purlJam

# Purple Orchid Plant – Crochet Pattern

A charming little potted orchid in soft purple, perfect for a windowsill or desk. This beginner-friendly pattern uses only basic stitches and simple shapes — no complicated shaping required! Makes a lovely gift that never needs watering.

**Finished size:** Approximately 22 cm (8½") tall, pot 7 cm (2¾") diameter
**Skill level:** Beginner

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## Materials

- **Yarn (DK/worsted weight, aran):**
  - Purple – approx. 20 g (for flowers and buds)
  - Green – approx. 25 g (for stem and leaves)
  - Terracotta or brown – approx. 20 g (for pot)
  - Small amount of yellow (for flower centres)
- **Hook:** 3.5 mm (UK 9 / US E-4)
- **Yarn needle** for sewing in ends and assembly
- **Stitch marker** (to mark beginning of rounds)
- **Toy stuffing** (polyester fibrefill)
- **Pipe cleaner or floral wire** – approx. 18 cm (optional but recommended, to make stem bendable)
- **Small piece of cardboard** (optional, for pot base stability)

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## Tension (Gauge)

18 dc × 20 rounds = 10 cm (4") working in the round.
Exact tension is not critical for this project — just work tightly enough that the stuffing doesn't show through.

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## Abbreviations (UK Terms)

- **ch** – chain
- **dc** – double crochet (= US single crochet)
- **htr** – half treble crochet (= US half double crochet)
- **tr** – treble crochet (= US double crochet)
- **dtr** – double treble (= US treble)
- **sl st** – slip stitch
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **inc** – increase (2 dc in same st)
- **dec** – decrease (dc2tog, invisible decrease preferred)
- **MR** – magic ring
- **rnd** – round
- **[ ]** – stitch count at end of round
- **( ) x N** – repeat instructions in brackets N times

*Note: This pattern uses UK crochet terminology throughout.*

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## Pattern Instructions

### 1. The Pot (make 1, in terracotta yarn)

Worked in continuous spirals — place stitch marker and move up each round.

- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around. **[12]** ✓ (6 × 2 = 12)
- **Rnd 3:** (dc, inc) x 6. **[18]** ✓ (6 + 6 = 18)
- **Rnd 4:** (2 dc, inc) x 6. **[24]** ✓ (12 + 6 = 24 — this completes the flat base)
- **Rnd 5:** working in **back loops only**, dc in each st around. **[24]** *(creates a crisp edge at the bottom of the pot)*
- **Rnds 6–10:** dc in each st around. **[24]** *(5 plain rounds — pot sides)*
- **Rnd 11:** working in **front loops only**, dc in each st around. **[24]** *(creates the rim of the pot)*
- **Rnd 12:** working in remaining back loops of Rnd 11, dc in each st around. **[24]**
- Sl st to next st, fasten off and weave in ends.

*Optional: Cut a small cardboard circle (~6 cm) and place inside the base before assembly for added stability.*

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### 2. The Stem (make 1, in green yarn)

- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnds 2–30:** dc in each st around. **[6]** *(29 plain rounds — approximately 15 cm long)*
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail (~25 cm) for sewing.

**Stuffing the stem:** Insert a pipe cleaner or floral wire down the centre, then lightly stuff around it. This allows the stem to bend gracefully and stand upright. If not using wire, stuff firmly.

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### 3. The Flowers (make 3, in purple yarn)

Each flower has 5 petals worked from a small centre ring.

- **Rnd 1:** 5 dc in MR, pull tight. Do **not** join — work petals one at a time. **[5]**
- **Petal 1:** In next st: (ch 3, 2 tr, 2 dtr, 2 tr, ch 3, sl st in same st). *Petal made.*
- **Petals 2–5:** Repeat petal instructions in each of the next 4 sts. **[5 petals]** ✓
- Sl st to first st of round, fasten off leaving a 20 cm tail.

**Flower centre:** With yellow yarn, embroider 3–4 small French knots or straight stitches in the centre of each flower.

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### 4. The Buds (make 2, in purple yarn)

Small teardrop shapes for unopened flower buds.

- **Rnd 1:** 4 dc in MR. **[4]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around. **[8]** ✓ (4 × 2 = 8)
- **Rnds 3–4:** dc in each st around. **[8]**
- **Rnd 5:** (2 dc, dec) x 2. **[6]** ✓ (4 + 2 = 6)
- Stuff lightly with a tiny piece of fibrefill.
- **Rnd 6:** (dc, dec) x 2. **[4]** ✓
- Fasten off, leaving a 15 cm tail. Pull tail through remaining stitches to close.

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### 5. The Leaves (make 2, in green yarn)

Worked flat, in rows, around a starting chain.

- **Foundation:** Ch 11.
- **Row 1:** Starting in 2nd ch from hook: dc, htr, tr, tr, tr, tr, tr, htr, dc, **3 dc in last ch** (working around the tip), then continuing along the opposite side of the chain: dc, htr, tr, tr, tr, tr, tr, htr, dc. Sl st to first dc. **[23 sts total]** ✓ (10 + 3 + 10 = 23)
- Fasten off, leaving a 20 cm tail for sewing.

*The leaves should be flat and pointed at one end, rounded at the other.*

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## Assembly

1. **Prepare the pot:** Stuff the pot firmly with fibrefill, leaving the top 1 cm unstuffed. Optionally, push a small cardboard disc to the bottom for stability.

2. **Attach the stem to the pot:** Push the bottom of the stem into the centre of the pot's stuffing. Using the green yarn tail, sew the base of the stem securely to the pot stuffing/rim with several stitches. Make sure it stands upright — bend slightly if using wire.

3. **Attach the leaves:** Position the two leaves at the base of the stem, on opposite sides, resting on top of the pot. Sew in place using the green tails, slightly curling them for a natural look.

4. **Attach the flowers and buds:**
   - Sew the **2 buds** near the top of the stem (the highest point) — these represent unopened flowers.
   - Sew the **3 flowers** spaced down the upper third of the stem, slightly staggered for a natural cascading look (typical of orchid flower spikes).
   - Use the purple tails to secure each flower firmly to the stem.

5. **Final touches:** Gently bend the stem into a graceful curve if you've used wire. Fluff out the petals and arrange the leaves.

6. **Weave in all remaining ends.**

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## Tips for Success

- **Work tightly** when crocheting the pot and stem so the stuffing doesn't peek through.
- **Use an invisible decrease** (insert hook through front loops only of next 2 sts, yarn over and pull through both, then yarn over and pull through both loops) for smoother shaping on the buds.
- **Block the flowers** lightly by spritzing with water and pressing flat — this helps the petals lie open and look more realistic.
- **Colour variations:** Try white, pink, or yellow flowers for different orchid varieties. Add a contrasting tip to the petals for a "Phalaenopsis" look using a tiny amount of darker purple embroidery.

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Enjoy your everlasting orchid! 🌸