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!
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.
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.)
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 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.
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!
1. Urban Gypsy 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
Linda Holland says
Love to crochet. Can not read a pattern very well, but i canlook at a clear close. Up of a pattern and work it. Thank you for including me.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
You're so welcome, Linda! 🙂
Ashley Mullen says
So this is the best idea ever!!! My oldest wears the knees out of jean by the time they are ready to be past down to her sister, now I'll be doing this and little sister will have awesome hand-me-downs!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
What a lucky little sister! I really like the idea of making hand-me-downs cool. I know my daughter would just love the chance to "customize" her own jeans with what would inevitably be PINK patches. 😉
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Bobbie says
You are so talented and I am sooo glad I get your patterns and ideas. Clearly, I love your ideas and that you can put them into instructions. Thanks!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Oh Bobbie, thanks for such a sweet note. It makes me so happy to know they've been useful to you!
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Christi Green says
Wow! Thank you! I just started trying to patch my jeans with crochet this past week. I haven't found what I like yet designing my own. Will definitely try this instead!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Oh cool! We were doing a crochet jinx! 🙂 Mine took a bit of experimentation too, but I hope these pattern ideas are a good starting place for you.
Jess
Renee Rexford says
Wow what an awesome idea. This is great. Thanks for sharing this.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
I hope you have fun fancying up all your old jeans, Renee! 🙂
Jess
Tania says
I just love this patching jeans pattern there are so many possibilities! thank you so much for including me, especially with all of the things that have been going on in your life right now, so thank you very much!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Thanks so much, Tania. I really appreciate your support and I hope you enjoy patching up all your holey jeans!
Jess
Andrea says
Thank you so much! I once tried to do this, but it never worked out well! Now, I'll have to go and try again later!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Yes! I hope it works well for you. It took a bit of experimentation for me, but it was fun and I love the way my jeans turned out. I wore them yesterday! 🙂
Jess
Janice says
I love this idea! I have been crocheting since I was a little girl and have a little boutique. I sell a variety of handmade and re purposes items. I can't wait to make a pair of these to wear in the shop. My customers will love them.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Oh how cool! I love using repurposed items too. I think this will make a perfect work "uniform." 😉
Jess
Aseni says
thanks. I like crochet. I Learn it from my grand mom.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
How wonderful! I learned so many crafting skills from my grandmothers too. 🙂
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Ronda says
Looking at these crochet patched jeans, I thought that a pretty contrasting color might be interesting in the background, sewing both crochet and material at the same time. For those who don't want to show a lot of skin (or who may be afraid of a strange looking tan 🙂
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Haha, so true about the tan! 🙂 I think that could look beautiful too! I was really torn between using a bright color or a more "matchy" color like I ended up going with. I love the idea of adding a pop of color. I'd love to see a pic if you try it! 🙂
Jess
Sheila McCarthy says
Love the crochet patches, great idea.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
I really had fun with it! I hope you do too Sheila!
Olga says
Quedan preciosos, excelente idea Amiga.-
Florencia says
Hi! Just found tour web. Igual licencia crochet too! And always learning abou it.
Thanks for share !
From Argentina,
Florencia
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hello from the USA, Florencia! Happy to have you here. 🙂
Jess
Patricia says
This is such a great idea, never would have thought to do this. Thank you for sharing!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
My pleasure! It's really fun, isn't it?
Ezgi says
Wooow it is a great idea 🙂 I love it !!!
Thomas Trinity says
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!
Bradley Sean says
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!
Kaelene Thomas says
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???
Maya says
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.
Maria says
Patches on Jeans is the perfect combination. Also, I would say patches on blazers look fashionable. I really enjoyed your writing.
Jess says
I agree! Thank you so much!