Free Crochet Our Lady Of Aparecida Using Soda Tabs

Honor faith and creativity with this Crochet OUR LADY OF APARECIDA using soda can tabs, blending devotion, texture, and thoughtful reuse beautifully.

A simple moment on the banks of the Paraiba River forever changed the hearts of many as a statue pulled from the waters became a national symbol of devotion and faith. Inspired by this sacred story, a modern interpretation takes shape using humble materials like yarn and soda can tabs. Through thoughtful hands, this tribute to Our Lady of Aparecida reflects both spiritual reverence and creative sustainability in a unique, meaningful form.

Easy Free Crochet OUR LADY OF APARECIDA as Thoughtful Keepsake

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Delicate stitching outlines her iconic silhouette while the rich blue and gold tones speak of grace and protection. The use of soda can tabs offers a subtle metallic frame, giving structure and shine that contrast beautifully with the softness of yarn. Lightweight and versatile, the finished piece can rest on a personal altar, decorate a sacred space, or serve as a heartfelt gift filled with spiritual significance.

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Its beauty lies not just in its form but in its purpose as each detail is woven with care and each recycled tab is repurposed into something sacred. More than ornamentation, it becomes a quiet reminder of hope, protection, and enduring faith. A celebration of tradition made contemporary through thoughtful hands offering meaning in every stitch and light in every corner it graces.

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Crochet Our Lady of Aparecida Pattern

Materials List

  • Yarn: Thick silk thread (tex 288) or substitute with Anne yarn, in blue, gold, and brown (or similar shade)
  • Hook: 0.75 mm crochet hook
  • Sardine Can Tabs: Two (one smaller, one larger)
  • Pearls: Very small for decoration
  • Needles:
    • Small, for threading pearls
    • Tapestry needle for sewing and embroidery
  • Black Thread: For embroidering the eyes
  • Wire: Small piece (from sardine can for structure)
  • Hot Glue: For attaching components
  • Scissors: For cutting thread and wire
  • Lighter: For sealing yarn ends
  • Optional:
    • Refrigerator magnet
    • Brooch pin
    • Additional glue as needed

Abbreviations

Abbreviation Meaning
ch Chain
sc Single Crochet
hdc Half Double Crochet
dc Double Crochet
sl st Slip Stitch
st(s) Stitch(es)
inc Increase (2 sts in one st)
MC Magic Circle
rep Repeat

Special Notes

  • Pattern uses US crochet terminology.
  • Sardine can tabs are used as the structural base for the body and arms.
  • Adjust cover size by working six or seven rows—seven for a larger figure.
  • Decoration and assembly can be customized (brooch, magnet, pearls, etc).

Step-by-Step Pattern

1. Foundation (Body & Arms) with Sardine Can Tabs

Body:

  1. Attach brown yarn to the smaller part of a sardine can tab.
  2. Work a single crochet (sc) into this section.
  3. Move to larger section of the tab and work 20 sc evenly spaced along its edge.
  4. Return to smaller part of the same tab and work 12 sc (with the first, a total of 13 sc).
  5. Finish with a slip stitch (sl st). Fasten off.
  6. Save

Hands:

  • Crochet hands directly onto the body as you worked above.
  1. Insert hook through the smaller part of the tab, yarn over, pull through and make a sc.
  2. Repeat for second hand as per previous steps.
  3. For each hand:
    • Ch 3.
    • Attach chain with a sl st on top of previous sc.
    • Repeat for other hand.
  4. Add 2 more sc in the smaller part for finishing.
  5. Finish with sl st in the middle, fasten off, weave ends, and seal with lighter.
  6. For realistic hands, glue the two "chain hands" together at the tips with a dab of hot glue.

2. Head

With skin-tone yarn:

  1. Magic Circle (MC), ch 3.
  2. Work 12 dc into the MC (counting ch 3 as the first dc).
  3. Pull circle tight, join with sl st in top of first dc.
  4. Fasten off, seal end.

Facial Embroidery:

  1. With black thread, embroider two small, closed eyes (as in video) toward the center/bottom of the head circle.
  2. Weave in ends securely.

3. Cover/Cape

With blue yarn:

  1. Magic Circle (MC), ch 2.
  2. Work 12 hdc into circle (including ch 2).
  3. Pull tight, join to second ch with sl st.
  4. Ch 1, then 12 sc into the inner loops only of previous round for a raised effect.
  5. Join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off, seal ends.

Cape Rows:

  1. Attach blue yarn at edge. Ch 2.
  2. Work 2 hdc in same st (increase).
  3. Work 8 hdc along the edge, one in each st.
  4. Work 2 hdc in last st.
  5. Ch 2, turn.
  6. Repeat row: Increase at both ends, hdc in each middle st.
  7. Continue for 7 total rows (or only 6 for a smaller cape), always increasing at start/end.
  8. Fasten off, seal ends.

Note:
For a magnet, use 7 rows for a larger cover. For a brooch, 6 rows is sufficient.

4. Border & Crown

With gold yarn:

Border:

  1. Attach gold yarn at edge.
  2. Work a round of sc evenly around the cape.
  3. Finish with sl st at the end.
  4. Work a round of sl st (loose tension) to close and neaten the border.
  5. Fasten off, weave and seal ends.
  6. Save

Crown:

  1. Work into the raised section (created by inner loop row) of the cover/cape.
  2. Attach gold yarn at back, ch 1.
  3. Work sc into each st around the raised section.
  4. Join with sl st.
  5. Ch 3, sl st into same base st.
  6. Sl st into next st, ch 3, sl st into same base st.
  7. Repeat for total of 5 crown points.
  8. Fasten off, weave and seal ends.

5. Assembly and Decoration

  1. Glue the head above the body (large part of tab).
  2. Glue or sew cape over body, leaving raised edge and crown visible.
  3. Affix pearls as desired (before or after assembly).
  4. Save
  5. Attach your chosen backing:
    • For refrigerator magnet: Glue magnet to the back.
    • For brooch: Sew or glue pin to the back.
  6. Seal all yarn ends with lighter, and trim any excess.
  7. Save

Conclusion

This Our Lady of Aparecida project is a creative, eco-friendly way to reuse sardine can tabs, blending crochet and upcycling into a beautiful result. It serves as a refrigerator magnet, brooch, or decorative applique, depending on how you finish it. The pattern is adaptable—make the cover smaller for a brooch or larger for a magnet. Pearls and crown finishing offer extra beauty. It’s a quick project, ideal for gifts or personal keepsakes.

Pattern Correction & Extra Tips

  • Cover rows: 6 rows for small, 7 for large.
  • When working with sardine can tabs, ensure all edges are smooth to avoid injury.
  • Keep tension loose when slip stitching the border so the piece does not curl.
  • Use hot glue sparingly and allow components to cool before handling.
  • Customize with additional colors, or use different yarn weights as preferred.
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