Best Teacher Apple Brooch

I wanted to make a simple gift for Thomas's music teacher Miss Katie, as today was our last day. I thought to make a small apple brooch but I had trouble finding an apple pattern I liked so ended up making up my own!

apple appliqué by Teena Sutton Murphy

 I tried several different apple appliqués using different yarns, included 8 ply acrylic. In the end I decided the 4 ply red cotton was best. I used a 2mm hook and my own pattern. I learnt how to make apples from 'ing-things' blog, but then changed the pattern to suit the 4 ply. The apples I made using her pattern are the large ones with dark green leaves. T o find out how to make the ones with dark leaves please go to her blog.

a selection of different kinds of apple appliqués

Apple Applique Pattern by Teena Sutton Murphy in US crochet

(for UK crochet sc = dc, dc = trbl, trbl = dbl trbl)
1. 3 ch (counts as 1st dc), 11 dc into 1st ch (12 dc)
2. 3 ch (counts as 1st dc), 2 trb in next, 2 trbl in next, 2 dc each  in next 7 dc (14 dc), 2 trb in next, 2 trbl in next,  3 ch sl st into 1st ch (24 st)
3. sc in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, sc in 1st trbl, 2 sc in next, 2 sc in next, 1 sc each in next 7 dc, 2 sc in next, 1 sc each in next 3 dc, 2 sc in next, 1 sc each in next 7 dc, 2 sc in 2nd last trbl, 2 sc in last trbl,  sc in 3rd last ch, sc in 2nd last ch, sl st to 1st sc
For the leaf and stem, I followed the pattern at ing-things.

I prefer to stitch on rather than use a glue gun

I don't like to use glue, so I don't own a glue gun. I don't know if they work better but as a rule I prefer not to use glue as in my experience it just falls apart. So I stitch the brooch pin onto the back of the applique, I think it stays on better that way.

apple brooch for best teacher

I think Miss Katie liked her special apple brooch that we gave to her today, I wonder if anyone else will want me to make this for them? I think I could make a few for an online shop when I get around to it!