLoveKnots, this one is yours to use, share, and enjoy. If you make a Forget Me Not Applique and want to show it off, sharing your work in crochet communities and tagging EyeLoveKnots is always warmly welcomed. Seeing the ways makers put their own creative spin on a pattern — different colors, different applications, different arrangements — is one of the great joys of being part of the crochet community.

Happy hooking, and may every stitch hold a little piece of a memory you want to keep.