Big Petal Crochet Flower

A beginner-friendly appliqué flower with oversized, fan-shaped petals. The center is a small circle of single crochet; each petal is a tall fan worked into one stitch so the petals read large and open. Use one color or a contrasting center. Perfect for bags, hats, garments, wreaths, or a pin-back brooch.

Materials

Yarn: Worsted weight (CYC 4), any fiber.
Yardage: About 20 yd (18 m) total. If using two colors: 5 yd (4.5 m) Color A (center), 15 yd (14 m) Color B (petals).
Hook: US H/8 (5 mm), or size needed for a firm but not stiff fabric.
Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, optional stitch marker, optional pin back or sew-on snap if using as a brooch.

Make it bigger (optional): US I/9 (5.5 mm) or J/10 (6 mm) for a larger flower in the same yarn; or use bulky (CYC 5) with US K/10.5 (6.5 mm).

Gauge

Gauge is not critical for this project.

With worsted yarn and US H/8 (5 mm), the finished flower measures about 4 in (10 cm) in diameter. Extra-Large Petals (see variation) measure about 5 in (12.5 cm) in diameter.

If your petals curl tightly, go up a hook size. If they look floppy and the center gaps, go down a hook size.

Sizes

One size: about 4 in (10 cm) across (main pattern).
See Pattern Notes for Extra-Large Petals (~5 in / 12.5 cm) and a 6-petal option.

Abbreviations (US terms)

• ch — chain
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• sl st — slip stitch
• sc — single crochet
• hdc — half double crochet
• dc — double crochet
• tr — treble crochet
• dtr — double treble crochet (Extra-Large variation only)
• rnd — round
• rep — repeat
• yo — yarn over
• MR — magic ring (adjustable ring)

Special stitches

Treble crochet (tr): Yo twice, insert hook in indicated st, yo and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), [yo and pull through 2 loops] 3 times.

Double treble crochet (dtr): Yo 3 times, insert hook in indicated st, yo and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), [yo and pull through 2 loops] 4 times.

Magic ring: Wrap yarn around index finger to form a ring, insert hook into ring, yo and pull up a loop, ch 1. Work the stated stitches into the ring, then pull the tail to close. If you prefer not to use a magic ring, use the chain-center alternative given in the pattern.

Pattern Notes

• US crochet terminology throughout.
• Flower is worked in joined rounds, right side facing. Do not turn.
• Work in both loops unless stated otherwise.
• Ch 1 at the start of the center round does not count as a stitch.
• Join rounds with a sl st in the first sc of the round.
• Each petal is a fan worked into one stitch. Keep that base stitch pinched so every petal stitch goes into the same hole.
• Stitch math: Center has 10 sc. Each petal uses 2 center stitches (fan in 1 st, sl st in the next). 5 petals × 2 sts = 10 sts ✓
• Petal stitch count (main): Each fan is sc, hdc, 2 dc, 3 tr, 2 dc, hdc, sc = 11 sts in one base st.
• Tension: Work the 3 tr at the petal tip a little loosely so the petal opens instead of cupping.
• Two-color option: Fasten off Color A after Rnd 1. Join Color B in any sc and work Rnd 2.

Extra-Large Petals (optional)

For a bigger flower without changing yarn, replace each petal fan with:
(sc, hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr, 3 dtr, 2 tr, 2 dc, hdc, sc) in the same base st, then sl st in the next st.
Finished size about 5 in (12.5 cm). (5 petals × 2 center sts = 10 sts ✓)

Six-petal option (optional)

Work Rnd 1 with 12 sc instead of 10. Work 6 petals in Rnd 2 (petal in 1 st, sl st in next, around). (6 petals × 2 sts = 12 sts ✓)

Pattern

Center

Rnd 1: Make a MR, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 10 sc in ring, join with sl st to first sc. Pull tail firmly to close the hole. (10 sc)

Chain-center alternative: Ch 2, work 10 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join with sl st to first sc. (10 sc) Use the starting tail to close any remaining hole.

Tip: Place a stitch marker in the first sc if you find the join hard to see.

Petals

Rnd 2: Do not chain. Starting in the same stitch as the join, work 5 petals as follows:

*In the next st work (sc, hdc, 2 dc, 3 tr, 2 dc, hdc, sc), sl st in the next st; rep from * 4 more times. (5 petals)

You will use every center stitch exactly once: petal, sl st, petal, sl st, around (10 sts used ✓). The last sl st falls in the last remaining center st. Fasten off.

Beginner checkpoint after petal 1: You should see one open fan and one sl st. Two center stitches used, eight left. After all 5 petals, no empty center stitches remain.

If a petal looks skinny: You likely split the base stitch. Pull the fan out and redo it, inserting the hook under both loops of that same sc each time.

If you end with a leftover stitch: A sl st was skipped. Count pairs: you need five (fan + sl st) pairs.

Finishing

1. Weave in the starting tail on the wrong side, circling the center once so the magic ring cannot reopen, then weave away from the center.
2. Weave in the ending tail along the wrong side of the nearest sl st and into the back of a petal.
3. Shape the petals with your fingers, stroking each fan from center to tip so the 3 tr sit at the outer edge.
4. Optional light block: Pin each petal open on a blocking mat. Mist with water (or hover a steam iron; do not press acrylic). Let dry. Blocking makes the petals look larger and more even.
5. Sew onto your project through the center only, so the petals stay free. For a brooch, sew a pin back to the wrong side of the center.

Quick reference — one petal (main)

In one sc: sc, hdc, dc, dc, tr, tr, tr, dc, dc, hdc, sc. Then sl st in the next sc.

Quick reference — one extra-large petal

In one sc: sc, hdc, dc, dc, tr, tr, dtr, dtr, dtr, tr, tr, dc, dc, hdc, sc. Then sl st in the next sc.