Discover Adorable Emoji Crochet Patterns for Free

Expressive, bright, and endlessly fun, handcrafted crochet emojis bring digital emotion straight into the real world. Whether you turn them into cheerful drink coasters, stitch them onto tote bags as appliques, or string them into a playful nursery garland, these little yellow discs are quick stash-busters that always make people smile.

In this free pattern guide, you will learn how to crochet the perfect flat circular base, along with complete instructions for 4 iconic emoji faces: the Classic Smiley, the Heart-Eyes in Love, the Cool Shades, and the Laughing / Crying Tears of Joy.

Pattern Details & Quick Facts

Materials & Notions Needed

• Yarn: 100% Cotton Yarn in Light Worsted or DK Weight (CYC #3 or #4). Cotton is highly recommended over acrylic for coasters because it absorbs moisture and handles hot mugs without melting.
  • Primary Color: Bright Sunshine Yellow (approx. 25 yds per emoji).
  • Accent Scraps: Crimson Red (for heart eyes & mouth), Jet Black (for eyes, sunglasses & smiles), White, and Sky Blue (for tears).
• Crochet Hook: Size 3.5 mm (US E-4) for tight, neat stitches. (Check our Hook Size Conversion Chart to match your hook).
• Yarn Needle: Blunt tapestry needle with a large eye for surface embroidery.
• Scissors & Tape Measure: For trimming ends and sizing.

Crochet Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR: Magic Ring (Adjustable Loop)
• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• inc: increase (work 2 sts in same st)
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)

Step 1: The Perfect Flat Emoji Base Circle

To ensure your emoji lies completely flat without curling up like a bowl or ruffling like a potato chip, we increase by 6 stitches every round using half double crochet for smooth, round contours.

1. Round 1: Using Bright Yellow yarn, make a Magic Ring. Ch 1 (does not count as a st), work 8 hdc into the ring. Pull tail firmly to close center hole. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. (8 sts)
2. Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in each st around. Join with sl st to first hdc. (16 sts)
3. Round 3: Ch 1, *1 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st (inc)*. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. (24 sts)
4. Round 4: Ch 1, *1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st*. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. (32 sts)
5. Round 5: Ch 1, *1 hdc in each of next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st*. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. (40 sts)
6. Round 6 (Clean Border Edge): Ch 1, work 1 sc in each st around. Join with an invisible join or sl st to first sc. (40 sts). Fasten off and weave in ends neatly on the backside.

Step 2: Designing Your Emoji Facial Expressions

1. Classic Happy Smiley

• Eyes: Using a 10-inch length of Black yarn and your tapestry needle, embroider two small vertical french knots or short horizontal stitches across Round 4, spaced about 4 stitches apart.
• Smile: Thread black yarn across Rounds 2 and 3 in a gentle upward curve. Secure the center of the curve with a tiny catching stitch (couching technique) so the smile stays perky.

2. Heart-Eyes “In Love” Emoji

Crochet two mini heart appliques with Crimson Red yarn:

1. In a Magic Ring, work: ch 2, 2 dc, 2 hdc, ch 1, 1 dc (the bottom point), ch 1, 2 hdc, 2 dc, ch 2.
2. Slip stitch into the center ring. Pull center tail tightly to form the heart shape. Fasten off leaving an 8-inch tail.
3. Position the hearts over the eye positions on Round 4 and sew down firmly with the yarn tail. Embroider a wide open smile below with black yarn.

3. Cool Sunglasses (“Too Cool”) Emoji

Crochet the sunglasses frame with Black yarn:

1. Lens 1: In a Magic Ring, work 6 sc. Ch 1, turn. Work [2 sc in each st] across 4 sts. Fasten off.
2. Lens 2: Repeat Lens 1, but do not fasten off.
3. Bridge: Ch 3, sl st into the top inner corner of Lens 1 to join the frames.
4. Embroider a subtle white highlight line across the top edge of each lens for that glossy reflection look, then stitch the sunglasses across Round 4. Add a smirk smile beneath.

4. Tears of Joy / Laughing Emoji

• Squinting Eyes: Embroider two sideways “V” shapes (> <) with black yarn across Round 4 to show tightly squeezed eyes laughing.
• Tears: Using Sky Blue yarn, ch 4. Work 1 sl st in second ch from hook, 1 sc in next ch, 1 hdc in last ch. Fasten off. Sew one tear droplet on the outer edge of each eye pointing downward.

Creative Uses for Your Crochet Emojis

• Absorbent Coaster Set: Make a set of 6 different emojis and tie them with a raffia ribbon for a fun housewarming or teacher appreciation gift.
• Kid’s Backpack Appliques: Sew your child’s favorite expression onto their backpack, denim jacket, or pencil case.
• Playroom Bunting: Crochet a long chain in white or rainbow yarn, slip-stitching each emoji along the chain at 6-inch intervals to create festive room decor.

Care & Blocking Instructions

Because these are made from 100% cotton, you can steam-block them flat using a household iron hovering 1 inch above the fabric with steam (never press iron directly onto yarn). If used as coasters, machine wash on cold delicate cycle and air dry flat on a towel.