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    Home » Technique Tutorials

    Updated: Mar 21, 2023 by Jess Coppom ·

    How to Patch Jeans with Crochet Lace

    87.9K shares

    Do your holey jeans need a facelift? Learn how to patch jeans with crochet lace in this simple how-to tutorial! Scroll to the bottom of the post for a free crochet doily patch pattern!

    Love this boho look! How to use crochet to patch holes in your denim jeans. Free crochet lace doily pattern too!


    This crochet lace post is a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarns. This post contains affiliate links.

    During homecoming week in high school, the was always one day called "70's Day" where--you guessed it--we all dressed up in pseudo-hippie gear and traipsed around the school gymnasium. Most kids would throw on a tie-dye t-shirt or their most flared jeans.

    Not me. I would raid my mom's time capsule closet and deck myself out in a fully handmade uniform of embroidered jeans, a crocheted vest, fringed belt and smocked top. I was legit.

    Jeans that have been patched with lace crochet doilies. Such a fun boho style! Full how to tutorial from Make & Do Crew.
    It's so fun to add crochet accents to your clothing. This free crochet medallion pattern is perfect for covering holes in jeans.

    So when I saw Marrielle van der Gun's photo of some jeans she patched with crochet lace in the Crochet Addicted Facebook group, it brought back so many memories of my mom's authentic 70's bohemian jeans. I asked Marrielle if I could use her project as an inspiration to try my own and she generously agreed.

    You can see in her photo below that the hole in her jeans was much bigger than mine and allowed for some really beautiful, intricate lace. (Marrielle offers this free pattern on her blog. While she's Dutch, she even created an English version with instructions in US terms! Check it out here.)

    Free crochet lace doily pattern for adding crochet to any pair of jeans.

    The Yarn

    In my opinion, to patch jeans with crochet, you want a durable yarn that can hold up to lots of wearing and washing. Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton is my go-to yarn for crochet shoes because it's mercerized, really strong and thin enough to have great delicate stitch definition. I thought it could work well paired with holey jeans and it really did! I just love the bohemian look of the crisp cotton stitches juxtaposed against the worn denim.

    The crochet triangle stitch made using Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton.
    How to add crochet to jeans to achieve the perfect boho look! Free crochet boho bag pattern as well.

    The Holes

    This is pretty obvious, but every hole is going to be different. In fact, while my pair of jeans was basically demolished, I actually made my holes slightly larger by cutting and pulling on the threads in the denim. I wanted a big enough area that the intricacy of the lace could show through.

    Don't be afraid to try your jeans on, stick the crochet patch in the hole and then see if you need to expand the size of the piece of lace (or the hole!)

    The Crochet Patch

    I tried a couple of different ways of creating crochet patches for my jeans. The creme colored circle doily pattern is taken directly from my Dream Catcher Sandals with Flip Flop Soles pattern. (Just scroll down the section of the pattern called "The Circle" and follow it until your crochet doily is big enough to patch your hole.)

    Another version I tried was just swatching a little rectangle of the Triangle Stitch, pictured above in the navy yarn. While I loved how this swatch looked, I didn't think it translated very well to the jeans. I suspect that if I had used a higher contract color of yarn or a bigger hole, it would have looked awesome.

    Do your jeans need a facelift? Learn how to patch jeans with crochet lace in this simple how-to tutorial! There's even a free crochet doily patch pattern made with Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton.

    If you have any crochet stitch dictionary books, just try swatching any stitches that catch your eye. It's a fun way to get to use different stitches without committing to a big project. This is one of my very favorite stitch dictionary books!

    Sewing the Lace Patch onto the Jeans

    Marrielle had the very good observation that if your jeans have any stretch at all, you'll want to actually wear them while you're sewing your crochet patch on. Sounds a little sketchy, I know, but the good thing is, I'm almost certain you'll feel the needle far before you actually sew anything to your skin! 😉

    Wearing your jeans while you sew the patch on, or at least while you pin the patch to your jeans, will help ensure that the crochet will look good when you're wearing the jeans.

    I used some regular cotton sewing thread to sew my crochet patches on using a basic basting stitch and going around the patch twice. You might be able to see that my stitches aren't very tidy at all, but I don't think it matters much on jeans that are already so distressed.

    More Free Crochet Lace Patterns for Jeans

    Below I've written out the pattern I used to create the mint-colored circle doily. The good thing about this lace option is that it's super easy and can be used to make a circle of any size. The most important thing to keep in mind is to have fun experimenting--let the 70's mantra of peace, love and happiness prevail!

    Here are a few additional ideas for creating crochet patches:
    • Crochique NL -- this is Marrielle's original pattern that inspired me

    • The "circle" portion of my free Dream Catcher Sandals pattern.

    • This list from Moogly of lace afghan squares has many free patterns you could use and just stop working when the square is big enough to cover your

    • This is a big list of crochet mandala, doily and circle patterns from Crochet Concupiscence, many of which would work well for patching jeans.

    Crochet Doily Patch for Jeans
    Free Pattern

    Add this pattern and tutorial to your Raverly favorites here.

    Pin it for later here.

    Supplies:
    • Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, color pictured: mint
    • Size G (4.00 mm) hook

    Abbreviations (US Terms):
    ch - chain
    sc - single crochet
    sp - space
    ch3sp - chain 3 space
    ch4sp - chain 4 space
    ch5sp - chain 5 space

    Notes:
    • This doily is worked in the round.

    Foundation Round: Make a magic circle.

    Round 1: Ch 1, sc 8 in magic circle, sl st to first sc to join. (8 sc)

    Round 2: Ch 3, sk first sc, sc in second sc, [ch 3, sc in next sc] 6 times. (7 ch3sps)

    Round 3: [Ch 4, sl st in next ch3sp] 7 times. (7 ch4sps)

    Round 4: [Ch 5, sl st in next ch4sp] 7 times. (7 ch5sps)

    Proceed like this, adding one chain per space on each subsequent row until doily reaches desired size.

    Fasten off and sew onto jeans. I found it helpful to use my sewing thread to sew through the fastened off yarn strand just to make the crochet patch extra secure as it goes through the wash.

    And if you're a big fan of bohemian-inspired crochet or if you just want every day to be "70's Day," you might enjoy this other free patterns from Make & Do Crew. You can see all my boho style patterns here!

    Free modern crochet patterns from Make and Do Crew. Afghans, slippers, boots and a crochet purse!

    1. Urban Nomad Boho Bag - free pattern
    2. Coachella Boots - free pattern using flip flop soles
    3. Moccasins - free pattern and video tutorial using flip flops
    4. Be a Deer Afghan - free corner to corner crochet pattern

    More Lacy Patterns to Crochet

    • 30 Best Free Crochet Doily Patterns
    • Easy Lace Crochet Shawl Video Tutorial
    • Entry Level Lace Crochet Scarf Pattern
    • How to Crochet the Solomon's Knot Stitch
    • Lace Boho Crochet Top
    • Simple Puff + Lace Crochet Triangle Scarf

    More Crochet Skills + Techniques

    • Free pattern for a basic crochet hexagon. Super clear step-by-step photo tutorial. This pattern can be used to make any size hexagon for pillows, rugs, patchwork afghans or even clothes. | MakeAndDoCrew.com
      How to Crochet a Hexagon - Clear Photos + Tips
    • Learn how to crochet the knit stitch successfully in this step-by-step video tutorial. The knit stitch (AKA the waistcoat or center single crochet stitch) can be tricky at first, but trying the few specific tips mentioned in this video, you'll know how to make crochet look like knitting in no time! Free knit-looking crochet beanie hat pattern included.
      How to Crochet the Knit Stitch (Waistcoat Stitch)
    • An adult woman wearing an easy pair of crochet slippers made from rectangles. Each slipper has a leather sole.
      Magic Rectangle Crochet Slippers - Fast + Free Pattern
    • How to crochet the side saddle cluster stitch video tutorial.
      Video Tutorial: How to Crochet the Side Saddle Stitch
    87.9K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Maria says

      August 06, 2018 at 2:50 am

      Patches on Jeans is the perfect combination. Also, I would say patches on blazers look fashionable. I really enjoyed your writing.

      Reply
      • Jess says

        August 07, 2018 at 3:39 pm

        I agree! Thank you so much!

        Reply
    2. Maya says

      June 03, 2018 at 7:20 am

      Hi,

      I like your post.
      Thank you!
      I have one question: how to join crochet and jeans? What about washing up? Will crochet stay firm?
      My english isnt the best one. But i will try to understand you.

      Reply
    3. Kaelene Thomas says

      April 24, 2018 at 12:41 am

      Hi Jess,
      Hello from South Africa!!!
      My favourite pair has torn under my bum pocket!!! And properly! I'm devastated!! I'll have to ask the hubby to sew the patch on for me... got to try this though!!!

      Thank you for your pattern!
      Any suggestions on how to patch my bum pocket tear???

      Reply
    4. Bradley Sean says

      January 25, 2018 at 4:07 am

      wow, it's a very nice idea. crochet lace is new and stylish idea. Many of your ideas will be liked. I will also try to use your Crochet Lace Idea right now. I liked your idea and your blog too. Thanks a lot for this beauty Enjoying article with me. I appreciate it very much!

      Reply
    5. Thomas Trinity says

      October 25, 2017 at 1:58 am

      Day by day, during the new fashion, everything changes in clothes and the latest patch is created in the modern style. You have done a lot of good work in patch fashion by offering a new idea. Many people different patches of fashion users will love your idea. Thanks for sharing the great information. Good Luck!

      Reply
    6. Ezgi says

      August 24, 2017 at 9:43 am

      Wooow it is a great idea 🙂 I love it !!!

      Reply
    7. Patricia says

      August 19, 2017 at 8:07 am

      This is such a great idea, never would have thought to do this. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

        August 22, 2017 at 10:00 pm

        My pleasure! It's really fun, isn't it?

        Reply
    8. Florencia says

      August 15, 2017 at 5:46 am

      Hi! Just found tour web. Igual licencia crochet too! And always learning abou it.
      Thanks for share !

      From Argentina,
      Florencia

      Reply
      • Jess @ Make and Do Crew says

        August 16, 2017 at 4:26 pm

        Hello from the USA, Florencia! Happy to have you here. 🙂

        Jess

        Reply
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