Lilac Retro Cell Phone Charm Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This Lilac Retro Cell Phone Charm is a tiny, flat crocheted flip-phone-style charm that brings back all the early 2000s nostalgia in the sweetest way. It is designed for beginners who know the basic single crochet stitch and want a fast, satisfying project that finishes in under an hour. Worked in soft lilac stripes with a little antenna, a hanging loop, and an embroidered screen, it looks like a miniature phone you would have clipped to your bag back in the day. It feels smooth and lightweight in the hand, and it is a wonderful way to use up leftover worsted weight yarn.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn in lilac (A) and light lilac (B), approximately 10 yards of each color.
- Hook: 3.75 mm (F/5) crochet hook.
- Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and embroidering the screen and buttons, scissors, and a keychain ring or split ring (optional, for attaching the charm).
- Finished size: Approximately 2 inches (5 cm) wide x 3.5 inches (9 cm) tall, excluding the loop and antenna.
Abbreviations
- ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
- sc – single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- sl st – slip stitch: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
- st(s) – stitch(es).
- R – row.
Gauge
20 single crochet x 22 rows = 4 inches (10 cm). To check your gauge, crochet a small swatch in single crochet and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if needed.
Tips Before You Start
- Keep your tension even so the body stays flat and rectangular; if your piece curls, try going up one hook size.
- Carry the unused color up the side of the work instead of cutting it at each color change to save time and yarn.
- Work the edging with a light touch so the corners stay square rather than ruffled.
- Embroider the screen and buttons after the edging is complete so you can center them accurately on the finished piece.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Body
Worked in rows with color A (lilac) and color B (light lilac).
R1: With A, ch 11, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (10 sts).
R2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts).
R3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts).
R4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts). Change to B.
R5: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts).
R6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts).
R7: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts).
R8: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts). Change to A.
R9: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts).
R10: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts).
R11: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts).
R12: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts). Change to B.
R13: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts).
R14: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts).
R15: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts).
R16: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts). Change to A.
R17: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts).
R18: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts).
R19: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts).
R20: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts). Do not fasten off.
Edging
Edging: Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire piece, working 1 sc in each row end along the sides and 1 sc in each st along the top and bottom, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Antenna
Antenna: Join A to the top right corner of the body. Ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (5 sl sts). Fasten off.
Hanging Loop
Hanging loop: Join A to the top center of the body. Ch 12, sl st in first ch to form a loop. Fasten off.
Screen
Screen: With B, embroider a small rectangle 4 sts wide x 3 rows tall on the front of the body using duplicate stitch, centered horizontally and 2 rows below the top edge.
Buttons
Buttons: With B, embroider 3 small vertical straight stitches below the screen, centered, spaced 1 st apart.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all ends neatly on the back of the piece, using the tapestry needle to hide them behind stitches. If desired, block lightly by misting with water and pinning flat to shape, then let it dry completely. Attach a keychain ring or split ring through the hanging loop if you want to clip the charm to a bag or phone.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the lilac shades for any two colors you love to make a custom phone charm that matches your bag or keys.
- Add a tiny bead or a French knot in place of the embroidered buttons for extra texture.
- Make a matching mini set in different colorways and attach them to a single ring for a retro charm cluster.
