Free Apple Core Hanging Charm Crochet Pattern – Cute to the Last Bite

There is something undeniably charming about turning the most humble, overlooked objects into miniature works of art. The apple core — that cartoonish little remnant left behind after the last juicy bite — might seem like an odd choice for a crochet project, but that is exactly what makes it so delightful. This free crochet pattern from Penguin Hobbies will guide you through creating an adorable apple core hanging charm that is equal parts nostalgic, quirky, and impossibly cute. Whether you hang it from your bag, your keys, your rearview mirror, or your crochet project bag, this tiny amigurumi-style charm is guaranteed to make people smile.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know to make your very own apple core hanging charm — from materials and abbreviations to step-by-step instructions and finishing tips.

Why Crochet an Apple Core?

Before we get into the pattern, let’s take a moment to appreciate the concept. Apple cores have been a beloved icon in cartoons and doodles for decades. They represent something whimsical and slightly silly — the proof of a snack well eaten. In the world of amigurumi and miniature crochet, the goal is often to take something from everyday life and reimagine it as something huggable, loveable, and worth keeping. The apple core fits that description perfectly.

This pattern is ideal for anyone who loves making small, quick crochet projects. It works up in just an hour or two, making it a great project for using up scrap yarn. It also makes a fantastic gift — stitch markers, gift tags, bag charms, zipper pulls, and even Christmas ornaments can all be made from this same base pattern with just a few small tweaks. Once you make one, you will almost certainly want to make a whole set in every color imaginable.

Materials You Will Need

One of the best things about small crochet charms is that they require very little in the way of supplies. Here is what you will need to complete this apple core hanging charm.

Yarn: You will need small amounts of worsted weight yarn (or whatever weight you prefer, paired with the appropriate hook size) in the following colors — red (or green or yellow) for the apple body, beige or off-white for the core, and green for the leaf. A tiny bit of brown for the stem is also helpful.

Hook: A 2.5mm to 3.5mm crochet hook works well for a small charm. If you want a larger decoration or ornament, you can size up your hook and yarn accordingly.

Stuffing: A small amount of polyfill stuffing or yarn scraps will give the charm its dimensional shape.

Eyes: Two 4mm or 6mm safety eyes, or you can use black embroidery thread to stitch on eyes if you prefer.

Yarn needle: For weaving in ends and sewing pieces together.

Scissors: Always essential.

Stitch marker: Helpful for keeping track of your rounds.

Jump ring or keychain hardware: If you want to turn this into a functional bag charm or keychain, a small jump ring attached to the hanging loop works beautifully.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

This pattern is written in US crochet terminology. Here is a quick reference guide for all abbreviations used throughout the instructions.

MR — Magic ring

ch — Chain

sl st — Slip stitch

sc — Single crochet

inc — Increase (two single crochets in the same stitch)

dec — Decrease (invisible decrease recommended: insert hook through the front loops only of the next two stitches, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops)

BLO — Back loop only

FLO — Front loop only

st — Stitch

sts — Stitches

rnd — Round

rep — Repeat

PM — Place marker

Gauge and Sizing

Gauge is not critical for this charm pattern since it is a decorative item. However, for reference, using a 3mm hook with standard worsted weight yarn, the finished apple core charm measures approximately 6 to 7 centimeters tall and about 3 centimeters wide at its widest point. If you want a larger version, try a bulkier yarn with a 5mm hook and the finished piece will measure closer to 10 to 12 centimeters.

Pattern Notes Before You Begin

Working in continuous rounds is recommended throughout the body pieces unless stated otherwise. Do not join at the end of each round unless specified. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round so you always know where you are.

The apple core shape has a distinctive silhouette — wide in the middle, narrow at the top and bottom, with the little nubs of remaining apple flesh at each end. To achieve this look, the pattern uses increases and decreases strategically to create that iconic hourglass-adjacent shape.

Stuff firmly but not overstuffed. Too much stuffing will distort the shape and make closing difficult. Aim for a shape that holds itself firmly while still feeling soft.

Step-by-Step Crochet Instructions

The Apple Core Body

The body is worked from the bottom up in a continuous spiral.

Foundation: Using your beige or off-white yarn, create a magic ring.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into the magic ring. Pull ring closed. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)

Rnd 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)

Rnd 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 sts)

Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. (24 sts)

Rnd 6: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18 sts)

Rnd 7: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12 sts)

Rnd 8: Sc in each st around. (12 sts) — This is the narrow waist of the apple core.

Rnd 9: Sc in each st around. (12 sts)

Rnd 10: Sc in each st around. (12 sts)

Rnd 11: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)

Rnd 12: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 sts)

Rnd 13: Sc in each st around. (24 sts)

Rnd 14: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18 sts)

Insert your safety eyes between rounds 9 and 10, approximately 4 to 5 stitches apart. This places the face right at the narrowest center section of the apple core, which gives it its charming, slightly surprised expression. If you are using embroidery thread for the eyes, wait until after stuffing and closing to add the face.

Rnd 15: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12 sts)

Begin stuffing your piece now. Insert a small, firm amount of polyfill into both the top and bottom bulges, leaving the waist section unstuffed or very lightly stuffed to maintain the narrow shape.

Rnd 16: Dec around. (6 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a short tail. Use your yarn needle to weave the tail through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches, pull tight to close the opening, and weave in the end securely.

The Apple Flesh Side Pieces (Make Two)

These are the little nubs of apple flesh visible on either side of the core — the quintessential detail that makes this shape instantly recognizable as an apple core rather than just an abstract blob.

Using your red (or apple-colored) yarn:

Foundation: Make a magic ring.

Rnd 1: Work 5 sc into the magic ring. Pull closed. (5 sts)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (10 sts)

Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. (10 sts)

Rnd 4: Dec around. (5 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Lightly stuff this tiny piece before closing — just enough to give it a gentle puff. Close the opening the same way as the body by weaving through the front loops and pulling tight.

Make two of these. They will be sewn onto the left and right sides of the apple core’s midsection.

The Leaf (Make One or Two)

The leaf adds that finishing touch of sweetness and is wonderfully simple to make.

Using green yarn:

Ch 6. Starting in the second chain from the hook: sc 1, hdc 1, dc 1, hdc 1, sc 1. Working back along the other side of the foundation chain: sc 1, hdc 1, dc 1, hdc 1, sc 1. Sl st to the first stitch to close the leaf shape. Fasten off, leaving a tail for attaching.

If you want a more dimensional leaf, work two of these leaf shapes and stitch them together before attaching to the stem area. A light press with a damp cloth will help the leaf hold its shape beautifully.

The Stem

Using brown yarn, ch 5. Fasten off, leaving tails on both ends for attachment. You can also use a strand of brown embroidery floss twisted together for a sturdier, more realistic-looking stem.

The Hanging Loop

Using any yarn color — matching or contrasting, your choice — attach your yarn to the very top center of the apple core body. Ch 15 to 20 (depending on how long you want your hanging loop to be). Sl st back to the starting point to form a loop. Fasten off and weave in ends securely. Alternatively, after fastening off, thread a jump ring through the top of the loop before weaving in the tail so you can easily swap out hardware if desired.

Assembly Instructions

Assembly is where all the pieces come together and the charm really comes to life. Take your time with this step — neat, secure assembly makes a significant difference in the finished look.

Begin by positioning your apple flesh side pieces. Place one on the left side and one on the right side of the apple core body, centered over the waist section at rounds 8 through 10. The flat, slightly open side of the nub piece should face inward against the body. Thread your yarn needle with the long tail left on each piece and use a whip stitch or mattress stitch to sew each nub firmly in place. Make sure to catch stitches from both the nub and the body with each pass of the needle to create a strong bond. Weave in ends on the inside.

Next, attach the stem. Thread the tail through the yarn needle and push it straight down through the top center of the apple core body — right at the spot where you closed the piece — pulling it through to the inside. Tie off securely against the internal stuffing and weave in the remaining tail. The stem should stand upright or lean very slightly for character.

Attach the leaf by threading its tail and stitching it at the base of the stem, fanning it out to one side. If you made two leaves, stitch them on opposite sides for a fuller look.

Finally, add your hanging loop if you have not already done so. Position it at the very top of the stem, stitching it down on either side of the stem base so it sits centered and does not flop to one side.

If you are adding embroidered features now, use black embroidery thread and a sharp needle. A simple French knot makes a perfect dot eye. For a tiny smile, use a straight stitch curved slightly upward. Some crocheters also add rosy cheeks by drawing a small circle with a pink fabric marker or by stitching a few satin stitches in pink thread.

Creative Variations to Try

Once you have mastered the basic apple core charm, there are so many fun directions you can take this pattern. Here are a few ideas to spark your imagination.

A green apple version uses the same pattern but swaps the red yarn for a bright lime green. Pair it with a lighter beige for the core and it looks absolutely fresh.

A golden delicious version uses a warm yellow for the apple flesh and feels like autumn in miniature form.

A worm-peeking-out variation is a fun challenge for more experienced crocheters. Work a tiny worm head (just a small oval in pink or green yarn with two tiny safety eyes) and sew it peeking out from one of the apple flesh side pieces. This version is endlessly funny and always gets a reaction.

A bite-mark variation can be created by shaping the apple flesh nubs slightly asymmetrically or by adding a small amount of dark red or brown yarn to simulate bite marks — a detail that leans even further into the cartoonish aesthetic.

A set of fruit charms makes a wonderful gift for a crocheter or food lover. Pair your apple core with a tiny banana peel, a bitten strawberry, and a peeled orange segment, all hung together on a single keychain ring.

Tips for Success

A few small techniques make a big difference when working on miniature crochet.

Work tightly. Loose stitches create gaps that show stuffing and make the finished piece look messy. If you tend to crochet loosely, try going down a hook size.

Use a locking stitch marker rather than a loose loop of yarn to mark your rounds. On small projects with few stitches per round, losing your place even once can throw off the whole shaping.

Safety eyes are easiest to insert before stuffing and closing. Once you stuff the piece it becomes significantly harder to position eyes precisely, so always place them first.

When sewing pieces together, use the same yarn you crocheted with whenever possible. This makes your seaming stitches nearly invisible and gives a much more polished result.

If the magic ring is tricky for you, try starting with ch 2 and working your first round of stitches into the second chain from the hook instead. The hole will be slightly larger but is easy to close with the tail end.

Sharing Your Makes

If you crochet this pattern, Penguin Hobbies would absolutely love to see your finished apple core charms. Share your photos on Instagram or Pinterest and tag your posts so others can find this free pattern through your beautiful work. Every photo shared helps the community grow and inspires more crocheters to give fun, quirky patterns like this one a try.

Leave a comment below if you have any questions about the pattern, if something is unclear, or if you come up with a clever variation. The crochet community thrives on shared knowledge and encouragement, and this is a space where every skill level is welcome.

Final Thoughts

The apple core hanging charm is one of those small projects that delivers an outsized amount of joy for the time invested. It is quick enough to finish in a single sitting, satisfying enough to want to make a dozen of, and charming enough to genuinely delight anyone who receives one as a gift. It is also a wonderful gateway project for anyone just getting started with amigurumi, since it uses all the fundamental techniques — magic ring, increases, decreases, working in the round, simple assembly — without overwhelming you with complexity.

So dig into your scrap yarn basket, grab a small hook, and crochet yourself something cute to the last bite. Happy hooking from Penguin Hobbies!