purlJam

# Mini Crochet Car — Phone Strap Charm

A teeny chunky car charm perfect for clipping onto your phone strap, bag zip, or keys. Worked in simple ovals and circles using only basic stitches — ideal for beginners!

**Finished size:** approx. 5 cm long × 3 cm tall × 2.5 cm wide (2" × 1¼" × 1")

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran) yarn in small amounts of:
  - Main colour (MC) — car body, e.g. red, blue, or pastel (~5 g)
  - Contrast colour (CC) — windows/cab, e.g. light grey or cream (~2 g)
  - Black — wheels (~2 g)
  - Optional: small scrap of yellow for headlights
- **Hook:** 3.0 mm (UK 11 / US C-2 or D-3) — going down from the yarn label to keep stitches tight
- **Notions:**
  - Yarn needle (for sewing up)
  - Stitch marker
  - Polyester toy stuffing (small amount)
  - Phone strap finding with split ring/lobster clasp
  - Optional: 5 cm length of cord or jump ring for attaching strap

## Tension (Gauge)

Tension is not critical, but aim for approximately **5 dc and 5 rounds = 2.5 cm (1")** worked tightly so stuffing does not show through.

## Abbreviations (UK terms)

- **ch** — chain
- **dc** — double crochet (US: sc)
- **dc2tog** — double crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
- **inc** — 2 dc in same stitch (increase)
- **sl st** — slip stitch
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **rnd** — round
- **MR** — magic ring
- **[ ]** — total stitch count at end of round
- **( ) x N** — repeat instructions in brackets N times

**Note:** Work in continuous spirals (do not join) unless told otherwise. Use a stitch marker to track the start of each round.

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## Pattern

### CAR BODY (make 1, in MC)

Worked as a small oval, starting with a foundation chain.

**Foundation:** Ch 6 in MC.

**Rnd 1:** Working into the chain: 2 dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in next 3 ch, 3 dc in last ch; rotate to work along opposite side of chain: 1 dc in next 3 ch, 1 dc in same st as starting 2 dc (i.e. join to first st area). **[10 sts]**
*Check: 2 + 3 + 3 + 3 − 1 overlap setup = 10 ✓*

**Rnd 2:** Inc, 3 dc, (inc) x2, 3 dc, inc. **[14 sts]**
*Check: 2 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 3 + 2 = 14 ✓*

**Rnd 3:** Inc, 5 dc, (inc) x2, 5 dc, inc. **[18 sts]**
*Check: 2 + 5 + 2 + 2 + 5 + 2 = 18 ✓*

**Rnds 4–6:** Dc in each st around. **[18 sts]** (3 rounds)

This forms the lower body of the car. Do not fasten off — continue to shape the top.

**Rnd 7:** Dc in each st around, working through back loops only (this creates a subtle ridge where the cab will sit). **[18 sts]**

**Rnd 8:** Dc in each st around. **[18 sts]**

**Rnd 9:** (1 dc, dc2tog) x6. **[12 sts]**
*Check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

Stuff the body firmly.

**Rnd 10:** (dc2tog) x6. **[6 sts]**

Fasten off, leaving a 15 cm tail. Use the tail to close the remaining hole and weave in.

> 💡 *Tip: Shape the body gently with your fingers into a flat-bottomed oval before sewing on the cab.*

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### CAB / WINDOWS (make 1, in CC)

A smaller oval to sit on top of the body as the windscreen/cabin.

**Foundation:** Ch 4 in CC.

**Rnd 1:** 2 dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, 3 dc in last ch; working along opposite side: 1 dc in next ch, 1 dc in same st as start. **[6 sts]**

**Rnd 2:** Inc, 1 dc, (inc) x2, 1 dc, inc. **[10 sts]**
*Check: 2 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 10 ✓*

**Rnd 3:** Dc in each st around. **[10 sts]**

Sl st to next st to even out, fasten off leaving a 25 cm tail for sewing.

Do not stuff — leave flat/slightly domed.

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### WHEELS (make 4, in Black)

Small flat discs.

**Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR. **[6 sts]**

**Rnd 2:** Inc in each st around. **[12 sts]**

Sl st to next st to close, fasten off leaving a 20 cm tail.

Flatten the disc — do not stuff.

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### STRAP LOOP

**Ch 12.** Sl st to first ch to form a ring. Fasten off leaving a 15 cm tail.

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## Assembly

1. **Position the cab:** Place the CC oval on top of the body, centred between rounds 7–9 (the back-loop ridge from Rnd 7 acts as a helpful guide). Pin in place.
2. **Sew the cab** to the body all the way around using the long tail and a whip stitch through both layers. Weave in ends.
3. **Position the wheels:** Pin 2 wheels on each side of the car body, near the bottom edge, approximately 1 cm in from each end. Check symmetry by viewing from above.
4. **Sew the wheels** to the body using whip stitch around each disc edge. Weave in ends.
5. **Attach strap loop:** Sew the chain ring securely to the top centre of the cab (or to the back/roof, depending on how you'd like it to hang). Stitch through the loop several times to reinforce.
6. **Add phone strap finding:** Thread your phone strap, lobster clasp, or jump ring through the chain loop.

### Optional details

- **Headlights:** Embroider two small yellow French knots on the front of the car.
- **Windows:** Add a horizontal line of black surface slip stitch across the middle of the cab to suggest a window divider.
- **Door line:** A short vertical line of surface slip stitch in a darker shade of MC on each side.
- **Number plate:** A tiny rectangle of white felt glued to the front/back.

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## Care

Hand wash gently in cool water. Reshape and air dry flat. Avoid heavy tumbling as the strap finding may scratch other items.

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## Quick Stitch-Count Summary

| Piece | Final stitch count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Body | 18 sts max, closed to 6 | Stuff firmly |
| Cab | 10 sts | Flat, unstuffed |
| Wheels (×4) | 12 sts each | Flat discs |
| Strap loop | 12 ch | Joined ring |

Enjoy your tiny crochet car charm! 🚗