Crochet Tutorial: How to attach a hair clip to a flower (or other) appliqué

I can’t count the number of times I have been asked how to attach a hair clip (alligator style or similar) to a crocheted flower. There are many ways to do it and no method is more “right” or “wrong” than another, but thought I would share how I do it so you visual types can see.  Warning: This tutorial is heavy on the photos!  But it just makes it easier than trying to put it all into words.  ;)

For this tutorial you will need the following:

1 completed flower (or other) appliqué ~ any style. (This looks best if the flower is longer than the hair clip you will be using so the clip is completely hidden underneath.) For this tutorial I will be using the 3 Layer Flower Appliqué (pattern available HERE).

1 alligator (or similar) hair clip. These can be purchased many places including most dollar stores, but if you’re looking for bulk supplies, check out Etsy suppliers. (The clip used for this tutorial was purchased HERE.)

A yarn or tapestry needle.

(Please excuse the poor quality of these pics.  I was dealing with a crappy camera, bad lighting and the WRONG color of yarn, lol!)

If you didn’t leave a lengthy tail on your appliqué, you will need to cut a piece of yarn several inches long and securely attach it to the back of your appliqué before beginning.

1. Thread your yarn tail onto your needle.  (My yarn tail is not very long – a lengthier tail would be easier to work with!)

2. Center your clip on the back of your appliqué.

3. Bring your needle through a couple of stitches near the upper left-hand side of your clip.

4. Wrap your yarn over the top of the clip (through the middle of the 2 “pinchers”).

5. Bring your needle through 1 or 2 stitches on the upper right-hand side of your clip.

6. Pull it through snuggly.

Close-up.

7. Open the clip and bring the yarn through the inside of the clip at the very top, then close the clip on the yarn.

8. Bring your needle through a couple of stitches near the upper left-hand side of your clip again.

9. Wrap your yarn over the top of the clip agin (through the middle of the 2 “pinchers”).

10. Bring your needle through 1 or 2 stitches on the upper right-hand side of your clip again and through 1 or 2 stitches further down on the right hand side of the clip as well.  I know, I could have included an extra photo here, but you get the point.  ;)

11. Open the clip and bring the yarn through the inside of the clip near the bottom edge, then close the clip on the yarn.

12. Insert your needle through several stitches on the left-hand side of the clip to secure.  Pull tightly.

13. Skip over a couple of stitches and insert your needle through a few more stitches to secure.

14. Pull through.  Fasten off.

15. Trim your tail.  You’re finished!

One sweet little flower clip – ready to be attached to a flower, headband or a cute little girl!

When attached this way, the clip is very secure.  Even with a lot of toddler tugging, your appliqué should remain firmly attached to your clip.

If you found this tutorial useful, leave a comment!  I would love your suggestions for future tutorials as well!

(For the record, I have nothing against hot glue.  I know many people simply hot glue their clippies to their appliqués.  I just prefer to avoid the extra time of heating the gun and the messiness and impending burns (I’m not such an expert with the hot guns ) and find this method to be quicker and easier!)