Making your own crochet earrings is a fantastic way to create a unique, personalized accessory. For a vintage look, you can use fine thread and intricate stitches like the shell stitch or lace patterns. The key to successful crochet earrings is using the right materials and blocking them to hold their shape.
Here is a detailed guide on how to crochet vintage-style earrings.

Materials Needed
- Crochet Thread: This is crucial for small, delicate projects. Use a fine thread like size 10 cotton thread, or even a lightweight yarn like a lace or fingering weight.
- Small Crochet Hook: A steel hook is best for crochet thread. The size will depend on your thread, but a 1.5mm to 2.25mm hook is a good starting point.
- Earring Hooks: You can buy these at any craft store. They usually come in metal, like sterling silver or surgical steel for sensitive ears.
- Small Jewelry Pliers: To open and close the earring hooks.
- Fabric Stiffener or Liquid Starch: This is essential for a stiff, professional finish.
- Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends.
- Scissors

Pattern 1: The Vintage Doily Earring
This pattern creates a small, circular, doily-like motif that is perfect for a vintage look.
Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet
- st(s): stitch(es)

Instructions
- Round 1: Start with a magic ring.
ch 3
(counts as firstdc
), work 11 dc into the ring. Join with asl st
to the top of the beginningch 3
. (12 sts) - Round 2:
ch 1
,sc
in the first stitch.ch 3
, skip the next stitch,sc
in the next stitch. Repeat[ch 3, sk 1, sc]
around. You will have 6ch-3
spaces. Join with asl st
to the firstsc
. - Round 3:
sl st
into the firstch-3
space.ch 3
(counts asdc
), work2 dc
into the samech-3
space.ch 1
. Work3 dc
into the nextch-3
space,ch 1
. Repeat[3 dc, ch 1]
into eachch-3
space around. Join with asl st
to the top of the beginningch 3
. - Round 4:
sl st
to the next stitch,sl st
into the nextch-1
space.ch 3
(counts asdc
). Work 3 tr and1 dc
into the samech-1
space.sl st
into the nextch-1
space. Repeat[ch 3, 3 tr, 1 dc, sl st]
into eachch-1
space around. - Finishing: Fasten off, leaving a short tail. Weave in all ends on the back of the earring.
Pattern 2: The Vintage Fan Earring
This pattern creates a delicate fan shape using shell stitches.
Instructions
- Foundation:
ch 4
.sl st
into the firstch
to form a ring. - Row 1:
ch 3
(counts asdc
), work4 dc
into the ring.ch 3
and turn. - Row 2: Work
5 dc
into the firstch-3
space.sl st
into the top of the turning chain from the previous row.ch 3
and turn. - Row 3: Work
sc
into the firstdc
.ch 3
,sc
into the lastdc
. Repeat this until you have 5sc
in a row.ch 3
and turn. - Row 4: Work
5 dc
into eachch-3
space across.sl st
into the lastsc
from the previous row. - Finishing: Fasten off, leaving a short tail. Weave in all ends.

Finishing Touches: Stiffening and Assembly
This step is critical for giving your earrings a durable, professional look. Without stiffening, they will be floppy and won’t hold their shape.
- Prepare a Stiffening Solution: Follow the instructions on your fabric stiffener bottle. If you’re using liquid starch, you may need to dilute it with water.
- Submerge the Earrings: Place your finished crochet pieces into the stiffening solution. Make sure they are fully saturated.
- Shape and Pin: Lay the earrings on a piece of foam board or corkboard. Gently stretch and pin them into their desired shape. Ensure they are symmetrical.
- Dry: Let the earrings dry completely. This can take several hours or overnight.
- Attach the Earring Hooks: Once the earrings are completely dry and stiff, use your jewelry pliers to gently open the loop on your earring hook. Thread the loop through a stitch at the top of the earring. Use the pliers to close the loop securely.

You’ve now created a pair of beautiful, vintage-inspired crochet earrings.
Video tutorial