Cherry Hexagon Strap Teether: Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

The Cherry Hexagon Strap Teether is a sweet, simple little project that's perfect for anyone who wants to make a handmade baby gift without a big time commitment. It's built from just four crocheted hexagons—three in soft oatmeal and one in charcoal that carries a tiny embroidered cherry—joined into a flexible strip with a smooth wooden ring tied at each end. Because it uses only single crochet and basic increases, it's genuinely beginner-friendly, and the whole thing works up in an evening or two. The finished strap is about 8 inches long and 2 inches wide, with a soft, dense cotton texture that's gentle for little hands to grab and chew.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn, approx. 50 yds total — 30 yds oatmeal (Color A), 20 yds charcoal (Color B). Cotton is recommended because it's durable, washable, and holds up to teething.
• Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6) crochet hook
• Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and embroidery, scissors, two wooden rings (1.5 inch / 4 cm diameter)
• Finished size: Approx. 8 inches (20 cm) long including rings, 2 inches (5 cm) wide

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.
• inc — increase: work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch.
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• rnd — round

Gauge

16 sc x 18 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. To check, crochet a small flat swatch in single crochet and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches than 16, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Keep your tension even and fairly firm—a dense, tight hexagon holds its shape better and is more durable for a baby item.
• Work the increases in the same direction each round so your hexagons stay flat and even rather than ruffling.
• Leave a generous 6-inch tail on every hexagon; you'll use these tails for whipstitching the strip together, so you won't need to start new seaming yarn.
• Embroider the cherry before you join the hexagons—it's much easier to work on a flat, loose piece than on the assembled strip.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Hexagon (make 4: 3 in Color A, 1 in Color B)

Rnd 1: With A or B, ch 2, then work 6 sc into the 2nd ch from hook. Join with sl st to first sc. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around. Join. (12 sts)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] around. Join. (18 sts)

Rnd 4: Ch 1, [sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] around. Join. (24 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail for sewing. Each hexagon should measure roughly 2 inches across.

Cherry Accent (on the Color B hexagon only)

With B and a tapestry needle, embroider a small cherry using satin stitch: work two small filled circles (approx. 0.5 inch diameter) side by side near the center of the hexagon, then add a short stem with a few straight stitches above them.

Assembly

Arrange the hexagons in a strip in this order: A, A, B, A. Using the yarn tails and a tapestry needle, whipstitch the edges together, aligning the flat sides so the strip lies straight.

Attach the Wooden Rings

Cut two 6-inch lengths of yarn. Thread one length through the end of the strip and around a wooden ring (1.5 inch diameter). Tie securely with a square knot and weave in the ends. Repeat on the other end of the strip.

Assembly and Finishing

Once the strip is joined and both rings are attached, weave in all remaining ends on the wrong side, working them through a few stitches so they're secure. Block lightly if desired: mist the strip with water, pat it flat, and let it dry completely—this helps the hexagons lie flat and even. Check that both knots are tight and that no loose tails remain within a baby's reach.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the cherry for a different simple motif—a tiny heart or star—to personalize the strap for a particular baby.
• Use a contrasting color for the joining whipstitch to make the hexagon seams a design feature.
• Make a longer version by adding more hexagons to the strip for a stroller or car-seat clip strap.