Anchors Aweigh! Have you ever heard that phrase and automatically thought it was "Anchors Away" and not "Anchors Aweigh?" No. Just me, huh? lol 😂 It is ok if I am alone on this one.
Sometimes I learn new things when I design a new applique, and this was definitely one of those times. When I first designed this pattern I automatically titled it "Anchors Away" without thinking about it. Later I Googled what the term actually meant and found out I was using the wrong spelling of "aweigh."
Silly me lol. So what does "anchors aweigh" actually mean? When ships are ready to leave the port, the captain has to make sure the anchor is pulled up and put away into its proper place. Aweigh means to pull up.
Once the anchor is pulled up and stored, it gets noted into a logbook and the crew is officially alerted that the ship is free to go.
While reading about the phrase "anchors aweigh" I also learned that it is the song of the U.S. Navy. If you would like to check it out, I shared the YouTube video below.
It is definitely true that I learn something new every day haha!
America is all about patriotism, so this applique is a great way to help celebrate holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day (also known as the 4th of July), and Veteran's Day.
However, this design is not just limited to the United States and to patriotic celebrations. It is a great nautical design for any time!
With a few color changes, you can use this design in a beach house or ocean-themed room of a house. If you have a deck with a pool this would be a great design for the patio, deck, or pool shed.
I think this would be neat near lake houses as well.
Tester Margie L. said she was going on a beach vacation after she finished testing this pattern and planned on collecting sea shells to make a shadow box with hers when she gets back! What a great idea!
Tester Jessica W. definitely showed us how you can totally give this applique set a different look just by changing up the colors. I am in love with her color combination. I would definitely use this combination for a beach house!
So, there are a lot of great uses for this applique. You could put it on a banner, a sign, a table runner, in a shadow box, on a blanket, or a pillow or anywhere your little heart desires it to be.
Note: This post contains affiliate links in which I may earn a small commission on for clicks and or purchases at no extra cost to you. This helps me provide the blog, website, and pattern free to you. Without your support, I could not provide these services and products! My family and I thank you!
One of my testers had a really great idea. She is planning to put hers on an afghan to gift to a veteran. That warms my heart so much!
If you truly enjoy this pattern and would like to get an ad-free printable copy you can purchase the PDF from any of my three shops:
So here is how you crochet this nautical applique.
“Anchors Aweigh”
Crochet Pattern
Materials:
Worsted Weight 4 yarn
Grey
Choice of color(s) for rope and/or stars
Hook - G 4 mm
Scissors
Hot Glue - optional for assembly
Invisible thread - optional for securing the rope sections
Yarn Needle
Stitches:
MR - Magic Ring
Ch - chain
Sc - single crochet
Sl st - slip stitch
Hdc - half double crochet
Hdc2tog - crochet two half double crochet stitches together or invisible decrease
Sp - space
St(s) - stitch(es)
#st - complete # number of sts in same space
St # - complete stitch in next # number of spaces
Pattern Info - The anchor is approximately 12 inches tall by 10 inches wide depending on assembly. The stars/starfish are approximately 4 x 4 inches. You can use this applique with or without the stars. It is great on blankets, banners, bags, signs and more!
Skill Level / Language
Skill level - beginner. This pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
Pattern Instructions
Note: leave long tails if sewing together or weave in ends if gluing together
Note: beginning/turning chains do not count as stitches
Note: below is a photo key to help assist you identify each part
Ring:
Begin: Ch 18, sl st to join to first ch to make a ring, ch 1.
Round 1: Hdc approximately 24 around the ring or as many as you need ending in an even number, sl st to join, ch 1. (approx. 24st)
Round 2: *Hdc, 2hdc*, repeat around, sl st to join, fasten off. (approx. 36st)
Shank:
Begin: Ch 35
Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc 33, ch 1. (34st)
Row 2 & 3: Turn, hdc 34, ch 1. Fasten off after last st of row 3. (34st)
Stock:
Begin: Ch 21
Row 1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc 19, ch 1. (20st)
Row 2: Turn, hdc 20, fasten off. (20st)
Stock ends: make 2
Begin: MR, ch 1
Round 1: Hdc 10 in MR, pull tight to close, sl st to join, ch 1. (10st)
Round 2: 2Hdc in each st around, sl st to join, fasten off. (20st)
Crown:
Begin: MR, ch 1
Row 1: Hdc 2 in MR, pull tight to close, DO NOT sl st to join, ch 1. (2st)
Row 2: Turn, 2hdc in each st, ch 1. (4st)
Row 3: Turn, 2hdc, hdc 2, 2hdc, pointed section complete, ch 21. (6st - ch 21)
Row 4: Turn, hdc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc 19, first arm started. Working back into the “pointed section” hdc 6, ch 21. (26st - ch 21)
Row 5: Turn, hdc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc 19, second arm started. Working back into the “pointed section” hdc 6, hdc 20 into the first arm, ch 1. (46st)
Row 6: Turn, hdc 16, hdc2tog twice, first arm complete. Hdc 6 in pointed section, hdc 20 in the second arm, ch 1. (44st)
Row 7: Turn, hdc 16, hdc2tog twice, second arm complete.Sl st 6 in pointed section, fasten off. (24st)
Flukes: make 2
Begin: MR, ch1
Row 1: Sc 2 in MR, pull tight to close, DO NOT sl st to join, ch 1. (2st)
Row 2: Turn, 2sc in each st, ch 1. (4st)
Row 3: Turn, 2hdc, hdc 2, 2hdc, ch 1. (6st)
Row 4: Turn, 2hdc, hdc 4, 2hdc, ch 1. (8st)
Row 5: Turn, 2hdc, hdc 6, 2hdc, ch 1. (10st)
Row 6: Turn, 2hdc, hdc 8, 2hdc, ch 1. (12st)
Row 7: Turn, sc 12, fasten off. (12st)
Rope: Colors of choice
Begin: Make separate chs of 50. Tie one end of the tails together in a knot. Twist to form the look of a rope. Tie the loose ends together in a knot. If you would like to make your rope more secure you can use hot glue between the twists or use invisible thread from a craft store to sew together. If you are using brown or one single color you can use your yarn to sew some stitches through the twisted chs to secure them.
Stars or Starfish: Color(s) of choice
Begin: MR, ch 1.
Round 1: Hdc 10 in MR, pull tight to close, sl st to join, ch 1. (10st)
Round 2: 2Hdc in each st around, sl st to join, ch 7. (20st)
Points of Star: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc, hdc, dc, tr 2, sk 3, sl st to join in 4th st (first point made). *Ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc, hdc, dc, tr 2, sk 3, sl st to join in next st* repeat 3 more times, fasten off. (5 points)
Final Assembly:
Note: I assemble my appliques with hot glue, which is a fast and safe method. The glue adheres to the fibers quite well and the applique is very secure. The hot glue packaging that I use says it is non-toxic so it is safe, in my opinion, as well. In addition, you can machine wash on cold, and lay flat to dry or tumble dry/lowest heat setting. You may also use other fabric-safe glue or use the traditional method of sewing your pieces together.
Note: use the photo below this section to help know where each part goes
How I assembled the applique:
I lay out all my pieces to get the look I want first. You can use pins to hold it together if you desire and/or take a picture of your layout with your phone to reference as you are putting it together.
First, I attached the ring to the top of the shank.
Next, I attached the stock to the backside of the shank about 1 inch below the ring and attached the shank ends following.
Then, I attached the crown to the bottom end of the shank.
Following the crown attachment, I attached the flukes to each side of the crown.
To finish the anchor I attached one end of the rope to the back inner side of the ring. I ran the rope behind the shank. Then I wrapped the rope around the front of the shank and down around the crown and finished by attaching the end of the rope to the backside of the crown. There is no right or wrong way to wrap your rope, feel free to play with it to get the look you like most. There are a lot of images of anchors with ropes wrapped around them on google if you would like more ideas.
As always, I hope you enjoyed creating an Orchid and Bee's pattern! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss out on a FREE Pattern on my blog!
Please feel free to share how you used your applique! #anchorsaweigh I would love to see your project photos! You are welcome to share your photos in the VIP group where we all swap project ideas.
If you truly enjoy this pattern and would like to get an ad-free printable copy, you can purchase the PDF from any of my three shops:
I also have a membership option where you can get unlimited access and downloads of my patterns! Be sure to check it out here.
From wherever you are on this great big planet, I hope you have a great rest of your day and I pray wonderful things make their way into your life!
Thanks again for visiting Orchid and Bee's, and I will see you again nextweek!
Blessings,
Karen E.
Orchid and Bee's
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