Flowers — Small Crochet & Knit Motifs

Quick, versatile motifs for appliqué, garlands, brooches and more. Includes 3 crochet flowers, 1 knit flower and finishing/assembly instructions.

Materials

• Yarn: any smooth yarn. Sample weight: DK/light-worsted. Yarn amounts per motif (Imperial / Metric): Small crochet 5-petal: 3 yd / 3 m; Layered crochet: 10 yd / 9 m; Knit flat flower (5 petals): 12 yd / 11 m; 3D bud: 15 yd / 14 m.
• Hook/Needles: Crochet hook recommended: US F/5 (3.75 mm) / UK 5 / 3.75 mm; alternate US G/6 (4.0 mm) / UK 7 / 4.0 mm. Knitting needles: US 6 / UK 4 / 4.0 mm (DPNs or 16"/40 cm circular for magic-loop).
• Notions: tapestry needle, small amount of stuffing (for bud), stitch marker, optional bead/button for centre, scissors.

Abbreviations (US terms)

• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet (UK = dc)
• hdc = half double crochet (UK = htr)
• dc = double crochet (UK = tr)
• tr = treble crochet
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• k = knit, p = purl, k2tog = knit 2 together, kfb = knit front and back

Gauge & Finished Size

Gauge is not critical for appliqué motifs. Using DK yarn and a 3.75 mm hook the small crochet flower is about 1" (2.5 cm); layered flower ~2.5" (6.5 cm); knit flower ~2" (5 cm).

Pattern 1 — Crochet Simple 5-Petal Flower (US)

1. Make a magic ring.
2. Round 1: ch1, 5 sc into ring. Pull ring tight and join with sl st to first sc. (5 sc)
3. Round 2: *ch4, sl st into next sc* repeat from * to * around to make 5 loops. Join to first sl st. (5 ch-4 loops)
4. Round 3 (petals): In each ch-4 loop work: sl st, sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st. Fasten off and weave in ends. Block lightly if needed.

Notes: For a slightly fuller petal, increase the loop to ch5 in Round 2 and work an extra hdc in Round 3.

Pattern 2 — Crochet Layered Flower

1. Make a magic ring.
2. Round 1: ch1, 8 sc into ring, tighten and join. (8 sc)
3. Round 2: *ch5, sl st into next sc* repeat 8 times to form 8 loops. Join.
4. Round 3 (outer petals): In each ch5 loop work: sl st, sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc, sl st. Fasten off outer layer.
5. Round 4 (inner layer): Reattach yarn to the centre and ch1. Work 8 sc around the centre between petals, join. Make 8 ch-3 loops with sl st into each sc. Into each ch-3 loop work sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc to create a smaller inner petal. Fasten off and weave ends.

Result: a two-layer flower with a small centre and larger outer petals. Adjust hook or yarn to change scale.

Pattern 3 — Crochet 3D Bud

1. Make a magic ring.
2. Round 1: 6 sc in ring. (6)
3. Round 2: inc in each st around. (12)
4. Round 3: *sc in next st, inc in next* repeat around. (18)
5. Rounds 4–6: sc around (18 each round). Stuff lightly after Round 5 to desired firmness.
6. Round 7: *sc in next st, sc2tog* repeat around. (12)
7. Round 8: sc2tog around. (6) Fasten off leaving a long tail; thread tail through tapestry needle and pull through remaining sts, secure and weave in end. Add a few straight stitches at the base if attaching to a stem.

Pattern 4 — Knit Flat Petal & Assembled Flower

Make 5 petals and sew together. Worked flat, then seamed.

1. Using US 6 (4.0 mm) needles, cast on 3 sts.
2. Petal shaping (worked on right-side rows only; wrong-side rows are purled):
3. Row 1 (RS): k across.
4. Row 2 (WS): p across.
5. Row 3 (inc row): kfb, knit to last st, kfb. (2 sts increased)
6. Repeat Rows 2–3 until you have 11 sts total.
7. Next rows: On RS rows decrease: k2tog at start and end of RS rows; WS rows purl. Continue until 1 st remains. Cut yarn leaving a long tail and draw through remaining stitch. Make 5 petals.
8. Sew five petals together by overlapping narrow ends in a circle, secure with stitches through centres. Add a small button or bead in centre if desired.

Assembly & Finishing

• Arrange petals in a pleasing layout before sewing; for layered crochet place the smaller flower on top of the larger and tack in several places.
• For a brooch back: glue or sew a pin back to a small felt circle, then stitch the flower to the felt.
• For a garland: attach flowers on short lengths of yarn or chain them with slip stitches.
• To stiffen for appliqué: mix equal parts PVA glue and water, brush onto petals and shape on a foam block until dry. Test on a scrap first.

Troubleshooting & Tips

• If petals curl, block them flat or use a larger hook for more drape.
• For tiny flowers, use fingering yarn and a 2.25 mm–3.25 mm hook (US B-1 to D-3 / UK 13–7).
• Keep tails long for assembly; hide them inside the centre when finishing for a neater look.