Crochet flowers are about as rewarding as a project gets. You can finish one in an evening (often in ten minutes), they're the perfect way to use up leftover yarn, and you can add them to almost anything, from a bag to a gift tag. Below you'll find an easy pattern for your first flower and ideas for using flowers in bigger projects.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. UK readers: US single crochet (sc) = UK double crochet, US half double crochet (hdc) = UK half treble, and US double crochet (dc) = UK treble.
Before you start
- What's the flower for: a brooch, an appliqué on a bag, or decoration on a blanket?
- Do you want a flat flower, or one with more volume?
- Are you sticking to one color, or combining leftovers?
Which crochet flower suits your project?
| Flower type | Technique | Level | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat basic flower | Magic ring with petals of sc, hdc and dc | Beginner | Brooch, card, gift tag |
| Layered flower | Several layers of petals stacked on top of each other | Beginner to intermediate | Blanket decoration, bag |
| Granny flower | Built up in rounds, like a granny square | Beginner | Cushions, appliqués |
| Large decorative flower | Bigger petals, thicker yarn | Intermediate | Wall decoration, bag flap |
Materials and yarn for crochet flowers
A small flower takes just a few meters of yarn, so this is the project to save your scraps for. Saturated colors look best: coral pink, yellow or purple with a green center or stem. Cotton is ideal because it gives crisp petals that hold their shape. Durable Coral (100% cotton, 50 g / 125 m, for a 2.5 to 3.5 mm hook) has a wide color range that works well for this. For a flower with more volume or body, choose a slightly thicker yarn so the petals keep their shape.
How to crochet a flower: easy pattern
If the basic stitches aren't second nature yet, start with our guide to crochet for beginners. This flat flower has 6 petals:
- Make a magic ring, chain 1 and work 12 sc into the ring. Pull the ring closed and join with a slip stitch into the first sc (12 stitches).
- Petal: work (sc, hdc, dc) in the next stitch, then (dc, hdc, sc) in the following stitch. Each petal spreads over 2 stitches of the first round.
- Repeat step 2 five more times, so you end up with 6 petals. Join with a slip stitch into the first sc.
- Fasten off and weave in the tail, or leave it long enough to sew the flower straight onto your project.
Want 5 petals instead? Work 10 sc into the ring and repeat the petal 5 times. For a fuller flower, crochet a second, larger layer separately (for example with (hdc, dc, dc) and (dc, dc, hdc) petals over 16 stitches, so you get 8 petals) and sew it behind the first. The flower looks much fuller without needing a new pattern. Change color after the first round and you get a contrasting center for free.
Using flowers in your projects
One flower makes a cute brooch or keychain, but they really shine on a bigger project. Sew a few onto a bag flap, scatter them along the border of a crochet blanket, or put one in the middle of a granny square. Small flowers in red and white also make quick decorations for the tree; for more ideas, see our Christmas crochet projects.
Crochet flowers FAQ
How much yarn do I need for one crochet flower?
A small flat flower takes just a few meters of yarn, well within what's left on an average scrap. That's why flowers are ideal for leftovers from earlier projects.
Can I wash crochet flowers?
That depends on the yarn. Cotton can usually go in the machine on a gentle cycle, but always check the label of the yarn you used, and put small flowers in a laundry bag so they don't get lost or stretched.
What size hook should I use for small flowers?
Follow the recommended size on the yarn label. For a firmer, more compact flower, it's fine to go down a size from the recommendation.
How do I make my flower stiffer, for a brooch for example?
Sew a small circle of felt or fabric to the back, or use a fabric stiffener (or a thin mix of white glue and water) and let it dry in shape. That way the flower keeps its form, even when worn on its own.
Can I use leftover yarn for crochet flowers?
Yes, that's exactly what flowers are great for. Each petal takes very little yarn, so even small scraps from a previous project are often enough for a whole flower.
Get started
A crochet flower is small enough to finish in one sitting and versatile enough to add to almost any project. Grab a scrap of yarn, make the basic flower from this article, and you'll soon find somewhere to put it.
